Customer Ratings & Reviews

Very happy with this watch. I bought this as a daily watch after being tired of super smart watches with the intention of tracking steps while also having enough battery for hiking/backpacking. I'm happy to say that this has done all that and more. This has just enough smart features to keep me informed but not too much where I feel overwhelmed. The MIP display looks great and the controls work great without a touchscreen. The torch/flashlight is an added bonus. A few negatives worth mentioning is that the solar really doesn't seem that effective and the breadcrumb mapping is not the best. The solar not being effective is not a concern since I only spend a few days at a time on trail and I typically track my location via my phone for mapping so both of these issues are mitigated for me. Overall I am very happy with this device!

I upgraded from the Instinct 1 so was used to the original interface as most of the basics are the same. The added features are really cool where they’ve brought some of the training summary info from the more expensive Fenix range. The flashlight I thought was a gimmic has actually been an awesome feature I use way more than I thought I would! Solar charge is a cool feature, typically getting a few weeks per charge and I run every other day.

Excellent overall. Excellent features and amazing battery life !

I had an Instinct 2 Solar and the contrast is so much better. I also randomly find myself using the flashlight function everyday. Great watch, great battery, great contrast.

The watch itself is awesome but finding instructions on Garmin connect app is very difficult and not user friendly

A great watch. I use it for kayaking, MTB, trail running and it is Great!. It had a black and white screen (not colour neither touch screen) but it is necessary for more power and solar charge capacity. The battery last more than 20 days if you don't use gps. Using gps I believe it could last at least 3 days (more than I need when I hike) but without taking into account the dollar charge capacity. To have taking on maps you need your cellphone. You can download previously map an your phone to work without connection

Bought for my anniversary with fiance. He enjoyed the rugged look, long battery life (I think he said weeks with one charge), and its improved sensor (he was upgrading from two gens back). The built in flashlight was a cool surprise.

Coming from a Samsung Watch 4, the Garmin Instinct 3 has been a fantastic upgrade. I absolutely love this watch for its lightweight design, long battery life, and excellent tracking features. Pros: Lightweight & Comfortable: Feels great on the wrist, even during long hours of wear. Great Battery Life: I've been using this watch in smartwatch mode for four days, and it still has 85% battery left—amazing compared to my previous watch. Crisp Display: Good visibility. I've been using the watch with 20% backlight and have no problem viewing it in sunlight or the dark. Good Sampling Rate: Tracks activities accurately with minimal delay. Sleep Tracking: Provides detailed and insightful sleep data. Torch: A very handy feature. Connectivity with Mobile: I've been using this watch with my Samsung S24, and it syncs perfectly. Cons: Update Process Could Be Better: The watch needed a reset to free up space for the update via Garmin Express, which was disappointing given its price.

Not a bad watch but it isnt touch screen. Takes awhile to figure out what buttons do what. The solar charging is a plus. It has alot of good features. But if you are looking for something modern that has a touch screen this watch probably isnt for you

Love this watch. Solid, looks great and very durable. The flashlight function in the watch has suprisingly come in handy more than orginally thought. Woild recommend!

I bought this as a gift for my boyfriend. He’s a firefighter and it was the perfect garmin for him. He loves the flashlight feature and the fact that it’s a sturdy watch he doesn’t have to worry about it possibly breaking on any calls. It’s still stylish to wear outside of work and the sleep tracker has been very helpful.

Love this watch, don’t have to charge like an Apple Watch or Samsung. Has all the functionality and features. Great if you’re military

Definitely not fragile. It is comfortable and the battery life is outstanding.

Good watch, must buy. I am hsing since i buy this watch and its worth. Solar charging is bonus point. Best buy delivered this on tjme. Very happy with best buy service.

Battery life is great, that was the main reason for the purchase. I switched from a Samsung watch and I really enjoyed that watch. I initially wanted the 50mm watch but the 45mm was just right for my wrist. I beat up watches, so this style met my needs. Just like an old G-shock. Buttons to navigate instead of a touch screen was a big plus. No more accidental selections on the watch from kids or my haphazardness. Also, I have a Google Pixel and this watch receives all the notifications I need.

Upgraded from an Apple Watch. I wanted to simplify and have a more activity driven watch. ( with a great battery life ). Love it. 100% worth the switch.

Swapped from the Apple Watch to this Garmin. I’ve had it for a few weeks and I’ve noticed a few differences. Apple was simple to use but wasn’t as in depth. Garmin takes some time to adjust to but gives you more. More in terms of tracking sleep and physical training. I do feel like my Garmin doesn’t accurately track my training. I did over 2 miles of cardio but it said I only did 0.25 miles. Not too sure if I have to calibrate it in some way. I do like it because since having this watch for a month or so, I’ve charged it 3 times which is awesome.

Best long lasting battery, best solar powered and rugged

Absolutely love this watch. All the functions and then some of other smart watches. PLUS it has 20 days of battery when using all functions. Of course you could go into battery saving mode and add more days. Moving from Apple Watch to this was a great move! What other watches have a powerful torch light built in?

The Instinct 3 Solar 45mm adds the indispensable flashlight that was missing from the Instinct 2 Solar 45mm, a portable light that is surprisingly handy once you have experienced its utility. The black and white MIP on the 3 Solar has the same resolution as the 2 Solar but is night and day more contrasty and legible. The 3 sports a beautiful display panel. GPS is on par with the Fenix lineup and includes most of the advanced training metrics. What's not to love? The muted twilight color is uniquely fresh and stands out from the sea of black watches.