Latest news with #Instinct3
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I test smartwatches for a living — and my favorite Garmin is finally on sale
The Garmin Instinct 3 is barely six months old, so discounts on the device are rare. Available in a variety of configurations, including with or without solar charging and in either a 45mm or 50mm case size, this deal is on the larger solar model. The 50mm Garmin Instinct 3 Solar retails for $449, but right now, it's just $399 via Best Buy. That's the same price as the 45mm model, except you get a larger screen, and perhaps more importantly, the best battery life of any of the Instinct 3 models.... also the best battery life of any smartwatch currently available (AFAIK). The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar smartwatch in 50mm is not only the longest-lasting Instinct 3 model in Garmin's lineup, but it's also the longest-lasting smartwatch currently on the market. Of course, it's much more than that; the device also boasts a rugged design, reliable location tracking, support for loads of nuanced exercises, an onboard LED flashlight, top-notch sleep-tracking insights and an impressive suite of fitness training and recovery tools. I'm not talking about a week of battery or even a month of battery. On a single charge, the big Instinct 3 Solar can keep on chugging for over forty days in smartwatch mode or over 150 hours — or just shy of a week — when using GPS to track a workout. But that's not all. With enough time in the sun, the solar cell behind the screen can technically keep the Instinct 3 Solar charged up indefinitely in smartwatch mode. This makes the Insinct 3 an excellent option for outdoor adventurers. Not only is it long-lasting, the device is also seriously tough-built, with 100 meters of water resistance and an impact-resistant case exterior. A handy LED 'Torch' flashlight adorns the 12:00 position on the watch, something I use frequently to find my way around in the dark, whether at a campsite or simply walking the dog. It also tracks a gigantic range of workout and outdoor activity types — I've used it to keep tabs on my efforts while snowboarding, biking, hiking, snowmobiling, snorkeling and more — and boasts highly accurate GPS location and elevation data. Fancy a solo hike? Garmin's safety tools make it easy for friends and loved ones to follow your progress from afar, plus you also get peace of mind features like Incident Detection, which can alert help if a fall or hard impact is registered. Users can also trigger the feature manually if they feel unsafe. Finally, the Garmin Instinct 3 is loaded with helpful fitness training and workout recovery tools. Plus, Garmin's sleep insights are some of the most thorough and actionable around. All of this adds up to 'a near-perfect smartwatch for outdoor enthusiasts,' as noted in our Instinct 3 review. (Yes, I just awkwardly quote myself.) Looking for more sweet savings on the best Garmin smartwatches? We got you, fam. My colleague Olivia has a massive roundup of Garmin deals, with devices discounted as much as 50% off. But hurry!
Irish Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Polar's new Grit X2 watch compared to Coros Pace Pro and Garmin Instinct 3
Polar has just dropped its new Grit X2 multisport adventure and endurance watch. It's technically a more affordable version of the Grit X2 Pro, which was announced in March 2024. When we reviewed that we said it was a 'smartwatch built for outdoor adventures with up to eight days battery life'. Polar Grit X2 has a smaller screen, slightly inferior water resistance rating (5ATM) and shorter battery life (seven days) when compared to the Grit X2 Pro (10 days). But crucially, it employs the same software as the Grit X2 Pro, updated to the latest Polar OS 4.0. Other key features include highly scratch resistant Sapphire crystal screen covering, stainless steel watch surround, slim 79g design, 1.28in AMOLED display, dual-band GPS, full colour offline topographic maps, 32GB of built-in storage and support for more advanced readings like ECG heart monitoring and skin temperature. The €479 wearable meets MIL-STD-810H military standards for durability. This means it is resistant to extreme temperatures, shock and immersion. One of the most compelling features is the replaceable battery. It will cost €39.90 (plus shipping) and this prolongs the life of the device and offers users significantly better long term value than other wearables. Garmin launched Instinct 3 earlier this year and it is another rugged and durable watch that comes in at a similar price to the new Polar. It also meets MIL-STD-810H military standards, offers lengthy battery life and includes a wide range of the firm's acclaimed training and recovery tools. The downside is Instinct 3 does not include full colour topographical maps but it does have a 1.3in AMOLED display. The Coros Pace Pro has a similar 1.3in AMOLED screen but it does not have the Polar Grit X2's premium glass and bezel materials in the build. This means it weighs much less - just 49g. Pace Pro puts the emphasis on core running and triathlon features and Coros has a great reputation for long-term after-sales software support and updates. This wearable is the least expensive of the three models we compared as it costs just€399. Polar Grit X2 costs €479 from Polar. You can also buy it from Amazon.
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Garmin Slashes Fenix 8, Forerunner Watch Prices In Major Sale
Garmin watches Garmin has dropped prices across several of its key watch lines as part of its Father's Day sale. Among the discounts are some of the watches I tend to recommend the most often, including the brilliant Forerunner 165 for $199.99, or $249.99 for the Music Edition with on-board storage for downloaded tunes. Deals are not limited to the lower-end lines either. The Garmin Fenix 8 is on sale at $200 off across the board, meaning the Fenix E now costs $599.99, while the highly recommended 47mm edition of the AMOLED Fenix 8 costs $899.99. The Garmin Instinct 3 is also worth a look, selling at $50 off. This means the range now starts at $249.99 for the non-OLED Instinct E, while the 45mm AMOLED version is $399.99. None of these three quite fit the bill? You'll also find discounts on the smartwatch—like Garmin Venu 3 family, the super-long-lasting Garmin Enduro 3, the Forerunner 265. And 2023's best all-round running watch from Garmin, the Forerunner 965. There are also discounts on the golf-specific Approach S70 and S12 watch lines. Those in the UK should also check out Garmin's discounts for Global Running Day, although most of these are roundly comparable with what we see for Father's Day in the US, with a few little additions. For example, the basic Garmin Forerunner 55 is on sale for £119 in the UK, where those in the US still have to pay $199.99. One factor to bear in mind here is older-generation Garmin watches frequently go on sale during other sales periods, such as Black Friday and Amazon's various Prime sales events. However, plenty of the watches in this sale remain the newest of their particular type, notably the Fenix 8, Instinct 3, Enduro 3 and — a personal favourite of mine as a sound buy — the Forerunner 165. And some, like the Instinct 3, are only a few months old.
Tom's Guide
29-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I hiked up New York's highest waterfall with the Apple Watch 10 vs Garmin Instinct 3 — 5 things I learned
Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in New York State, with a height of 260 feet. This fantastic two-part waterfall is located in the Eastern Catskill Mountains, roughly 120 miles north of New York City. And it was positively raging when I hiked to it earlier this month while on a press trip with AllTrails (where I tested the app's promising new Custom Routes tool). Of course, when life hands you an epic hike to an incredible waterfall, what do you do? Why, record the trek on as many devices as you can muster and compare all the data, of course! And that's exactly what I did. Not only did I capture the journey on not one but two smartwatches, I also recorded it using the Strava app on my iPhone, along with the AllTrails app. This isn't the first time I've pitted the Apple Watch Series 10 against the Garmin Instinct 3. Oh contrare. And it certainly won't be the last. After all, these are two of my favorite smartwatches currently on the market. I appreciate the Instinct 3 for its impossibly long-lasting battery, playful and durable design, accurate fitness tracking and helpful training tools. Meanwhile, the Apple Watch Series 10 is my go-to full-featured smartwatch, thanks to a delightfully vibrant and easy-to-read display, lightweight case and access to more apps than I have time in my life to try out (though here are some favorites from the Apple Watch app store). The latest Apple Watch is also a reliable fitness tracker, even if the Instinct 3 proved more accurate in the last walk test showdown between the two. The Apple Watch Series 10 is a pleasure to have on the wrist thanks to a slender, lightweight case and immersive display. It's also jam-packed with useful smart tools, like on-wrist translations and global tide tracking. Plus, the Series 10 is compatible with a seriously enormous range of third-party apps, making it easily one of the best full-featured smartwatches you can buy today. The Garmin Instinct 3 is a super-rugged and sporty smartwatch with class-leading battery life, support for an enormous range of workout types (including lots of extreme sports), impressive training tools and super-accurate location and holistic tracking. It also boasts a handy and unique onboard "torch" LED flashlight for navigating in the dark. Despite heavy rain and rough terrain, I enjoyed every moment of my roughly four-mile hike in upstate New York. This was partly because the Timberland Motion Access hiking sneakers I was testing kept my feet bone dry. However, gorgeous surroundings and quality company all contributed to a grand time. Oh, and the giant waterfall. I can't forget the giant waterfall. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. And with that, on to the hike data and takeaways. Apple Watch 10 Garmin Instinct 3 Strava app AllTrails app Distance 3.8 miles 3.5 miles 4.4 miles 3.9 miles Elevation gain 2,011 feet 673 feet 638 feet 650 feet Steps no data 8,690 steps 8,082 steps n/a Average heart rate 123 bpm 121 bpm n/a n/a Max heart rate 157 bpm 156 bpm n/a n/a Calories burned 815 calories 711 calories n/a 1,000 calories Distance data is a little bit scattered, with nearly a mile separating the shortest distance of 3.5 miles (Garmin) from the longest of 4.4 miles (Strava). Meanwhile, the Apple Watch 10 and AllTrails app measured roughly the same ground covered at 3.8 and 3.9 miles, respectively. The average of these four distance values equals 3.9 miles, suggesting that, indeed, Garmin likely undercounted by roughly a half mile and Strava probably overcounted by a slightly less egregious amount. It's worth noting that I was careful to start and stop tracking all four methods without taking any additional steps. So, no, user error is not a factor here. While Garmin, Strava and AllTrails each noted elevation gains in the neighborhood of 650 feet, give or take 25 feet, the Apple Watch Series 10 measured my climb as roughly three times that amount. When it comes to calculating elevation gain, the best Apple Watch models tend to be fairly accurate; in a recent walk test between the Series Watch 10 vs Instinct 3, only 5 feet separate Apple's climb data from Garmin's. So what in the world happened here? The short answer is, I have no idea. Clearly, something severely skewed Apple's data well beyond reality for this hike, which is a great reminder that even the top fitness trackers and best smartwatches sometimes muck up fitness data. Note: I won't stop mentioning this until Cupertino addresses my grievance. Apologies in advance for sounding like a skipping CD. The latest watchOS 11.4 software still doesn't support step count tallies for individually tracked workouts. Sure, your Apple Watch provides a daily step count total, but that's not enough. I want to know exactly how many steps I took during my afternoon walk or epic weekend hike. In 2025, Apple is one of the only major brands that restricts step-count data to daily totals. Meanwhile, Amazfit, Fitbit, Garmin, Google, and Samsung all provide both individual tallies for exercises like walks and hikes, along with daily totals. Perhaps Cook and Co. will bring the Apple Watch up to speed with the competition when watchOS 12 debuts later this summer. All we can do is hope! With step count data from just the Garmin Instinct 3 and Strava, I can say for certain that I walked at least 8,000 steps during my hike to and around Kaaterskill Falls. Unfortunately, what I don't know is whether my actual total is closer to 8,100 steps as recorded by Strava or 8,700 steps as noted by Garmin. A difference of roughly 600 steps over a four-mile hike is significant. For example, when I last pitted the Instinct 3 vs Apple Watch 10 in a 5,000-step walk test, Garmin's step count total was just six steps off from Strava's and four steps away from my actual (manual) count. However, in a more recent hiking comparison between the Apple Watch Ultra 2 vs Garmin Instinct 3, more than 500 steps separated Garmin's tally from Strava's, a result more in line with this hike's data. With so much conflicting data, it's reassuring to see nearly identical average and max heart rate data between the Apple Watch Series 10, which I wore on my right wrist, and the Garmin Instinct 3, worn on my left. Looking ahead, I'd like to rerun this test on a similar-length hike. However, this time I'll manually count my steps to know for sure which device is most spot-on. I'll also be sure to carry but not wear the Apple Watch 10 until I get to the trailhead, and then note my day's step count total as soon as the hike has concluded. With that, I should be able to say for sure which of these two popular smartwatches is more accurate for tracking hikes. Until then, the Instinct 3 remains my top choice over the Series 10 based on its prior victory over Apple. Now the question is, can the Series 10 reclaim that title? Stay tuned.
Tom's Guide
26-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I test smartwatches for a living — and these are my 5 favorite models when I go hiking
You don't need to break the bank to score a solid smartwatch for tracking hikes and other outdoor adventures. Models like the $99 Amazfit Active 2 have all the basics like onboard GPS, offline maps and solid battery life. However, higher-end models like the Garmin Instinct 3 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 bring exceptional durability and other nifty features — including a built-in LED flashlight on the Garmin — into the equation. Want something supremely comfortable and reliable? The Garmin Forerunner 165 might be your jam. Having tested dozens of smartwatches while hiking the mountains of the U.S. Pacific Northwest, I know firsthand which models are primo trail companions and which are better left in the car. With that, here are my five favorite smartwatches for hikers in 2025. The Garmin Instinct 3 is one of my favorite smartwatches currently available. This is thanks to its rock-solid location tracking, range of useful wellness tools, support for tons of outdoor activities, and, perhaps most importantly, its long-lasting nature. The Instinct 3 comes in several varieties, including with optional solar charging capabilities. With enough time in front of the sun, the Instinct 3 Solar can, in theory, last forever without needing to visit a wall outlet or USB slot. The standard AMOLED model, meanwhile, will keep on ticking for well over two weeks. The device is also built to take on whatever the outdoors can toss at it, with 100 meters of water resistance and an oversized metal reinforced bezel to protect the screen. The Garmin Instinct 3 starts at $399 for the smaller 45mm Solar model and increases to $449 for the larger 50mm Solar edition. The 45mm AMOLED model is $449, and the larger 50mm AMOLED version is $499. The Garmin Forerunner 165 is technically a mid-entry-level running watch, but all the things that make it great for first-time marathoners also make it exceptional for hikers Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Stacked with some of Garmin's best workout training and recovery tools, not to mention impressive sleep tracking capabilities, it's also an exceptional value, easily found for under $200. For hikers, in particular, it keeps tabs on key metrics like elevation gain, pace and distance. It also has safety features, including LiveTrack and Incident Detection. Battery life when using GPS tracking should also be good for even the longest day hikes, up to 19 hours. It also comes in two lightweight, easy-wearing sizes and boasts a bright AMOLED touchscreen paired with physical buttons for when your hands are extra sweaty mid-hike. The Garmin Forerunner 165 starts at $249 but can often be found for $50 off. There's also a Music edition of the Forerunner 165, which has, you guessed it, onboard storage for tunes. That model will cost you an extra $50, but like the standard model, it often goes on sale. If you want a super-rugged smartwatch that'll take a licking and keep on ticking (okay, that's an old Timex slogan) without spending Apple Watch Ultra 2-type cash, then the Amazfit T-Rex 3 is worth a look. This oversized beast has a massive 1.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen that maxes out at an impressive 2,000 nits. This is paired with a whole bunch of physical buttons, all tucked nearly into a rather cool-looking octagonal case with a big ol' stainless steel bezel. Battery life with GPS tracking should easily get you through 36 hours or more of hiking. With 100 meters of water resistance, dual-band GPS, and even support for offline navigational maps, it's kind of amazing that the T-Rex 3 can be yours for around $250. The beastly Amazfit T-Rex 3 is priced at $279 but can easily be acquired for between $25 and $50 off. It only comes in one size, and though the nearly 49mm case won't be for everyone, the T-Rex 3 is a mighty-fine alternative to the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The Amazfit Active 2 has nearly all the same bells and whistles as the T-Rex 3, just squeezed into a more streamlined, easy-wearing case. Starting at less than $100, this admittedly handsome-looking smartwatch has onboard GPS, supports 160+ workout types, sports a bright AMOLED touchscreen and can track a hearty day's workout with plenty of battery to spare, making it one of the best bang-for-your-buck wearables in 2025. However, the most shocking feature, given the price, is support for offline navigational maps. While a little rough around the edges and somewhat limited in capability compared to, say, Apple, Garmin and Google's take, this is a tool ordinarily only found on far pricer smartwatch models. Also worth noting: Amazfit is very good about responding to user feedback with firmware updates, and even within the few months that have passed since I reviewed the Active 2, it's already seen several enhancements. The Amazfit Active 2 comes in two variants. The standard $99 model has an aluminum case and glass screen. The higher-end Active 2 premium edition ups the ante with a tougher sapphire crystal screen and stainless steel case for an extra $30. Neither Garmin nor Amazfit makes smartwatches with cellular connectivity. Fortunately, brands like Apple, Samsung and Google do. My favorite cellular-connected smartwatch is the Apple Watch Ultra 2. Similar to the best Garmin watches, the Ultra 2 is jam-packed with impressive safety features, like fall and crash detection, along with Emergency SOS. It also makes for a mighty good hiking partner thanks to a long-lasting battery — up to 35 hours when tracking a hike with GPS enabled — a tough-built design with 100 meters of water resistance, and accurate location and holistic tracking. You also get a sweet, customizable 'Action' button (plus, a side button and digital crown) along with a super-bright and immersive touchscreen. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes in a variety of case colors, including black (shown here), each for $799. Cellular connectivity comes standard, though you're not required to have a data plan to use the Ultra 2.
