Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition

Name: Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition
Brand: Garmin
SKU: 3966

Manufacturer: Garmin

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition is a rugged sports watch designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It comes with a 1.3″ OLED/AMOLED display and is built to handle challenging environments, offering waterproof capabilities and multiple sensors for performance tracking.

This watch boasts a variety of technical features, including a 10 ATM water resistance rating, GPS functionality, and advanced sensors such as a heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter, barometer, and accelerometer. With a battery life of 9 days and 40 hours with GPS on, it is designed for extended use in outdoor activities.

Pros

Compatible with both iOS and Android devices, offering flexibility for different users.
Supports external heart rate monitors, enhancing tracking accuracy during activities.
Has activity tracking features such as step counting, distance tracking, and sleep monitoring, providing a comprehensive fitness experience.
Includes essential fitness features like calorie counting, goal setting, and achievements to track progress.
Supports syncing with existing calendars, making it easier to manage your schedule and activities.

Cons

Lacks support for Wi-Fi and cellular connections, limiting its connectivity options.
Does not support a 3.5mm audio jack or external memory slot, restricting some media and data management capabilities.
No built-in camera remote control or voice command functionality, limiting hands-free control options.
Does not include a solar power battery, requiring more frequent charging compared to solar-powered alternatives.

Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users who value comprehensive fitness tracking, such as step counting, distance tracking, and sleep monitoring, making it a great choice for fitness enthusiasts. Its compatibility with both iOS and Android devices ensures it can be used by a wide range of smartphone users. Additionally, the inclusion of external heart rate monitor support makes it particularly well-suited for those seeking precise heart rate tracking during workouts or sports activities.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be ideal for users who require advanced connectivity options like Wi-Fi, cellular support, or the ability to use external memory, as these features are not supported. It also lacks hands-free features such as a camera remote or voice commands, which might be limiting for those looking for more versatile interaction. Additionally, its battery life may not be sufficient for users who demand longer-lasting power without frequent recharging, especially given the absence of solar charging capabilities.

Design:

screen size	1.3"
Display type	OLED/AMOLED
water resistance	Waterproof
has branded damage-resistant glass	✕
ATM rating	10 ATM
resolution	416 x 416 px
Watch band is replaceable	✓
has a touch screen	✕
weight	59 g
Has sapphire glass display	✕
thickness	14.4 mm
Always-On Display	✓
height	50 mm
pixel density	452 ppi
Has a display	✓
width	50 mm
width of band	26 mm
volume	36 cm³

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition features a 1.3″ OLED/AMOLED display with a high resolution of 416 x 416 px, ensuring clear visuals. The watch is built with 10 ATM water resistance for durability in water-related activities. The display remains always on for continuous viewing, though it does not include a touch screen. The band is replaceable, and the device weighs only 59 g, making it light and comfortable to wear. Its thickness is 14.4 mm, with dimensions of 50 mm in height and width.

Sensors:

has GPS	✓
Has a heart rate monitor	✓
Monitors blood oxygenation levels	✓
Has a barometer	✓
has an accelerometer	✓
has a compass	✓
Has a temperature sensor	✓
Has a cadence sensor	✓
has a gyroscope	✓
Has a wind speed sensor	✕
Monitors perspiration	✕

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition is equipped with a range of advanced sensors to enhance tracking and performance. It features a heart rate monitor, pulse oximeter for blood oxygenation levels, and a barometer for atmospheric pressure measurements. Additionally, it includes a GPS, accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, body temperature sensor, and cadence sensor, providing comprehensive data for a variety of activities.

Activity tracking:

Has a route tracker	✓
Tracks distance	✓
Measures pace	✓
Has trackback mode	✓
Tracks your sleep	✓
Has multi-sport mode	✓
Detects activities automatically	✓
Tracks elevation	✓
Tracks steps taken	✓
Provides sleep reports	✓
Has exercise tagging	✓
Has a stroke counter for swimming	✓
Tracks calorie intake	✓
Designed for diving	✕
Designed for golf	✓

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition offers comprehensive activity tracking features for a wide range of sports and fitness routines. It includes a route tracker, distance tracking, and pace measurement for detailed performance analysis. Additionally, it tracks steps taken, provides sleep reports, and offers multi-sport mode for a variety of activities like golf and swimming. Features like automatic activity detection and exercise tagging help streamline your tracking experience.

Connectivity:

Is compatible with iOS	✓
Is compatible with Android	✓
supports Wi-Fi	✕
has a cellular module	✕
supports ANT+	✓
has NFC	✓

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition supports both iOS and Android devices, ensuring broad compatibility for seamless integration with your smartphone. It includes NFC for quick pairing and payments, as well as ANT+ support for connecting to compatible sensors and devices. However, it does not support Wi-Fi or include a cellular module for direct communication.

Battery:

battery life	9 days
battery life with GPS on	40 hours
battery life in training mode	30 hours
has wireless charging	✕
Has a solar power battery	✕
has a rechargeable battery	✓
has a removable battery	✕

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition features a rechargeable battery that provides up to 9 days of battery life under regular use. With GPS active, the battery lasts up to 40 hours, and in training mode, it supports up to 30 hours of use. However, the watch does not include wireless charging or a solar power battery.

Features:

release date	April 2025
has HRV tracking	✓
measures VO2 max	✓
measures resting heart rate	✓
has fast/slow heart rate notifications	✓
shows readiness level	✓
Can upload maps	✕
Has vibrating alerts	✕
Has a stopwatch	✓
Locates your phone	✓
Has silent alarm	✓
has irregular heart rate warnings	✕
has fall detection	✓
Has notifications	✓
Acquires GPS faster	✓
Has call control	✕
Provides the sunrise/sunset time	✓
internal storage	4GB
Can be used to answer calls	✕
supports Galileo	✓
Has smart alarm	✕
Informs about the risk of thunderstorms	✓
warranty period	1 years
has voice commands	✕
Has a built-in camera remote control function	✕

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition includes a variety of useful features for enhanced performance and convenience. It supports HRV tracking, measures VO2 max, and tracks resting heart rate, making it a great option for fitness monitoring. Other useful features include fall detection, a silent alarm, and the ability to locate your phone. It also provides notifications, supports Galileo satellite system, and offers a warranty period of 1 year.

App & Software:

Provides activity reports	✓
Has inactivity alerts	✓
Counts how many calories you've burned	✓
Has goal setting	✓
Has achievements	✓
Free app	✓
Has exercise diary	✓
Ad-free	✓
Has weight tracking	✓
Tracks BMI	✓
Tracks water intake	✓
Has live tracking	✓
Has coaching	✓
Has temperature tracking	✓
Has period notifications	✓
Supports routes	✓
Syncs with existing calendars	✓
Has voice feedback	✓
Has music playback	✓
Displays fertile window notifications	✓
Includes maps	✓
Doesn’t require account	✕
Predicts start date	✓
Predicts ovulation	✓
Has video tutorials	✓
Supports widgets	✓
Can be personalised	✓
Has barcode scanner on app	✕

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition offers a range of app and software features to help you track and manage your health. It provides activity reports, goal setting, and supports live tracking for real-time performance monitoring. The app is free, ad-free, and offers useful features like weight tracking, BMI tracking, water intake tracking, and coaching. Additional options include music playback, video tutorials, and the ability to sync with existing calendars.

Miscellaneous:

has a battery level indicator	✓
Is compatible with Windows	✓
Has auto pause	✓
Compatible with external heart rate monitors	✓
Available on PC	✓
Compatible with smart scales	✓
Is compatible with Mac OS X	✓
has an external memory slot	✕
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack	✕

The Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED Tactical Edition includes several useful miscellaneous features for convenience and compatibility. It has a battery level indicator, supports auto pause during activities, and is compatible with external heart rate monitors, smart scales, and devices running Windows and Mac OS X. While it lacks an external memory slot and a 3.5 mm audio jack, it is also available for use on PC.

Final Verdict

The product offers a strong set of features suited for fitness enthusiasts, with its comprehensive activity tracking capabilities and compatibility across iOS and Android devices. It stands out with precise heart rate monitoring support and offers a range of health and performance metrics like VO2 max and HRV tracking. While it excels in fitness tracking, its lack of advanced connectivity options and certain hands-free features may limit its appeal for users seeking more versatility. Overall, this is a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable, fitness-focused device.