Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm

Name: Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm
Brand: Garmin
SKU: 5748

Manufacturer: Garmin

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm is a rugged smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts. With a 0.9″ LCD display, it offers essential features like solar charging for a virtually unlimited battery life, making it suitable for extended adventures.

This smartwatch comes equipped with a range of sensors, including a heart rate monitor and GPS, providing comprehensive tracking for activities like hiking, running, and swimming. Its 10 ATM water resistance ensures durability even in harsh environments, and it supports both iOS and Android devices for seamless connectivity.

Pros

Provides useful activity tracking features like sleep tracking, calorie counting, and goal setting.
Offers multiple health monitoring tools including heart rate, VO2 max, and HRV tracking.
Has a long-lasting battery with up to 130 hours of GPS use and solar-powered charging.
Supports sync with external devices like smart scales and heart rate monitors.
Includes practical outdoor features such as sunrise/sunset times, trackback mode, and thunderstorm alerts.

Cons

Does not support wireless charging, requiring physical connection for recharging.
Lacks external memory slot for expanded storage options.
Does not have a 3.5mm audio jack, limiting direct audio connectivity.

Who is this for?

This product is well-suited for users who engage in a variety of outdoor activities or fitness routines. With features like multi-sport mode, activity tracking (including heart rate, sleep, and calories), and long-lasting battery life (up to 130 hours with GPS), it caters to athletes and adventurers who need reliable performance over extended periods. Additionally, it is ideal for individuals looking for health monitoring tools, as it supports VO2 max and HRV tracking, making it a great choice for health-conscious users or those looking to track their physical progress in real-time.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be ideal for users who prioritize features like wireless charging or require large external storage capabilities. It lacks wireless charging, which could be inconvenient for users seeking a more streamlined charging experience. Additionally, it does not support an external memory slot, which may be limiting for those who require additional storage for maps or other data. Users who frequently need to access music or media through direct connectivity may also be disappointed by the absence of a 3.5mm audio jack.

Design:

screen size	0.9"
Display type	LCD
water resistance	Waterproof
ATM rating	10 ATM
Always-On Display	✓
pixel density	276 ppi
resolution	176 x 176 px
Watch band is replaceable	✓
has branded damage-resistant glass	✕
thickness	14.9 mm
weight	52 g
height	45 mm
width	45 mm
Has a display	✓
has a touch screen	✕
Has sapphire glass display	✕
volume	30.1725 cm³
width of band	22 mm

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm features a compact design with a 0.9″ LCD display offering a resolution of 176 x 176 px and a pixel density of 276 ppi. The display is always-on, ensuring essential information is visible at all times. Built for durability, it has a 10 ATM water resistance rating, making it suitable for high-impact outdoor activities, while the watch band is replaceable for customization. The watch has a thickness of 14.9 mm and weighs just 52 g, ensuring comfort during extended wear.

Sensors:

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

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm is equipped with a comprehensive set of sensors to support a wide range of activities. It includes a pulse oximeter to monitor blood oxygen levels, a heart rate monitor for continuous tracking, and built-in GPS for precise location tracking. Additionally, the watch features an accelerometer, compass, barometer, gyroscope, and cadence sensor to provide detailed data during various exercises and outdoor adventures.

Activity tracking:

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

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm offers extensive activity tracking capabilities. It tracks sleep, distance, and steps, and measures pace during workouts. The watch also provides sleep reports and automatically detects activities, while the built-in route tracker and elevation tracking enhance your outdoor experience. For multi-sport enthusiasts, the device includes multi-sport mode, exercise tagging, and a stroke counter for swimming. Additionally, it tracks calorie intake and supports golf activities, though it's not designed for diving.

Connectivity:

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

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm offers solid connectivity features, including compatibility with both iOS and Android devices for seamless integration. It supports ANT+ for wireless sensor connectivity and has NFC for contactless payments or data transfer. Additionally, the watch is equipped with Galileo for enhanced satellite positioning, though it does not support cellular connectivity or Wi-Fi.

Battery:

battery life	Infinity days
battery life in training mode	40 hours
battery life with GPS on	130 hours
has wireless charging	✕
has a rechargeable battery	✓
Has a solar power battery	✓
has a removable battery	✕

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm features a solar-powered battery, offering infinite battery life in certain conditions. When used in training mode, the battery lasts up to 40 hours, and with GPS on, it can last up to 130 hours. This model has a rechargeable battery, though it does not support wireless charging or a removable 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 be used to answer calls	✕
Locates your phone	✓
Has call control	✕
Has notifications	✓
has irregular heart rate warnings	✕
Has silent alarm	✓
Has vibrating alerts	✓
has fall detection	✓
Has a stopwatch	✓
Has smart alarm	✕
has voice commands	✕
internal storage	0.128GB
Has a built-in camera remote control function	✕
Acquires GPS faster	✓
warranty period	1 years

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm comes with a range of advanced features, including HRV tracking and the ability to measure VO2 max and resting heart rate. It also offers readiness recovery to assess your preparedness for activities, as well as fast/slow heart rate notifications. Additionally, the watch includes helpful features like fall detection, silent alarm, vibrating alerts, and a stopwatch. It also supports faster GPS lock and has a small amount of internal storage (0.128GB), though it does not support smart alarms or voice commands.

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 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 ovulation	✓
Predicts start date	✓
Has video tutorials	✓
Supports widgets	✓
Can be personalised	✓
Has barcode scanner on app	✕
Tracks water intake	✓
Has weight tracking	✓
Has live tracking	✓
Tracks BMI	✓

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm integrates a wide range of app features to enhance the user experience. It provides activity reports, inactivity alerts, and tracks key health metrics like calories burned, weight, BMI, and water intake. The app is free, ad-free, and includes helpful tools such as goal setting, coaching, and video tutorials. It also supports features like period notifications, temperature tracking, and music playback, while syncing seamlessly with calendars and offering live tracking. The app can be personalized and supports widgets, but it does not include a barcode scanner.

Miscellaneous:

has a battery level indicator	✓
Can upload maps	✕
Has trackback mode	✓
Provides the sunrise/sunset time	✓
Informs about the risk of thunderstorms	✓
Has a wind speed sensor	✕
Available on PC	✓
Has auto pause	✓
Compatible with smart scales	✓
Compatible with external heart rate monitors	✓
Is compatible with Windows	✓
has an external memory slot	✕
Is compatible with Mac OS X	✓
has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack	✕

The Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Tactical Edition 45mm includes several useful features for everyday and outdoor activities, such as a battery level indicator and trackback mode for easy navigation. It provides important weather-related information, including the sunrise/sunset time and notifications about the risk of thunderstorms. This model is compatible with smart scales and external heart rate monitors and can sync with both Windows and Mac OS X. However, it does not support an external memory slot or a 3.5mm audio jack.

Final Verdict

The product offers a well-rounded set of features ideal for fitness enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. With strengths like multi-sport tracking, long battery life, and health monitoring capabilities such as VO2 max and HRV tracking, it excels in providing comprehensive performance and monitoring for active users. While it does lack some modern conveniences, such as wireless charging and an external memory slot, it remains a solid option for users who prioritize robust fitness and tracking features. Overall, this product is recommended for those looking for reliable activity tracking and health insights in a durable, feature-packed device.