Patrik Orcutt 12.23.25
For me, sensible watches have all the time been a product I wished to love greater than I did. In relation to watches, I’m far more of a traditionalist and would moderately have fingers than a display on my wrist. With that being mentioned, Garmin makes this a place I’m struggling to maintain with each new iteration of their wrist-worn supercomputers. This previous spring, Garmin was form sufficient to ship me a evaluate copy of what was a brand-new product on the time, the Intuition® 3 – 50 mm, AMOLED, Tactical Version. I’ve had a very good period of time and gone on a bunch of out of doors journeys to collect my ideas on this feature-packed gadget. Strap in as a result of there’s a lot to speak about relating to the Garmin Intuition 3 AMOLED Tactical Watch.
Garmin Protection on AllOutdoor
The Intuition 3 AMOLED Tactical was supplied by Garmin for this evaluate, and whereas I’m allowed to maintain this Watch after the conclusion of this evaluate, this won’t change my opinion on any of their present or future merchandise. Garmin has not been allowed to preview this text previous to its publication. I’ve been utilizing the Intuition 3 AMOLED Tactical for about six months, and it has accompanied me on a number of out of doors journeys, dozens of Blackhawk Flights, and extra afternoon jogs than I can rely.
Normal Specs – Garmin Intuition 3 AMOLED Tactical
Lens Materials: Chemically strengthened glassCase Measurement: 50 x 50 x 14.4 mm (50 mm diameter)Show Measurement: 1.3″ (33 mm) diameterShow Kind: AMOLED decision: 416 x 416 pixelsCase Materials: Fiber-reinforced polymer with metal-reinforced bezel Weight: 59 gWater Ranking: 10 ATM (appropriate for swimming and showering)Strap: 26 mm silicone Reminiscence/Historical past: 4 GBBattery Kind: Rechargeable lithium-ionCharging: Garmin proprietary plug chargerColours Obtainable: Black with Black Band Security Options: Incident detection, help, dwell monitoringConnectivity: Garmin Pay™ contactless funds (with supported banks), ANT+®/Bluetooth® Good, HR broadcast, smartphone notifications, music storage/management (with app), climate forecastsApp Integration: Garmin Join™ app for challenges, planning, evaluation; Join IQ™ for widgets/appsClock Options: Time/date, GPS sync, auto DST, alarms, timer, stopwatch, dawn/sundownGuarantee: 2-year MSRP (Instructed Retail): $599.99
I’ll be itemizing extra specs all through the remainder of the evaluate, in order to not bombard you all with data right here, as a result of there’s a lot to listing.
Design and Construct High quality
Having upgraded from the trusty Garmin Intuition 2 Crossover to the Intuition 3 AMOLED Tactical, I’ve discovered the design and construct high quality to be an evolution that amps up the rugged enchantment with out sacrificing wear-ability. I imply, slipping this beast onto my wrist seems like strapping on an unbreakable James Bond gadget.
With its beefier 50 x 50 x 14.4 mm fiber-reinforced polymer case boasting a metal-reinforced bezel and bolted building for that additional layer of maximum sturdiness that edges out the Crossover’s stable however barely extra primary 45 mm polymer body accented by metal highlights. Each watches crush MIL-STD-810 thermal, shock, and 10 ATM water resistance requirements, however the Intuition 3’s vibrant 1.3-inch always-on AMOLED show delivers razor-sharp, adaptive visuals that pop even in shiny daylight. At 59 grams, it’s a smidge heavier than the Crossover’s featherlight 53 grams, however you’ll by no means discover the distinction.
Battery Life
To me, battery life is all the pieces on the subject of sensible watches. I keep in mind about six years in the past attempting the Intuition Gen 1, and the battery solely lasted about 3-4 days, as I had it configured. I discovered recharging my watch each couple of days to be sort of annoying after some time, however I’m blissful to report that this watch has an incredible battery life. Beneath you could find a desk of occasions from Garmin on the completely different modes and their related occasions. I discovered the battery to final me about 2 weeks earlier than needing a cost, as I used to be utilizing quite a lot of the GPS monitoring options for exercises. Total, the battery on the watch is nice. My one grievance is the proprietary charging cable you want from Garmin; it will be good if there have been a extra common system, however many different tech watches have the identical challenge.
Mode Length
Smartwatch (normal) As much as 24 days
Smartwatch (always-on) As much as 9 days
Battery Saver Watch As much as 30 days
GPS (GPS solely) As much as 40 hours
GPS (All satellite tv for pc methods) As much as 32 hours
GPS (All satellite tv for pc methods + multi-band) As much as 30 hours (with SatIQ know-how)
Max Battery GPS As much as 86 hours
Expedition GPS As much as 20 days
Well being and Health Monitoring
The quantity of health monitoring options packed into the watch is really astounding, and with each up to date mannequin, Garmin appears so as to add extra. One of many massive sport monitoring options that I used to be interested by utilizing with the Intuition 3 was the Ruck mode. Rucking is just strolling a distance with a weighted backpack, and whereas it sounds simple, it may be fairly grueling over time. Being within the Military, I’m no stranger to this train, and I used to be blissful to see that you could edit your pack weight on the look ahead to a extra correct readout.
In relation to extra frequent monitoring on actions like working, this watch does an awesome job preserving you knowledgeable of your tempo in actual time. I discovered this to be an excellent good characteristic throughout my longer runs, the place a constant tempo is vital. The watch may even have pre-built in exercises you’ll be able to sort out if you’re on the lookout for one thing more difficult, or wish to change issues up a bit. I do wish to point out that this watch won’t be as fast to provide you your real-time health knowledge in comparison with dearer fashions just like the Tactic or Suunto Ocean. It’s not a deal-breaker in my view; there’ll simply be just a few seconds of a delay in your mile time tempo.
The Garmin Intuition 3 can help extra actions than working and rucking. I’ve included a listing of some extra under. When you can’t discover your exercise on the watch, you’ll be able to most likely obtain it by way of the Garmin Join App.
Operating: GPS distance/tempo/time, working dynamics (oscillation, floor contact, stride, cadence), energy, grade-adjusted tempo, efficiency situation, lactate threshold, PacePro™, path auto climb, race predictorBiking: Programs, lap energy (with sensor), FTP, MTB dynamics (Grit & Circulate), appropriate with energy meters, Varia™ radar/lights/Imaginative and prescientSwimming: Open-water/pool metrics (distance, tempo, stroke sort/rely/charge/distance, SWOLF), drill logging, auto relaxation, exercises, stroke detection (freestyle/again/breast/butterfly)Power & HIIT: Auto rep counting, gymnasium profiles (energy, cardio, elliptical, and many others.)Multisport: Triathlon, auto transitionsDifferent: Golf (yardages, AutoShot™, stat monitoring, hazards), tennis/pickleball/badminton, basketball/volleyball, boxing/MMA, yoga/Pilates, rowing/kayaking/browsing/fishing, motorcycling/ATVing, eBikeCoronary heart Well being: Each day resting coronary heart charge, irregular coronary heart charge alerts (excessive/low), HRV standing (from sleep), %HRR, HR zones/alerts/energySleep & Restoration: Superior sleep monitoring (rating & insights), sleep coach, nap detection, restoration time, coaching readiness/standing/load/focus/impact (cardio/anaerobic), morning report (customizable overview of sleep, HRV, and many others.)Power & Stress: Physique Battery™ vitality monitor, all-day stress monitoring, rest reminders/respiration timer, breathworkRespiration & Oxygen: 24/7 respiration charge, Pulse Ox monitoringHealth Metrics: VO2 max (run/path run), health age, depth minutes, altitude/warmth acclimation, hydration logging, ladies’s well being monitoringExercise Monitoring: Steps, energy, flooring climbed, distance, transfer alerts/IQ, auto objectives, TrueUp™, Garmin Join™ challengesCoaching Instruments: Garmin Coach (adaptive plans), each day urged exercises, exercise creation (1,600+ workout routines), HIIT exercises (AMRAP/EMOM/Tabata), physio TrueUp, unified coaching standingWell being Snapshot: 2-minute session for key stats report
Tactical Options
Being within the Military, it’s good to have some extra tactical options on a smartwatch, and the Intuition 3 has a bunch. I imply, it actually ought to, contemplating it has “Tactical” within the identify. In my 6 months with this watch, I’ve used a few of these modes greater than others. Stealth Mode is fairly helpful after I want to ensure my watch received’t distract me with notification buzzes whereas flying. As talked about earlier than, the rucking characteristic is fairly cool
Night time Imaginative and prescient Compatibility sounds actually cool in idea, however in actuality, it’s not that nice. When NVC is enabled, your watch brightness is dimmed to an virtually unreadable stage in daylight, however good for nighttime. This works nice, however most NVGs I’ve worn must be manually targeted, that means you’re by no means going to have your tubes targeted for an object a couple of foot out of your face. Your NVGs ought to be targeted on no matter you are attempting to take a look at whereas utilizing them, which, for me, as a helicopter pilot, is all the pieces outdoors the cockpit.
The Kill Change can be very nice to have in any form of isolating incident the place being captured and interrogated by an enemy drive is a actuality. One characteristic that I believed was a gimmick for the longest time was the built-in flashlight, and actually, now I can’t dwell with out it.
This versatile illuminator packs variable intensities for dialing in simply the suitable glow whether or not I’m scanning maps in dim twilight or lighting up a path with out blinding myself, full with a devoted inexperienced gentle mode that preserves my pure night time imaginative and prescient to maintain eyes sharp and a strobe perform that pulses when wanted. The sunshine is built-in seamlessly into the watch’s bezel, and it prompts with a fast button press for immediate low-light utility in looking, mountain climbing, or late-night journeys to the lavatory. Garmin doesn’t spill precise lumens or burn occasions, it sips battery effectively sufficient that I’ve run it sporadically over multi-day excursions with none noticeable drain. Whereas I’ve not used all of the options listed under, there are some fairly cool ones, just like the Utilized Ballistics calculator and Jumpmaster.
Stealth Mode: Disables GPS storage/sharing, wi-fi connectivity, and communications whereas preserving the watch operationalKill Change: Erases all person knowledge in case of safety breachJumpmaster: Calculates high-altitude launch factors per navy tips; navigates to aims post-jumpWaypoint Projection: Units and saves distant geo-positions for later navigationTwin-Place GPS Format: Shows time, tempo, elevation, and placement in twin coordinate sorts (MGRS, levels/minutes/seconds, and many others.)Preloaded Tactical Exercise: Devoted profile for tactical operationsRucking Exercise: Tracks with pack weight enterBallistics Solver: Preloaded Utilized Ballistics® for long-range taking pictures options Night time Imaginative and prescient Compatibility: NVG mode to be used with night time imaginative and prescient gogglesProjected Waypoints: For mission planning
Navigation & Out of doors Options
One of many greatest attracts to a sensible watch like this to me is the flexibility to trace and orient your self within the outside. Diving into the wild with the Garmin Intuition 3’s navigation and out of doors options seems like having a trailblazer whispering secrets and techniques straight to my wrist. The watch’s multi-band GPS with SatIQ tech locks onto indicators like a hawk, plotting point-to-point routes, breadcrumb trails, and TracBack reversals that yank me again to my automobile and not using a hitch, whereas the barometric altimeter and 3-axis compass dish out pinpoint elevation profiles, vertical pace, ascent/descent stats, and storm alerts that after assist me make a no-fly name as soon as.
You can even pair the watch with sure apps like Kamoot that will help you navigate the outside and keep higher knowledgeable.
GPS Navigation: Level-to-point, breadcrumb path, TracBack® (route again to begin), again to begin, elevation profile, future elevation plot, vertical pace/ascent/descent, barometric development/storm alerts, GPS coordinates, Sight ‘N Go, space calculation, solar/moon informationABC Sensors: Altimeter (barometric), barometer, 3-axis compassDifferent: Expedition GPS exercise, tides look, wind meter appropriate, reference factorsOut of doors Recreation Profiles: Mountain climbing, rucking, climbing (indoor/out of doors/bouldering), looking, horseback driving, {golfing}, disc golf, archery, snowboarding, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, XC snowboarding, backcountry snowboarding
Likes
Distinctive battery life, lasting as much as 24 days in smartwatch mode or 40 hours in GPS modeGorgeous 1.3-inch always-on AMOLED show with 416×416 decision, providing vibrant colours, adaptive brightness, and glorious daylight readabilityConstructed-in twin white/inexperienced LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe, optimized for night time imaginative and prescient compatibilityComplete well being and coaching instruments, together with HRV standing, Sleep Coach, Coaching Readiness, Physique Battery, and 40+ exercise profilesCustomizable interface with Garmin Pay
Dislikes
No touchscreen interface, which might decelerate navigationGreater worth at $599, a $100 premium over the usual AMOLED mannequin, with some options just like the ballistics solver requiring extra paid unlocksOlder Gen 4 optical coronary heart charge sensor, which is correct for many actions however lags behind Gen 5 in edge instances like chilly climate or high-intensity intervalsShorter battery life on the AMOLED mannequin in comparison with Photo voltaic variants
Ultimate Ideas
So what are my ideas on the Intuition 3 AMOLED Tactical? After months of placing it by the wringer, from Blackhawk Flights to multiday canoe journeys to easy canine walks it’s clear this watch isn’t simply an improve over the earlier Intuition 2. This watch is a tank on my wrist that redefines rugged reliability. The AMOLED show’s razor-sharp vibrancy and adaptive glow make each metric pop, whether or not monitoring a blistering path run or plotting factors for a hike, the multi-band GPS with SatIQ tech delivers unerring accuracy Battery life stays top-notch, powering by 24 days of smartwatch duties or 40 hours of GPS with out flinching, and tactical gems like Stealth Mode, the Kill Change, and that indispensable dual-LED flashlight elevate it to.
That mentioned, it’s not flawless, and the absence of topo maps and a touchscreen can really feel dated in that regard. But, these are minor gripes in a package deal that punches means above its $599 weight class, mixing Garmin’s ecosystem smarts with military-grade toughness into one thing that feels eternally vigilant. When you’re chasing an indestructible companion for the wild or the wire, the Intuition 3 Tactical Version comes extremely beneficial.
