Garmin Intuition 3 (AMOLED & SOLAR) In-Depth Assessment



The Garmin Intuition sequence has loved huge recognition since its launch over 6 years in the past. The rugged-looking watches have at all times aimed to ship a few of the longest battery life within the wearable-GPS world, whereas nonetheless sustaining a lot of the Garmin out of doors options and performance. The corporate has largely balanced on that fence through the use of monochrome MIP-based shows and parts that hardly sip energy, even including in solar energy for a bit extra juice. The pricing of those fashions has at all times been reasonably priced, and normally undercut their opponents (the Intuition 2 is presently promoting for ~$200USD).

However the Intuition 3, and Garmin’s opponents, are turning components of the Intuition story on its head. Garmin has break up the lineup, to now provide each a surprising (however power-hungry) AMOLED model, in addition to the normal MIP-based SOLAR show with sure modes enabling limitless GPS battery life. The pricing reaches $499 for the AMOLED version, regardless of missing offline mapping or Garmin’s more moderen optical coronary heart price sensors. In the meantime, Garmin’s legacy (Polar/Suunto/COROS), huge tech (Apple/Samsung), and newfound opponents (AmazFit/and many others.) at the moment are providing full-color mapping watches from the $200’s. It’s a difficult time to be an Intuition 3.

Nonetheless, each myself and my spouse have been placing the Intuition 3 by way of its paces during the last whereas. From 60KM 12-hour mountain treks, to four-hour rides, to openwater swims, path runs, and extra. Even stand-up paddle boarding (somebody needed to take a look at it…). Each the AMOLED & SOLAR editions, and infrequently in contrast side-by-side with Garmin’s higher-end Fenix lineup. I’ve received greater than sufficient knowledge to dive into what exceeded expectations and works properly, and what’s been a disappointment.

Lastly, be aware that these items are media loaners, and as soon as this evaluate is full, they’ll return to Garmin. I’ve already ordered my personal items by way of regular retail channels. As at all times, I don’t settle for promoting from any firm I evaluate – so, in case you discovered this evaluate helpful, contemplate changing into a DCR Supporter, which will get you an ad-free web site, plus the behind-the-scenes video sequence between each myself (and my spouse) on all the things that occurs within the DCR Sports activities Tech Cave/universe.

What’s New:

Beneath is a listing of the entire variations between the Intuition 3 and the Intuition 2 sequence. Holding in thoughts the Intuition 2X was launched a 12 months after the Intuition 2, and kinda served as an Intuition 2.5, including in some options that the Intuition 2 didn’t have.

– Added AMOLED show choice
– Elevated photo voltaic charging energy by 5x in comparison with Intuition 2 Photo voltaic
– Added flashlight to each sizes (45mm and 50mm)
– Elevated show sizes for AMOLED items (Photo voltaic is identical)
– Ditched secondary show window on AMOLED, however stored it on Photo voltaic
– Elevated distinction by 2x on Photo voltaic editions (versus Intuition 2)
– AMOLED Show Sizes: 45mm is 1.2” show, 50mm is 1.3” show
– Photo voltaic Show Sizes: 45mm is 0.9” show, 50m is 1.1” show
– Added metallic ring into bezel as “reinforcement”
– Added multiband/dual-frequency GNSS/GPS to all items (Intuition 2X had it)
– Added Garmin’s SatIQ characteristic to all items (a giant deal for battery)
– Added Coaching Load Focus
– Added Coaching Load Ratio
– Added Multisport/Triathlon Auto Transition
– Added Nap Detection
– Added Sleep Coach
– Added Muscle Map for Energy Exercises (AMOLED solely)
– Added Energy Exercise Animations (AMOLED solely)
– Added Garmin Share
– Added Garmin Messenger compatibility
– Added Garmin Pay as customary on all items
– Added massive font mode, AMOLED solely (launched on different Garmin items lately)
– Added new colour choices (see under)

From a pricing standpoint, the fashions are as follows:

– AMOLED: $449 for the 45mm and $499 for the 50mm
– SOLAR: $399 for the 45mm and $449 for the 50mm
– Intuition E: $299 for the 40mm and $299 for the 45mm

And right here’s the colours for every, do be aware nevertheless that the Intuition E may be very a lot *NOT* an Intuition 3, albeit introduced on the identical time. Consider it extra like an Intuition 1.5 as a substitute. I’ll have a separate evaluate of that soonish.

For battery life, it’s claimed as per this chart (see my real-world testing although later within the evaluate):

With that, let’s dive into it.

Within the Field:

First up, we’ll do a fast dual-unboxing of 1 AMOLED and one SOLAR version. It doesn’t matter which measurement you get, each are the identical by way of field contents. Opening the field, you’ll discover the watch with a show sticker on it:

Contained in the field there can be:

1) The watch
2) Garmin USB-C charging cable
3) Some paper handbook stuffs (Quickstart information + larger authorized booklet)

That’s it:

You’ll have a gazillion photographs of the watch later, so right here’s a better have a look at the USB cable, and the…umm..stack of paper.

See, I advised you this may be fast.

The Fundamentals:

This part will deal with primary utilization of the Garmin Intuition 3 sequence, together with bits like 24×7 exercise monitoring, smartwatch options, and general usability. Whereas in later sections within the evaluate I’ll get into sports activities/exercise modes, together with navigation and a Photo voltaic-specific part. In any other case, until famous, all the things on this part applies to each fashions.

After all, proper out of the gate, there are two totally different screens: AMOLED & MIP (all SOLAR editions are MIP). In brief, AMOLED is colourful and good (by way of brightness ranges and colours), whereas MIP is monochrome. After all, the MIP-based gadgets have longer battery life, on account of much less energy being required. Nonetheless, each watches get exceptionally lengthy battery life, as I’ll dive into later on this evaluate. You’ll be able to see the 2 side-by-side all through this evaluate, with the AMOLED at all times on the left (properly, hopefully at all times on the left).

I’ve been testing each AMOLED & SOLAR editions, although, spending extra time within the 24×7 facets on the AMOLED version, just because I want the show sort. Nevertheless, for all of my exercises I’ve worn certainly one of every show sort (one per wrist), usually the 50mm fashions. Moreover, my spouse has been testing the 45mm AMOLED mannequin, typically reverse the Fenix 8 (43mm) mannequin on her different wrist.

Now attention-grabbing, neither Intuition 3 mannequin has a touchscreen. That’s an enormous shock for Garmin, and admittedly, I’m not conscious of another AMOLED watch (ever?) that hasn’t had a touchscreen. Garmin affords touchscreens on all their current-gen AMOLED & MIP-based gadgets. That stated, whereas it took a couple of days to get used to the shortage of touchscreen on the Intuition 3, I’ve principally gotten used to it.

The humorous half is that I don’t even use contact all that a lot on my AMOLED watches. Moderately, it tends to be only for swiping by way of widgets. That’s it. The primary usefulness on most Garmin watches for contact tends to be for mapping (shifting across the map display screen), which, after all, the Intuition 3 lacks. In any case, the Garmin Intuition 3 has the usual 5-button Garmin format that’s well-loved by Garmin customers (together with myself).

There are three buttons on the left, and two on the suitable. Undoubtedly, in case you’re coming from another platform, it’d take a couple of days to get used to it, however for an outdoor-focused watch – having buttons is simply essential to all-weather usability.

Now from a consumer interface standpoint, the very first thing you’ll see is the watch face. As with different Garmin watches, you possibly can customise this with both the inventory watch faces (selecting knowledge fields/and many others…), or Join IQ watch faces (a gazillion choices, together with making your individual with pictures/and many others…). Clearly, the AMOLED show provides you a bit extra flexibility by way of colours/pixels/and many others…

Tapping down from there you’ve received the assorted widgets, or extra particularly, the widget glances. These are smaller tidbits of knowledge, you can then open up the complete widget to see the bigger image (together with normally a number of knowledge pages).

There are each built-in widgets for widespread issues like steps, sleep, coaching load, and many others… In addition to additionally Join IQ widgets/apps that may cowl a variety of third social gathering apps, together with even offline mapping with Komoot (although, it’s received a number of limitations). There’s loads of sensible widgets, like ABC (Altimeter, Barometer, Compass), or certainly one of my favorites with tide info for any variety of saved areas, in addition to moon phases, and many others…

 

The unit will observe your each day exercise similar to another Garmin watch. The truth is, that’s in all probability some of the notable issues about Garmin’s lineup, is that all of them observe nearly all the identical metrics, whether or not you’ve a $3,000 MARQ or a $150 Vivo-something. The exceptions to that being the ECG functionality, and skin-temperature functionality, that are solely discovered within the Gen5 optical HR sensor watches (this has a Gen4 optical HR sensor).

As I famous in my earlier preview, the truth that Garmin didn’t put a Gen5 optical HR sensor in right here is mind-boggling. In any case, their Venu 3 watch that got here out 18 months in the past has it, and that’s priced lower than the Intuition 3. Nonetheless, for all the things outdoors of ECG/skin-temp, it’s frankly all similar (with some variations in exercise accuracy, as I’ll cowl later).

Your entire stats are additionally synced to the Garmin Join app routinely within the background through Bluetooth (no WiFi on the Intuition 3 sequence), after which onwards to the Garmin Join platform, the place you may as well entry it through internet browser. Right here’s a couple of random stats pages from Garmin Join Cell:

A type of metrics is, after all, sleep. The Intuition 3 sequence will routinely observe your sleep stats, in addition to observe naps. Right here you possibly can see what that appears like inside the widget gallery:

After which once more within the app:

In my testing, the time I wakened/fell asleep was accurately recorded with out concern. As I famous in different opinions, I don’t do sleep stage/part comparisons, as a result of frankly the comparative applied sciences (even so-called ‘Gold customary’ ones, simply aren’t all that correct). These applied sciences top-out within the mid-80% vary, which we’d by no means use to check accuracy of the guts price sensor, or biking energy meters. Thus, I received’t right here. As a substitute, I don’t actually fear an excessive amount of about sleep part/stage knowledge. For probably the most half, in case you’re getting a enough variety of sleep hours in, with out interruptions (which it’s fairly good at monitoring), you’ll be simply high-quality.

Oh, and that jogs my memory. Every morning, you’ll get up and see the Morning Report. It’s one of many options that Garmin customers discuss probably the most, and I agree – it’s superior as a fast recap of not simply your sleep stats, but additionally Coaching Readiness, upcoming scheduled exercises (or calendar appointments), and extra.

In the meantime, at evening, the flashlight is your pal. The Intuition 3 sequence has a built-in LED flashlight on the entrance of it. That flashlight accommodates each a white LED (4 ranges of brightness), and a purple LED.

You’ll be able to double-tap the higher left button to show it on, and modify the brightness stage:

It’s a kind of options that folks assume sounds very Inspector Gadget, and then you definitely use it, and understand you possibly can’t dwell with out it. In any case, numerous numbers of us use our cellphone’s flashlight always. That is simply as brilliant, besides it lets us preserve our fingers free. I take advantage of it for each day-to-day stuff, like getting round a lodge room in the midst of the evening, to checking on the youngsters (or beforehand, altering diapers), to trying beneath the mattress or behind a cupboard. After which equally, out within the wilderness, it’s nice in a tent at evening, or in case you’re operating behind on a run and didn’t carry a lightweight/and many others…

You’ll be able to even configure it to blink a sure sample whereas operating, even configured to your cadence. A number of choices there.

Final however not least, there are smartphone notifications and Garmin Pay. For smartphone notifications, you’ll see messages/app notifications primarily based on how your cellphone is configured. Within the case of iOS, you possibly can see and dismiss them, however you can not reply to texts (on account of Apple restrictions), whereas in Android, you possibly can reply to texts.

After which on Garmin Pay, all Intuition 3 watches have Garmin Pay, which is NFC contactless funds. You’ll be able to load up your financial institution/bank card onto it, after which make funds for ice cream after a run.

As at all times with Garmin Pay, you’ll wish to examine their web site to see in case your financial institution is supported (as of this second, it seems there are 1,681 banks supported). Within the US, a lot of the main bank cards are supported. In Europe, it’s hit and miss. And the remainder of the world additionally relies upon. And once more, that is tied to the financial institution of your bank card, not the retailer. As soon as my bank card is loaded, I’ve by no means had a difficulty with any retailer globally with this (and I journey a ton).

Oh wait, another factor! Garmin added ‘Giant Font Mode’ to the Intuition 3 (AMOLED solely), which mainly barely will increase the font sizes in most of the menus and watch knowledge fields. It doesn’t influence the watch faces, possible as a result of there are already a gazillion large-font choices inside that (each inside Garmin and third social gathering watch faces). Right here’s a fast side-by-side of what that appears like while you allow that toggle:

One may argue that perhaps a much bigger large-font mode may be helpful for some, although given Garmin launched this 18 months in the past on the Venu 3, I presume they’ve included no matter suggestions folks have had in regards to the characteristic, and this in all probability finds that steadiness.

Sports activities & Exercise Modes:

After all, whereas many individuals purchase the Garmin Intuition sequence for its seems to be or battery life, the bulk have a tendency to finish up utilizing it for sports activities in some unspecified time in the future. Thus, we’ll cowl all of the sporting bits right here – be it hardcore coaching exercises, or extra stress-free monitoring just like the SUP meander seen above. This watch has gained fairly a couple of options during the last two iterations – so in case you’re coming from an Intuition 1 sequence watch, you’ll be pleasantly shocked (tons extra sport modes, together with multisport mode, in addition to triathlon help, Coaching Readiness, and way more). Whereas from an Intuition 2 sequence watch, the sports activities options are way more minor. Particularly, from an Intuition 2 sequence watch, they’ve added:

– Added multiband/dual-frequency GNSS/GPS to all items (Intuition 2X had it)
– Added Garmin’s SatIQ characteristic to all items (a giant deal for battery)
– Added Coaching Load Focus
– Added Coaching Load Ratio
– Added Multisport/Triathlon Automated Transitions
– Added Muscle Map for Energy Exercises (AMOLED solely)
– Added Energy Exercise Animations (AMOLED solely)

So, let’s begin with opening up the sports activities/exercise mode itemizing. To do that, as is the case on nearly all Garmin watches, you’ll merely faucet the higher proper button at any time. It will open up the game itemizing menu, the place it can save you/pin favorites, or simply meander by way of to seek out the game you want.

Right here’s all of the sports activities on the Intuition 3 as of January twenty eighth, 2025:

Multisport, Stroll, Golf, Climb, Bouldering, Fish, Hunt, Disc Golf, Horseback, Archery, Inline Skating, Stroll, Run, Treadmill, Path Run, Hike, Digital Run, Monitor Run, Indoor Monitor, Impediment Racing, Triathlon, Swimrun, Bike, Bike Indoor, MTB, eBike, eMTB, CycloCross, Gravel Bike, Bike Commute, Bike Tour, Highway Bike, BMX, Pool Swim, Openwater Swim, Swimrun, Energy, Cardio, HIIT, Yoga, Pilates, Elliptical, Stair Stepper, Stroll Indoor, Row Indoor, Climb Indoor, Ground Climb, Boxing, Blended Marital Arts, Ski, Snowboard, Backcountry Ski, Backcountry Snowboard, XC Traditional Ski, XC Skate Ski, Snowshoe, Ice Skating, Kayak, Row, SUP, Surf, Kiteboarding, Windsurf, Whitewater, Boat, Wakeboard, Wakesurf, Water Ski, Tube, Snorkel, Soccer/Soccer, American Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Cricket, Lacrosse, Rugby, Discipline Hockey, Ice Hockey, Final Disc, Gaming, Tennis, Pickleball, Padel, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton, Desk Tennis, Platform Tennis, ATV, Snowmobile, Overland, Motocross, Motorbike, Horseback, Breathwork, Tactical, Gaming, Expedition, Different

We do are likely to see Garmin add sports activities over time (particularly within the final 12 months or two), so I’d anticipate this listing will develop.

When you faucet a sport mode (utilizing operating right here for example), it’ll begin looking for coronary heart price lock and GPS (if outdoor). Likewise, it’ll connect with any sensors you might have paired that are energetic.

You’ll be able to faucet into the settings to vary knowledge pages, knowledge fields, or customise something in regards to the sport profile. Because the Intuition 2 sequence, you may as well customise just about all the things in right here in your cellphone as properly. Garmin enables you to tweak these settings from both location, each earlier than and through an exercise (useful in case you change your thoughts mid-activity).

You’ll be able to have as much as 6 knowledge fields per customized knowledge web page (in a wide range of layouts), and roughly a gazillion customized knowledge pages. That’s atop inventory pages you possibly can allow/disable, just like the HR Gauge web page, Run Dynamics, Digital Companion, Compass, Elevation, Music Management, Clock, and extra. World’s your oyster right here.

Going again for only one second, while you first opened the game sort, if it was operating or biking, you might have acquired a Day by day Advised Exercise (DSW). That is primarily based on both merely getting you fitter, or, a scheduled occasion in your calendar. These will even routinely modify primarily based on coaching load, in addition to restoration. Stated otherwise: When you’ve got horrific sleep, or do a giant exercise and are displaying indicators of needing restoration, it’ll tweak these (and even take away them), on the fly.

I discover these exercises to be pretty legit, particularly when you get some coaching historical past into the look ahead to it to start out cranking the screws down on you.

After all, you possibly can at all times do manually created structured exercises, or ones from coaches. You’ll be able to create structured exercises in Garmin Join (or on the watch immediately), or you possibly can select from a wide range of free coaching plans from Garmin Join. Virtually talking although, I’d in all probability simply stick an occasion on my calendar, and let DSW maintain issues, slightly than doing a particular pre-canned plan. However that’s simply me.

Likewise, it helps exercises from third social gathering coaching suppliers like TrainingPeaks, Ultimate Surge, and lots extra. Right here’s one I pushed in from TrainingPeaks, for a current run:

In any occasion, with all that behind us (I’ll save navigating for the following part), we’ll faucet to get began. From right here, you’ll see the info pages as you’ve configured them. You’ll be able to merely use the up/down buttons to iterate by way of them.

I’ve had no issues from a tempo stability standpoint throughout operating, or actually another mid-workout points (except for those listed within the bugs part). The whole lot right here just about works precisely as anticipated.

As soon as your exercise is accomplished, you’ll see a abstract display screen of all of your stats:

You’ll be able to additional dive into these on Garmin Join (smartphone app or desktop internet), such because the under examples:

And naturally, in case you’ve arrange integration to third social gathering apps like Strava or TrainingPeaks (and tons of of others), it’ll sync to these as properly inside a couple of seconds.

In the meantime, again on the watch, you’ve received all of your Coaching Load/Restoration stats. These are enumerated in a couple of locations. At a excessive stage, you’ve received Coaching Load (Acute Load) which is monitoring your current coaching load and the way it compares to your historic load (7 day vs 28 day). That is the premise for whether or not you’ll see the famed ‘Productive’/‘Unproductive’/and many others… messages.

Garmin modified a lot of that logic about two years in the past, so it’s now extremely arduous to get unproductive until you’re legit doing one thing fairly silly (from a coaching/teaching standpoint). I’ve but to see a case within the final 18-24 months that places me in unproductive, that I’d disagree with. Most instances, it’s proper. And most of the people appear to agree as properly. About the one state of affairs that may pop folks, hardly ever, is high-volume coaching camps – however provided that your HRV & VO2Max scores plummet as properly (during which case, from a pure teaching standpoint, yeah, Garmin is right, it’s unlikely to be productive).

The Acute Load then kinds one of many pillars for Coaching Readiness. The truth is, that is certainly one of many various coaching metrics the Intuition 3 has, which embody:

Coaching Readiness: This metric goals to be your one-stop store to determine whether or not or to not practice that day. It blends Sleep (vs each quick and long-term historical past), Restoration Time, HRV Standing, Acute Load, and Stress. In brief, you possibly can spike one class (badly) with out essentially killing your subsequent coaching day. However all classes aren’t created equal.

Coaching Standing: That is your acute load, HRV standing, load focus, and VO2Max developments. This one is much less about do you have to practice, and extra about the way you’re coaching. That means, are you doing an excessive amount of excessive depth, or an excessive amount of low depth? That’s what’ll provide you with an unproductive standing. In different phrases, how would a coach have a look at your coaching log, ignoring most different life/feeling sort metrics.

HRV Standing: That is measuring your HRV values always when you sleep, after which evaluating it towards your 3-week baseline, as much as a 90-day rolling window baseline. A single evening of consuming doesn’t tank this rating, however three nights of partying received’t preserve you within the inexperienced.

Acute Load: That is your final 7 days of load, besides the load now burns off dynamically. That means, a tough coaching day 7 days in the past is way much less impactful to the rating than a tough coaching day yesterday. Beforehand this was referred to as 7-Day Load, now it’s Acute Load.

Load Focus: This reveals which classes your coaching efforts have fallen into, during the last 4 weeks. These embody Anaerobic, Excessive Cardio, and Low Cardio. Principally, you want to have a various coaching weight-reduction plan to get quicker. Merely operating arduous/all-out each day received’t make you quicker. It’ll simply get you injured and slower.

Restoration Time: This calculates how a lot time you want until your subsequent hard-intensity exercise. As is usually misconstrued, this isn’t until your subsequent exercise, simply your subsequent arduous one. That is largely the identical as earlier than. Exceptionally good sleep can pace this up, and inversely, a high-stress day can sluggish this down.

Load Ratio: Coaching Load Ratio is a comparability of this week’s Coaching Load versus that 28-day common. In different phrases: How does this week’s load examine to the final 28 days load?

However let’s deal with Coaching Readiness for now. The thought with Coaching Readiness is to take a bunch of parts beneath one umbrella, and work out how ‘prepared’ you might be to ‘practice’ at that very second within the day. The worth will shift all through the day (increased in case you do nothing, decrease in case you do a exercise). Every of the parts are weighted in various methods, and towards various timeframes. Right here’s the run-down:

Sleep: This one is particularly final evening’s sleep

Restoration time: This seems to be at your Restoration time in hours (primarily based on exercises, however will be sped-up with good restoration)

HRV Standing: That is evaluating your 7-day pattern versus historic pattern

Acute Load: That is your 7-day pattern, weighted in the direction of newness

Sleep Historical past: That is final evening versus your prior 2 nights of sleep historical past

Stress Historical past: That is trying on the current daytime knowledge (excluding in a single day readings)

Once more, the whole goal of Coaching Readiness is a dwell rating of whether or not or not you’re prepared to coach at that second within the day. The rating will typically rise all through the day (if simply stress-free), after which following a giant coaching effort, will plummet down (to mirror that restoration time). A better coaching effort, and it’ll shift down much less.

The 2 greatest elements in your Coaching Readiness rating are Sleep and Restoration time (exercise restoration time). The truth is, you possibly can have low restoration time, however in case you’ve received poor sleep – it’ll slaughter the rating. Whereas HRV Standing is supposed to be a checks and balances sort element to mitigate a few of the others (each positively or negatively).

Exterior of these two, the most important element I have a tendency to have a look at training-wise is my Acute Load. At first look, you would possibly assume that is simply 7-day Load renamed, however that doesn’t actually cowl what it really does. Sure, it reveals your 7-day load, however load burns off dynamically. In years previous, in case you had a giant experience 6 days in the past, that load could be factored into your whole 7-day load period as if it simply occurred yesterday. Versus with Acute Load, it’s weighted to burn-off inside a couple of days, as logical. That’s as a result of per week later it’s unlikely that huge experience remains to be impacting you. The purpose of that is to scale back the large swings that used to happen within the Coaching Standing panel when a giant exercise from per week in the past disappears, making you go immediately from Productive to Unproductive in a matter of seconds.

You’ll see the brand new Load Ratio display screen in right here as properly, which is your 30-day train load versus your acute load. On this case, my spouse’s watch (the inexperienced one) illustrates it fairly properly, as she’s simply begun her taper for a race in about 10 days.

Needless to say Coaching Readiness modifications all through the day, as you’ve a exercise it’ll lower (logical, since your ‘readiness to coach’ is now decrease), and in case you have good sleep, it’ll be increased than the evening earlier than.

In the end, I discover it to be a fairly good indicator of how I really feel – although, like most firms, it’ll take a good bit of historic knowledge (about 30 days or so, of excellent regular/consultant knowledge) to seek out its stride.

Navigation:

The Intuition 3 accommodates the flexibility to navigate on routes, utilizing so-called ‘Breadcrumb’ type navigation. This implies there aren’t any offline maps on the watch itself, however slightly, you merely comply with just a little line on a clean web page. The watch will notify you of upcoming turns (primarily based on the platform that created the route), after which let while you’ve gone off-course.

Unquestionably, that is the most important disappointment for the Intuition 3. At a time when all of their opponents have offline mapping from the mid-$200 vary (Apple, AmazFit), to the $300’s (Suunto, COROS, Polar), and even Garmin itself within the $399-$449 vary (Epix, Fenix 7, Forerunner 955). For Garmin to launch a $500 outdoors-focused mountaineering watch with out offline maps in 2025 is fairly arduous to swallow.

Nonetheless, a few of you received’t care about maps, so…yeah, I’ll let you know the way it works anyway.

I’ve been utilizing it on many path runs and hikes this month, together with a 60KM 12-hour trek deep into the mountains in each daylight and darkish. Nevertheless, that very same hike illustrated quite a few instances the place having maps would pace up messy navigation moments, that the Intuition would require extra trial and error on (comparable to complicated path junctions).

In any case, you possibly can create your route on Garmin Join (desktop or cell app), or import it in from quite a few different platforms comparable to Strava, Komoot, and lots of others. You may as well import in GPS information like .GPX/.TCX/.FIT/and many others… Utilizing the 60KM hike for example, I created the route initially on Strava, which synced to Garmin Join. From there, I added in waypoints for numerous gadgets (water stops, milestones, and many others…).

After that, it synced to my watch routinely. Right here, I may choose it inside the navigation part of the game profile. On this case it’ll present me a fast overview of the map, in addition to the elevation profile:

Be aware that whereas previous Garmin watches, together with the Intuition, used to have numerous limits on the variety of factors in a course, that restrict was eliminated about 15 months in the past. I used to be capable of load (and navigate) this course simply high-quality, in addition to loading my 200KM Tour de Mont Blanc route with out concern. This was true on each the AMOLED and SOLAR variations. To sidestep any limits, merely import the unique file into Garmin Join, and it’ll routinely convert it to a .FIT file when it sends it to your watch (which has no limits). Right here’s the identical sequence as above, however on the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic:

Although, the Intuition 3 SOLAR is noticeably slower to load the route (you possibly can see this in real-time within the video), in addition to saving something over an hour or so in period takes upwards of 30+ seconds (in comparison with immediately on the AMOLED version).

In any occasion, as soon as I used to be prepared to start out my hike, I began the route and headed out. You’ll see the observe up forward, and your location on the map. Right here’s the way it seems to be on each AMOLED and SOLAR:

You’ll get flip notifications as properly. Precisely while you get these will differ primarily based on the platform that created them. Generally although, Garmin Join does a fairly good job of specifying these (be aware the arrow within the Photo voltaic little mini-window with 40m to the left of it, after which the arrow on the backside of the AMOLED with 39m left to the flip):

When you go roughly 50m off-course, you’ll get an alert to determine your method again to the course.

The watch provides you with a wide range of distance/time estimates until completion, primarily based in your present pacing. Nevertheless, there isn’t any ClimbPro for climbs (certainly one of my favourite options on all different Garmin watches with maps). Although, you will notice an entire elevation profile of the complete course, and your location on it:

And, Garmin does have their ‘Up head’ waypoints characteristic, which reveals you distance till the following waypoints as outlined within the course I created (I created all of those waypoints). I really like utilizing waypoints as a useful option to break up my day, and preserve observe of key factors alongside the way in which.

Be aware that Garmin closely truncates the route line on an Intuition, in comparison with their different gadgets. Take a look at this identical part in comparison with a Fenix:

Nonetheless, the shortage of maps turns into tremendous obvious while you’re left with both overgrown trails, or unclear path junctions. Consider a state of affairs with a 3-4 method fork within the path, the place the three items of the fork all go off at barely totally different angles. On a map, you possibly can clearly see the three junctions. However within the case of the Intuition, there isn’t any map, thus, you simply see a single line (not three strains), so it finally ends up being trial and error till you get it proper. Whereas that’s nothing new to breadcrumb navigation (for the previous 10-15 years), the entire level of wearables shifting to maps is to make our lives simpler. And once more, all their opponents have this, and even Garmin’s personal different watches have this.

This was additionally true on a unique day, throughout a path run, the place I couldn’t fairly work out if the route needed me down alongside the seashore, or up above the cliffs (lower than 50m away, however separated by vital drops). On the Intuition, it was unimaginable to inform, since you possibly can’t even see water vs land. Whereas on the Fenix, it was straightforward to see I used to be within the right spot.

After all, Garmin did make one half-hearted effort right here, by including a brand new metropolis factors itemizing on the Intuition 3. It will present a dot and the identify of a metropolis/city. However actually, it’s extra cities than cities. And thus, I overlook the worth in understanding {that a} metropolis is 50KM away, when there are numerous small cities a lot nearer (however not displaying up) within the case of emergencies.

I may very well be completely onboard this if nearly any city with an intersection or retailer or one thing of be aware, confirmed up, since that might possible point out some people to assist. Maybe we’ll see Garmin develop that database definition.

In the end, navigation works on the Intuition 3, and sure, you’ll possible get the place you wish to go, however that is the primary time in a few years the place I feel Garmin is forgetting that their beginnings as an organization had been in navigation and mapping. Attempting to withhold this characteristic jogs my memory of the times when Garmin stored attempting to cost folks for maps on bike computer systems (and handhelds), when each different firm was doing it totally free. Consequently, firms like Wahoo and others shortly received substantial market share. I suppose historical past will repeat itself.

Photo voltaic & Battery Testing:

This part solely applies to the Garmin Intuition 3 SOLAR editions (which have a MIP show), because the AMOLED version doesn’t have any photo voltaic performance. Photo voltaic after all has lengthy been a mainstay of Intuition editions, after Garmin acquired the property from a French firm, SunPartner Applied sciences, again in 2019.

The Intuition 3 encompasses a new photo voltaic layer although, the primary notable change since that acquisition. This new photo voltaic layer was launched again on the Fenix 8 Photo voltaic this previous fall. The defining characteristic is that it removes the reddish tint of the photo voltaic layer, and likewise removes the clear photo voltaic layer that was once atop the show, as a substitute protecting it purely on the non-screen parts of the watch. Regardless of the lowered floor space, it has considerably elevated photo voltaic capturing functionality. Beneath, you possibly can see the variations between an Intuition 2X and Intuition 3, by way of the photo voltaic layer coloring and placement.

(Left: Intuition 2X SOLAR, proper, Intuition 3 SOALR 50mm)

Be aware that the Intuition 3 has a brand new MIP show, which considerably will increase the distinction and readability seen on the Intuition 3, right here it’s in comparison with the Intuition 2 (black case), On the spot 2X (purple case), and Intuition 3 (orange band):

In terms of monitoring these photo voltaic features, you possibly can see it in a couple of methods. First, the watch face has a couple of knowledge problems that may present it, together with each the present solar stage (just a little solar icon with dashed strains round it), in addition to a chart monitoring photo voltaic consumption. Every of the dashed strains signifies how a lot of a full cost is coming in. When it goes solely black, that’s 100% inbound solar energy:

You may as well faucet right down to get to the photo voltaic widget, which can present the identical info with a bit extra element, over the previous 6 hours. It’ll additionally present the photo voltaic features for the day:

Now, the one drawback right here is that, as of publishing, the little solar icon isn’t working within the manufacturing firmware model. Severely. In any respect. It’s supposed to point out how sunny it’s (by way of 0 to 100%), comparable to seen on the Intuition 2X. However there’s a bug that stops it from doing something. How no one at Garmin observed that is past me. (Above/under, while you see it working, it’s in an advance beta copy of an upcoming firmware that hopefully can be launched definitely). In any other case, regardless of full solar, it’ll appear like this:

Subsequent, atop that, it is best to be capable of place an Intuition 3 within the solar, and it’ll achieve (appreciable) battery cost. That too, isn’t working within the manufacturing firmware. Apparently some kind of UI bug is stopping these features from being proven (they work simply high-quality on the Intuition 2 and 2X in my side-by-side testing). I don’t actually perceive how that bug prevents the features from displaying, but the entire energy proven is right? Or not. Unsure. Once more, over the weekend I received an up to date beta firmware to repair that concern, which allowed me to do the ‘sitting in solar’ exams.

Both method, that will get us to their battery claims. All of Garmin’s battery claims have two columns, one for no-sun, and one for solar. The solar declare is predicated on 50,000 lux circumstances for 3 hours per day, which is a fairly minimal quantity of solar to be trustworthy. That’s kind of a barely (skinny/gentle clouds) hazy solar, even within the winter. Full blue-sky is way stronger.

I’ve been doing a bunch of testing on this, and the outcomes are extremely spectacular throughout exercises. Particularly, I used to be actually within the claims associated to ‘GPS-Solely’, since that has upwards of 260 hours of claimed. Battery. I didn’t use the ‘Most Battery GPS mode’, which has limitless GPS time, although you’ll see that GPS-Solely is fairly darn spectacular.

Now I’ve been taking it out on all kinds of adventures, however a part of the ‘problem’ of the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic, is that the battery life is *SO* good, that as a way to get helpful knowledge, you mainly have to do one thing at least about 90 minutes and actually nearer to about 3 hours to begin to see battery impacts. Beneath that threshold, you won’t even see the battery lose even 1%. Compounding my testing has been the quite a few crashes I’ve had on the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic, inflicting some lack of complete knowledge information (see Bugs part later).

Instance 1:

Period: 12hr lengthy hike
Circumstances: Blue sky sunny, besides blockages on account of mountains, bushes/and many others.. once in a while, darkness final 3hrs
GNSS Kind: GPS Solely
Optical Coronary heart Price: Sure/enabled
Navigation: Enabled/following route/course
Estimated battery period: 75 hours for Photo voltaic version, and 41 hours for AMOLED version.

Instance 2:
Period: 3hr highway experience (triangle loops)
Circumstances: Sunny, however solely about 30-40% of the time on account of physique place relative to solar and wrist on handlebars
GNSS Kind: GPS Solely
Biking Sensors: None
Optical Coronary heart Price: Sure/enabled
Navigation: None
Estimated battery period: 300hours+ for Photo voltaic version, 58hrs for AMOLED

Be aware: That is really an amazing instance of why you want actually lengthy actions for these estimations to work. Primarily each time the battery % modifications, it updates the file. So that you see that occur about 25 minutes in for the Photo voltaic (going from 100% to 99%. After which it simply stays there the remainder of the time. We don’t know if it was at 99.4% or 99.01%. So, for all we all know, it may have gone one other hour or extra earlier than it dropped to 98%. Both method, it’s extremely spectacular, given the GPS accuracy you see under for this experience (in accuracy part) is ideal.

Normal Battery Observations:

AMOLED with multiband/SatIQ: Generally, I’m seeing most of my runs/rides find yourself with battery estimations of roughly 35-45 hours in a SatIQ mode with optical HR. Navigation is seemingly enjoying nearly no influence on this.

Photo voltaic with multiband/SatIQ: I’ve much less knowledge on Photo voltaic with multiband, as a result of frankly I misplaced so many photo voltaic knowledge units on account of crashes. However for those who do have it, it appears to be within the 50-80hr vary. However my multiband knowledge units aren’t tremendous superior, given all the problems I used to be having on the time. I’ll possible re-test a few of these again in multiband now that different bug fixes have resolved the crash points.

Photo voltaic with GPS-only: Constantly, in all of my exercises, I’m seeing properly beneath 1%/hour with this configuration, even with navigation enabled. The truth is, I can’t even present you charts (like above), as a result of in a few of these 75-90min path runs, the battery by no means modifications (and thus, there’s nothing on the chart to plot).

So then, what about battery features from photo voltaic by itself with no exercise concerned? Properly, that too is attention-grabbing. First up, I’ll be aware that till you get on a firmware model of seven.XX or increased, you received’t really see any of those features. There’s all assortment of bugs on the manufacturing releases that received’t correctly present photo voltaic features on the UI (it wouldn’t present the photo voltaic solar icon standing blocks, nor the precise features from the panels within the battery share). Extra on that later. In any case, over the weekend I acquired a firmware replace from Garmin that allows these two options once more (they had been in earlier Intuition 1/2/2X photo voltaic watches). Thus, I used to be capable of do some testing, and the outcomes had been fascinating.

Nevertheless, first, a technical notable: I had been doing another photo voltaic wattage exams earlier within the week, and was noticing that the photo voltaic features had been chopping in half at numerous factors throughout the day, and chopping out altogether. However, solely on one watch, not each Intuition 3 watches (or the Intuition 2X). You’ll be able to see this under:

Confused, I raised this to Garmin. In my eyes, this seemed like some kind of bug. Or not less than, the photo voltaic panel overheating or one thing (the climate isn’t that heat, however may be very sunny). Nevertheless, after some digging, they got here again and confirmed neither. As a substitute, the photo voltaic panel was doing precisely as designed.

You see, the ‘drawback baby’ watch was really as much as 98-99% battery stage, whereas the opposite was within the 60% vary. Garmin has carried out a lot of battery protections on their photo voltaic watches that rate-limit inbound charging the upper the battery share (to mitigate battery longevity points). These kinds of limits are in place on all kinda of tech gadgets, from telephones to laptops, and extra. Nevertheless, how the Garmin UI was manifesting these slow-downs leaves a bit to be desired.

They famous that basically the fuller the battery, the extra strict Garmin was by way of photo voltaic charging pace and allowances. They stated the perfect battery % to see simply how briskly it’d be charging within the solar, was round 20-30%. So, I lowered the battery on these watches by turning on the flashlight at full blast for a couple of hours, whereas turning on multiband GNSS indoors (so it has to work more durable to seek out sign it received’t get).

Quickly, I used to be again outdoors testing. This primary take a look at I had put all items down to twenty% battery. Clearly, we don’t know if one was at 20.1% and one other at 20.9%, I simply now they stated 20%. I caught it on the roof in principally sunny circumstances, that might ultimately develop into cloudy in a while. All confronted the solar, with nothing blocking any of them at any time limit. Given the low place of the solar within the winter arcing throughout horizon, I didn’t have to maneuver the watches in any respect.

Right here’s the outcomes:

Begin: 1:47PM
Finish: 5:27PM
Period: ~3hrs 45mins
Intuition 2X: From 20% to 25% (211k lux hours)
Intuition 3 Photo voltaic Orange (50mm): From 20% to 40% (328k lux hours)
Intuition 3 Photo voltaic Black (50mm): From 20% to 38% (287k lux hours)

The subsequent day, I caught them out longer. This time it was once more very sunny at the start, but additionally slowly received cloudy within the late afternoon.

Nonetheless, I managed some critical photo voltaic features, take a look at these numbers:

Begin: 11:38AM
Finish: 5:10PM
Period: ~5hrs 30mins
Intuition 2X: From 23% to 33% (340k lux hours)
Intuition 3 Photo voltaic Orange (50mm): From 36% to 51% (517k lux hours)
Intuition 3 Photo voltaic Black (50mm): From 34% to 50% (458k lux hours)

I’ve no query that had these been on the market at dawn, and left until sundown, with out clouds, I’d simply have doubled these features. However it was the weekend, I slept in, and the clouds had been what they had been. Nevertheless, it’s not clear to me why the 2 totally different (but theoretically similar) Intuition 3 50mm items had such variations in photo voltaic consumption. I cleaned the display screen of every prior to every begin (with my t-shirt).

Level right here is, the modified photo voltaic tech on the Intuition 3 may be very actual, and considerably improved over the Intuition 2X. However extra vital than simply the photo voltaic features, is the burn aspect of that (redemption aspect, if you’ll). Further features doesn’t imply something in case you’ve received crappy high-burning processing. And on this case, they’ve considerably elevated burn charges on GPS-only modes particularly, with none real-world influence to GPS accuracy in most conditions. Thus, let’s discuss that.

Accuracy (GPS & Coronary heart Price):

In terms of coronary heart price accuracy, the Intuition 3 takes Garmin’s tried and true Elevate V4 optical HR sensor (however not the Elevate V5, launched greater than 18 months in the past). In the meantime, it seems to make use of the identical GPS chipset as different current Garmin watches, which is among the many greatest within the business (if not the very best) by way of GPS accuracy in a multiband/dual-frequency configuration.

Nonetheless, I at all times take a look at these parts, as issues can change. For instance, a key a part of GPS accuracy is antenna design, which is usually built-in or closely depending on bezel design. And the Intuition 3 has a novel bezel design with the brand new metallic band across the outdoors edge.

Now, on this evaluate, I additionally needed to dig into the ‘GPS-Solely’ configuration a bit extra. On the Intuition 3 particularly (particularly Photo voltaic), the GPS-only configuration has completely crazy-bonkers battery life. The query is, is the GPS accuracy in that configuration nonetheless usable? So, I spent in all probability half my take a look at time digging into that throughout plenty of situations.

In any occasion, let’s start indoors with some coronary heart price exams. First up, an indoor coach experience to undergo a bit.

As you possibly can see above, I’ve the Intuition 3 AMOLED on the left wrist, and Intuition 3 SOLAR on the suitable wrist. For no matter cause, within the first couple of minutes there was some slight variability from the left-wrist unit. I don’t imagine that is any distinction between AMOLED vs SOLAR, however slightly, only a case of left vs proper right here. Having one thing offset for the primary few seconds isn’t tremendous uncommon (for any sort of HR sensors), although having some variances within the 10-12 minute vary is a bit surprising.

Subsequent up, one other indoor coach experience for coronary heart price ache functions. This one was a way more structured exercise (versus the sustained construct of the above one). Right here you possibly can see this construction (which was basically 4-5 minute intervals adopted by shorter intervals). Be aware the colours modified, sorry.

General the values are very shut, although I do see a tiny little bit of wobble on the Intuition 3 AMOLED right here that I wouldn’t solely anticipate. It’s barely noticeable although.

So, let’s begin shifting outdoors for some coronary heart price testing, beginning off with an interval run.

As you possibly can see, the Intuition 3 is actually similar to the Polar & Apple sensors. Very stable given a few of these had been fairly quick intervals within the second half of the 75-minute lengthy exercise.

Subsequent, heading out into the forest for a path run, with a number of variability in terrain (up and down), which might trigger challenges for optical HR sensors (particularly downhill). And you may see the Intuition 3 on one wrist, after which the Fenix 8 optical on the opposite wrist. The Intuition 3 makes a couple of extra errors than the Fenix 8 does (extra on that in a sec).

Whereas if we have a look at this interval run on a chilly/cool evening, the place you actually see the distinction, side-by-side between the Gen4 sensor of the Intuition 3 on one wrist, and the Gen5 sensor of the Fenix 8 on the opposite wrist (being a lot better with solely a single missed interval).

Subsequent, switching to an outside experience, right here’s a 3 hour experience from Friday. You’ll be able to see a little bit of wonk across the 15-minute marker, that’s once I needed to deal with a mechanical concern, so, I wouldn’t overthink that half. As at all times, out of doors biking continues to be some of the difficult issues for optical HR sensors, nonetheless, that is really fairly darn good.

There’s one different temporary second across the 90-minute marker, the place the Photo voltaic unit has a blip, after which briefly on the finish, oddly sufficient. However by and huge, that is really a fairly stable efficiency for a Garmin Gen4 optical HR sensor.

Whereas on this night experience I did have some barely rougher highway circumstances in cooler climate, you possibly can see the variations between Intuition 3 with its Gen4 on one wrist, and Fenix 8 with its Gen5 on the opposite:

In any case, the above is a fairly good general pattern of my outcomes.

So, let’s have a look at a few of the GPS actions. First, let’s have a look at multiband efficiency, through SatIQ. SatIQ is Garmin’s GPS setting the place it’ll routinely use multiband/dual-frequency GPS when it wants it (e.g., bushes/buildings), however then cut back the facility calls for when it doesn’t want it. Beginning off with some highway biking, at a excessive stage (with SatIQ enabled), you possibly can see issues are excellent:

As we zoom in to some twisty sections, you see the Garmin items simply nail this, although, on the high-speed descent again down, the Wahoo ACE cuts a few of the corners:

Switching right into a path run within the woods and alongside some cliffs with SatIQ enabled, and once more, at a excessive stage, we will see no points:

As we zoom in alongside some cliff edges with overhangs, we will see the variations between the Intuition 2 (with the totally different/older non-multi-band GPS chipset), and the newer Intuition 3 chipset:

That is what that part seemed like in real-life (I’d go up towards that cliff, after which was in that cave thingy the place the arrow was pointing).

After which within the woods, no issues both:

Now, what in regards to the GPS-only configuration (which trades a ton of battery life for barely lesser accuracy), how does that deal with? Properly, let’s dig into it a bit. Beginning off with some avenue operating, you’ll see no actual points. Sure, I did run on either side of the road, development pressured us over there.

The one bits I may quibble with was one of many corners it lower barely. I believe most individuals could be more than pleased with that large improve in battery life, for a couple of meters of corner-cutting each occasionally. However after all, that’s the selection you may make.

After all, as seen above, it’s not each nook. We did boatloads of loops round this part, and no issues on this nook.

The identical goes for this path run, the place it’s close to unimaginable to inform, even in the identical sections as earlier up towards/on cliff edges:

If we have a look at my 60KM hike into the mountains:

We’ll discover the overwhelming majority of the time, the distinction is non-existent, even in difficult circumstances up towards mountain sides (and mountain slides), within the forest:

Or right here:

Nonetheless, there are moments the place there’s undoubtedly a distinction, not less than on one wrist. You’ll be able to see right here the place mainly two items for a quick interval had been like ‘Nah, I’m not gonna do the switch-back factor’.

However that’s far and above the exception slightly than the rule.

Oh, and right here’s the elevation plot from that hike:

In the meantime, no points in highway biking both, the place in GPS-only it’s 100% similar to the multiband/dual-frequency GPS items I had with me.

Oh, and at last, what about openwater swimming? For this, I used to be again in AutoSelect mode (SatIQ). And right here, issues look fairly stable. Some slight variations between left and proper wrists, however no actual complaints:

Wrapping issues up, beginning with the optical HR sensor aspect, it acts and behaves similar to previous Gen4 optical HR sensors. Which is to say that on the entire it’s fairly good, nevertheless it falls wanting a few of the trickier edge instances seen in Garmin’s Gen5 optical HR sensors. As famous earlier, I don’t actually get why Garmin is attempting to distinguish on optical HR sensors right here, when none of their opponents do (Apple places the identical optical HR sensor in a $400 watch as a $800 watch). Jogs my memory of the day when Garmin would skip on stair monitoring in $300 watches, but a $70 Fitbit had it. The excellent news although is in case you have a use case the place the optical HR sensor isn’t working for you, you possibly can nonetheless pair an exterior HR sensor simply high-quality (e.g., chest strap or arm band).

In any case, on the GPS aspect, issues proceed to be spectacular. No matter magic Garmin’s GPS staff has completed on their gadgets in the previous few years continues to outshine their competitors – even while you put it into probably the most power-saving modes, it nonetheless usually matches or beats their multi-band opponents. Whereas my choice is to make use of Garmin’s SatIQ (AutoSelect setting), I’ve had no points the previous few weeks utilizing GPS-Solely. It simply doesn’t trouble me to be in that mode, primarily as a result of Garmin’s improved a lot there in comparison with only a few years in the past. It’s slightly astonishing, particularly when you think about that in my 3-hour experience on Friday, I used to be at a battery burn price of 0.3%/hour (with excellent GPS tracks). Thoughts-boggling.

(Be aware: All the charts in these accuracy sections had been created utilizing the DCR Analyzer device. It permits you to examine energy meters/trainers, coronary heart price, cadence, pace/tempo, GPS tracks, and lots extra. You need to use it as properly to your personal gadget comparisons, extra particulars right here.)

Bugs & Bumps:

The Intuition 3 has hardly been flawless, particularly the Photo voltaic mannequin. That stated, over the previous week particularly, it’s gotten fairly a bit higher, although I don’t imagine that firmware has been launched publicly but, however ought to be. Nonetheless, this watch has been publicly accessible for about 3 weeks now, and thus, I’m going to name out the problems I’ve had throughout that timeframe (and the present standing of them). More often than not I embody the problems inside the primary physique of the evaluate, particularly in the event that they’re comparatively minor. However this time, issues have been fairly a bit bumpier – with numerous crashes and a few lack of knowledge/exercises.

Frequent Fall/Incident Detection Alerts Whereas Operating: I can’t keep in mind the final time (if ever), I’ve had a fall/incident detection alert whereas operating/mountaineering. But in lots of my hikes with navigation, the AMOLED unit would set off fixed alerts. You will have only a few seconds to cancel it, else it’ll finish your exercise file. This occurred at least 10 instances alone on my current 60KM hike. Garmin can’t reproduce it, is trying into it, and has me operating with a ton of additional logging enabled now to attempt to work out what’s inflicting it. [Current Status: I have not had this occur in the last 10 days on recent firmware, previously, it occurred on every run with navigation. However, shortly after publishing this review, Garmin has confirmed they found the cause of the bug and are now working on a solution.]

Photo voltaic Watches Don’t Present Photo voltaic Standing: There are such a lot of little UI issues which might be damaged or in any other case lacking on the Intuition 3 Photo voltaic fashions. For instance, the little solar icon indicating how a lot solar energy it’s presently receiving is damaged, so it received’t really let you know the present photo voltaic consumption stage. Subsequent, in case you merely place the watch within the solar, it received’t present photo voltaic time being accumulating (whereas the Intuition 1/2/2X just do high-quality). Garmin says that’s additionally a bug, within the UI slightly than the underlying energy system, that ought to be fastened quickly too. Likewise, the choice to activate the backlight through gesture (however solely after sundown) is presently lacking. It was there in earlier Intuition Photo voltaic watches, however isn’t there in the present day. Severely, how did no one discover this? [Current status: This has been resolved in private beta firmware I’ve used for the past 5 days, though is not yet available in public firmware. However, the lack of backlight via gesture has not been resolved.]

Garmin Discover fills up Photo voltaic Storage Areas, Causes Crashes: In a unusual twist, the secondary Garmin Discover app has been routinely including itself as a certified connection level to my Intuition 3 fashions, after which subsequently utterly filling them up with all my Garmin Join programs. That in flip causes the fashions to have so little area, they crash at numerous factors throughout my exercises. The repair is manually disconnecting these fashions, after which manually deleting out all of the programs. After which manually deleting all of the crash logs to make sure there may be enough area. Garmin says they’re engaged on fixing this space-filling concern. [Current Status: I suppose this is resolved by virtue of whacking the thing that caused it. But I’d argue this still needs some work. I have had no crashes in the past 7 days.]

Different Photo voltaic area points: Lastly, I’ll be aware that whereas not a direct bug, I imagine Garmin’s determination to place a foolish small quantity of space for storing on the Intuition 3 (120MB, of which ~90-100MB is used) goes to trigger some very real-world points. Even on items I’ve manufacturing unit reset, the area accessible makes it unimaginable to replace the firmware (~15MB) with out first manually clearing out all my programs and actions (all the things!). I don’t see how that is sustainable for real-world customers, particularly after even simply a few programs. The AMOLED version has 3GB of area, so this isn’t a difficulty.

In the end, as of January twenty eighth, each my Intuition 3 AMOLED and SOLAR items are in a fairly steady place with the newest personal beta firmware updates (setting apart attempting to replace the firmware). Nonetheless, that firmware isn’t but accessible publicly, and I’m frankly fairly confused on how the whole Photo voltaic standing fiasco ever made it this far. I imply, Photo voltaic actually has one job: Acquire solar energy. It wasn’t demonstrating it may really try this.

Garmin Intuition vs Fenix:



Whereas there are apparent variations between the Garmin Intuition 3 and Fenix 8 sequence (like offline mapping), there are much more not-so-obvious variations. Thus, I went down the rabbit gap of figuring out all of these variations by hand, for each big-ticket gadgets and tiny little gadgets. Roughly 100 variations between the 2.

I’ve received a devoted submit (and video above), on all of these issues that make the Fenix 8 value twice as a lot because the Intuition 3. No cause to re-hash them on this submit, go test it out!

Wrap-Up:

In some ways, like a few of Garmin’s different current merchandise, you need to separate the technical aspect from the pricing aspect. As a normal rule, I don’t like doing that, as a result of nearly all the things in know-how is an interwoven worth/options burrito (with a sprinkle of name/advertising and marketing worth). In Garmin’s case particularly, their overwhelming variety of items available on the market in the present day undercuts their very own pricing technique. However first, let’s begin with the technical aspect.

Assuming the principally minor bugs I needed to get labored out (and historical past says these kinds are likely to), the Intuition 3 AMOLED is a giant soar up for Intuition homeowners who need the mix of a sturdy smartwatch with a display screen to match this decade. It delivers on that, and will get extra options than the earlier technology. Likewise, on the Intuition 3 SOLAR aspect, that too delivers on extremely robust photo voltaic efficiency, considerably increased than earlier Intuition 2 or Intuition 2X items in my testing. To not point out the much better display screen readability of the Intuition 3 SOLAR in comparison with prior-gen Intuition items. All of that is nice.

Simply as in my first look posts although, the place this all falls aside is Garmin’s multi-pronged machine technique, and particularly, their robust affinity to maintain prior-gen gadgets available on the market at decrease costs. For instance, the MIP-based Garmin Fenix 7 (47mm) is presently on sale for $429USD. That has each single characteristic the Intuition 3 does, but additionally has full offline mapping, WiFi, offline music, and numerous extra issues. It’s simply as rugged, and is frankly cheaper than most of the Intuition 3 items. In the meantime, if you would like AMOLED, Garmin’s Epix (Gen 2) has floated on sale for $399-$409, the previous few months, together with proper now. That too has much more options, together with offline mapping, ClimbPro, and extra, than the Intuition 3 AMOLED, save the flashlight. There’s no consumer-facing a part of the Intuition 3 sequence that’s extra “technologically superior” than the Fenix 7 or Epix. All of which completely ignores the truth that the Suunto Race S ($349), COROS Tempo Professional ($349), and Polar Vantage M3 ($399), and AmazFit T-Rex 3 ($234-$279) have offline mapping. The shortage of offline mapping in Intuition 3 is a serious miss, arduous cease.

After all, I’m additionally conscious {that a} portion of the inhabitants doesn’t care about maps. Maybe you employ a cellphone for that, perhaps you fake to hold paper maps with you, or, you simply don’t use maps in any respect. By which case, sure, the Intuition 3 is a superb little unit with nice battery life. Particularly in case you like orange accents. And particularly, in case you’re a photo voltaic fan, the place display screen readability and battery life on the Intuition 3 is a giant enhance over earlier Intuition items. As at all times, simply will depend on what you need, and who you need it from.

With that, thanks for studying!