When shopping for your next purpose-driven smartwatch, you should know there’s no brand better or more revered than Garmin. Its wide range of models does well to delineate use, whether you’re a frequent hiker, a marathoner, or a gym rat. While some of the brand’s best watches eclipse the $1,500 price point, the Instinct line always kept its price below $500 — that is, before today.
Following the release of the Instinct 3 earlier this year, Garmin now adds a Tactical Edition of the smartwatch that’s been a favorite for hikers and outdoorsmen for years.
EVOLUTION OF THE WARRIOR
The Instinct line has always occupied a special place in Garmin’s ecosystem, positioned as the more affordable yet incredibly capable alternative to their flagship Fenix series, but without all the bells and whistles. But now with the Tactical Edition, available in 45mm or 50mm versions, the Instinct has found a new variant at the top of the line with features found in some of its more expensive watches.
Parlaying the early success of its new always-on AMOLED and Solar editions that were rolled out in February, Garmin retains what fans love about the Instinct 3 and have tailored it more for military personnel and serious survivalists. Already equipped with a fiber-reinforced polymer case with MIL-STD 810 construction, 100m of water resistance, a built-in LED flashlight, and multi-band GPS, the Tactical Editions have now bolstered durability with bolted construction and metal-reinforced bezels.
SILENT BUT DEADLY
What truly separates this tactical variant from its standard counterpart are the specialized tactical features that go beyond mere construction. Carried over from the Tactix range at double the price tag, the Instinct’s Tactical Editions come with various features such as Stealth Mode which immediately kills all wireless communications and GPS functionality with a single button press.
This pairs perfectly with the Night Vision Mode, which adjusts the display to be compatible with NVGs without blinding the user or broadcasting your position. When both features are engaged, the watch essentially goes dark while remaining fully functional. And if those aren’t enough, you can also hit the kill switch if you need to quickly wipe all your data instantly.
While the Instinct has always been crucial for the outdoors, the Tactical Edition furthers this with its rucking activity profile. Along with all of the standard hiking apps, this specialized feature allows users to input their pack weight to better understand the physical exertion associated with rucking. Also, for skydivers, this edition features the popular Jumpmaster app, a useful tool to help calculate the High Altitude Release Point (HARP) and navigate towards the Desired Impact Point (DIP).
BALLISTIC ADVANTAGE
Perhaps the most impressive addition is the integrated Applied Ballistics calculator, which provides firing solutions based on factors like distance, wind, temperature, and elevation. While it won’t replace dedicated ballistics computers for extreme long-range specialists, having this capability built into your everyday timepiece offers significant tactical advantages for hunters and marksmen operating in variable environments. While this function requires an unlock fee, the fact that its functionality lives alongside everyday fitness tracking and smartwatch features is evidence of just how far we’ve come in the wearables landscape.
POWER PLAY
Battery life has always been Garmin’s secret weapon, and the Tactical Edition pushes those boundaries even further. The AMOLED model, available only in 50mm, offers an impressive 50 days in smartwatch mode, but the Solar variant (with 45mm and 50mm versions) essentially delivers unlimited battery life with sufficient sun exposure during daily use. Just like the standard Instinct 3, this effectively eliminates one of the most significant pain points in the smartwatch space and, paired with its array of stealth features, makes the Tactical Edition an ideal companion for extended deployments or wilderness adventures where charging options are non-existent.
SPEC SHEET
Model: Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Edition
Case Size: 45mm, 50mm
Display: MIP (45mm or 50mm Solar), AMOLED (50mm)
Battery Life: Up to 50 days (standard) or unlimited (Solar edition)
Water Resistance: 100m
GPS: Multi-band GNSS
Special Features: Stealth mode, night vision mode, kill switch, ballistics calculator, jumpmaster
Price: $500 to $600
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
Eclipsing the previous sub-$500 range of the standard Instinct 3, the Tactical Edition will range from $500 for the 45mm Solar to $600 for the 50mm AMOLED. Head over to Garmin’s website, where these smartwatches are available now.
Recap
Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Edition
Leveling up its outdoor-friendly Instinct 3 smartwatch with a new Tactical Edition, Garmin adds features like rucking profiles and a kill switch.
