Customer Reviews for Garmin Instinct 3 Solar GPS Smartwatch, Black & Charcoal, 50mm (GRM0293500)
Item # : 24632765
Model # : GRM0293500
- Make a bold statement with this rugged GPS smartwatch, featuring a 1.1-in. display with solar charging lens and unlimited battery life with solar charging (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000-lux conditions)
- Engineered with a super-tough 50-mm fiber-reinforced polymer case and metal-reinforced bezel
Price is $473.59
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72 reviews
Most helpful positive review
Posted Mar 9, 2026
Buy now
Wow, great watch dumped my Apple 7 for a watch with a real battery
VS
Most helpful critical review
Posted Mar 2, 2026
Lame expencive device
Not enough memory for update! It is year 2026, you produced 200mb device and charge it 400 dolars- without maps and sapphire, and now problems from the start!? Now stucked transfering something, cannot fully charge it, battery estimation 11 days!? Garbage
halraiser
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Mar 18, 2026
Mixed opinion
On the positive side, tells time well and the GPS works well. However, there are some things that bother me:
1. The solar cell has a hard time keeping up so I'll probably have to plug it in from time to time to recharge. Needs a better solar cell.
2. No easy way to get the bearing to a waypoint in degrees. Just wants to show a line pointing that direction unless I go ...
1. The solar cell has a hard time keeping up so I'll probably have to plug it in from time to time to recharge. Needs a better solar cell.
2. No easy way to get the bearing to a waypoint in degrees. Just wants to show a line pointing that direction unless I go ...
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NDGATOR
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Mar 17, 2026
Still Working out the Kinks
I upgraded from an Instinct Solar. I have been wearing it about a month. I haven't tried the activity (wlak/run/ride) yet. I have a 1040 Edge so it hasn't been necessary yet. I have two main beefs. First the charge cord is loose in the back and I have to jiggle it just right to get it tto charge. I ended up using my old cable truth be told. Second and this is a pre...
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Best Watch now
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Mar 9, 2026
Buy now
Wow, great watch dumped my Apple 7 for a watch with a real battery
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Spiritwalker26
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Mar 8, 2026
Extremely versatile, outstanding adventure watch
Excellent product with lots of features. Slowly learning how to get maximum usage. Key features I enjoy; flashlight (is incredible), solar charging feature likely better in the summer. I’ve used it to track snowboarding and swimming and am very pleased.
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Stevanma
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Mar 2, 2026
Lame expencive device
Not enough memory for update! It is year 2026, you produced 200mb device and charge it 400 dolars- without maps and sapphire, and now problems from the start!? Now stucked transfering something, cannot fully charge it, battery estimation 11 days!? Garbage
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Brob
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Feb 22, 2026
Enjoying the watch
I came from an Apple Watch and am very pleased with all the features of the instinct 3.
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Rich A
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 27, 2026
Awsome watch with good features.
I purchased this a month ago, after my Samsung watch battery died. I spend a lot of time outdoors and thought the solor charging would be great. It is loaded with lots of features. I especially like the sleep measurement apps. Wished it was a touch screen. The app on the phone could be better.
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Smokejumper
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Garmin
Posted Jan 17, 2026
Love the watch
The larger display is great. Still working on getting everything that I eat activated but at this point all is working awesome.
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Mikey42
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 15, 2026
excellent watch with a lot of features
I purchased this watch for all my adventures into the backcountry and to track of my fitness goals. sometimes it is a little confusing to use, you have to scroll through all the options the instinct has to offer. I think it would be helpful if Garmin would actually include more instruction pamplets instead of a little picture pamplet
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IkeL
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 13, 2026
Excellent followup
Bought this a few weeks ago after wearing the Instinct Solar 2 for 3 years. Absolutely love the upgrade. Didn't necessarily need to upgrade, but love Garmin and all the features.
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Laroosh
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Garmin
Posted Jan 11, 2026
Great overall
I love the features and the gps tracking! It has an amazing battery life.
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Archangel
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 8, 2026
Getting Accustomed
I received this as a Christmas gift and so far, I love it. I only wished that it was the smaller 45mm version, but it is starting to be less noticeable as I wear it daily. Still learning all the features, but it really a nice item. I have even stopped wearing my Tag and put it on an autowinder.
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Montythescot
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 8, 2026
My do everything timepiece!
I had an Instinct 2 and loved it - got an Instinct 3 as a gift. It keeps track of the the metrics I want and keeps accurate time! :)
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Mel1310
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 7, 2026
Instinct 3
Great battery life only issue is the buttons and menus are difficult to understand.
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Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 4, 2026
Loaded with features and long battery life
It has taken a little while to learn all the features but once that is accomplished the watch is the best watch for the outdoors, training, and connectivity that i have ever owned
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MatthewHardisty
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Jan 1, 2026
Best smartwatch
It us better then last watch I had ( instinct 2 solar).Battery last longer(4 weeks +), easier to read display, navigate, workout set up, it is very nice watch for anyone spend lots time out door.
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DJPetya
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Dec 26, 2025
Works as expected
Mainly used for biking, running and walking. It seamlessly transmits HR to Garmin Edge, no extra HRM needed and charges in the sun while riding outside. Much more advanced fitness feature sets then the Apple Watch SE I had before. Best is it needs to be charged about 10 days vs. everyday.
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Rossco87
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Dec 6, 2025
Great battery, rugged, waterproof beast of a watch
I upgraded from the instinct 1 and love how this watch is still as rugged, better battery and solar charging. It’s still simple yet has all the features and widgets you need.
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Csbs
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Dec 6, 2025
Nice, but..
I thought this would be a big upgrade from the solar instinct 2 50mm, but disappointingly it is not. Just a bit quicker on Garmin connect. No other big improvements. The orange ring Garmin added is kind of pointless. Should’ve saved my money and waited for another new solar instinct
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1q6g
Reviewed at:
Garmin
Posted Dec 1, 2025
Great solar watch
I have had the Instinct 3 solar (50mm) for a few weeks now and I couldn't be happier with it. I have been walking with the watch exposed on my wrist and after a few weeks of usage it still shows 94% battery life due to the solar charging. I haven't tried a lot of the other features yet, but am satisfied with the solar part.
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