A simpler approach to adventure watches

On any typical day, I am a extra is extra form of man in relation to my GPS watch. I have been sporting Garmin’s unbelievable Fenix ​​8 AMOLED nearly religiously because it launched a number of months in the past, and I’ve but to search out something it might’t do. Nevertheless, as a smaller man with smaller wrists, there are occasions when Garmin’s huge touchscreen watch is greater than I may ever want.

So when Garmin kicked off CES 2025 with an replace to its Intuition sequence—a smaller, easier-to-control mannequin that I’ve by no means used earlier than—I had the possibility to strive it out. I grabbed my colleague C. Scott Brown and we headed to a neighborhood climbing health club in Las Vegas for our first style of the Garmin Intuition 3 sequence. Here is the way it went.

Generally once I get into a brand new smartwatch, it may be arduous to inform what’s completely different from era to era. This time, it is a bit simpler. Not like earlier generations of the Intuition, the place the small, rugged face solely provided a Reminiscence in Pixel (MiP) show, Garmin’s Intuition 3 sequence now comes with an optionally available AMOLED face, bringing it extra according to different fashions lately up to date just like the Fenix ​​and the Forerunner Collection.

However whereas I am often one for a crisp AMOLED panel with Garmin’s up to date animations, one thing concerning the Intuition 3 provides me just a bit pause. Not as a result of the brand new face is not nice — it’s, it appears like a mini Fenix ​​8 — however as a result of it forces me to select.

A part of the prolonged Garmin Intuition 3 lineup means you possibly can have that AMOLED show or photo voltaic charging, which technically permits the Intuition 3 to final endlessly if given sufficient daylight. In case you select the latter, you may must accept a powered MiP show like earlier Intuition fashions. The AMOLED mannequin nonetheless is not battery-free, providing 18 days from the smaller 45mm model or 24 from the bigger 50mm dimension, nevertheless it pales compared to the one which lasts endlessly.

Nevertheless, outdoors of this all-important show resolution, the remainder of the options of Garmin’s Intuition 3 are similar. Neither the AMOLED show nor the MiP show provide contact controls, so you may must get very comfy with Garmin’s five-button navigation. I struggled with the change for the primary few hours with the watch, however I am positive I am going to modify in a day or two. As a daily Fenix ​​8 wearer, I did not notice how typically I swiped up and down on its face, however now that I’ve misplaced the contact controls, I miss them.

Additionally, Garmin has upgraded the front-facing LED flashlight (known as a torch on the watch itself) to plain challenge on each the Photo voltaic and AMOLED variations of the Intuition 3. Beforehand, the flashlight was reserved for the Intuition 2X, so I am I am glad to see it getting a bit extra love – it is the one factor I’ve used as a lot as GPS monitoring on my previous few Garmin watches.

Whereas I struggled a bit with the shortage of a touchscreen in my time with the Intuition 3 AMOLED, it hasn’t been an excessive amount of of a difficulty when leaping into actions. I’ve solely had an opportunity to make use of the Intuition 3 in Garmin’s bouldering mode, however beginning and stopping routes with the button-based controls is simply as simple as on my Fenix ​​8. The Intuition 3 gives help for practically the entire identical actions, too, although there are a number of variations price noting in case you are weighing this up in opposition to a few of Garmin’s dearer choices.

For starters, the Intuition 3 sequence would not have Garmin’s newest Elevate V5 coronary heart price sensor. As an alternative, it nonetheless comes with the older – however nonetheless excellent – Elevate V4. Whereas the choice was most likely made with value in thoughts (the 45mm Intuition 3 Photo voltaic begins at simply $399), it nonetheless appears like an odd selection given Garmin’s heavy reliance on information and coaching suggestions.

Additionally, you possibly can’t obtain maps on the Garmin Intuition 3 – one other odd selection for a watch that appears so rugged and adventurous. After I obtained the Intuition 3 I knew it might be an ideal mountaineering companion due to its smaller dimension and well-protected face, however I am dangerous sufficient with instructions that I nearly at all times obtain my route from Strava forward of time. I suppose I am going to be capable of get by on the roads on my cellphone, although I do not need to threat tripping and falling on a run and breaking my Pixel 9 Professional. Intuition 3 BEN present monitoring help, which is form of like a map, however solely works should you plan a round-trip route.

In case you’re simply after a watch that may final some time and document variety of actions with correct GPS, nonetheless, many enhancements make the Intuition 3 sequence possibility. Garmin not solely added dual-frequency GPS to each variations (beforehand on the Intuition 2X), but in addition adopted SatIQ, which helps the Intuition 3 change between extra dependable and battery-conscious satellite tv for pc programs throughout your exercises. And sure, the Physique Battery made the reduce, though mine is just about drained as I battle with a busy CES schedule.

Another updates are particular to AMOLED, like muscle mapping to watch fatigue after a lifting exercise and muscle animations to additional showcase the up to date show. So once more, you may must resolve what you need out of your watch: a prettier face or unbelievable battery life.

Once more, I ought to level out that I have never had practically sufficient time with the Garmin Intuition 3 AMOLED to offer anyplace close to a full evaluation. I have been sporting the fitness-focused watch — in its attractive limited-edition Neo Tropic colorway — for a number of hours, nevertheless it made first impression. It appeals to many followers of the Casio G-Shock look, but in addition to those that need one thing they will put on to the climbing health club, a working membership, and of their on a regular basis life with out additionally shouting, “I prefer to work out.”

There’s nonetheless quite a bit I am interested in concerning the Intuition 3. I am undecided if I am going to actually like the shortage of a touchscreen, nor am I satisfied I am going to do with out map help as I put together for a monitor race early subsequent month. Nevertheless, I am optimistic that the Garmin’s battery will reside as much as its excessive calls for, permitting me to go even longer with out worrying a couple of charger.

I am additionally fairly bullish on Garmin’s pricing for the Intuition 3 sequence, with the Photo voltaic model coming in at $399 or $449, relying on whether or not you get the smaller or bigger mannequin. In case you select to get the AMOLED mannequin, it’s going to price a bit extra — $449 or $499 for the 45mm or 50mm instances, respectively — however, for me, the improved face is definitely worth the added price.

Garmin additionally launched one other stripped-down mannequin in its Intuition line, the Intuition E ($299.99 at Garmin). This new $299 mannequin follows within the footsteps of the Fenix ​​E by providing a streamlined expertise with a deal with the fundamentals of health monitoring and two weeks of battery life — although you will not get an AMOLED face or a photo voltaic charging ring to restrict Your expertise and LED flashlight is just not customary.