I was scrolling through my YouTube feed the other day—looking for the latest in the Garmin ecosystem as I usually do—when a video by Alex Vassios popped up that immediately caught my eye: “Garmin Instinct 3 – What I’ve Learned After 1 Year.”
As someone who lives and breathes Garmin, I’m always fascinated by how these devices actually hold up after the “honeymoon phase” ends. We all know the specs on paper, but hearing from a user who has strapped the Instinct 3 to his wrist every single day for a year is where the real truth comes out.
I’ve spent some time analyzing Alex’s experience, and if you’re considering this watch, you’ll want to hear what he had to say.
The “Anti-AMOLED” Philosophy
One of the first things Alex dives into is the display. In a market where Garmin is pushing AMOLED screens on almost everything, Alex argues that the Instinct 3’s Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) display is actually its superpower.
He describes it as having that “old school G-Shock look”—it’s not flashy, and it’s not a touchscreen. But because of that, the visibility in direct sunlight is unbeatable. He mentioned that as long as there is ambient light, you don’t even need the backlight. For Alex, the trade-off of “no pretty colors” is worth it for the sheer utility of the display.
Also Read: Is Garmin Quitting MIP? Analysis of the Latest Rumors and Fan Reactions
A Battery That Actually Gains Charge?
We talk a lot about “Solar” technology, but Alex’s one-year report confirms it’s more than just a gimmick on this model. He pointed out that since the entire screen is essentially a solar panel, he genuinely gets 3 to 4 weeks on a single charge.
In fact, he noted that if you’re outside in the sun often enough, you’ll actually see the watch “charge back up” or at least stall the battery drain significantly. He admitted he usually plugs it in at 20% just to make sure he hasn’t lost the charger—not because he actually needs to.
Why did he choose the “Tactical” Version
Alex cleared up a question many of us have: is the Tactical version worth the extra cash? Interestingly, he didn’t buy it for the HALO jumping or the ballistics calculator. He bought it because he hated the orange rings on the standard Solar model.
He wanted that “all-blacked-out” look, which the Tactical provides. He also gave a huge thumbs up to the built-in LED flashlight, noting that once you have it, you realize it’s an essential tool, not a toy.
Comfort and the “Big Watch” Myth
One of the most surprising parts of his analysis was about the size. Alex has been wearing the 50mm version (the larger one), and despite not having “abnormally large wrists,” he found it more comfortable than the smaller 45mm models.
His theory? The larger surface area disperses the weight better, making it feel less like a “pressure point” on the wrist. He’s been sleeping with it and wearing it 24/7 without any fatigue.
Addressing the Missing Maps
For those of you worried about the lack of “Topographical Maps” on the Instinct line, Alex’s take was quite refreshing. While the Instinct 3 only offers “breadcrumb” navigation, he argued that in a year of hiking and biking, he rarely felt the need for a full map on his wrist.
He points out that retracing your steps via a breadcrumb trail is often the most reliable way to get out of a jam, and for anything more complex, most people just pull out their phone.
Verdict
Alex’s final verdict after 365 days was clear: the Instinct 3 is a “steal” if you can find it for around $400 (he picked his up used on Marketplace). However, he was very honest that he wouldn’t pay the full $600 retail price for it, suggesting that at that price point, you might as well look for a used Fenix 8 or Enduro.
My thoughts? Seeing a creator like Alex remain this excited about a watch after a full year tells me that Garmin hit the nail on the head with the Instinct 3’s durability and reliability. It’s a tool that just works.
Also Read: The 5 Garmin Launches I’m Saving My Money For in H2 2026
