A less complicated method to journey watches

On any typical day, I’m a “extra is extra” form of man concerning my GPS watch. I’ve been sporting Garmin’s unimaginable Fenix 8 AMOLED virtually religiously because it launched a number of months in the past, and I’ve but to search out one thing that it could actually’t do. Nevertheless, as a smaller man with smaller wrists, there are occasions when Garmin’s huge, touchscreen-enabled watch is greater than I might presumably want.

So, when Garmin kicked off CES 2025 with an replace to its Intuition collection — a smaller, easier-to-control mannequin I’ve by no means used earlier than — I jumped on the probability to strive it out. I grabbed my colleague C. Scott Brown, and we headed to an area Las Vegas climbing fitness center for our first style of the Garmin Intuition 3 collection. Right here’s the way it went.

Typically, after I bounce into a brand new smartwatch, it may be tough to inform what modifications from technology to technology. This time, it’s slightly bit simpler. In contrast to earlier generations of the Intuition, the place the small, rugged face solely supplied a Reminiscence in Pixel (MiP) show, Garmin’s Intuition 3 collection now comes with an elective AMOLED face, bringing it extra consistent with different not too long ago up to date fashions just like the Fenix and Forerunner collection.

However, whereas I’m often one for a crisp AMOLED panel with Garmin’s up to date animations, one thing in regards to the Intuition 3 provides me just a bit pause. Not as a result of the brand new face isn’t nice — it’s, it seems like a mini Fenix 8 — however relatively as a result of it forces me to choose.

A part of Garmin’s expanded Intuition 3 lineup means which you can have that AMOLED show or photo voltaic charging, which technically permits the Intuition 3 to final without end if given sufficient daylight. When you select the latter, you’ll must accept a power-sipping MiP show like earlier Intuition fashions. The AMOLED mannequin remains to be no battery slouch, providing 18 days from the smaller 45mm model or 24 from the bigger 50mm dimension, nevertheless it pales compared to lasting without end.

Outdoors of that all-important show determination, although, the remainder of Garmin’s Intuition 3 options are similar. Neither the AMOLED nor the MiP show presents contact controls, so that you’ll must get very comfy with Garmin’s five-button navigation. I’ve struggled with the swap throughout my first few hours with the watch, however I’m positive I’ll regulate in one other day or two. As a daily Fenix 8 wearer, I hadn’t realized how typically I swipe up and down on its face, however now that I’ve misplaced contact controls, I miss them.

Additionally, Garmin has upgraded the front-facing LED flashlight (referred to as a torch on the watch itself) to plain challenge throughout each the Photo voltaic and AMOLED variations of the Intuition 3. Beforehand, the flashlight was reserved for the Intuition 2X, so I’m comfortable to see it get slightly extra love — it’s the one factor I’ve used simply as a lot as GPS monitoring on my previous few Garmin watches.

Whereas I’ve struggled a bit with the shortage of a touchscreen in my day with the Intuition 3 AMOLED, it hasn’t been a lot of a problem 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 presents help for nearly the entire identical actions, too, although there are a number of modifications price mentioning in case you’re weighing this one up towards a few of Garmin’s dearer choices.

For starters, the Intuition 3 collection doesn’t pack Garmin’s most up-to-date 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 an eye fixed on value (the 45mm Intuition 3 Photo voltaic begins at simply $399), it nonetheless seems like an odd selection, given Garmin’s heavy reliance on knowledge and exercise suggestions.

Additionally, you possibly can’t obtain maps to the Garmin Intuition 3 — one other odd selection for a watch that appears this rugged and adventurous. After I picked up the Intuition 3, I figured it might be an ideal companion for climbing because of its smaller dimension and well-protected face, however I’m unhealthy sufficient with instructions that I virtually at all times obtain my route from Strava forward of time. I suppose I’ll be capable to make do with routes on my telephone, although I don’t need to threat tripping and falling on a path run and shattering my Pixel 9 Professional. The Intuition 3 does provide track-back help, which is form of like a map, nevertheless it solely works when you’re planning an out-and-back route.

When you’re simply after a watch that may final some time and file a great variety of actions with correct GPS, although, loads of upgrades make the Intuition 3 collection a great possibility. Garmin not solely added dual-frequency GPS throughout each variations (beforehand on the Intuition 2X), nevertheless it additionally adopted SatIQ, which helps the Intuition 3 swap between essentially the most dependable — and battery-conscious — satellite tv for pc techniques throughout your exercises. And sure, Physique Battery made the reduce, though mine is just about drained whereas I battle by way of a busy CES schedule.

A couple of different updates are AMOLED-specific, just like the muscle map to observe fatigue after a lifting exercise and muscle animations to additional showcase the up to date show. So, once more, you’ll must resolve what you need out of your watch: a prettier face or unbelievable battery life.

Once more, I ought to emphasize that I haven’t had almost sufficient time with the Garmin Intuition 3 AMOLED to supply anyplace close to a full evaluation. I’ve solely been sporting the fitness-focused watch — in its attractive, limited-edition Neo Tropic colorway — for a number of hours, nevertheless it’s made a great first impression. It’s very a lot focused at followers of the Casio G-Shock look, but additionally those that need one thing they’ll put on to the climbing fitness center, to a run membership, and of their on a regular basis life with out additionally screaming, “I like to work out.”

There are nonetheless loads of issues that I’m interested by concerning the Intuition 3. I’m unsure if I’ll actually love the shortage of touchscreen, nor am I satisfied I’ll get by with out mapping help as I gear up for a path race in the beginning of subsequent month. Nevertheless, I’m optimistic that Garmin’s battery will stay as much as its lofty claims, permitting me to spend much more time with out worrying a couple of charger.

I’m additionally fairly optimistic about Garmin’s pricing for the Intuition 3 collection, with the Photo voltaic model coming in at both $399 or $449, relying on whether or not you seize the smaller or bigger mannequin. When you select to seize the AMOLED mannequin, it’ll value a bit extra — $449 or $499 for the 45mm or 50mm circumstances, respectively — however, to me, the upgraded face is well worth the added value.

Garmin additionally launched one other stripped-down mannequin in its Intuition lineup, 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 give attention to health monitoring fundamentals and two weeks of battery life — although you received’t get an AMOLED face or a photo voltaic charging ring to cap off your expertise and the LED flashlight isn’t customary.