An easier method to journey watches

On any typical day, I’m a “extra is extra” form of man relating to my GPS watch. I’ve been carrying Garmin’s unimaginable Fenix 8 AMOLED virtually religiously because it launched just a few months in the past, and I’ve but to search out one thing that it may well’t do. Nonetheless, 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 likelihood to attempt 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, once I bounce into a brand new smartwatch, it may be tough to inform what modifications from era to era. This time, it’s just a little bit simpler. Not like 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 optionally available AMOLED face, bringing it extra according to different just lately up to date fashions just like the Fenix and Forerunner collection.

However, whereas I’m normally 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 isn’t nice — it’s, it looks like a mini Fenix 8 — however slightly as a result of it forces me to choose.

A part of Garmin’s expanded Intuition 3 lineup means that you could have that AMOLED show or photo voltaic charging, which technically permits the Intuition 3 to final perpetually if given sufficient daylight. When you select the latter, you’ll need to 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 measurement, nevertheless it pales compared to lasting perpetually.

Outdoors of that all-important show resolution, although, the remainder of Garmin’s Intuition 3 options are similar. Neither the AMOLED nor the MiP show affords contact controls, so that you’ll need to 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 certain 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 (known as a torch on the watch itself) to plain problem 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 just a little 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 straightforward as on my Fenix 8. The Intuition 3 affords assist for nearly all the identical actions, too, although there are just a few 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 charge sensor. As an alternative, it nonetheless comes with the older — however nonetheless superb — 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 looks like an odd alternative, given Garmin’s heavy reliance on knowledge and exercise suggestions.

Additionally, you’ll be able to’t obtain maps to the Garmin Intuition 3 — one other odd alternative for a watch that appears this rugged and adventurous. Once I picked up the Intuition 3, I figured it will be an ideal companion for mountain climbing due to its smaller measurement and well-protected face, however I’m dangerous sufficient with instructions that I virtually at all times obtain my route from Strava forward of time. I suppose I’ll have the ability to make do with routes on my telephone, although I don’t wish to danger tripping and falling on a path run and shattering my Pixel 9 Professional. The Intuition 3 does supply track-back assist, 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 report an excellent variety of actions with correct GPS, although, loads of upgrades make the Intuition 3 collection an excellent choice. 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 probably the most dependable — and battery-conscious — satellite tv for pc programs 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 number 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 need to determine 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 practically sufficient time with the Garmin Intuition 3 AMOLED to supply wherever close to a full evaluation. I’ve solely been carrying the fitness-focused watch — in its attractive, limited-edition Neo Tropic colorway — for just a few hours, nevertheless it’s made an excellent first impression. It’s very a lot focused at followers of the Casio G-Shock look, but in addition 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 inquisitive about relating to the Intuition 3. I’m undecided if I’ll actually love the shortage of touchscreen, nor am I satisfied I’ll get by with out mapping assist as I gear up for a path race at first of subsequent month. Nonetheless, 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 few 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 price a bit extra — $449 or $499 for the 45mm or 50mm circumstances, respectively — however, to me, the upgraded face is definitely worth the added price.

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 gained’t get an AMOLED face or a photo voltaic charging ring to cap off your expertise and the LED flashlight isn’t normal.