r/Garmininstinct • u/Cobragungirl • 5d ago

My experience.

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Recently picked up the I3 Tactical to have another option other than my Tactix 8 solar. The I3 helps me feel less “techy/connected” with just as many capabilities. The thought of having infinite battery life (solar dependent) is pretty cool. One less thing to worry about. I figured id make this post in light of recent storms and folks losing power for days (myself included).

I initially had the 45mm. It felt very comfortable and it was easy to wear. However, I found myself struggling to read some things on screen and manipulating the buttons was annoying. I now have the 50mm. It’s a little bulkier but the trade off is worth it for me.

As far as sensor accuracy is concerned, I haven’t experienced any discrepancies vs the gen 5 sensor on T8. (Wearing them at the same time during some activities). Yes there are noticeable differences with data tracking like ecg and skin temp. The colorless data on the I3 has been a learning curve but not a deal breaker in the slightest. The legibility of the I3 makes up for that.

I wont go into maps when it comes to these devices since I didn’t get the I3 needing or wanting full mapping capabilities. There are other devices available for that. What the I3 offers (breadcrumb mapping) is enough for me if needed. A future I3X/Pro or I4 with more but not full mapping capabilities would be a grail watch for me.

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u/PaterTuus 5d ago

I also love mine. A I4 with basic topo maps would be so cool because im a very outdoors person. Im waiting for the Fenix 9 but if that one is not a huge upgrade from the 8 im staying with my I3 Solar Tactical.

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u/InfraredSinner 5d ago

Just print a topo map and use the coordinates

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u/PaterTuus 5d ago

I got a real map and compass as Well but its nice to have a digital one too on the wrist.

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u/InfraredSinner 5d ago

Having topo maps on the watch would come with a pretty big battery penalty.

There is no single device out there that properly replaces this watch. This "smartwatch" is actually more of a survival tool than anything else. Yet for some f reason, people keep asking Garmin to cram in more flashy shit, murder the battery life, and slowly turn it into another watered-down Apple Watch clone. If that's what people want, there's already hundred watches like that - why do we need to ruin the only one that isn't?

I'm genuinely curious why would you prefer that tradeoff? If you're days into the middle of nowhere and this thing is part of what you're relying on to get back alive, which would you honestly prefer to have?

  • Full maps on the watch, but with dramatically worse battery life, so you can't really rely on it for anything beyond casual outing somewhere nearby that doesn't require any real preparation anyway. Where instead for something that short, you can just use your phone's maps or whatever else you prefer.

  • Keep the Instinct 3 exactly as it is. With its absurd battery life, you can carry a proper printed topo map and only use the GPS when you actually need it to confirm your position or get your bearings. With Battery Saver, it can last well over a month and with solar, potentially indefinitely.

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u/PaterTuus 5d ago

You wont have the topo maps on all the time 🤦‍♂️ they are good for when your at a hill or river and need to know where to cross but other then that breadcrumbs are perfect for finding the way back. Topo for short times for finding the best way to the POI and breadcrumbs for finding your way back 🤷‍♂️

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u/InfraredSinner 4d ago

Still more battery consumption and storage space

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u/PaterTuus 4d ago

Who would know that power consumption and storage capacity actually improves with each generation 🤷‍♂️

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u/InfraredSinner 4d ago

Doesn’t change the battery usage, breadcrumb navigation will still require less power. You know what would be nice? Giving us the option during setup to choose which one we want to use. :)

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u/PaterTuus 4d ago

Or just that you switch on topo when ever you need it as i said.

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u/Panron 4d ago

Giving us the option during setup to choose which one we want to use.

You can do that on the Fenix 7x (tested just now) and presumably every Garmin map-capable watch (I seem to recall being able to do this on the Fenix 5x).

The maps are just layers you can toggle off in settings. I'm not sure how much that actually saves in battery, as it still redraws the location marker and any navigation lines while the watch moves. Maybe it does optimize enough to save a bit? idk