2024 the best garmin watch review
Price: $899.99 - $851.41
(as of Dec 21, 2024 04:36:09 UTC - Details)
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You’re built to push limits — so is Enduro™ 3. This ultraperformance GPS smartwatch is built for the toughest challenges with a lightweight design that’s ready for heavy use. Take on the world with incredible battery life, including solar charging that lasts up to 320 hours in GPS mode (assumes continuous use for entire period in 50,000 lux conditions). Light up the dark with the built-in LED flashlight, and enjoy long-distance comfort, thanks to a lightweight UltraFit nylon band. While preloaded TopoActive maps are optimized for outdoor activities to help keep you on course. For ultra-endurance athletes who are ready to conquer their wildest dreams, Enduro 3 is the smartwatch for you.
Designed for ultra-endurance athletes, with a lightweight design weighing just 63 g to help improve performance
Take on the elements with a titanium bezel, scratch-resistant sapphire lens and built-in LED flashlight to light up the dark; UltraFit nylon band provides long-distance comfort — even in punishing conditions
Up to 90 days of battery life in smartwatch mode (assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions) and 320 hours in GPS mode with solar charging (assumes continuous use for entire period in 50,000 lux conditions) — all with an always-on display, so you’re ready to take on the toughest challenges
Preloaded TopoActive maps are optimized for outdoor activities to help keep your adventures on track
Dynamic round-trip routing allows you to set a target destination for your run, bike or hike; Enduro 3 will continually adjust the route to get you back home on schedule
Power up your body’s performance, endurance and resistance to injury with targeted strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking and sport-specific workouts tailored for ultrarunners, cyclists, hikers and more
Reviewer: JP
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Worthy upgrade from Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar
Review: Extremely happy with my Enduro 3 and have zero regrets coming from a January 2022 Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar. I had some reservations switching from Fenix to Enduro but was mostly focused on battery life, solar, and cost. Could not justify the price increase for a speaker and microphone I would never use. Read through this entire review as this is based on real world everyday experience. This includes two new features not highlighted in any professional review so far.Favorite new feature of Enduro 3: Charging speed and this is something no professional review has covered so far. The reason why I was so interested in longer battery life is because my Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar took very long to charge from 20% or so to 100%. That was regardless of a 5-watt or 20-watt charger with USB-A to USB-C adapter. After wearing it for a few, charged the Enduro 3 from 74% to 100% in approximately 20 minutes using the native USB-C cable with a 20-watt charger. If you are on the fence between Enduro 3 and Fenix 8 Solar just for battery life, charging speed negates that. It does not appear solely based on the cable but the actual subsystem similar to how some EVs can charge at 150kW and others at 250kW.Second favorite new feature not professionally covered: Buddy charging! With the switch to USB-C, I can now charge my Enduro 3 using my iPhone 15 Pro on iOS 18. Charging this way is very fast taking it from 51 to 53% in less than three minutes.Pros:Screen: With the change of the solar mechanism, the MIP is extremely clear. I never realized how unclear the Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar was until the Enduro 3.Solar: It is much more sensitive than the Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar and actually works. Left it out in the sun for a total of 151k lux and it went from 50 to 51% over three hours but showing the same 12 days. It never overheated even though the casing became warm to the touch. It actually faintly charges indoors and even during dinner at a restaurant under overhead heating elements.Shortcomings: Would not consider these cons. Just areas of improvement or clarification.Battery: Believe it or not, the Enduro 3 does disappoint with battery. What is not published is if pulse ox is turned on to continuous, the battery is reduced to 25 days. This is not a deal breaker for me but was hoping for more. The Enduro 3 is more efficient and has a larger battery so the 27% increase aka 6 day added from the Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar is still an improvement.Band: Not a fan of the mesh band and swapped it to my Garmin silicon band. It weighs more but I prefer consistency to the point of using the same strap hole with five holes showing.Watch faces: This is an area of improvement for the latest generation Enduro 3 and Fenix 8. All I wanted is an exact copy of my old stripped-down watch face. The closest I have gotten is what is pictured with the Enduro 3 on the right and the Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar on the left. What is currently configured is doable but would prefer to get rid of the lines. Not sure why there is a green accent color on the outside either and would have preferred a complete black case to wear with suits.New interface: It took me longer to get setup to the way I had my prior Fenix. Especially turning off all the nagging smartwatch alerts. The new interface is ok but not sure what was wrong with the old one.Observations: Garmin must have read my Fenix 7x Sapphire Solar review because the Enduro 3 buttons are very crisp.Asks of Garmin: It would be great if there was something similar to iOS that shows what is consuming the most battery of the watch including during activities. Charge history with charging time and solar energy recapture. Battery health would also be a welcome addition. Could even imagine Garmin doing a Garmin Badge with points for capturing x amount of solar in a month during activities.
Reviewer: felixmizioznikov
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: All my favorite apple watch features but with about 40 days of power
Review: this watch is great and the solar makes it a great off grid watch with gpe and backtrack navigation features so you don't get lost. I went with this over the new fenix 8 cause i didn't care for the amoled screen on the fenix.
Reviewer: Brenden C.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Awesome watch
Review: A little large for my wrist but otherwise itâs a great watch. Definitley the better bang for your buck compared to the Fenix 8.
Reviewer: Jason McGrath
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: First Garmin Watch
Review: After using an Apple Watch for many years including the Apple Watch Ultra, I switched to this device because I wanted maximum battery life for long workouts and multi-day hiking treks. The only thing I don't love about the watch is the neon green accents and what I would describe as hit or miss weather data. I love that the touchscreen is locked automatically during a workout and I love that I can navigate quickly during runs with only buttons (in the rain!). The Apple Watch in the rain can be problematic if you want to interact with the watch at all. Overall I think that I am going to love this watch. I love the automatically loaded topo maps (no need to "send" routes and download small patches of maps pre workout!). I love the flashlight and have already used it multiple times in the first week. I docked a star because Garmin has known about the weather reliability issue for while and has chosen not to address it. I think it's an important feature for a sports watch.
Reviewer: Darius Brown
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: This one over Fenix 8 Solar
Review: Leaving an Apple Watch Ultra 2.This watch does it all.This heart rate tracker is incredibly accurate.Sleep tracking seems more accurate as a result.The GPS is spot on.My favorite feature is the built-in LED flashlight. I use it a lot more often that I care to admit.MIP display is easier on the eyes and not having to worry about charging as often doesnât hurt either.My wrist is 192mm and I feel comfortable with it.Itâs quite light.Love the rugged look. I hope to keep this watch for years until the Enduro 6 comes out.
Reviewer: Mitko
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Garmin Enduro 3 - excellent hardware with poor design decision
Review: In the pursuit of coolness and extreme battery life, Garmin seems to have forgotten the watch's primary purpose: to be an information device. All built-in watch faces, menus, and text information are on a black background without a way to change it. My old Fenix 6X had most of those are on a white background, which is easier for the eye to read. Ironically, with the new Garmin watch, I find myself turning on the watch's light more often at home to compensate for the difference, which in turn reduces the battery life faster.Last year, I returned Epix 2 because I couldn't set the watch face with a white background, and at night, without glasses, I could not see the time.Somehow, Garmin lost it. Why do I need a dazzling watch with excellent battery life when I cannot read it?I'm considering returning the Enduro 3 watch even though I love everything else about it.
Reviewer: Malotte Family â¤ï¸
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Durable!!
Review: Coming from a fenix 7x pro sapphire solar, this watch beats it in EVERY metric. Loving it so far. Buttons are super heavy press which I love! Very strong yet light weight watch!
Reviewer: Charlene Frei
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: As advertised.
Review: Exactly as advertised. Same day shipment.