Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - Instinct 3 GPS Smartwatch 50 mm AMOLED Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Fern Green with Fern Green Band - (2026)
Average customer rating
4.6
(114 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 114 reviews
5 Stars
84
4 Stars
18
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
4
1 Star
2
Customer Reviews for Garmin - Instinct 3 GPS Smartwatch 50 mm AMOLED Fiber-reinforced Polymer - Fern Green with Fern Green Band - (2026)
Customer Rating
3
Problems with Golf Activity Feature
on August 2, 2025
Posted by: dougstraw73
I like the Instinct 3 Amoled, but my experience with its golf activity feature is subpar. Specifically, since the watch does not have preloaded golf courses, courses must be download to my IPhone using the Garmin Connect app. I downloaded my home course, but the course map is seriously outdated, so the map is useless. (Curiously, it seems that the current map for my home course is preloaded on the Garmin Approach 12 watch.) And, of the half dozen or so courses that I have downloaded using the Garmin Connect app, the watch doesn’t find the latest course that I’ve downloaded. The user manual seems to recognize that there is a problem with the watch not always seeing a downloaded course, and suggests several possible fixes, but none of the suggestions fixes have worked so far. Quite frustrating and disappointing, So I am giving the golf activity feature of this watch a triple bogey score.
Response from GarminBy Garmin, Care, August 2, 2025
Please make sure you have the most recent version of Connect on your phone. I'd also recommend syncing your watch with Garmin Express on the computer. If you haven't used Express, you can download it at Garmin.com/express. If you still see errors on your local course, please report those to our cartography team using the form here: http://ms.spr.ly/6421sKvfb
»CP
»CP
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
All around great watch, but….
on August 1, 2025
Posted by: Mmoselle
Overall, I found this watch to be fantastic. Love the features that come with the watch( even though they don’t differ very much from the last 2 generations of Instincts). The new watch face designs are great. I think the amoled screen is a great addition. The watch seems to be very durable, until you get to the screen, or what Garmin calls, reinforced glass, Big deal breaker for me. The watch I received, was deeply scratched on the face and that turned me off immediately. For the price point of this watch, I don’t think it’s too much to ask for sapphire.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Great watch!
on August 1, 2025
Posted by: Joe44
I truly enjoy my watch. I transitioned from an Apple Watch to the Instinct 3. However, the only downside is that the elevation feature has stopped working and consistently displays 0. I have cleaned the watch and checked the sensor, but nothing seems to fix the issue.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
I love the whole concept of it…
on August 1, 2025
Posted by: Whyte117
I did buy this watch about a month ago maybe less… I do love the watch the look and everything that it does for some reason I cannot get my notifications to go through
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Game changer
on August 1, 2025
Posted by: Xr80rick
I bought 2 months ago easy to use love the menu selection
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Tough Watch
on August 1, 2025
Posted by: SoonerBoss40
I've had my Instinct3 50mm for a few months. So far this watch is performing better than expected over my former Apple Watch Series 8. I needed a watch that was simply better built and tougher than my Apple was. I'm retired and do a lot of farm and ranch work...beats up a watch pretty quick. The ruggedness of the Instinct3 has delivered in every instance (not a scratch yet). The battery life...game over Apple! The display is easy to read in sunlight or shade. I get the same health related data and a little more on my Instinct3 than I did with my Apple. Workout data is easy to view and track as well!! Overall this is just a better product for me than Apple ever produced. Thanks Garmin, well done indeed.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Does everything I need.
on August 1, 2025
Posted by: donpapa21
I was looking for a rugged watch I could wear for both fitness and outdoor activities and this has been perfect. Great tracking to help me reach my goals with the fitness tracking and customizable interface and rugged enough to withstand all my activities
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
4
Great watch.
on August 1, 2025
Posted by: Dagreat1
Great watch. I prefer the tactical edition though.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin