Garmin has unveiled the Instinct 3 – Tactical Edition in Singapore, a rugged smartwatch built for tactical and adventure-ready users. Available in both 45mm and 50mm sizes, the latest addition to Garmin’s tactical range comes with either a vivid AMOLED display or a solar-powered version that offers extended battery life, including the possibility of unlimited power under suitable conditions.
Designed to withstand tough environments and support mission-specific tasks, the Instinct 3 – Tactical Edition combines durability, tactical features, and health monitoring, making it a strong companion for outdoor enthusiasts, athletes, and military professionals.
Designed for durability and visibility
The smartwatch features a metal-reinforced bezel, bolted construction, and a fibre-reinforced polymer case. Its scratch-resistant display and MIL-STD 810 rating ensure resistance to extreme temperatures and shocks. Water-rated to 100 metres, the watch is also equipped with a built-in LED flashlight on all models, offering multiple light intensities, a green light to preserve night vision, and a strobe mode for location signalling.
For low-visibility environments, Night Vision Goggle (NVG) mode dims the display to levels suitable for users wearing night vision devices, without revealing visibility to others nearby. “The Instinct series has proven itself time and again as the ultimate choice for individuals who need an advanced smartwatch they can depend on in any situation,” said Scoppen Lin, Assistant General Manager at Garmin Asia. “With incredible battery life, an innovative rugged design and dedicated features for your tactical lifestyle, the Instinct 3 – Tactical Edition answers the call and dares to be more.”
Tactical and wellness-focused features
A key addition to this model is the new “rucking” activity feature, allowing users to log the weight of a pack during exercise—ideal for military-style training. The watch also supports the Applied Ballistics solver (unlock fee required) and is compatible with the Applied Ballistics Quantum app for advanced calculations.
Tactical-specific tools such as Stealth Mode, Kill Switch, Jumpmaster, dual-position format, and projected waypoints make the device especially suited to users in sensitive environments. Stealth Mode disables wireless signals while still tracking movements and health metrics, without recording location data. The Kill Switch function enables the erasure of all user data in case of a security risk.
Battery life varies across models, with the AMOLED version lasting up to 24 days in smartwatch mode, while the solar-powered variant can last indefinitely with enough sun exposure. Compared to its predecessor, the Instinct 2 Solar, the 50mm solar model offers over five times the GPS mode battery life. Garmin’s SatIQ technology helps balance GPS accuracy and power efficiency.
Fitness training and smart connectivity
For training purposes, the Instinct 3 – Tactical Edition comes loaded with a variety of sports apps including rucking, running, hiking, climbing, hunting, and skiing. TracBack routing enables users to retrace their steps, making it easier to navigate unfamiliar terrain. Additionally, the watch supports HIIT, cardio, indoor and outdoor running, basketball, and other activities.
With Garmin Coach, users can access adaptive training plans for running and cycling, along with a wide selection of prebuilt workouts. These can be synced from the Garmin Connect app, which features more than 1,600 exercises. Metrics such as VO2 max, recovery time, and intensity minutes help users manage fitness and avoid burnout.
Smart features include notifications for calls, messages, and app alerts when paired with a compatible Apple or Android phone. For added peace of mind, the watch also includes safety functions like incident detection and emergency Assistance alerts, which send the user’s GPS location to emergency contacts when connected to a smartphone.
The Instinct 3 – Tactical Edition will be available in Singapore from 16 May 2025 at Garmin Brand Stores, Lazada, Shopee, the Garmin Online Store, Takashimaya, and authorised retailers. The AMOLED model is priced at S$909, while solar models start at S$759.
