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TealSwing2086 4.2K Views
Nov 13, 2026 8:11 AM

45mm Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch (Black)

$250

$400

37% off
+ Free S&Hat Amazon
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Various Retailers have 45mm Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch (Black, 010-02934-00) on sale for $249.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member TealSwing2086 for sharing this deal.

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Editor's Notes

Written by SaltyOne | Staff

Original Post

Written by TealSwing2086
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Various Retailers have 45mm Garmin Instinct 3 Solar Rugged Outdoor GPS Smartwatch (Black, 010-02934-00) on sale for $249.99. Shipping is free.

Thanks to Community Member TealSwing2086 for sharing this deal.

Available from:

Editor's Notes

Written by SaltyOne | Staff

Original Post

Written by TealSwing2086

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11 Comments

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Nov 13, 2026 1:14 PM
1.4K Comments
Joined Mar 2015
mer063Nov 13, 2026 1:14 PM
1.4K Comments
What is real battery life on this?
Nov 13, 2026 5:13 PM
196 Comments
Joined Feb 2021
PurplePassenger101Nov 13, 2026 5:13 PM
196 Comments
Quote from mer063 View quoted comment :
What is real battery life on this?
I have one. 8-10 days depending on how many notifications you get on it. Could be up to 13 if you're in the sun a lot.
Nov 13, 2026 7:28 PM
810 Comments
Joined Dec 2011
ready4wardNov 13, 2026 7:28 PM
810 Comments
Quote from mer063 View quoted comment :
What is real battery life on this?
Lasts me about 2-3 weeks, I run 30-60 minutes each day and also track a 30-60 min strength workout. I disable most notifications, only work Slack and messages from my wife.
Nov 13, 2026 8:20 PM
237 Comments
Joined Jul 2016
funnyperson1Nov 13, 2026 8:20 PM
237 Comments
Quote from mer063 View quoted comment :
What is real battery life on this?
It depends on how much time you spend outside in the sun. If you never go outside, it should get you 28 days in Smartwatch mode, if you spend at least three hours in peak sunlight, then it should charge enough that it never dies. (source: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/...solar.html)

In the real world, it depends on how heavily you use the smartwatch, backlight settings, etc. but certainly I would expect 20-30 days without needing to charge even without solar charging. For a normal person who spends some time outside, I could see a few months, for people who work outdoors, then this is like a solar G-Shock that won't need to be charged until the battery starts failing like five years from now.
Nov 13, 2026 9:09 PM
6 Comments
Joined Dec 2013
herbiv0reNov 13, 2026 9:09 PM
6 Comments
Quote from PurplePassenger101 View quoted comment :
I have one. 8-10 days depending on how many notifications you get on it. Could be up to 13 if you're in the sun a lot.
I do too and I'm kind of surprised to see comments like these. Mine easily goes 2-3 weeks normally.
Nov 13, 2026 9:58 PM
2.9K Comments
Joined Feb 2009
AGpennypackerNov 13, 2026 9:58 PM
2.9K Comments
Quote from mer063 View quoted comment :
What is real battery life on this?
I have HR on and get notifications from text and calls. I workout for 6 days a week for ~45 minutes. I get ~35 texts a day, and it lasts about 3 weeks. Auto light is on, minimal torch use. I set sleep from 10:30pm to 6:30 but often the alarm is set for 6am.

I get very little solar help.
Yesterday 12:44 AM
5.9K Comments
Joined Aug 2004
doemaYesterday 12:44 AM
5.9K Comments
MIP version with solar also $250 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSG9VCRH

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Yesterday 1:19 AM
2 Comments
Joined Dec 2015
brianfleming828Yesterday 1:19 AM
2 Comments
Quote from mer063 View quoted comment :
What is real battery life on this?
I get about 3 weeks
Yesterday 1:23 AM
146 Comments
Joined Sep 2021
TalentedThread9173Yesterday 1:23 AM
146 Comments
Quote from funnyperson1 View quoted comment :
It depends on how much time you spend outside in the sun. If you never go outside, it should get you 28 days in Smartwatch mode, if you spend at least three hours in peak sunlight, then it should charge enough that it never dies. (source: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/...solar.html)

In the real world, it depends on how heavily you use the smartwatch, backlight settings, etc. but certainly I would expect 20-30 days without needing to charge even without solar charging. For a normal person who spends some time outside, I could see a few months, for people who work outdoors, then this is like a solar G-Shock that won't need to be charged until the battery starts failing like five years from now.
I think the "never dies" reviews are for the 50mm version. I have the 45mm and agree that 2-3 weeks is normal unless you use GPS a lot.

This is a great watch. Paired with the explore app and offline maps, it was very helpful for navigating trails at Philmont Scout Ranch without having a Fenix with full maps (adults aren't supposed to navigate anyway so that the scouts get to learn navigation skills, but it was helpful to know if we got off track very far).

I never missed the color features from my old watch. I did switch phones from Android to iphone and can no longer reply to text messages from my watch which is a bummer.
Yesterday 1:25 AM
146 Comments
Joined Sep 2021
TalentedThread9173Yesterday 1:25 AM
146 Comments
Quote from doema View quoted comment :
MIP version with solar also $250 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSG9VCRH
That's the same watch.
Today 3:16 AM
197 Comments
Joined Feb 2021
PurplePassenger101Today 3:16 AM
197 Comments
Quote from herbiv0re View quoted comment :
I do too and I'm kind of surprised to see comments like these. Mine easily goes 2-3 weeks normally.
Well this is good to know. Wonder why mine doesn't hold a charge for as long.

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