Garmin Instinct E – cuts features
More: Garmin Instinct 3 Review – full and detailed
Yes, you heard it right—Garmin’s latest addition to the Instinct lineup, the Instinct E, has removed several features previously available on the Instinct 2. This might feel more like a downgrade than an upgrade for some users.
In my initial post coinciding with the launch, I highlighted a selection of omissions in Instinct E. These include:
“triathlon support, power meter support, running power support and FTP are omitted. Unlike the other Instinct 3 models, Instinct E misses out on SatIQ.
These omissions have sparked debate across the Garmin community. Even over at DC Rainmaker’s site, early commenters are expressing their disappointment, pointing out the lack of significant hardware upgrades and these missing features. Still, DCR notes the same as I do, as shown here:
Additional omissions in the Instinct E compared to Instinct 2 appear to include:
- Auto multisport feature
- GCT balance and lactate threshold metrics
- Mountain biking-specific Grit & Flow metrics
- Garmin Varia Radar compatibility (really?!? that’s a safety issue)
- Heart rate caching for swimming with a chest strap
Furthermore, features from specific Instinct 2 variants, such as the eSports edition, are absent. However, these exclusions seem reasonable as Garmin will likely release new Instinct 3 variants in the coming months, each tailored to the specific use cases that address those features.
Panic?
Don’t panic. I got this information from Garmin’s official online specs. And that’s not always a reliable source. Undoubtedly, errors are linked to the new devices’ storage space. These other omissions may be errors in the listings – but I doubt it. I believe these omissions are real.
Availability
The Garmin Instinct 3 series is available to order now with delivery after 10 January 2025
- Order: Garmin Instinct 3 SOLAR
- Order: Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED
- Order: Garmin Instinct E
Last Updated on 2 March 2026 by the5krunner
Reader-Powered Content
This content is not sponsored. It’s mostly me behind the labour of love, which is this site, and I appreciate everyone who supports it.
Support the site: Follow (free, fewer ads) · Subscribe (paid, ad-free) · Buy Me A Coffee ❤️
All articles are written by real people, fact-checked, and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.
Pfft as an Instinct mk1 owner I am still miffed they released it then went to mk2 very quickly and did nothing with the mk1.