Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical Solar – inbound
More: Garmin Instinct 3 TACTICAL Comparison
Garmin Indonesia and @thekristianhansen have posted photos of the Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical, clearly shown by its branding in the image above. However, @thekristianhansen’s Instagram post describes it as the 3 Solar models (it’s not).
Instinct 3 Tactical is based on the Instinct 3 Solar (MIP) watch released a few weeks ago. The differences with the Tactical model are additional features covering tactical, aviation and ski such as stealth mode, night vision mode, a kill switch, XERO location compatibility, ballistics solver, compass with HSI, NAVAID, METAR and TAF (TBC), but almost certainly none of the map-related features like NEXRAD and Moving Map.
From the photos, we can see that the odd-coloured accents are gone. This watch is black with a silvery metallic accent. Nice!
This one doesn’t have the ELEVATE Gen 5 OHR sensor, isn’t AMOLED, and probably won’t have maps. There will probably be an AMOLED option, however.
Like the Garmin Descent G2 (released today and based on Instinct 3), it will probably command a price premium to Instinct 3 solar – I would assume a $100-$150 premium, putting it at $550-$600.
Price & Availability
- Instinct 3 Tactical 50mm AMOLED: $599
- Instinct 3 Tactical 45mm SOLAR: $499
- Instinct 3 Tactical 50mm SOLAR: $549
More: Garmin Instinct Series – all models, prices and 13-year history
Last Updated on 29 May 2026 by the5krunner
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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. ID
I would be surprised if it would not come as a MIPS and AMOLED version. The Tactix Pro is available with AMOLED. But I don’t really get the silver ring on a “Tactical” watch…I guess we’ll know soon enough. Maybe we are lucky and they will release both the new Tactix and the Tactical I3 on the same day!
sorry, you’re probably right! It was late when I wrote this
At last, this is such good news!
So I guess not a Feb 22 release lmao. They need to release the dang thing already.
A guess tho 🙂
It’s coming.