Garmin - fēnix 3 HR
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 24, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
32
1
"16 days battery life on my fenix. ... The other aspect I really appreciate about my fenix is the battery life. 16 days or so. With everything I have to change these days (laptops, mice, keyboards, headphones, watches, phones), I appreciate not having to worry about it too often."
"Battery life is super important to me. I do ultras so having 24+ hours of gps is necessary."
"My 43mm Fenix with Dual gps, Garmin live track, always on screen still had juice for up to 20-25 hours of running."
13
1
"Full watch-based navigation and mapping features—found particularly on the Forerunner 970 and Fenix series—include offline maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and visual guidance. ... For everyday runs on familiar routes, they matter less, but for trail running or hiking where orientation is crucial, they’re invaluable. ... Maps offer extra value for safety, route planning, and are also popular among cyclists and those exploring new routes"
"For me, the touchscreen aspect on my garmin is far more efficient for navigation. Especially useful if I'm in the middle of a run, for example."
"Trail running so I can load the route onto my garmin and navigate without carrying phone for 50km"
24
1
"The first lasted me 6 years, and I've had the second for 1 or so."
"I tend to break things but it’s holding up quite nicely. ... I even take it caving, which I probably shouldn’t."
"near indestructible"
Disliked most:
0
4
"The discrepancy is much higher for HR than running dynamics. ... I think it is straight up irresponsible to rely on wrist-based HR is you’re using HR as a part of training"
"HR inaccurate at times and often delayed (which sucked during interval workouts)"
"Wrist heart rate is nice and easy, but too inaccurate for training."
0
11
"watch is big, heavy etc and few times damaged my wrist also"
"It feels double the weight of my 965 and bulkier as well"
"it is heavier and chunkier ... my wife would never wear a fenix/epix due to the size."
0x427269616E00 1.0Yeah, I did that every day of the PCT with my Fenix 3HR in 2017. Watches have come a long way.
blitzkneisser 1.0I had my Fenix 3 HR for almost 10 years before switching to the F8 Solar. It was still working, not a single scratch on the sapphire glass (used it for rock climbing and in harsh environments). Only replaced it as the battery runtime started to decrease (had to charge at least once a week in the end) and mainly because I wanted the bee features 😁
crzyhorse 1.0Is the Instinct a touch screen? I had a Fenixn3 HR which I used for about 5 years. Upgraded to a Tactix 7 and was disappointed with how much dimmer it was than the 3. I figured it must be the touch screen functionality which I don't even use.
Hmm Fenix 3 HR had sapphire crystal but no touch screen or solar charging. I thought the solar was just the ring. Who knows....Fenix 3 HR was noticeably brighter. Anyway I want MIPs so 8 pro definitely won't do anything for me. Instinct 3 looks nice but I have Tactix 7 now so I'll stick with that.
Dependent_Bar_5735 1.0Good to know. I have a Polar H10 chest strap for workouts, so that will work. I had a Fenix 3HR YEARS ago when I didn’t know what I was doing, but for some reason, that watch helped me get into the best shape I was ever in. I think seeing all the data in one place, with context added, encouraged me to get after it more.
EdEskankus 1.0I started with the Fenix 3HR and then "upgraded" to a Fenix 5 (2nd hand ebay bargains). The built in rowing app gives you all the basics. I'm older and find it very hard to read the watch metrics sculling/erging so combine it with iphone apps. RitmoTime is a bit obtuse but gives you a nice large customizable screen with all the data you need. A one time purchase, but worth it IMO.
GraceHopperY2k 1.0Fenix 3 HR, looks like I have the oldest Fenix so far. I bought it for my 30th birthday. I'm turning 40 this year and see no reason to upgrade.
Hot-Programmer9169 1.0Garmin user since the Fenix 3HR and I don’t know where the hate is? Are we sure it’s not bots lol? Everyone I know in real life loves their garmin and through the years I’ve gotten at least 9 other friends and family to get Fenix’s or Descents. They all love them. Nothing comes close to durability, battery life and sheer amount of data and options. A lot of times the “chatter” online doesn’t equate to what’s happening IRL. That statement applies to most things in life.
Meyebackhurts 1.0I have had 2 Garmin watches (fenix 3hr and Fenix 6)in the same time my friend has had no less than 5 AWs. The build quality is unbelievable on Garmin and the battery makes Apple look pitiful. 2-3 weeks on a charge. I forgot I had my fenix on and did a mud run. Didn’t even phase my watch. Literally dragged it through the mud and it just kept going. Apple Adds a good product but Garmin is next level.
Pizza_discount_pls 1.0My father bought garmin fenix 3hr in 2016… last year he bought new one and i’ve got his old fenix 3hr… they still work perfectly, you are missing just few software things that came later, but you do not need them really… battery still lasts almost 2 weeks (without monitoring activity) and approx. 20 hours of activity monitoring
SeaTrack2252 1.0I had a Fénix 3hr that I bought in 2016 and it just died this week. 9 years is pretty good!
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