Garmin Enduro 3 Review – The QuantifiedScientist adds his opinion

According to @thequantifiedscientist, the Garmin Enduro 3 offers impressive value as an adventure watch, providing a blend of durability, strong battery life, and performance. While not a flagship like the Fenix 8, it holds its own in many areas and is more affordable, making it an appealing option for endurance athletes.

Performance Highlights

1. Heart Rate Tracking:
   • Indoor Cycling: With a correlation of 0.92, the Enduro 3 performed well, showing minor delays in capturing heart rate changes. @thequantifiedscientist noted its performance was comparable to the Fenix 8.
   • Indoor Running: Outstanding performance with a correlation of 0.99. Minor deviations were observed, but @thequantifiedscientist deemed it excellent.
   • Outdoor Running: Correlation of 0.91. The Enduro 3 struggled slightly in colder conditions, possibly due to restricted blood flow, but performed well overall.
   • Outdoor Cycling: Mixed results with a correlation of 0.81. @thequantifiedscientist observed it struggled during shorter rides with frequent heart rate changes but performed better on longer steadier rides.
   • Weightlifting: Correlation of 0.73. The Enduro 3 struggled significantly during upper-body exercises, and @thequantifiedscientist recommended pairing it with an external chest strap for better reliability.
2. Sleep Tracking:
   • Deep sleep detection was decent, though the watch tended to overestimate the amount.
   • REM sleep tracking was less reliable, with only 37% agreement compared to the EEG reference device.
   • @thequantifiedscientist highlighted that Garmin’s sleep stage tracking lags behind competitors like Apple Watches and the Oura Ring.
3. GPS Tracking:
   • The Enduro 3 performed well, quickly acquiring signals and maintaining consistency across repeated routes.
   • @thequantifiedscientist suggested performance could improve further by using the All+ Multiband GPS mode instead of the default Auto Select.

Source https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuantifiedScientist

Strengths

• Battery Life: Among the best in its category, far outlasting competitors like the Apple Watch.
• Comfortable Strap: The fabric Velcro strap enhances fit and activity stability, a factor noted by @thequantifiedscientist as a possible advantage over the Fenix 8’s default silicone strap.
• Garmin Ecosystem: @thequantifiedscientist praised its support for multiple sensors and the ability to track various metrics, which appeals to data-focused users.

Drawbacks

• Heart Rate Accuracy: Performance can be inconsistent in dynamic activities without an external chest strap.
• Sleep Stage Tracking: Falls short compared to top-tier options like Apple Watches.
• Size: @thequantifiedscientist noted its larger size might not suit users with smaller wrists.

Conclusion

As per @thequantifiedscientist, the Garmin Enduro 3 is a practical choice for endurance athletes and adventurers, prioritizing battery life, robust GPS tracking, and the Garmin ecosystem. While it has heart rate accuracy and sleep tracking limitations, it remains a compelling option, particularly for those who can benefit from its extended battery life and rugged design. Pairing it with an external chest strap is recommended for the most accurate heart rate tracking.

For more detailed insights, visit @thequantifiedscientist‘s YouTube channel.