If you had ‘Garmin makes another Crossover watch’ on a list for the year, it certainly wasn’t on my bingo card. I say that not because it isn’t cool (I think it is), but because it was the watch that Garmin most heavily discounted over the past 18 months or so. It’s like Amazon, and Grandmas in Olathe yard sales, all seemed to be trying to offload them at crazy prices. Yet, here we are with a swanky new Crossover.
Perhaps what the Crossover needed was a better display, combined with all the features of the Instinct 3 (software and hardware). And if so, that’s what you get here. It’s kinda honestly as simple as that, except there are also a few new Garmin Connect features the company is launching today, though those aren’t yet integrated natively into the watch. And fear not, these are not Connect+ features, but instead, free to everyone. More details on that shortly.
For those not familiar with the Crossover family, it’s designed to blend the analog watch face hands with a normal screen behind it. The hands cleverly move around, out of the way of data elements on the screen. And in other cases, the hands are used as pointers (such as a step gauge, compass, and so on).
With that, let’s get into it!
What’s New:
(Above: Older Instinct Crossover, at right, newer Instinct Crossover AMOLED)
In this section, we essentially have to divide up the Instinct 3 Crossover AMOLED into two portions. The first is pieces that are new between the new and previous gen Crossover model. And then the second, is all the boatloads of newness that came with the Instinct 3 series this past January. Combine those two together, and you get the Instinct 3 Crossover AMOLED.
Oh, except one thing. That’s actually not its name. Its true and proper name is “Instinct Crossover AMOLED”, lacking the Instinct 3 differentiator. Garmin says they went back and forth on both variants, but ultimately decided on this one. To me, that’s underselling it, since there are just so many features here. And hey, skipping a number never stopped them before (e.g., Fenix 4).
In any event, here’s how it differs specifically from the Instinct Crossover before it:
– Added LED flashlight (both white & red)
– Switched from MIP to larger 1.2” AMOLED screen (was 0.9”)
– Improved Revodrive Analog hands gearbox (slight durability/accuracy changes)
– Added multi-band GNSS/GPS with SatIQ
– Weighs 2g less
– Price increased by $250, from $399 to $649 (full list below)
Next, there are all the new Instinct 3 features. All of them are here. Every one of them:
– Added a metal ring into the bezel as “reinforcement” and GPS antenna
– Added Training Load Focus
– Added Training Load Ratio
– Added Multisport/Triathlon Auto Transition
– Added Nap Detection
– Added Sleep Coach
– Added Muscle Map for Strength Workouts
– Added Strength Workout Animations
– Added Garmin Share
– Added Garmin Messenger compatibility
– Added Garmin Pay as standard on all units
– Added large font mode
I asked Garmin whether or not the Instinct Crossover AMOLED would be part of the Instinct 3 family when it came to software updates and such, and they confirmed it would. That means when the Instinct 3 receives those updates, it’ll be grouped in with that. That’s a good boat to be in, since the Instinct 3 gets quarterly software updates on the regular (well…quarterly), including feature updates. And at Garmin, it’s always better to be in a ‘big product’ update boat, than a small product boat. Cause the little boat seems to sink.
Now, when it comes to models, it’s worthwhile noting there are basically two core SKUs here, with equally painful prices for both:
– Instinct 3 Crossover AMOLED: $649
– Instinct 3 Crossover AMOLED Tactical: $749
For reference, here are the regular Instinct 3 prices:
– Instinct 3 SOLAR: $399 for the 45mm and $449 for the 50mm
– Instinct 3 AMOLED: $449 for the 45mm and $499 for the 50mm
– Instinct 3 Tactical SOLAR: $499 for the 45mm, and $549 for the 50mm
– Instinct 3 Tactical AMOLED: $599 for the 50mm
Garmin has clearly gone all-in on the whole price-increase thing, despite the fact that Apple, Google, Suunto, and others are seemingly shying away from it. In the case of the Instinct Crossover series (setting aside previous yard sales), Garmin is kinda in their own ballpark there, as nobody else has anything even remotely like it. Whereas for units like the core Instinct and Venu lineups, there are many competitors there.
In any case, we’ll have to see how this all shakes out over time.
Crossover AMOLED Tactical Features:
For the Instinct 3 Crossover Tactical edition, there are the following features beyond the base edition:
– Uses a dual white/green LED flashlight (versus white/red LED flashlight on base Instinct)
– Very slight component differences that feed into the display, to handle the night shift dimming aspect, but the display itself is identical.
– Has Night Vision Mode: This mode changes the display so that it is in a dimmed green-only state that is NOD/NVG friendly
– Has Stealth Mode: This feature turns off all connectivity features, including Bluetooth & GPS (there’s no WiFi on the Instinct 3 lineup).
– Kill Switch: This feature is advertised as a quick way to delete the content off the device.
– Jumpmaster mode: Jump out of a perfectly good airplane and plan, and track how well your body falls rightly back to earth.
– Applied Ballistics Solver: This piece is loaded on the watch, but not unlocked. This allows for aiming solutions for long-range shooting.
– AB (Applied Ballistics) Quantum App Integration: This is a phone and tablet-based app from Applied Ballistics that can integrate with the Garmin Instinct 3 Tactical (and other compatible Garmin devices).
– Instinct 3 Tactical Watchface: This does have a unique Instinct 3 Tactical watch face that isn’t found on the regular units.
Now, that said, the base Garmin Instinct 3 units do have some tactical features already, specifically the base Instinct 3 (and previous) editions include:
– Dual Grid Coordinates: Shows coordinates in both MGRS and Lat/Long concurrently
– Xero Laser Location sensor integration: Pairs & integrates with Garmin’s Xero sights
– Project Waypoints app/feature: Sets a heading, along with a given distance, and tells you lat/long to said point.
– ’Tactical’ sport profile: Simply a hike-like profile with dual-grid as a default data display, along with elevation.
Again, all of this is the same as the base Instinct 3 Tactical edition, now just on the Crossover model instead.
Wrap-Up:
From a features standpoint, the newer Crossover is definitely a big feature bump, getting all those Instinct 3 features, including a huge slate of very minor tweaks (but often important to various people). And then for those who wanted an AMOLED display, it arrives with that as well. Of course, not everyone who wants analog watch hands wants an AMOLED display. There’s certainly some appeal to keeping it a bit more low-key. Though I think the Crossover AMOLED actually manages to do that, with its slightly tweaked display parameters, in order to keep things more toned down.
The big elephant in the room is simply pricing. This is an astonishing price increase, especially for something that didn’t seem to handle higher prices well earlier. Within just a few months of Garmin launching the previous Crossover at $449/$549, they had to permanently reduce the price to $399. And then following that, it was constantly on sale, even down into the $200’s. Those constant reductions in price remained true till recently. I’m not sure why Garmin thinks adding an extra $250 to the base/retail price is going to solve things. Let alone another $100 on top of that for the Tactical version.
Ultimately, as I said in my video, we’re on the Great Garmin Pricing Experiment of 2025. While tariffs can be blamed for some of this, they can no longer be blamed for all of it. Whether or not consumers buy into it remains to be seen. I don’t think Garmin knows that answer either.
Still, with the Instinct Crossover series, there’s simply no competitor in the market that offers what Garmin has here in terms of the analog watch hands and the rest of the watch features. Nobody exists like that. And Garmin’s execution is super well done here, I can’t complain about that. Thus, Garmin can kinda charge whatever they want. It’s up to consumers to decide if that works or not.
With that – thanks for reading!
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Garmin can certainly keep rolling with their new pricing strategy. Many users will gladly fork over their $$$. Their brand is certainly taking a beating though. I’ve jumped off their wagon as there are alternatives which suit my needs perfectly well.
I dont think you mean Tactical in both these lines
”
– Instinct 3 Crossover AMOLED Tactical: $649
– Instinct 3 Crossover AMOLED Tactical: $749″
Typo in the headline: “Everything”. Sadly, that is the only comment I have.
Sorry, Struan, that was meant as a top-level comment.
On the General Services Administration price list
Instinct 3 Crossover AMOLED Operational: $1895*
Instinct 3 Crossover AMOLED Strategic: $189,000*
*Features available tied to users current security clearance.
As with Craig I’m entirely put off with this pricing madness (more so as being in Europe I don’t want to pay for the tarrifs of another country).
I’m very much looking away from Garmin for my next watch (and bike head unit). I can’t decide if I will stick to one make or split my spending.
The only tariffs you’ll pay are the ones your country imposes, in addition to their VAT. So far as I know, Garmin still manufactures everything in Taiwan. Nothing to do with the US.
I think the point was: the cost of US tariffs is being amortised over pricing for the whole world. So everyone contributes a bit so Garmin can sell within the US at a lower price than otherewise.
At this point Garmin is using tariffs as an excuse. They’ve been recycling parts and are still using a 2 or 3 year old sensor with Elevate 5. They are also not giving new features to watches that are less than 2 years old, Fenix 7 Pro / Epix Pro. They are just being greedy right now and its kind of mindboggling they want to raise prices and limiting new features to new watches when alot of the time there is no hardware limitation.
Many companies will spread additional costs of tariffs across all markets to avoid arbitrage. If there is a bump in prices for the US due to import tariffs from Taiwan, that can have a knock on effect to pricing in other markets. But having said that, the pricing madness going on at Garmin is not all driven by tariffs. It’s like they have a megalomaniac in charge.
Does it have user replaceable battery?
Of course not.
Thanks for the review.
How is route navigation handled on this watch, I know there are no maps, but are the watch hands used to help follow a breadcrumb trail in any way? Something along the lines of the compass feature.
As someone who prefers the glanceability of a MIP display to check the time without having to flick my wrist, or have always on burning through battery / having a lit up screen on my wrist all day. But finds an AMOLED display while out running great due to aging eyes, this could be a good compromise.
I think the price increase is a very smart move. They know that the old Crossover sold for almost 50% less…so by selling it for 650/750, they can expect at least 350-400 (that seems like a fair price) in case the new Crossover suffers the same fateas the old…I think it’s genius!
But honestly, the old CO was pretty lame….I briefly owned one which I bought second hand and got rid of it shortly after.
This new one seems to be very geeky, fun and cool, especially the whole thing with the iluminated hands and the new watchfaces and the compass. But it comes across as a (older) kids watch, a very expensive kids watch I might add. The tactical version sells for as much as a new Enduro 3 right now (not on Garmin’s website but anywhere else). Well, let’s wait and see and hope for the 50% price drop!!
As for the stealth mode; I thought that with the mode switched on, you can record your run, walk or whatever with your GPS, but once saved, there is no positioning data so you can’t be tracked or located.
“Smart move” lol. So it would be even smarter to raise it to $2k, right?
That would be very greedy…even in the Garmin universe! :-)
650$ to 750$
no map … it’s a show stopper for an outdoor adventure device
Coros Nomad is 350$ with map, ok no flashlight but half-price
Old hr sensor, old processor, no maps, no touch, no connectivity, no music, no speaker, no mic, no diving features and all that for $750. Garmin completely lost it’s mind. We need proper competition asap.
And Enduro 3 could be bought for a similar price with better capacities compared to this model.
Crossover Tactical being almost at a price of new AW Ultra 3 is absolutely wild. However buys this further encourages Garmin to increase prices.
Garmin is very consistent with their pricing strategy… same for the new Bounce 2.
A few new features and changed design, double the price.
I would argue the Bounce 2 is actually a substantial upgrade (working my way through that one too).
And in this rare case (Bounce 2), is consistent with their competitors.
Pace 3. 250$, speed and distance. Run baby.
Garmin has gone absolutely crazy on pricing with the latest models. This one is a perfect example. A whopping 63% price jump! Astronomical! Do they think they have a monopoly on the market? Coros, Suunto, and Polar are going to love these increases. It will mean more market share for them. Garmin was already kind of a niche provider. This will make them even more so. As a long-time Garmin customer, this makes me very sad. I cannot personally justify these prices. I will either switch brands or wait for the watch I want to be replaced by a newer version and buy the old one on discount. In the mean time, I’ll just continue with my Epix Gen 2 and hope it doesn’t die
Nice to see that Garmin is continuing to focus on the hybrid concept. This gives me hope that we will see a new vivomove luxe after all.
Seems like they’re repositioning for the upmarket and margins. In any case, I wouldn’t pay for this.
Do people really want/need an amoled display with real hands (and for this price)?
Two separate things. Yes, they want it, no, not for that price.
Garmin’s move is the best marketing effort that Suunto, Polar, and others could not have dreamed of at their “2025 Planning Sessions.”
Thanks to this CRAZY price strategy, I migrated back to Suunto, and I am not looking back.
It takes years to build momentum, but less so to stall.
Thank you, Garmin, you are saving many people a lot of money
Wow, OLED screen plus no solar charging plus super expensive! It’s like Garmin read my mind, but someone over there really really doesn’t want me to buy their prodcuts anymore.
My thoughts exactly! With every decision and every new watch it’s as if they were making everything to put me off…
Hi DCR, typo in the heading and url: “Everyhing”
Cute that the widgets move out of the way of the mechanical hands.
Now why don’t they offer watch faces that work like that on any of their other watches with digital hands?
Simple answer: money.
Technically a super interesting piece of design and engineering.
What’s the battery life like on the crossover watches? The combination of analog and AMOLED (instead of MIP) seems strange to me.
I’m not surprised that a sequel to the Crossover got released this year.
The surprise is the loss of a MIP Solar option, especially in ‘Tactical’ guise.
In what kind of tactical situation, do I want a glowing ball of light on my wrist? Even with redshift, it is still too bright.
The prices are also out of this world. Good luck Garmin.
Is there an option to set the AMOLED display to “button only”? By that I mean turn off always on display but also not use the wrist gesture? Idea being to act as a traditional watch majority of the time / checking the time… press a button if i need to see the data (and set to always on during Activities)?
Yeah I thought about this too. You’d get crazy good battery life if you enabled this. Most people at work just want to see the time. (And maybe the date).
I’m a bit surprised you missed the biggest news of that watch (imo) – now it has sapphire. That’s new compared to previous generations and I think it’s the only Instinct 3 watch (excluding the dive watches) to have that.