A trip to Akita and Mount Chokai in spring with Garmin "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER"

Garmin's latest rugged GPS watch, the "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER," packed with the latest technology, was released in January 2025.
With new features and a completely redesigned configuration, it's more functional than ever for backcountry use.
Let's report on its performance during a backcountry tour of Mt. Chokai over the May holidays.

Chokaisan BC in spring is the perfect field for testing

In early May, when the breath of spring and lingering snow coexist , I hiked and rode through the backcountry of Mt. Chokai in Akita Prefecture, wearing the tough GPS watch "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER " across the vast spring snowfields

With the opening of the Chokaisan Blue Line, Akita's Chokaisan Mountain has attracted many visitors and is truly synonymous with spring backcountry skiing. In early May, the breath of spring and lingering snow coexist, and while it's not as harsh as the peak of winter, there are large temperature fluctuations and rapidly changing snow conditions depending on the weather. Therefore, it's the perfect opportunity to test the value of Garmin in the field while being prepared for weather changes. So, this time, based on actual mountain climbing logs, I will share my impressions of using the "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER, " combining my experience with each function and numerical data

What exactly is a Garmin wearable watch?

Garmin's wearable watches combine GPS measurement technology with an optical heart rate sensor that monitors your physical condition, allowing you to record sports and activities, as well as your heart rate and other life log data at the same time. Let's take a look at some of their distinctive features

① Route tracking using highly accurate GPS positioning technology

② Tracking log data such as elevation change, heart rate data, and calories burned

Wearable watches can collect unique data such as heart rate during activity, elevation gain, and calories burned, all as logs.
Garmin uses this data to create a conditioning tool that helps you perform at 100% of your potential during future activities. This is where features like "Sleep Score" and "Body Battery" come in.

③ "Sleep Score" and "Body Battery": Garmin's unique dataanalysis features.

Garmin wearable watches provide a "sleep score" that rates your sleep quality out of 100, as well as sleep stages (light, deep, REM, and awake) and nap measurements. They also feature a "sleep coach" that uses your sleep history to suggest the recommended amount of sleep you should get that night. Knowing your sleep habits can help you better understand your body's condition and improve your sleep with these suggestions

I took the newly released "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER"

Chokai Blue Line opens and BC season begins!

In 2025, the Chokai Blue Line reopened on April 25th after its winter closure. This mountain road, which cuts through snow walls and climbs from sea level to around 1,100 meters, signals the start of the spring backcountry season.

After waiting for the gates to open at 8 a.m. and passing through them, we arrived near Hokodate, where the parking lot near the trailhead was almost full! You could feel the liveliness and excitement. The wind was still cold, but the sunshine was warm.

I climbed the mountain and put on my skins. Checking the solar intensity on the LCD screen of my INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER watch, I could clearly see the brightness of the sun. With each step I took on the hike, the multi-band GNSS accurately recorded my altitude and pace, and my Body Battery gradually decreased from 77 to 74 (although I'd had a bit too much to drink the day before, so my Body Battery was low from the start, haha)

Looking back, the blue Sea of ​​Japan, the fresh greenery below, and the white snow at around 1,000m create a stunning contrast. Today, I'll be climbing 1,000m up to the outer rim. The weather forecast predicted a deterioration in the afternoon, so I set my storm alert on just in case and set off. The INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER quietly watches over my body and changes in the outside world

Solar and dual power for long-lasting operation

The INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER's greatest strength is its dual-wielding design, featuring a large Power Glass solar panel and a high-density lithium battery. Under clear skies, the watch generates steady power even while on the move, achieving up to 28 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, plus unlimited solar charging

During this trip to Mt. Chokai, I used a heavy load setting with multi-GNSS and heart rate monitor on for three days, and the battery level only dropped from 93% to 63%. Not having to worry about running out of battery during the tour is a huge advantage.
Incidentally, I usually use a Desent MK3 which also functions as a dive computer, but that wasn't possible with this device.

Operational feel and display visibility when wearing gloves

Backcountry log recording with "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER"

The "Backcountry" activity on the "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" automatically detects ascent, descent, and rest and integrates them into a single log. Once you start skinning, the multi-GNSS + barometric altimeter records your location and altitude every second, displaying pace, elevation gain, and heart rate zones in real time.

When the slope becomes "-" and your speed increases, it switches to the descent phase, depicting maximum speed, average slope, and distance in different colors, allowing you to instantly identify the sections you skied even when reviewing later. Stop times are automatically eliminated by auto-pause, so the log doesn't get cluttered even if you stop your arm for lunch or to take pictures.

After descending, syncing to the Garmin Connect app generates a 3D map of your trajectory with color coding, along with a triple graph of altitude, speed, and heart rate. You can visualize at which altitude zones your pace dropped and how high your heart rate rose during descent, making it extremely useful as a learning tool for selecting routes and managing your energy levels for the next time.
Incidentally, the time my heart rate was highest was during a traverse of a steep slope, where it reached nearly 180 bpm. Naturally, I felt quite exhausted afterward.

The true value of "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" experienced on Mt. Chokai

There are three main reasons why I felt the true value of the "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" when using it on Mt. Chokai in spring.

Firstly, the peace of mind of being "power-free." Solar charging with Power Glass, taking advantage of the strong sunlight on the mountain, meant that even with multi-GNSS and heart rate monitoring running at full blast for three days, the battery level only dropped by about 30%. Forgetting the cable doesn't cause panic. This peace of mind is also a key point.

Secondly, the "easy-to-read" display. The reflective MIP actually increases contrast due to the reflection from the snow surface, allowing you to check altitude and heart rate without squinting. Whites are not blown out and blacks are not crushed, and the numbers were clear even when viewed at an angle through gloves.

Thirdly, the "backcountry" logging performance. The backcountry mode, which automatically distinguishes between ascent, descent, and rest, colors the descent sections and links them to heart rate zones. Being able to visualize the moment when my heart rate jumped to 180 bpm during a steep traverse allowed me to understand exactly how much power I would consume next.

For these reasons, I believe the "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" is more than just a record-keeping tool; it's a tool for growth. Its comprehensive ability to solve the three major challenges of battery life, visibility, and data utilization all at once is what I felt was its true value, as I experienced it firsthand on Mount Chokai.

Information

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