Garmin's "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" - Akita, in spring, to visit Mt. Chokai

The latest toughness GPS watch, packed with Garmin's latest technology, "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER," was released in January 2025.
With new features and a completely new item configuration, it has become more functional in the backcountry than ever before.
Let's report on this fact from the Mt. Chokai BC tour during the May holiday.

Chokaisan BC in spring is a perfect field for testing

The backcountry of Mt. Chokai in Akita in early May, when the breath of spring and the remaining snow live together. I hiked and rode the vast Spring Snowfield with the toughness GPS watch "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER "

Mount Chokai, which has many people enter with the opening of Mt. Chokai, is truly synonymous with BC skiing in spring. In early May, the breath of spring and the remaining snow are combined, and although it is not as severe as the harsh winter, depending on the weather, there are significant temperature differences and dizzying changes in snow quality.
Therefore, it is perfect for testing Garmin's value in the field while preparing for changes in weather. we will share the experience of " with the experience and numbers of each function

What exactly is Garmin's wearable watch?

Garmin's wearable watch combines an optical heart rate sensor that understands the state of your body based on GPS measurement technology, allowing you to not only record sports and activity, but also measure a variety of life log data, including the heartbeat at the time. Let's take a look at the distinctive features.

1) Route tracking using highly accurate GPS positioning technology

② Tracking log data such as altitude difference, heart rate data, and calories burned

Data unique to wearable watches can be accumulated as logs, such as heartbeat data during action, the altitude difference that occurs when you act, and the calories you burned.
Garmin uses this data and also has the aspect of it as a conditioning tool to enable you to achieve 100% of your potential during your previous activities. These are the next "sleep score" and "body battery."

analysis functions unique to Garmin

Garmin wearable watch measures sleep quality from "sleep scores" that score a 100-point mark, as well as sleep stages and naps, such as light/deep/REM/wake. It also has a "sleep coach" who will suggest your own sleep history and recommended sleep times tonight. Knowing about sleep allows you to gain a deeper understanding of your body condition and improve your sleep through the suggested function.

INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER " was taken to Mt. Chokai

The BC season begins! Toriumi Blue Line opens!

In 2025, the Chomi Blue Line ended its winter closure on April 25th and the entire line was opened. This mountain road, which has been cut open with snow walls running from 0m above sea level to around 1,100m, marks the beginning of the spring backcountry season.

Waiting for the gate to open at 8am, we passed the gate and arrived near Hokotachi, and the parking lot near Iritakaguchi was almost full! You can feel the liveliness and heat. The wind is still cold and the sun is warm.

Go up the mountain and put on the stickers. Looking at the solar strength of the LCD of "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER", you can see the brightness of the sun clearly. Every time I take a step on my hike, the multi-band GNSS accurately tracks the altitude and pace, and the Body Battery also slowly drops from 77 to 74 (I drank a little too much the day before, and although the Body Battery was less than I had started, lol).

Looking back, the blue Sea of ​​Japan, the underworld of fresh greenery, and the whiteness of the snow around 1,000m creates a spectacular contrast. Today we will climb up to the outer ring with an altitude difference of 1,000 meters. The weather was forecast to go bad in the afternoon, so just to be safe, I turned on the storm alert and continued my journey. "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" quietly monitors the state of your body and changes in the outside world.

Long-term operation with solar and dual power

The biggest weapon in the "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" is the "dual-wielding" power glass solar panels with a large area and a high-density lithium battery. In sunny weather, it steadily generates electricity even when you're on the move, and in smartwatch mode, it achieves up to 28 days plus unlimited stamina (when charging in solar).

During this trip to the Chokai Mountain, I was able to operate for three days with a heavy load setting of multi-GNSS and a heart rate monitor on, and the remaining battery level was only 93% to 63%. It's an incredible advantage that you don't have to worry about running out of charge while on the tour.
By the way, I usually use the Desent MK3, which also serves as a dive computer, but that's not the case here.

Operational feel when wearing gloves and display visibility

Backcountry logs recorded using "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER"

The "backcountry" activities in "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" automatically determine the climb, skiing, and rest and integrate them into a single log. Once you start walking on the sticker, the multi-GNSS + barometric altimeter records the position and elevation at 1 second intervals, displaying the pace, elevation gain and heart rate zones in real time.

When the slope becomes "-" and the speed increases, the slide phase switches to the sliding phase, and the maximum speed, average slope, and sliding distance are depicted in different colors, so even if you look at it later, you can instantly tell the "slip section." Stopping times are automatically eliminated by auto-pause, and even if you stop your arm for lunch or taking photos, the logs won't get dirty.

When you sync to the Garmin Connect app after descending the mountain, a triple graph of elevation, velocity and heartbeat will be generated along with a 3D map with color-coded behavior trajectories. It allows you to visualize which altitude zone your pace slows down and how much your heart rate rose when you glide, making it extremely useful as a teaching material for next route selection and physical fitness allocation.
Incidentally, the heartbeat that rose the most this time was a steep slope traverse, which produced a heart rate of nearly 180. Naturally, the fatigue after this was quite impressive.

The true value of "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" that you can experience at Mt. Chokai

There are three real values ​​I felt when I tried using "INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER" on Mount Chokai in spring.

First of all, there is a sense of security that is "power-free." Without escaping the strong sunlight in the mountains, I was able to charge my solar power using Power Glass and even when I opened my 3-day multi-GNSS + heart rate monitor fully, the remaining amount was only reduced by about 30%. Don't panic if you forget about the cable. Another key point may be that you have more peace of mind.

Secondly, it has an easy-to-read display. The reflective MIP actually increases the contrast due to the glare of the snow surface, allowing you to check the altitude and heartbeat without narrowing your eyes. The white didn't skid or the black didn't collapse, and even when viewed diagonally through the gloves, the numbers were clear.

Third, it's "backcountry" log performance. The backcountry mode automatically determines whether climbing, skiing, or resting, colour-codes the skiing section and links the heart rate zone. By later visualizing the moment it jumps up to 180 bpm on a steep slope traverse, you can see how much it will be consumed next.

For these reasons, I think that INSTINCT 3 DUAL POWER can be said to be a tool for growth that goes beyond just records. I felt that its comprehensive ability to solve all three major issues - battery run out, visibility, and data utilization - is the true value I realized at Mt. Chokai.

Information

GARMIN

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