Garmin Enduro 3 In-Depth Review // Do You Really Need a Fenix 8?

[@thomasorchard]

I wish Garmin offered a generous trade-in deal (like smartphone companies often do). I have a Fenix 7X Pro and I'd love to upgrade to the new Enduro 3.

[@unknownhours]

The trade in program is ebay ;)

[@quasii7]

Sell it second hand.

[@ajm1352]

I recommend swappa

[@Scott-n8n]

I just got the E3 and now thinking about returning it and getting the F7XPro. The build quality of the all plastic body on the E3 is disappointing vs the Fenix and there just isn’t enough new features in the ui to make a big difference.

[@terryclark2687]

Me too

[@emanuelewong1507]

I bought the enduro 3, upgrading from forerunner 245. I can't wait to have my new watch. thanks for your video.

[@DesFit]

Big upgrade! Thanks and enjoy your new watch!

[@randomstuff3672]

Thinking this might be a giant leap forward from my 245M.

[@DeacentKetchup]

I wish that there was a 47mm Enduro 3. I know that the battery wouldn't be as good, but the overall idea sounds amazing to me :))

[@gideonkahl6149]

An Enduro 2.5😉

[@curtis397]

I purchased this finally after seeing my friends enduro 3 ( we do long distance running together) i wanted something that could handle gps and music for the plus 8 hour runs. Im personally, a huge fan of the plastic on the back plate. Coming from the G fenix 6 pro. With its unnecessary stainless steel on the back. The E3 feels extremely comfortable on the wrist, and I'm happy I upgraded

[@aphinion]

Got this watch a week after it came out as I don't care about diving or any smartwatch/notification features. I do care about battery life and accurate readings though and I must say... this is by far the best fitness tool I ever had. Heart rate is as you say - spot on in times you wouldn't even deem it possible, the connectivity with various sensors is amazing... and as a surprise to me it pays a strong attention to strain and recovery which became a really helpful tool to me in order to plan my training. Worth every penny.

[@robertferris4855]

Thanks Des, another great review. I have so much hope riding on my Enduro 3 order (due in the next week). Upgrading from Fenix 5 Sapphire bought 7 years ago. Bought and returned a 7x Pro because the display was not as good as the Fenix 5, though did like the Heart Rate Monitor, including the ECG and new health tracking capabites. Then bought a Coros Vertix 2S, but was disappointed how cheap it looked and the mapping was not as good as the 7X. Also tried the Suunto Vertical, but like the Coros it just didn't match up to the Garmin eco-system. Last resort will be a Fenix 8 Solar, as I absolutely want a reflective watch face, and only emit light when required (in the dark). Will keep the 5 for the really abusive activites, like replacing car/truck clutches, as after 7 years of abuse the bezel is bashed to hell but the Sapphire is immaculate - just like my old dive watches, though I'm not a diver, otherwise I'd need Fenix 8 😊

[@nyxablaze]

if i was to upgrade this would be my choice. the f8 pricing is outrageous i understand dive engineering certification and software overhauls cost a lot, but the pricing is just unreasonable for me now, and i suspect enduro 3 will be a more popular pick than previous enduro watches especially for maybe people fron much older generations upgrading . that being said, ive seen a lot of people still rocking fenix 5's, va3's and even the odd fenix 3

[@travissmarion]

Yep. Still rocking my Fenix 5 Plus from like 5+ years ago now. Would like to upgrade to the Fenix 8 but can't afford it right now. Seriously considering the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra instead at $650.

[@nyxablaze]

@@travissmarion galaxy watch ultra is defenitely a good choice. personally, i dont really like how the samsung health app is laid out compared to garmin - i used a galaxy watch 4 for half a year or so and i just felt it was too oversimplified compared to garmin's data geek centred info. however galaxy watch 4 and galaxy watch ultra are very different and i only have experience with the former, so its possible its better now. coming from garmin to a galaxy watch, i also disliked having to charge the watch everyday, but i believe thats less of an issue with the ultra? dont quote me

@@travissmarion f7 pro sounds like your deal

[@jeffreyschmidt3997]

Which of all these watches can replace a dive computer?

[@path4061]

I'm still fine with the Fenix 3 sapphire (almost at year 8 of ownership). I may be looking into an Enduro 3 in a year or 2 unless there is a really good black friday sale this year (doubt it since it is just being released).

[@Dfl87165]

Great review. Thanks! Just got my Enduro 3 2 days ago. Good upgrade to my 7Xss.

[@DesFit]

Thanks and enjoy your new watch!

[@AML.3891]

¿Merece la pena la actualización?

[@ted363636]

The difference in buttons is that inductive ones allow you to press underwater while Fenix 7/Enduro 1&2 advised against it in the manuals.

[@zxntsw]

The inductive button works by detecting changes in the magnetic field caused by the displacement of a magnet in the button, which is detected by a Hall sensor inside the watch case. As a result, the button has no traditional mechanical structure, making the lifespan of the Fenix 8's button virtually unlimited.

[@911eVoX]

Upgraded from the 945. Loving it

[@The.JZA.]

8:30 On my Enduro 2 I just set up a button mapping to turn on or off the touch screen. In general I just kept the touch screen off since the 5 button arrangement works well for 95% of the things on the watch but if I needed the touch screen I could just hold those two buttons for a second and the touch screen would turn on. After watching reviews of the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3, that on-screen touch unlock things just looks really annoying and I think I would turn it off and just use a button mapping again.

[@cordeiropedro]

I upgraded from a Fenix 6X to the Enduro 3 and it has been great. Screen is much butter, wrist HR is finally not useless, and the fact that its resin and not metal makes it much more comfortable to wear. And a small detail that for me makes a lot of difference: I have Presbyopia (age related bad neat vision), and the lettering on the activity data screens is way sharper and I can finally have 4 or 6 data fields per screen and still see it well. On Fenix 6x (and previously 5x) I could only see with 2 data fields.

[@seanvk]

Appreciate your review. Good coverage, and concise points on the benefits. That being said, it's been working great for me, as I just picked it up last week.

[@DesFit]

Thanks and glad you’re enjoying your new watch 🤙

[@AG-tn4qd]

Watching 2 min after posted :)! Thank you!

[@DesFit]

Boom!

[@hassanmuhammad8901]

Same!!! I have the epix gen 2 which I bought about 18 months ago , love the watch but want to upgrade to Fenix 8 due to dive capabilities. I just can't justify spending another grand so soon though so a trade in program would've been great

[@foetor]

Got it since 3 days and love it so far. Perfect 2. watch with my AW Ultra 2

[@massiminimakes]

Great review! I currently have a Fenix 5X. It still works fine, but I am getting that itch to upgrade. I think I will wait until Black Friday sales drop and get it then, hopefully for $100-$200 off, though we'll have to see what the actual discounts are.

[@guzsteve]

Thanks Des, these are super helpful reviews!!

[@DesFit]

Happy to help 👍 Thanks!

[@cmtofel]

totally sold me on this watch, thank you so much for the in-depth review. about to do an fkt and needed longer life than what the fenix 7 solar offered.

[@_J.F_]

I have a Fenix 7 Pro and will not be upgrading any day soon but when that time comes I think I might, after many years of being a Fenix fan, swap over to the Enduro. It is of course to some degree about the price tag but also about me not wanting, and certainly not needing, all those fancy features they are cramming into the Fenix now. I want my sports watch to be just that, a sports watch, and if I wanted all the speaker and microphone features I would very likely just get an Apple watch instead, and get used to charging it several times a week.

[@ivangoldberger289]

Thank you Des.

[@DesFit]

👍

[@trickystravels]

Thank you so much for this review. I am torn between this and amoled fenix 8. There’s only about £130 difference but I’m coming from Apple Watch Series 7. Will be used for hiking cycling and running. I’m interested in battery life for maps and gps recording.

[@MrFlakgorilla]

I watched your video till the end and liked it. It was very informative and entertaining, even if it wasn't aimed for my use case. I wonder if these watches are finally good enough to monitor strength endurance training in the veneer of HIIT. Like EMOM for an example: doing an exercise within a given time with specific reps, rest the remaining time and get ready for the next exercise. I am currently training with 3 exercises and do these up to 10 times in a cycle. I am very drenched and exhausted after it, but I cannot see a trend of my workout getting easier for my heart in a manner that is easy to track by choosing two "columns" of data to track and group them. Might be because I use the Samsung galaxy watch 6 with the Samsung health app tho.

[@ericsisk1]

Battery BEAST! great video Des!

[@obyjuan1965]

Is this watch good for open water swimming and triathlons? Which Garmin can you recommend for these activities?

[@Pewpew_123]

Is the enduro 3 good for bodybuilding? I'm not an endurance athlete, i'm just a bodybuilder who enjoys swimming, kayaking and sometimes walking 10k steps. I was going to buy the fenix 8 solar 51mm, but the battery life of this watch is what made me rethink about getting the fenix 8 solar over the enduro 3. I don't really care that much about the speaker, mic and voice assistant, and the diving feature. Which do you recommend i get?

[@erg0101]

Nice video! Thanks for the info. I've placed an order on 1 yesterday. Can't wait!!

[@DesFit]

Thanks and enjoy your new watch!

[@2wheelsgood918]

Quick question. I currently have an Enduro 2, which has the ability to create backups. If I get an Enduro 3, can I restore a backup to that so I can transfer my current settings without having to start from scratch? Thanks! Keep up the great work!

[@nicolastirabasso2967]

Great review. I’m between an Epix 2 Saphire but I’m not convinced about the battery (typically I’m doing two days of mountaneering in the Alps). So my choices would be the Epix Pro 51 or… the Enduro 3 has descent maps, they seem so much better than in Fénix 7 . Which are your thoughts in this department. Thanks a lot

[@afrogunso77]

Thanks man your the best. 👌 I was considering the Enduro 3 initially but ended up getting the Fenix 8 pro for the amoled . I'm second guessing myself now. 😅

[@maxherrmann262]

Great review, thank you! Has the enduro 3 the auto backlight setting from the fenix 7 pro, and has the readability in darker conditions improved compared to older mip displays?

[@SergeyFM_en]

I have enduro v1. I wish someone could compare it to the new one. Especially screen clarity.

[@cyrille3169]

Thanks for the great review. On the sealed button aspect, I killed my epix pro swimming in the sea while using buttons. One button was no more clicking. I found later on you should not use buttons under water … Are you using the buttons while swimming ? Wondering if this was sea water or just water that damaged the button. Thanks !

[@gmbmedia28]

Thank You DesFit for this review. This will be my next watch 🍻

[@Dozer-je8bg]

Can you please review garmins new strength training program

[@DesFit]

Yup! On my long list of things 🙃

[@mck1598]

@@DesFit can you also check if they added basic strength exercises that customers asked for years? For example rear delt machine

[@DesFit]

@mck1598 you can just go into Garmin Connect to check out their current list of exercises

[@myralchista]

Plus to this

[@Alex_564]

If this came in a smaller(45mm) Enduro 3, it would be on the top of my list.

[@comptechnyc]

Upgraded to an Enduro 3 from Fenix 7x pro, and so far I regret it- many apps are not compatible with the Enduro, way less customizations and widgets available on the connect store. Looks like the Enduro is a dumbed down version of the Fenix. Most likely send back the Enduro.

[@blakemorin9907]

“Hey! I’ve been wondering, after heavy use, do you notice scratches on the heart rate sensors of your Garmin watches? I tend to check mine, but I’m curious if you or other users even pay attention to it. Does it affect performance at all in your experience?”

[@splatmatt]

Found my Enduro 3 to be buggy - returning today. While I realize Garmin will fix the bugs - the fact I am buying a watch for $900 USD and out of the box I feel like I am beta testing their software is aggravating. Over the past few years it seems like Garmin’s modus operandi: release a new watch and let the consumer beta test the software for the next 6-8 months. These devices are too costly to deliver it with beta functionality. For now it will be Coros for longer battery life adventures and Apple watch for everything else. It will be nice having a cell connection on my watch again so I don’t need my phone for recovery & base runs.

[@firstnamelastname5736]

I'm tempted to ask if you're new here but I know you aren't :P Do you know the new antonym for bug-fixes? It is Garmin!

[@splatmatt]

@@firstnamelastname5736 Are you saying that Garmin is incapable of fixing their software?

[@firstnamelastname5736]

@@splatmatt Yes, why else would they not fix the myriad of bugs reported by users, even the ones that are acknowledged by their support techs on their forum? Did you see the changelog of 11.60 for Fenix 8? It says "Corrected a translation issue". Of all the issues, THAT is the one that has been fixed, *SMH*.

[@splatmatt]

@@firstnamelastname5736 LMAO

[@golasoff]

Does this straps remain wet for a long time, or they dry quickly like the silicone ones?

[@firemanjon]

Def what I'd buy over thr fenix 8. For me anyway. Currently have an instinct 2x and a fenix 6 sapphire.

[@DElongboarding]

Actually really interested in the question whether to get a fenix 8 amoled or an enduro 3… any idea when the comparison video will come out? 😊

[@peterpotter362]

I cannot find the HRV Stress Test app on my Enduro 3. Was it removed or replaced by the Health Snapshot? Great review btw!

[@Nick-lq5bh]

Thx for this video! A question for you. Is the bezel black or gray?? I can not see it good on video. In want this watch with silicon quikfit band. But I don’t nog what look the best. Black or black/ pebble gray. What do you think look the best?

[@markmcc1]

So, I just received the F8 47 Amoled. Getting use to it. The screen is giant compared to my Epix Pro 47. Thinking about trading it for the E3 for a number of reasons but one thing I'm curious about on the screen (s). Obviously, a 51 MM screen is bigger than than a 47MM but, with the solar ring on the E3, is the usable / visible screen actually bigger than the F8 47? I'm thinking they are pretty close.

[@daniels6554]

@desfit What are the chances they make a 47mm Enduro 3? I’d prefer to go from my Fenix 5 plus to the Enduro 3, but 51mm won’t work for me. Thanks for the vids.

[@jessepolay7582]

Would love a review on the new Amazfit t-Rex 3!

[@CiprianiCharles]

I appreciate the video, does it or the Fenix have the thermometer? or rather skin temperature feature? The reason I ask is that Garmin online shows that it does not have it.

[@MOTH477]

It would be great to see treadmill test to show SPM accuracy similar compared to a footpod.

[@yurii_shpik]

thanks for the video, sir. Im a new for the Garmin and all this stuff, how can I pick wright size for me? is the 47 mm truly medium?)

[@missbell247]

Awesome video. Thank you 🙏

[@DesFit]

Thanks!

[@knotsable]

only 51mm models? too bad

[@SROtank]

A broad overview and hard work, Thank You ! I would love to see Garmin Enduro 3 against Coros Vertix 2s, both companies claim the similar specs but in real life?

[@DesFit]

I’ll see what I can do, thanks!

[@richdaillest1]

What will be your daily fitness/sleep tracker now that all these new smartwatches are out in the market?

[@chriscrawford82]

So...about that enduro 3 vs fenix 8 AMOLED video?

[@zedaprime]

Been having trouble seeing small text on my watch. Using reading glasses now, but don't always have them on. Please feel free to point that out. It's the kind of thing that would make me by a new or different watch.

[@tamerwahba]

thanks for the awesome review. What do u think about getting Enduro 2 coming from Fenix 6 pro because I like its hardware more than enduro 3?

[@DesFit]

That's a pretty solid update with the touchscreen, built in flashlight, plus the more current software/performance feedback, along with battery life of course.

[@tamerwahba]

@@DesFit thanks

[@WStar4Life]

Is it worth upgrading from the Fenix 7X pro to the Enduro 3? Are they basically the same except for the increased battery life on the Enduro 3?

[@Idksomethinginsane]

Wrestling with this option right now.

[@KristianDowling]

Des were you using the 26mm band with the Enduro3? The gap is a bit disturbing and seems like a manufacturing issue - or I assume its shrinking when it's pulled tight?

[@DesFit]

It was the stock band that came with the Enduro 3. I do wear it pretty snug.

[@lbenegas]

Sorry to bother you with a request for a recommendation, but I am new to the smartwatch universe. I need a watch with +1 week battery life, solar charge, GPS and compass, and health monitoring (heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation) that could trigger emergency calls if something happens to me. I dont care any cellphone integration/connectivity. Intended use: use in the mountains, and monitoring my health. What would you recommend? I disregarded apple and samsung due to weak batteries. Thanks in advanced!!

[@thepatternforms859]

Enduro > Fenix (Again)

[@baaboo21]

I had issues with 3 watches for the enduro 2. The top right button would eventually get squishy and lose it's feel compared to the other buttons. Hope they fixed that issue.

[@De4thG0d]

It's funny, when I was having issues with heart rate monitoring on my enduro, the Garmin customer service person asked me to buy a rubber strap saying it would be more accurate than the band that came with the enduro.

[@Yannick_Oby]

Quick question about the display sizes: We installed a 1.4 inch display on both the 2 Enduro and 3 Enduro series. I would like to install a tempered glass, but there is no suitable one for the 3 series yet. Is the total area (including solar) the same size? The solar area has been increased, but the bezel has been made narrower. Thank you in advance!

[@antonywillbertjoseph3856]

Hey please post a comparison video between Enduro 3 vs Vertix 2S. Would be really helpful @desfit

[@henriqueteixeira4603]

Again, an excellent and deep review. Keep on moving and Thanks ;)

[@DesFit]

Thanks so much!

[@anthonyrampino7734]

Have you done the comparison video yet about the enduro 3 vs the fenix 8 amoled?

[@anthonyrampino7734]

Great video! Does the navigation work the same on the endero 3 as well as the fenix 8? And I’m looking forward to seeing the video comparison to the fenix amoled 8.

[@DesFit]

The same but more detail on maps with AMOLED.

[@anthonyrampino7734]

@@DesFit do you think that it’s worth the extra money if you don’t scuba dive and the speaker isn’t that important do the fenix?

[@vittoriobiondi4855]

Fenix is Fenix. At the end the Fenix is the Garmin that everyone wants to have. More stylish, more elegant, more fine built. The price of enduro 3 is already dropping on the online store. This means that the re-selling price will be definitely lower than a Fenix 8.

[@33scottyp]

Off topic to the Enduro, have you heard anything about the Instinct 3 yet?

[@luharstav]

How is the processing speed and fluidity of the software ?

[@jakejoyride]

Enduro 3 is amazing

[@willemhaifetz-chen1588]

5:27 look at all the times WITHOUT solar. They are almost the same = No reason to upgrade from Enduro 2.

[@DesFit]

Unless you can benefit from the solar gains as well as the upgraded HR sensor

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

Awesome & Thanks :)

[@DesFit]

🤙

[@stevegraham3041]

I still use the enduro 1

[@joshmorgan3750]

Same here, the thing still rips 🤙

[@michaelgoers9089]

Same here, I have no need or desire to upgrade as it does all I need good enough.

[@Noelie1990]

Don’t you mis maps?

[@joshmorgan3750]

@@Noelie1990me personally no, I have bugger all desire to be checking them on my small watch screen. I have full high detail offline topo maps on my phone. My needs are not super serious running athlete stuff. More outdoor hiking/hunting/roaming. Got spare battery banks to charge phone etc.

[@apo1980]

Nah if battery life is the main concern i use my instinct 2x if i want a good display with all the feature i use my epix , both together are cheaper than the enduro

[@vandringskanalen]

What kind of battery life can I expect if I only use navigation (follow a route in maps) but don't need to record my hike?

[@karljakobsson2687]

Des, what watch are you wearing on your right wrist in this video ?

[@DesFit]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZK9Z5trarGVhrssi=lP50TRcmb3_xJtO9 👍

[@techliso]

Do the buttons feel any different compared to previous generation watches Enduro 2/Fenix 7/7Pro?

[@DesFit]

Very similar, possibly more clicky but about the same

[@Porkfryedbrice]

Is there just biking to encompass mountain biking or is there a mountain biking mode

[@zoickn]

Support spotify?

[@v.6ak]

Does Enduro 3 have DLC coating on the bezel? I don't see it in specifications, although many sellers mentions it.

[@The.JZA.]

Did they change the Ultrafit band? I had the Enduro 1 and Enduro 2 and the Ultrafit band was annoying because it had Velcro at both ends. I always just wanted one end to be fixed and the other to have Velcro. It just makes it easier to adjust and fewer Velcro tabs to get snagged on things.

[@DesFit]

They updated the band: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5q6Z4iFirFnbrcsi=9w7-NGA9AMeN1cvh

[@hasiticninja]

Would this be a good upgrade from the fenix 6 sapphire?

[@DesFit]

+ touchscreen, better display, GPS accuracy, heart rate accuracy, and of course, a huge jump in battery life

[@baaboo21]

Want to know if this watch can charge from dead to like 10% using the sun. If so, this would be amazing. In power saving mode of course once the watch turns back on.

[@DesFit]

I haven’t been able to drain the battery to empty yet 😅 but I plan to test that at some point along with some follow up battery life tests

[@baaboo21]

@@DesFit Perfect! Thank you

[@Putteblaze]

Does the watch drain less battery if u use a HRM? 🤔

[@dccd3237]

Does this model also have all the golf courses and features?

[@theyouuser]

It has it all

[@eriktred]

I need to run longer ultras to justify this 😂 I’d also wait as Garmin likes to release follow~Up models within months rendering buyer’s remorse (Fenix 7x vs 7x pro released within a year of each other)

[@florinRinRin]

My wrist is freaking small, not sure if I can pull this off 😅

[@tb693ny6]

Does the Enduro 3 have night mode?

[@JohnBlum-v7j]

Is that revamped activity start page and music widget going to be a software update for other watches like forerunners?

[@DesFit]

They are not

[@TheNeiphilim]

What data do we get with the snorkel profile ? Do we have the deep data as the suunto race ?

[@ekjellgren]

Please compare Enduro 3 to 8 solar.

[@DesFit]

That’s actually one of the next videos coming up 👍

[@MaxRothFitness]

How can I get rid of the leading zero on 12hr time. That's my big issue

[@davidwolf6927]

great video, thanks. Does anyone know what the reason could be the my garmin watch didn't show pace during a mountain run in a forest - a third of the run? and classified theses times as inactive?

[@bilaltahir9978]

I really am interested to know the battery life when navigating a very long distance course with the map screen on just about all the time for the enduro 3 vs fenix amoled 47mm? I think DCr mentioned it was was only 20 hours for the fenix 8 because the map screen drains better more than other screens. Do you have any data on this issue as i participate in loads of ultramarathons and multiday adventures which require constant following gpx routes.

[@ResKthemonster]

Dc mentioned that in his E3 Review. 57 Hours or something like that.

[@iiTzEggysk84]

It is me, or the faces appears smaller on the Enduro 3 and fonts, and Graphics?

[@Cuffers93]

This is a great watch and review. It's just kind of unfortunate that the Garmin range is still somewhat an unnecessarily complicated mess. The Enduro 3 may have replaced the old Enduro 2 but has really replaced the old Fenix while the old Epix has been dumped but has actually become the new Fenix, while the new MIP version of Fenix is basically redundant because who on earth is paying hundreds more for a MIP Fenix 8 over this or the AMOLED version? Surely only someone with small wrists. Why? Don't get me wrong, they're fantastic watches, but a smaller version of this would be ideal for a lot of people rather than paying literally hundreds more for something else or going for an older model. I'm not complaining it just seems like Garmin have missed an open goal...

[@josejr.8671]

i feel like they low balled Enduro 3 in its materials and turned it into a forerunner. this was their opportunity to make it even more beastly. still a fan but disappointed especially with a high price tag and paying for plastic .

[@DesFit]

It’s more about usability that being beastly. Ultra endurance athletes don’t need a metal back case (they’re wearing it for days on end so it’s never exposed😉), they want something reliable, light, and with long battery life.

[@Jb305903]

Does anyone know if the alarm/beep volume still sucks and is useless? My instinct/fenix 7x pro/forerunner all had sucky beepers you couldn't hear.