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Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) vs Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical

Last updated · How Mars Score works
epix Pro (Gen 2)GARMINRENDER
Probe A
Garmin
epix Pro (Gen 2)
49.8/ 100D
GPS & Sensors—· 40%
Battery50· 40%
Design—· 20%
Instinct 3 TacticalGARMINRENDER
Probe B
Garmin
Instinct 3 Tactical
56.8/ 100D
GPS & Sensors—· 40%
Battery57· 40%
Design—· 20%
Quick verdict

Between the epix Pro (Gen 2) and Instinct 3 Tactical, the epix Pro (Gen 2) comes out ahead in gps mode and multi-band gps, while the Instinct 3 Tactical wins on smartwatch mode and solar charging. Overall, the epix Pro (Gen 2) scores 49.8 and the Instinct 3 Tactical scores 56.8 on our Mars Score.

Buying advice

Which should you buy?

The Instinct 3 Tactical edges ahead on the Mars Score (49.8 vs 56.8), but the 7.0-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.

Pick the epix Pro (Gen 2) if you care most about gps mode and multi-band gps. The biggest gaps in its favor are gps mode, multi-band gps, ecg.

Pick the Instinct 3 Tactical if you care most about smartwatch mode and solar charging. Its strongest claims are smartwatch mode, solar charging.

There are no meaningful ties on the headline specs — every popular-comparison metric has a winner.

Bottom line: the Instinct 3 Tactical is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.

Why Garmin - epix Pro (Gen 2) wins

  • ▲GPS mode — 17.14% more. 82 h vs 70 h.
  • ▲Has Multi-band GPS.
  • ▲Has ECG.

Why Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical wins

  • ▲Smartwatch mode — 87.50% more. 30 days vs 16 days.
  • ▲Has Solar charging.
Full readout

Spec comparison

GPS & Sensors

SpecGarmin - epix Pro (Gen 2)Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical
Multi-band GPStrueleadfalse
Barometric altimetertruetrue
Heart ratetruetrue
ECGtrueleadfalse
Pulse Oxtruetrue

Battery

SpecGarmin - epix Pro (Gen 2)Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical
Smartwatch mode16 days30 dayslead
GPS mode82 hlead70 h
Solar chargingfalsetruelead

Design

SpecGarmin - epix Pro (Gen 2)Garmin - Instinct 3 Tactical
Case size47 mm50 mmlead
Weight76 g70 glead
Water resistanceⓘ10 ATM10 ATM
Reader questions

Frequently asked

Drill down

Spec-level deep dives

Multi-band GPS→Barometric altimeter→Heart rate→ECG→Pulse Ox→Smartwatch mode→GPS mode→Solar charging→Case size→Weight→Water resistance→
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