Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm vs Suunto Race 2
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm (60 h GPS, 60 g) vs Suunto Race 2 (55 h GPS, 65 g). Side-by-side spec comparison: battery, weight, maps, multi-band GPS and price. Which GPS watch should you buy?
GarminGarmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mmUltra-rugged GPS watch with solar charging: up to 40 days in smartwatch mode (unlimited with sun), 60 h GPS and 34 h multi-band. Military-standard case, LED flashlight and dual-frequency GPS. For those who prioritise toughness and battery over onboard maps on their mountain outings.
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SuuntoSuunto Race 2Racing watch with a 1.5" 2,000-nit AMOLED display, dual-band GPS and free offline maps. Up to 55 h in the most accurate mode and 18 days in smartwatch mode. Rotating crown, 115+ sport modes and 32 GB of storage for maps. A lot of watch for the money versus Garmin.
View on AmazonSpec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm | Suunto Race 2 |
|---|---|---|
| GPS battery | 60 h | 55 h |
| Multi-band battery | 34 h | Yes |
| Smartwatch | 40 days | 18 days |
| Weight | 60 g | 65 g |
| Maps | – | ✓ |
| Multi-band | ✓ | ✓ |
| Music | – | – |
| Display | MIP | AMOLED |
| Price | Mid-range | Mid-range |
GPS battery = each manufacturer's standard GPS mode; multi-band = dual-frequency (maximum accuracy). On Suunto, Polar Grit and Amazfit T-Rex the GPS figure already corresponds to dual-band mode. Figures verified against the manufacturer.
Verdict
For maximum autonomy on long ultras, Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm lasts longer in GPS mode. If you want the lightest watch on your wrist, go for Garmin Instinct 3 Solar 50 mm. Only Suunto Race 2 brings onboard topo maps for navigation. Both sit in the same price segment, so let battery, weight and the feature you value most decide.