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How effective is the new solar technology in the Garmin Enduro 3


The Garmin Enduro 3 features a significantly improved solar charging system that provides more than double the solar power of the previous Enduro 2 model[1]. This allows the Enduro 3 to achieve an impressive battery life of up to 320 hours in GPS mode with solar charging[1][8].

Here are the key improvements to the solar technology in the Enduro 3:

Larger and More Efficient Solar Ring

- The solar ring around the display has been enlarged and redesigned to be more efficient[1][2].
- The ring is now black in color, making it less noticeable[2].
- This larger, more efficient ring allows Garmin to remove the semi-transparent solar panel that previously covered part of the screen, improving visibility[1][2].

Increased Solar Charging Capacity

- The new solar technology provides more than double the solar power of the previous Enduro 2 model[1].
- In ideal conditions of 50,000 lux for 3 hours per day, the Enduro 3 can achieve up to 320 hours of battery life in GPS mode and up to 90 days in smartwatch mode[1][4].
- However, achieving the full 320 hours of GPS battery life may require the watch to be in 50,000 lux conditions for the entire activity, which is an idealized scenario[2].

Real-World Solar Charging Effectiveness

- In a real-world test of a 9-hour summer hike, the Enduro 3 gained around 1% of battery per hour in 50,000 lux conditions[6].
- The solar charging is effective at keeping the battery level in smartwatch and expedition modes, but may not be able to fully recharge a depleted battery[3].

Overall, the new solar technology in the Enduro 3 is a significant improvement that provides industry-leading battery life, especially when combined with the watch's efficient power management[1][4]. However, the full 320-hour GPS battery life claim may be an idealized scenario, and real-world charging effectiveness will depend on the amount of sunlight exposure[2][6].

Citations:
[1] https://garminrumors.com/enduro-3-garmins-big-battery-beast-with-a-surprising-price-drop/
[2] https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2024/08/garmin-enduro-3-in-depth-review-vs-fenix8-solar.html
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Garmin/comments/1fg18vb/can_the_new_solar_watches_fenix_8_enduro_3/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S36GETR3yE0
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/GarminWatches/comments/1f3bogc/garmin_enduro_3_indepth_review_by_dcr/
[6] https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/enduro-3/383089/has-anybody-tested-the-solar-yet-in-the-real-world/1827444
[7] https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewwilliams/2024/08/30/garmin-enduro-3-vs-2-compared-whats-new/
[8] https://www.garmin.pk/enduro-3-010-02751-01