← Gear database
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar vs Suunto MC-2
Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar is the lighter option — 23 g lighter than the Suunto MC-2 (31% less weight). If grams matter to you, that is the one to beat.
Garmin Instinct 3 Solar
52 g
Rugged GPS smartwatch with solar charging, 28-day battery in smartwatch mode, and unlimited battery in expedition GPS mode. Altimeter, compass included.
Check price Full details →Suunto MC-2
75 g
Mirror sighting compass with declination adjustment and clinometer for precise backcountry navigation.
Check price Full details →Garmin Instinct 3 Solar vs Suunto MC-2: which should you buy?
If saving weight is your priority, the Garmin Instinct 3 Solar wins — at 52 g it is 23 g (31%) lighter than the Suunto MC-2 (75 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.
See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest navigation page, or browse the full gear weight database.