Garmin Instinct 2/3 With AB - Worth It?

[LeeMaster99]

Looking at getting a Garmin Instinct 2 or 3. I'm sold on the watch, but debating on if it's worth it to spring for the tactical version. I do nothing that requires tactical features except Applied Ballistics. I'm wondering if AB on a watch is friendly enough that I might actually use that over a phone/Kestrel or if it's kind of a gimmick. Additionally, if I don't have an AB compatible rangefinding device, is the watch useless? Currently, I'm just using my phone for a ballistics solver, but if the watch is good and can do it well, it's cheaper than getting a new rangefinder.

Maybe this is all too nitty gritty and I should just get the regular version. Hopefully someone who has used AB on a watch can offer some experience.