[Recommend] G-Shock Features/Models

[GlockSpock]

I used to always wear a watch, got into the really heavy Fossil watches and stuff, and then quit altogether because I was always afraid of scratching them and my phone tells me what time it is.

 

Recently I decided to give watches a go again, but with a different take. Going for digital rather than automatic/analog. Probably pickup a G-Shock, never had one before. Mainly, I'm wondering about features, and which ones are worth it vs. gimmicky.

 

• Atomic Clock (radio sync)
• Bluetooth 4.0 Compatibility
• Solar Charging
• Who knows what else

I'm hoping for maybe a Black Friday deal on these somewhere, and will probably wait a few weeks to see, but am open to purchasing one on Amazon if a very specific model fits me best. I am really interested in the solar charging ones, but is it more of a gimmick or really functional? I like the idea of a watch that could go 10-20 years (or more, if possible) without a battery change. However, if they "charge by solar" for only a few years before the battery/capacitor needs replacing, it doesn't seem worth it to me and would rather get one that has other good features.

 

Atomic clock sync sounds neat to me and is probably just as interesting as solar, but does anyone know how the watches function if they do not have access to the radio waves? I assume that you can manually set the watch and it will function as normal without ever needing that sync signal?

 

If bluetooth is something I could get with the two above features, I would probably be up for it. But has anyone an idea how well it actually works with an iPhone 4s?

 

Give me all the input you can, and links to any specific models you think would be good for me.

[runco]

The Frogman version I understand is the gold standard, but I am not expert.  In fact I just wear the simple Wally Iron Man.

[10-Ring]

I despise watches because I despise having to have to do anything at a certain time, which for the most part I do not.  However, could someone pease explain to me the benefit of a Bluetooth enabled watch?  I'm just curious as to what that does.

[GlockSpock]

I despise watches because I despise having to have to do anything at a certain time, which for the most part I do not. However, could someone pease explain to me the benefit of a Bluetooth enabled watch? I'm just curious as to what that does.

It pairs with your phone and displays (certain) alert and allow you to use music controls from the watch.


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[GlockSpock]

Thinking about:

Casio Men's GW2310FB-1CR G-Shock Shock Resistant Multi-Function Watch
http://amzn.com/B00791YURC

But there are honestly so many different ones that I don't know. I settled on Solar + Atomic because the Bluetooth is probably more gimmicky that useful for me.

I want it to be black, and would probably do well without a metal band this time around.


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[Wyldk2]

I have a Seiko watch that was given to me by my parents years ago. One of those nice self winding watches. Only thing is, I don't like to wear it when I'm out riding or out in the dirt. So i got a casio G-shock wave ceptor/tough solar watch earlier this year. So far i love not having to set the clock for daylight savings time and i never run out of charge.

 

Now as for the durability of the casio G-shocks. The band( rubber/plastic) will wear out a lot faster than the watch itself. I had one back when I was in High school and it lasted close to 10 years after i got it. Now they are water resistant to 200M( doubt i will ever go that deep). But I take mine off when in the shower.

[GlockSpock]

I was considering a NATO style band or the like, but am unsure of the GSHOCKs working with them without an adapter.


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[gjohnsoniv]

Yeah swap the bands first or after it wears out.  I have a basic G Shock that is my dive/daily/everything watch.

[Handsome Rob]

Holy cow! What do y'all really need a watch to do?????

 

I've been wearing the same G-100 model G-Shock for 9 years now. 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I've only ever taken it off to replace the battery (once) & replace the strap (I wore it out)

The only features I look for in a watch (other than telling time, obviously) are I want an analogue face + a digital, 24hr display. I want an alarm I don't need to reset every night & although I never realized it'd be handy, living right on the EST/CST border, the Dual Time feature is really handy.

I don't need it to play MP3s, make me a coffee, send my exact location to 16 satellites, call me when my oil needs changing or any of that crap. Battery life need not be infinite or perpetual, swapping out a battery costs about $10 at any jewelers (I'd rather pay someone to make sure the seals remain intact)

 

It's waterproof, shock, scratch, 5 dog & 7 cat proof. Bleach, oil, gas, diesel & detergent proof. It's a minor nuisance having to change the time when I travel to the UK, so I bought a cheap, $5 Wally special that I keep on UK time.

 

I doubt I'll ever replace it until it actually quits on me & when I do, I'm going to get the same thing again.

[Handsome Rob]

Also, cheap as crap & if I ever do break it (if I ain't done it by now, I doubt I could) I can get a replacement for well under $100. Hell, I can grab one on EBay for $65!

 

[URL=http://s4.photobucket.com/user/robtattoo/media/IMG_20131103_230436_431_zps105bde5d.jpg.html][/URL]

[analog_kidd]

I have the Solar / Atomic Clock version and love it. I've had it for years and have never had to replace a battery. I never have a problem with it not having enough juice. They say you need several hours of sunlight or bright interior lights to keep it going. When I first got the watch, it was set to turn on the light when you flicked your wrist. I found it would get low on juice with that setting, because the light was always coming on. I found the feature distracting and turned it off, and now it always has plenty of battery.

 

The Atomic clock is a neat feature. It seems to work well. It syncs up around 2:00 am every day, and the watch is always dead-on accurate. We sync up our servers and workstations at work to the atomic clock, and my watch is always perfectly in sync with them, right down to the second.

 

 I have worn out a few bands, however, The bands themselves seem to hold up ok, but the little strap that the tail of the band slips into after you latch it, always seems to break. It's not a frequent event, but I replace mine about every three years.

[GlockSpock]

I have the Solar / Atomic Clock version and love it. I've had it for years and have never had to replace a battery. I never have a problem with it not having enough juice. They say you need several hours of sunlight or bright interior lights to keep it going. When I first got the watch, it was set to turn on the light when you flicked your wrist. I found it would get low on juice with that setting, because the light was always coming on. I found the feature distracting and turned it off, and now it always has plenty of battery.

 

The Atomic clock is a neat feature. It seems to work well. It syncs up around 2:00 am every day, and the watch is always dead-on accurate. We sync up our servers and workstations at work to the atomic clock, and my watch is always perfectly in sync with them, right down to the second.

 

 I have worn out a few bands, however, The bands themselves seem to hold up ok, but the little strap that the tail of the band slips into after you latch it, always seems to break. It's not a frequent event, but I replace mine about every three years.

 

I read an article yesterday that made me doubt whether I wanted Atomic/Solar. It suggested that it truly is a "chore" to keep it charged. I guess I could see that if you keep it under sleeves all day or something, but I figured it would be pretty low maintenance. What exactly do you consider "years" of owning it? (5+, 10+, etc)?

 

It also suggested that the atomic watch feature was annoying. I suppose it depends on where you live in relation to the Colorado transmitter, but it was suggesting you have to take the watch off each night, put it next to a window facing the transmitter with the steel backing facing it. I thought some of them claim to sync 4-6 times a day or something like that. Do you find yourself having to make a special plan in order to get it to sync up?

[Jonnin]

I have had a couple of atomic sync watches and wall clocks.  The watches *always* stopped working right after a while.  Worse, some models, you could NOT set them!  If they had no radio signal, it would just not work.

 

Bluetooth: really?  What for, its a WATCH.   Wireless eats batteries, even short range wireless.  I would pass unless you have a specific NEED here.

 

I have an older model G and its been good for many years.   With phones storing the phone numbers, all a watch needs is to keep time, and maybe have stopwatch, timer, alarm, night lightup, and then if you are rough with things, impact/water/etc protections which the G all have anyway.   Basically, all the crap that used to go in a watch goes better in a phone -- phone numbers, calculator, mini day planner type stuff is all easier on a bigger screen. 

[Jonnin]

network cables will run a long, long way.  I know I have run them farther than most homes are long without signal loss.  ??  Sounds like your problem lies not in the distance but somewhere else?? 

 

I have no idea how this went here.  It was for another topic entire.

Edited November 4, 2013 by Jonnin

[analog_kidd]

I read an article yesterday that made me doubt whether I wanted Atomic/Solar. It suggested that it truly is a "chore" to keep it charged. I guess I could see that if you keep it under sleeves all day or something, but I figured it would be pretty low maintenance. What exactly do you consider "years" of owning it? (5+, 10+, etc)?

 

It also suggested that the atomic watch feature was annoying. I suppose it depends on where you live in relation to the Colorado transmitter, but it was suggesting you have to take the watch off each night, put it next to a window facing the transmitter with the steel backing facing it. I thought some of them claim to sync 4-6 times a day or something like that. Do you find yourself having to make a special plan in order to get it to sync up?

 

I've had mine probably 6 or 7 years now. To be honest, I never even give the watch a second thought. I never have to do anything special to keep it charged, or synced. It stays on my wrist 24-7 except for showers. It's always dead on accurate, and it is under the covers at 2:00 am. Maybe it just keeps good time and I'm clueless to it not completing an atomic sync, but I never have to face it to a window, and it is always accurate to the second with my work servers.

 

I think turning off the setting where the light comes on after you flick your wrist saves a lot of battery.Before I turned it off on my watch, I noticed the light would come on all the time just moving around. For the rare times I need to see what time it is in the dark, its no big deal to push the light button.

[Spots]

You guys have got me really wanting a Master of G now. Either the rangeman or frogman

Tapatalk ate my spelling.

[GlockSpock]

Casio Men's GW6900-1 "G-Shock" Atomic Digital Sport Watch
http://amzn.com/B00284ADAI

I just bought that one. Gets here tomorrow!


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[Parrothead]

Also, cheap as crap & if I ever do break it (if I ain't done it by now, I doubt I could) I can get a replacement for well under $100. Hell, I can grab one on EBay for $65!

 

 

I wear the same one daily. Only exception is formal wear. At that point, i switch to the Eco-drive. I much prefer the cheaper G-shock. Great watch for my needs (time/date/stopwatch).

[LagerHead]

I have been wearing this version since 2007. I got it at Wal Mart for $85. It has the atomic clock feature so it's always right and 5 minutes in direct sunlight charges the battery for six months. I know it's not black but the atomic clock and solar charging features rock in my opinion.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-MTG900DA-8V-G-Shock-Atomic-Tough/dp/B00134L8XU/ref=sr_1_9?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1383680784&sr=1-9&keywords=casio+g-shock+atomic+solar

[GlockSpock]

I have been wearing this version since 2007. I got it at Wal Mart for $85. It has the atomic clock feature so it's always right and 5 minutes in direct sunlight charges the battery for six months. I know it's not black but the atomic clock and solar charging features rock in my opinion.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-MTG900DA-8V-G-Shock-Atomic-Tough/dp/B00134L8XU/ref=sr_1_9?s=watches&ie=UTF8&qid=1383680784&sr=1-9&keywords=casio+g-shock+atomic+solar

 

I tried that one on at Walmart. It was very nice for a metal banded watch. However, I really wanted to give a lighter weighted watch a go, and I think the one I ordered is exactly that. However, it doesn't get here until tomorrow because a waited a few minutes too long last night:(

[GlockSpock]

Just to summarize, recorded this watch yesterday. So far...I love the thing!


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