The thing is, whenever you have a true smartwatch or sports company watch on your wrist, you never fell like it is anything special. (unless you have a garmin Marq) Even the Fenix 6 that I purchased left me feeling very underwhelmed after a few weeks. G Shocks are just awesome watches period. When you put one on, it just feels special, well built, incredible looking especially the analoge connected watches.
I bought this watch just for the solar charge and to tell the time... the other features are just a bonus for me... and here in Australia, we get plenty of sunlight, I've had mine for 3 weeks now and it is still fully charged. I'm very happy with it and by the way Mate, GREAT REVIEW 👍
Couldn’t agree more. I’m so done with the ‘charge me every day’ smart watches. Really addicted to the Casio Tough Solar which so far has worked very well. Nice to have a run profile and heart rate monitor at the push of a button. But sure, multi-sport people should just go with Polar as they’ve been doing multi sport for decades, but that’s just not a pressing need for most of us who just want to get/stay fit.
It looks heaps more flex than garmin watches. That is why I like it. Appreciate the feedback from a pure running perspective but the fact that this thing will last decades, go deep sea diving and looks awesome is worth it to me
Extremely detailed watch review. Glad I watched, I was very intrigued to see a new running watch. I’m not in the market for one now but I’ll keep this is mind for the future. Thanks Andy!
It has taken me so long to become acquainted and comfortable with my Garmin I will stay with it as long as possible. It does bring back fond (or not) memories of Navy boot camp when they issued us with one of the old G shocks and told us to put it on our left wrists and never take it off. The old watches were practically indestructible. Great demonstration though.
@@JeremyQuinn Yes sir I went to boot camp in September of 1983. Back then they cost 12$ at the Navy Exchange and you could literally hammer nails with them. My first one got filled with water while water skiing and never stopped keeping time.
I'm a big G Shock fan and the appeal of this is to have one watch instead of two. I currently use a Suunto Ambit 3 for running which I really like but I will only wear it for running. Normal G Shocks use resin straps but I understand this is uses polyurethane which is a lot softer and more silicone like. Is the strap really that uncomfortable?
I like my Garmin Vivoactive 3 Music. It keeps my tunes going and tracks me running, swimming, and biking. Plus the watch connects with my phone to keep me updated on messages, calls, and emails.
Wristband adapters are available so you can put any type of band you'd like. They are very affordable and make the G Shock style watches more comfortable and stylish. 🎽👍✌
A fair question! I didn't specifically mention it in the video, but I have compared using the Garmin (both wrist-based and HR strap based) heart rate measurements with several other watches and strap (Wahoo, another Garmin watch and the Coros Apex Pro for example) and found them to be broadly consistent with one another (with some variation as you would expect, and the chest straps giving me the most consistent readings). In comparison with this group, the Casio's HR reading varied more (ie was more erratic), and measured high for average and max heart rate each time I used it. Similarly with the GPS, I've never had any reason to doubt the Garmin's accuracy, as it has consistently recorded distances within a few hundredths of a mile of the other watches I mentioned, so simply wanted to give an idea of how the Casio compared to an established brand & watch. Hope that's useful! Andy
Great review Andy,kudos to Casio for there efforts to joining the smart watch era,but unless your a diehard g-shock fan, I doubt if this will draw many runners from there Garmin etc.
Thanks Andy for the honest review, i have a basic Garmin forerunner 235 which appears to have a far bigger working screen, the screen compared to the size of the cassio looks out of proportion there is to much going on around the edge, Id also say my Garmin i wear 24/7 and looks discreet no matter what im doing or wearing from running kit to evening wear.
Not sure the part about heart rate compared to the Garmin is fair. You used a chest strap witih the Garmin which is obviously more accurate. I think that the Casio was pretty good then if it was off by 6 beats. Chest straps also make that watch more expensive with the Garmin Fenix 6 you compared costing $550 in the US.
Great review Andy, but i will wait until gshock figures out how to more accurately measure heart rate. I love the watch, but i need more in the ball park figures.I would like to know do you have to carry your phone for accurate GPS tracking on that watch? You had yours just inquiring and thanks again sir
Thank you, such a good review, very honest and thorough! Polar Grit X in the last review sounds great and I would try and get that when the cost goes down after a year or two and my Garmin vivosport had its day. Vivosport is still going strong for this runner who hasn't reached the half-marathon milestone. It got all I need and not much more but at a great price. Another review on a good budget running watch?
@@runningchannel Yes, but it hasn't been released in my country (India) yet due to the Covid-19 pandemic (with overseas flight restrictions in place I can't even import it). Once it's released I will be the first in line to buy it!
3 samsung whatches is dead now and i just want somthing that cold live tru my life style so i baught Gbd- H1000 and damn i dont regret it just a beast :=)
I hope they will give this an overhaul. I would absolutely get it, because I love Casio. But the biggest benefit of a running watch for me is not having to take anything else out. Clunkyness doesn't bother me but I need music.
Please can you tell me is this watch good? I prepare to buy that and I planning use it for everyday plus running, so what is a better option g shock gbdh1000 or a one of Garmin and witch one Garmin? Thanks a.lot.
Is the data from this watch only apply to the Casio Move app? I would hope that the heart rate can be used in other apps like the Nike run club, personally prefer this one aesthetically though.
Many thanks for your concise report it was very helpful as I am thinking about buying one. In Thailand where I live it costs Baht 14,900 which is about US$ 458 ? again, many thanks. Cheers Neil
I have one of these, also have a Garmin Instinct. As a cycling watch, the Instinct wins hands down. The solar power doesn't do much for you if you use the Casio regularly; also it's bulkier, heavier and more expensive. But as a fun holiday watch, it's great.
Hi Andy, great review and thanks for sharing! Do you know if you can disable the heart-rate function all together i.e. when you are running, you are simply tracking distance/time/pace, etc? Thanks!
Great Review Andy, I’m a G shock fan have a few but I wouldn’t use it for running because of the strap /fit. I know from wearing gshocks it can be uncomfortable. I’m garmin all the way lol
The Running Channel , people appreciate an honest review like yours ,I think when something is “sponsored “ the review can be a little less critical. Good job tho!
It will be virtually indestructible though... for a purist running watch there are better options out there, but if you want a beater watch that can survive anything you chuck at it, which can double as a running watch, it’s probably the best option. Definitely some easy improvements they could make though, so hopefully the second gen ones will be better from a running angle
I upgraded to the Fenix 6 Pro Sapphire. I went Sapphire to remove the need for extra screen protectors. Already very pleased with it so no Casio for me. Also, I do more than just run so the Casio is a fail there unfortunately. It's definitely a marmite watch in appearance!
@@runningchannel Last week in a hurry The screen on my 735XT started coming away from the body. Would have liked to have got it repaired as it still works but found the Fenix 6 Sapphire at a very good price and it was delivered next day. A bit overkill for my needs but a very very good watch. Hope to get the 735XT fixed eventually.
I can vouch for the clarity of display on a Garmin Fenix 6. I am registered blind with very limited vision but I can use the watch effectively in most circumstances. Clearly not all but I only need to know time and distance when I am actually running.
25x25 mm round screen. Digits are huge, compared to mid-sized G-Shocks, however indeed, not as big as you'd expect by the external size of the watch. Solar cells are fitted as a ring around the screen, hence occupying space. Contrast is great though and I can read the time from it from several meters - time on the main screen has ca. 6 mm high digits.
Since the review, I've experimented with different settings, and found with HR on, and using as normal watch, I've been getting more than the 66 hours Casio claim in the specs, but have also been outside in the sunshine a reasonable amount. Andy
This is a cool looking watch. I like a big watch for readability purposes, but the more articles I read and great videos like this that I watch, the more I learn this G Shock is half-baked on features and usefulness. Everyone says the heart rate is skewed too high which affects other things. It's only one sport/profile. Now to hear it takes some time to even acquire a signal....ugh. I have one arriving in a couple days and can't wait to see the size. I think I'm more after just getting a unique looking watch (I don't have any other G Shocks but have used them in the past) to keep my Tactix Delta company and be a backup watch.
I have and it is great for the money. Fast gps lock ,great gps accuracy and perfect heart rate monitoring in running and even in gym and boxing sessions. Totally recommend that
Hey Ed. It depends how into your training you are. If you want to run based on heartrate the HR data is obviously useful. VO2 Max is also a good indication of your fitness levels, so a good one to track progress
You could use it for cycling, and it would be capable of recording GPS and HR, but it is squarely aimed at runners with the dedicated Run button, and the fact that you can only customise the data fields for one activity - but I suppose if your only activity is cycling then that would be ok! It's worth noting that due to the screen size it might be hard to read on a bike whilst also concentrating on the road or trail. Andy
I have the gbd100. It's quite smaller and it uses just the acceleration sensor to measure distance and pace. I really love it. Its 140Euro and I use it for running and swimming.
Thanks for the review. Think I will stick with Garmin. I had a casio watch before my first Garmin and I hated it. It looks massive and chunky compared to the forerunner.
I would have compared this to my Garmin Instinct but my instinct has both the compact rugged look and a more mature user interface and better app. Sorry Casio
It gives a reliable sense of schedule because the videos come out on the same days and times each week. It also creates a sense of community as they can communicate with their viewers on the live chat which in theory, creates excitement for the viewers making them look forward to each new video.Hope this helps👍👍
Just receved it today...not heavy at all, and screen is very readable with massive numbers. I'm not a runner but very active person and G-Shock fan. This whatch is a great G-Shock line continuation and evolution. I think they are little bit overpriced, I would gladly pay around £200 for this watch but it is what it is...however never regret of this purchase.
If only they made a smart watch minus sports and minus total rugged! Solar for charging all I want is notifications calls and hiking! So once again I’m a postie and want a watch that is self powered???
nice review. I just got one from Amazon. I'm a big fan of G shock and Pro trek line. But, but.. my impression to this watch is too much, too many.. good to have one for collection nothing more than that.
I own one for 2 weeks now. Like everything about this watch except the notification. I will keep posting about the annoying notification system until Casio fix it. Let us have quick access to the notification and read the content when it arrives.
hey Kit - do you know if you can disable the heart rate function all together? I'm looking at this watch for ultra running but am not interested in the heart-rate function. Thanks!
The Running Channel I have Casio for my trekking and running just to see the time and there is no issue with battery (Solar powered) and the band is still perfect in shape.
You must be permanently set in a region otherwise the clock will not work at Parameters😏and will give you errors regarding the Satellite connection😏 I am Romanian and I work in the UK I bought the watch but I send it back because when I move to Romania I can no longer use the watch because it is registered/UK!
I got one. I can't seem to get any calorie numbers. no daily, not in log, no totals. been hiking and cycling. And i can't find anything in the manual about how to get it to start recording calories. anybody know?
I think the first port of call would be to check the Heart Rate is recording during those activities, as that's the sensor data that will be used to calculate the calories. Let us know if that helps. Andy
To be fair, the wrist-based heart rate monitor on my Garmin is nothing to write home about. If I forget to use my chest strap, I get some annoyingly high heart rate data.
The Running Channel I have an FR945. I wear it reasonably tight on my non-dominant wrist but it would probably benefit from being one notch tighter if I was going to use wrist-based monitoring. I use a Stryd footpod to improve distance/speed accuracy. My main complaint with Garmin is that they never appear to respond to customer concerns. Two issues that I’m aware of is the inability to set a sleep target (it’s not that good at detecting sleep, so that doesn’t bother me) and the fact that it won’t take power from the Stryd. Annoyingly, the native Garmin screen displays the target power but won’t show an actual reading.
I don't get the use of Premier when you can see other videos about the same thing already on RU-vid, if it's exclusive to this channel and only this channel then that would make sense.
t gives a reliable sense of schedule because the videos come out on the same days and times each week. It also creates a sense of community as they can communicate with their viewers on the live chat which in theory, creates excitement for the viewers making them look forward to each new video.Hope this helps👍👍
Sorry you feel this way about the premier feature, we will discuss how we will use the feature moving forward! Thank you for the feedback, we appreciate it!
I am a huge fan of the running channel but why have you started using this premier feature? You see a video you want to watch then realise you can’t. I’m no longer excited to see it, just annoyed. I’ve unsubscribed from other channels that do this but don’t want to unsubscribe from The Running Channel. Am I alone in this annoyance, or is there a way to hide the premier notifications? Thanks.
Please review the Garmin Fenix 6 Solar. I would buy this watch once will be released by August 2020 for my upcoming 74 mile ultra-trail race in Cappadocia, Turkey.
You should never compare gshock watch with other brands..... GShock is made for different breed of customers and fans ... I have already ordered this watch and this is going to be third GShock including one Mud Master and Gulf Master.....
We wanted to do this first look video because this GShock is a competitor in the running watch market, but we do understand that the customers and fans of GShock are much broader than just the running community 😊
The display looks messy and fussy. Only half way through the vid and already not interetested in watching the remaining half. Casio, stick to what you do best: calculators
This isn't a smart watch so you really can't compare it to a Garmin or others that is more tailored to functions. Either you get Casio or you don't. Serious runners need not to apply.