Negative vs Positive Displays: G-SHOCK Comparison 

All, one thing to note is that if you have a solar battery then you won’t run into any battery drainage issues with a negative display. So that’s one way to get the best of both worlds :)

I’ve had many negative display Gshocks. They look cool but it’s a strain to read. I ended up selling them all and swore never again.

I had that same mudman, I swore no more negative displays.

A Casio display is built up of a few layers, what makes a display negative (or positive) is the orientation of the polarising filter in relation to the liquid crystal. What causes the legibility issue is a number of factors, first being the size of the numbers when in negative, and the second being the reflective film behind the crystal and how much light it can reflect back to the user through the polarising film whilst at a negative orientation. The polarising film they’re using on certain watches might also be different, as well as general factory application being different between watches, as the effectiveness between displays generally can vary dependent on how accurate the orientation of the filet is in regards to being positive or negative. Sometimes when it’s slightly out, it can cause a faded appearance. Sorry if tldr, I love this stuff

I've been waiting for this type of comparison for a while now, thanks much! Nice watches too!

Discovered your channel and digging your videos. I am gonna get my first G Shock and was a bit worried bout the legibility of a negative display, but for a lot of models that come with one, I do agree that it only adds to the clean look.

No question in my mind that negative LCD displays look cooler. I think there's a great amount of disappointment experienced by owners who look at photoshop-brightened catalog photos and compare it to the reality of a negative LCD display. That said, the STN technology utilized in the displays of newer G-Shock models is a noticeable improvement in clarity and legibility. I don't know if the square metal G that Adam features it or not (it's hard to tell from Casio's product literature) but my guess is it does have STN.

yeah it's a love and hate relationship for many. I dig some of them depending on the model. I love the negative display on my GMW. Another square that has a very very nice negative display is the 25th anniversary DW-5025D - it's had a gold tone which is rally rad! At the end of the day I say, variety is the spice of life :o)

Totally agree! ... negative is where its at, for sure. I only like positive if I want a retro vibe. I have a bunch of Gs and squares and actually find I like the red negative most now. In fact even out of my higher end Gs or even Swiss mechanical pieces, this little red eye cheapy gets some of the most wrist time: DW-5600MS-1DR. Throw on some JaynKays bars and GOOD to GO. I love the red and the green digit backlight ... and its like driving a cheap banged up car, you just dont care! its so liberating!

The GD-350 has one of the best G-Shock negative displays, although probably not as good as an STN display for the GPR-B1000 Rangeman.

Yes. I not a fan of negative display. Ask yourself...would you like to read your books printed with grey letters on black paper ? I don't care about stealth. I'm not Batman.

Thanks for the video man. I have the Rangeman triple black and find it fine, I love it in fact - did a few light level videos on my channel with it... Cheers

I didn't notice this when I bought my shock mudmaster in store 😔 now I notice it everytime I look at the watch especially it's got a dark face and the dark display makes it harder to see too especially at night

I prefer the look of the negative displays. Especially on the metal black squares. Any idea if that GMW5000 TVA comes with a negative display?

Can you do a review on the gmw-b5000 black... Just wanna know how it held up? Cheers

Just got the basic 5600bb and the negative display is super clear!

Check out the dw 5600bb, many people think of that as an outstanding negative display, i think it even has an slight edge over the gmw 5000

I prefer negative but enjoy positive just about as much. Thanks for the content.

I have a negative display g shock I’ve had no problems reading it indoors or out I guess it depends on the lighting conditions meaning if your workplace has led lights or fluorescent lights and how strong the lights are a brighter indoor light will cause more glare at my job the lights aren’t as bright they are florescent which happen to fade in intensity over time and if u give them a tap they brighten up

I have a 5600E and a 5600BB. I love the stealth look of the BB on wrist, but if I want to tell the time I wear the E. There are just too many lighting conditions where the BB cannot be read. Two handed (back light) is not an option I will accept. I'm considering swapping the modules to get the black BB case look I like with a legible dial. Casio claims the battery life is the same: two years.

For me they both have a place and time in wich they shine, for me at a jobsite or tool aplicacion positive display all day and night and for fashion the negative is the way in most cases exept when you want a vintage twist 💪😎👍

There's definitely a bit of legibility hit, but honestly the only time it's ever really bothered me is when trying to photograph the watch. Other than that, hasn't been an issue. (Talking about my GW-9400, olive Rangeman.)

Thank you! I have the 5600bb and 5600e. Bb is so cool but hard for me to use as a watch. I wear my E way more because it functions better as a watch. If I had to pick one of the 2 I would select 5600e positive display.

G-Shocks are easy to convert from negative to positive. I did it with a GW-B5600BC. The result was great, abd if you want to sell the watch, it can be easily changed back to original.

I just bought my 1st watch, the gshock gst w330, It has the dials, and 3 little negative displays for date etc. I was like wth I cant almost see that display even in bright light. After 1 day Iam happy with the negative display, because like you said, its not in your face. People that see my watch think it has only the dials. I find it better like that lol, seems kinda more like a mature watch, yet sporty.

You've been solving Mysteries with that Pencil Thin Mustache Adam?

Thx for the vid!

Thanks. Very helpful.

I believe function over fashion. I used to think negative displays were pointless. Later I realized negative displays make it easier to read the hands on analog-digital watches. Question: Does the light function/button emit less light on negative displays? If so, it could be useful in maintaining light discipline.

Just got a 9500-3. Totally cool look, but the display was impossible to read in anything other than direct light. Even indoors under natural light it was almost invisible. It might be a cooler look, but personally, I'd like to see the time on my watch!

Best negative display GD-350 love it.

I like the negative display also better than the positive alternative.

I bought a negative m5610 a few months ago and I can barely read the time in anything but bright sunny weather (even then it's often difficult because of glare from indirect lighting) and strong overhead direct lighting. I ordered a positive m5610 and I'll probably end up selling the negative.

I really like that mudman G shock.

That’s why I love my frogman,for the positive display. Although build quality had a big decision too. But I bought a Rangeman too even if it has a negative display because its cooler than its big brother The King

The g900 yellow version with that negativity display is a killer☠️

thoughts on the gw-9010mb edition negative display? Thanks

With the MIP display I'll say : NEGATIVE ALL THE WAY traditional LCD...i understand the cool factor :)

Thanks for your video. I’m definitely getting old but this is the first I’ve ever heard of “negative display”. I bought one from Amazon and thought it was broken. They sent me another one, exact same display that’s barely legible. I guess I get it, you want to hide the fact that you’re wearing a full digital, cheap ass watch but the negative display is a dumb way to do it imho. I now have to return both of these dumb watches to Amazon and go buy one in person so I can actually SEE what I’m getting.

GD350-1B has a very bright gold digit negative display.

What’s the point of having a watch that you can’t read. Isn’t the whole point being able to tell the time at the very least!!?? Bonkers!!

"I would recommend getting both" My wallet doesn't agree...

Everyone is wearing smart watches with a dark face or negative displays these days. It may be cooler now to go with the positive displays. When everyone else zigs…always zag.

Probably the worst is the silver on white background baby-g, which kind of looks milky. Oddly the pink limited edition with silver digits is quite legible.

I don't why they create so hard to ready negative displays. They look good though

Negativ is crap. Never ever.

I think you'll change your tune when you get older and eyesight starts to go.

Yeah, get another 30+ years on those young eyes and see how you like any negative display. LOL I think they're seriously cool and look awesome, but I just have a much harder time reading them at a glance over a positive display. I'd love a "big square" King of G version with a positive display, but I haven't been able to find a model made by Casio.

Hi, where is your sidekick!? When is she coming back. 😳

CASIO cost down on some G-shock models, I have two same gd-100 negative displays, one is very legible the other is not.

Always thought positive for goodboy negative for badboy look

Yeah I have a ga110 but its near impossible to read the digital display and of a night you can hardly even tell the time very disappointed

That negative display looks horrible. Looks like a damaged bleeding liquid chrystal display

The negative display G-9000-3V is much easier to read than the G-9000MS-1. My best negative display G is the GD-350-1B.

That mustache broke the internet for today :)

D350 best negative display is best ever

Anyone else see a dude behind his right shoulder around the 3:30 mark?

I absolutely hate negative displays. Absolutely useless without a good backlight.

Positive better.

Absolutely silly. Eyesight 20/15 and one time tested at 20/10, so I can see! If you actually use your watch in tough places as it is supposedly designed then this is a problem, a big problem too. You need to be able to glance and go. Diving, kite boarding, windsurfing, on my off road motorcycle, mountain bike, hiking etc... This sounds fine for metro-urban-explorers.

Stealth means nothing if you can't read it

First

The square looks ridiculous on you. They look super small on your wrist. You need a mudmaster

The negative display watch looks more rugged and futuristic