G-shocks are designed to do one thing very well: survive the apocalypse. I’m worried that they are headed that way and it will undermine the very reason G-Shocks exist: However, in my opinion, Casio shouldn’t even be trying to make G-Shocks into smartwatches. Some G-Shocks do offer a level of ‘smartness” via onboard sensors like an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, tide charts etc. It all feels reminiscent of when Coca-cola tried to change their perfectly good recipe for no good reason.Ĭasio, if you’re listening, don’t kill the original Rangeman! The New Rangeman(affiliate link): As smart as G-Shock gets…which isn’t much.
G FORCE WATCH FULL
A few models like the new Rangeman offer GPS and Bluetooth capability but it drastically affects battery life and you still need a smartphone pair with it for full functionality. G-shocks are tough and practical…but they aren’t smart. There are several downsides to G-Shocks that don’t often get discussed. I promised you I’d be brutally honest in this G-Shock review. I’m just thankful that they still make tough watches. I get it, Casio is catering to that heavy consumer demand. The vast majority of watch buyers these days are looking for a fashion accessory. I must admit, that most people aren’t like me. It makes it really hard to sift out the best… kind of like a restaurant menu with too many choices. Looks are secondary to functionality for me and wading through that many choices muddies the water. I find that many choices to be overkill and a bit annoying.Īs a utilitarian by nature. There are now over 330 G-Shock models available(as of publishing). G-Shocks have become iconic for more than just durability. They look nice but if you really want the most durable G-shocks stick with an all-digital version. Nowadays most G-Shocks are analog-digital combinations. This is key because a digital watch has no moving parts and is therefore far less susceptible to mechanical failure or damage in extreme environments. It’s worth noting that the first G-Shocks were all digital, not analog. The name G-Shock is short for “Gravitational Shock.”Ĭlassic Style G-Shock (Credit: ) Their goal was to produce a tough yet affordable watch that could withstand jarring shocks and had a battery life of at least 10 years. A Brief History of G-Shock WatchesĬasio introduced the G-Shock line of ruggedized watches back in 1983.
G FORCE WATCH PROFESSIONAL
If you want a fully functioning professional dive-watch then go with the Master of G Frogman(affiliate link) with which you may press all the buttons you want at full depth. However, that doesn’t mean you should be goofing around and pressing buttons at deep depths. That’s plenty good enough for skin-diving and snorkeling. Yes, G-Shocks are waterproof down to 20 bar(200meters). Note: Prices are ball-park only and based on an audit of Casio’s list pricing from their official website(Amazon Affiliate Links). To get a better idea, you can use the links below to check the latest prices on Amazon: You can often get G-Shocks much cheaper on Amazon (but not always) Supply and demand can often push the price higher than retail especially if it’s a discontinued model.
G FORCE WATCH SERIES
Since the G-Shock family is so huge, G-Shocks prices vary wildly: anywhere from $80-$9000! I know that’s not really a helpful answer so I’ve broken down how much G-Shocks cost for each series below. It offers GPS and Bluetooth connectivity but it costs 3x more, the battery life is shortened and you still need your smartphone handy to view the GPS points on a map…something your smartphone already does natively. Suffice to say, the Rangeman is a “hand’s down” top contender if you’re looking for the best G-Shock.īeware: Skip the newest generation of the Rangeman(affiliate link). With its practical features, durability and price-point, it represents the best of what G-shocks are meant to be. The Rangeman really hits the sweet-spot of G-Shocks lineup. That’s a heck of a lot of features for a watch that only costs around $250. Feature-set: Tough Solar charging, Waterproof(200m/20bar), No moving parts(all digital), atomic radio signal time syncing, Compass(with magnetic deviation), Barometer(instant, graphed & alerts), Altimeter(instant & graphed) Thermometer, World time, Sunrise/Sunset prediction, timers, alarms, back-lit(auto-backlight mode)