Negative display Casio G- Shocks - Personal thoughts might be helpful
In the pic, From L-R: TN-LCD, MIP, STN-LCD
Hi all
Being new to this site, I was looking through some older posts and found a post from Arijit about negative displays. I responded with the words below, and I thought I would raise it again and bring it to other’s attention.
I don’t for one minute think that my writing is gospel and I’m certainly no expert, rather, I am writing from my own experiences (and mistakes!). Negative displays are a subjective thing, but if any of what I say below assists, then I suppose that’s a good thing.
Here is what I wrote back to Arijit:
I have a few Casio negative displays and I find solar powered TN-LCD (twisted nematic) displays hard to read. In saying that though, non solar powered negatives are a bit easier to read. Don’t be fooled by the advertising pics for solar negatives which make them look brighter than they actually are.
Casio also produce negative display watches with STN-LCD (super twisted nematic) which gives a much better contrast (even on solar powered watches) and is so much easier to read in lower light. These are generally found on the more expensive G-Shocks but to my mind, are worth the $/£/€… The viewing angles on these, at least to me, are excellent.
The best negatives - again re Casios, are MIP (memory in pixel) displays. You can obtain these on Casio‘s ‘smart’ / sport or surfing watches (GBD-100/200, GBX-100 or the super heavyweight monster GPR-B1000). Absolutely no problem with viewing angles on this one in any lighting conditions.
A digital watch fan from Australia
I only have experience with a Timex Ironman and a G Shock, but I think negative displays look cool and aren’t very legible. I think it’s a case
of form over function which is why my latest digital purchase won’t have a negative display.
I only have experience with a Timex Ironman and a G Shock, but I think negative displays look cool and aren’t very legible. I think it’s a case
of form over function which is why my latest digital purchase won’t have a negative display.
Hi there Kris. Thanks for your reply. I too think they really cool.
What is the Timex negative like? Have you got the Ironman one Bill Clinton wore?
I know lots don’t have difficulty reading them and perhaps it’s my ever aging eyesight, but, in Casio speak, I reckon STN-LCDs are the best with regards to viewing and angles. N
I recently bought a DW-6900TD-4ER which is my first negative display and honestly, will probably be my last.
My two other G-Shocks (GA 900 + 5610) are positive displays and read perfectly in nearly all conditions and I rarely need to use the backlight, however the 6900 is difficult to read unless at the correct angle and I find myself regularly using the backlight to make it more legible, even in well lit conditions which obviously eats at battery life. Not for me personally but I know that I've at least got one in the collection!
I recently bought a DW-6900TD-4ER which is my first negative display and honestly, will probably be my last.
My two other G-Shocks (GA 900 + 5610) are positive displays and read perfectly in nearly all conditions and I rarely need to use the backlight, however the 6900 is difficult to read unless at the correct angle and I find myself regularly using the backlight to make it more legible, even in well lit conditions which obviously eats at battery life. Not for me personally but I know that I've at least got one in the collection!
I hear you, Tom!
The negatives do look quite cool, but practically, they are hard work.
The STN ones really are wayyyy better, but you're forking out much more cash for the same or very similar module and that might be tricky to justify.
The 6900 though is a good choice! I'd consider one of those in a few pays time! If you don't need Multiband 6, then the G-6900-1 is a good buy. For Multiband 6, make it a GW-6900-1.
Personally, I'd go for a 3180 (G-6900) or a 3179 (GW-6900) module as the three round eyes actually display functions or modes as opposed to looking pretty! Also, if you go for a solar powered one, no problem with using the backlight. You can even set it to Auto EL so that in dark conditions, with a turn of your wrist, the light will come on.
Thanks for your reply. N