Casio Conundrum
Okay, maybe it’s more of a G-Shock problem. I see so many popular G-Shocks here (and a few out-and-about) and I really want to like them for some reason. But I’m on the fence.
I think part of the problem is Casio’s own doing. My first modern-era digital is an AE1200 “Royale” world timer.
(I wore an F-91W, or its predecessor, for most of my school years.) The Royale is an amazing time piece that’s usually available for less than $20US! It’s light. It’s unique. It’s easy to use! How does any other watch measure up to that when it comes to value? Tough assignment…
I got an A168WA (“fancy F-91W”) for nostalgia sake. Amazing at $23US!
So, I have a couple fine, cheap digital watches…but they’re not “tough.”
I’m as susceptible to marketing as the next guy and I admire the rugged image of the G-Shock. I do like the ani-digital style of the CasiOak. Alas, my frugal nature led me astray when I tried to get one of those for a too-good-to-be-true price on eBay. So I have a FrankenCasiOak. But it has provided a bit of the G-Shock wearing experience. (“A bit” because while the dial implies it’s Bluetooth capable, the movement is not, so parts of the display are wrong; the labels don’t match the function.) I began to think, it would be a nice watch, if it worked correctly.
I’ve ordered an updated model which should be a legit Bluetooth example. And while waiting for that, I started thinking. (A dangerous pasttime, I know.) What about a basic, entry-level G-Shock? So I rationalized that a DW5600 could serve as a tougher version of my A168WA. They’re not hard to find at a discount on Amazon. In fact, so common, you can get same day delivery!
And frankly, it’s the first Casio to disappoint. Sure, it didn’t cost much, but that toughness comes at a significant impediment to usability. The buttons are so small and poorly placed in their protective recesses that every function seems to require multiple attempts. It has none of the ease of use of the dressy AW168 or the Royale. And when I consider the abuse my old F-91W endured, the usability penalty seems too big a concession for “toughness.”
I’m confident the full fledged Bluetooth ani-digital on its way will be great. But I cannot fathom all those mid-range G-Shocks that cost far more than the basic Casios, and in my experience, don’t deliver the value of the Casios. I suppose if I compare them to other brands they look good. But they don’t compare favorably to their own in-house offerings.
What is it that I just don’t get about G-Shocks? 🤔
Engineer, Technical Trainer, lapsed pilot, nerd of many stripes.
Casio Protrek gang here. Honestly the other, and dare I say "better" tough watch series.
It is bigger, but easier to read, buttons easier to push, and they were doing tough solar in most lines before G Shock main series were.
I was a huge g shock fan, but fell o out of love with them for a bit. I now only own 2 ( used to have 6 ).
And my latest g shock
I am fortunate to have both a CasiOak and a GBD-200. CasiOak has the look for streetwear and ruggedness but the GBD is superior is every way. It was the only watch I took on a 10 day trip to Japan.
Its certainly Casio's doing. They've blended their offerings so much and have blurred the brand lines a lot. I dont blame you for asking questns. I'd imagine Casio's that look like GShocks are probably just as tough. Even at their lower costs you can get a new one if it does get damaged and it wouldnt hurt your budget too much. While there are GShocks that are well over a premium in terms of costs, that I won't frankly buy. I dont find bluetooth and radio signal sync worth the extra costs when its offered. These below are rugged looking Casios examples that I find value and tough at the same time.
Depends on what you're after. You seem to be sort of skimming the line of being interested in what g shocks offer. You might just not value what they offer enough to justify them over the regular casios, which is entirely fine. The dw5600 does have difficult to press buttons, specifically the setting button, which is deliberate, but not something many g shock fans like about it. That's basically the f91w of G shocks, like you mentioned, but being the bottom of a line has its downsides.
There are so many models that usability, button protection, and looks trade focus back and forth a lot. One of the things I really like about my Rangeman is the buttons are all extremely usable, even in gloves, with a great display. My mudmaster has a lot of benefits over it, mud resist, slimmer, sapphire, analog elements I enjoy, and a better strap imo, but it comes at the cost of a smaller digital display and a screw down crown used to set some things, which is less convenient in some cases. I really like both, but I place a fair bit of value on, and get enjoyment from, aspects of them you may not.
You may just be more of a Casio person than a g shock person, and you could take a look at the protrek stuff like yetti mentioned. Nothing is for everyone, no matter how popular, but I do suspect that there probably is a g shock out there that would serve you better than the dw5600. It's a classic, reliable, and affordable, but it is old. It was where I started with g shock, but I bought it as a test. The result of that test was me buying the 5610U and a few others, and giving the 5600 away.
When I buy a G-Shock it's going to be one of the all metal models. I think those look pretty cool and everyone should have a G-Shock in their collection.
Depends on what you're after. You seem to be sort of skimming the line of being interested in what g shocks offer. You might just not value what they offer enough to justify them over the regular casios, which is entirely fine. The dw5600 does have difficult to press buttons, specifically the setting button, which is deliberate, but not something many g shock fans like about it. That's basically the f91w of G shocks, like you mentioned, but being the bottom of a line has its downsides.
There are so many models that usability, button protection, and looks trade focus back and forth a lot. One of the things I really like about my Rangeman is the buttons are all extremely usable, even in gloves, with a great display. My mudmaster has a lot of benefits over it, mud resist, slimmer, sapphire, analog elements I enjoy, and a better strap imo, but it comes at the cost of a smaller digital display and a screw down crown used to set some things, which is less convenient in some cases. I really like both, but I place a fair bit of value on, and get enjoyment from, aspects of them you may not.
You may just be more of a Casio person than a g shock person, and you could take a look at the protrek stuff like yetti mentioned. Nothing is for everyone, no matter how popular, but I do suspect that there probably is a g shock out there that would serve you better than the dw5600. It's a classic, reliable, and affordable, but it is old. It was where I started with g shock, but I bought it as a test. The result of that test was me buying the 5610U and a few others, and giving the 5600 away.
Seconded, on all points!
I am fortunate to have both a CasiOak and a GBD-200. CasiOak has the look for streetwear and ruggedness but the GBD is superior is every way. It was the only watch I took on a 10 day trip to Japan.
I'm loving my gbd 200. Love the display and I only use the step counter, don't need the notifications.
And agree about both those g shocks which I own.
Depends on what you're after. You seem to be sort of skimming the line of being interested in what g shocks offer. You might just not value what they offer enough to justify them over the regular casios, which is entirely fine. The dw5600 does have difficult to press buttons, specifically the setting button, which is deliberate, but not something many g shock fans like about it. That's basically the f91w of G shocks, like you mentioned, but being the bottom of a line has its downsides.
There are so many models that usability, button protection, and looks trade focus back and forth a lot. One of the things I really like about my Rangeman is the buttons are all extremely usable, even in gloves, with a great display. My mudmaster has a lot of benefits over it, mud resist, slimmer, sapphire, analog elements I enjoy, and a better strap imo, but it comes at the cost of a smaller digital display and a screw down crown used to set some things, which is less convenient in some cases. I really like both, but I place a fair bit of value on, and get enjoyment from, aspects of them you may not.
You may just be more of a Casio person than a g shock person, and you could take a look at the protrek stuff like yetti mentioned. Nothing is for everyone, no matter how popular, but I do suspect that there probably is a g shock out there that would serve you better than the dw5600. It's a classic, reliable, and affordable, but it is old. It was where I started with g shock, but I bought it as a test. The result of that test was me buying the 5610U and a few others, and giving the 5600 away.
Well said. Thanks for taking time to provide such a week considered response. I admit my examples cherry pick at different points in the lineup. And as a “collector,” I’m mostly about a representative sample of the wide variety of watch options out there. Happy to have a few in my assortment. I just don’t feel like I want more.
I guess I thought as the sort of OG of the G-Shock world the 5600 had more going for it. More likely it is the nostalgic vintage offering these days. 👍🏻
Not a digital watch fan in general, so like you, many Casios hold little appeal for me. Got my solar Casioak to have a tough watch as a beater, and chose that model because it’s mostly analog and one of the smallest G-shocks. I think it looks decent, and wear it often, but hardly ever use the features.
For most people G-Shocks are a style choice, and nothing more.
I dislike the one I own, and regret buying it. Once the honeymoon ended I have worn it maybe two or three times.
Well said. Thanks for taking time to provide such a week considered response. I admit my examples cherry pick at different points in the lineup. And as a “collector,” I’m mostly about a representative sample of the wide variety of watch options out there. Happy to have a few in my assortment. I just don’t feel like I want more.
I guess I thought as the sort of OG of the G-Shock world the 5600 had more going for it. More likely it is the nostalgic vintage offering these days. 👍🏻
The nostalgia is real. I think the 5600 also gets a lot of respect for being everything you need in a g shock that will last a lot longer than most watches you can find for the price in any sort of adverse environment. It's just that everything you need does not really care much for pleasantries. If you just need something that will tell time and not break for cheap, it's great, and true to the idea of a g shock, but I think we lunatics called watch enthusiasts will probably be better served by other models from g shock, Casio as a whole, or just other brands entirely.
The 5600 is sort of like the cheapest pair of durable work boots. A lot of people just need a pair that they can throw on a couple times a year and not worry about for as little money as possible. However, you won't really find anyone who lives in their work boots or is particularly interested in boots settling on the most basic model. They would still probably suggest the most basic model to the first category of buyers, and respect it for what it offers at the price. They just want more from their own boots.
Nothing. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Don't force it. The Worldtimer looks great!
If you don't get the G-Shocks, why get one? As my wise mentor once said, "When in doubt, don't."