Is it worth it? $20 vs $120
Two casios. One that is six times the price of the other. They look identical yet they are completely different. I'm not going into extreme detail of functions but more of a flyover. Feel free to search the model numbers for details. I'm the red corner: Illuminator W-218H-1AVCF In the blue corner: G Shock GW-M5610U-1CJF The similarities are clear on pictures. They are both square black resin watches. Digital displays with the well known Casio layout of buttons. They are both lightweight. The differences are only clear once in hand. The illuminator feels like hard plastic. Despite the name it has a warm light that is functional but not great. The time needs to be set manually. The water resistance is 50m but the buttons are easier to pushed due to not being recessed in the case. Overall this watch covers the basics. It tells time, has an alarm, stopwatch, and it won't die if you wash your hands with it on. That's really what most people need anyway. The g shock feels like soft rubber with a metal buckle. It has the bright led and tilt to light function. It adjusts to multi band, world timer and is solar powered. The water resistance is higher at 200m, but the buttons are harder to push due to the increase shock resistance. The g shock covers the basic while adding some luxury on top. The world timer, extra alarms (which I'll never use) increase water resistance which works. I've swam in the ocean with my OG g shock. And the softer resin makes this watch a joy on the wrist. I bought both because I wanted to compare them in hand, not just online. To see if the cheaper one could hang or is the price difference justified. This isn't my first g shock. IMO spend the extra cash and invest in the g shock. The build quality, materials, and a few extra features make a big difference in overall experience.
What's your beater of choice?
I chose the W218H. The bull bars make it fun. 😎👍
No, but actually yes
Visually, no. Inside yes ... BUT is it really worth that pricing delta, I say no. The 218, has a great display and I have repeats as its a small square G Shock look without the higher price. As are the Casio WS1400 series gives the same type shape with more functionality for a fraction of the money.
Visually, no. Inside yes ... BUT is it really worth that pricing delta, I say no. The 218, has a great display and I have repeats as its a small square G Shock look without the higher price. As are the Casio WS1400 series gives the same type shape with more functionality for a fraction of the money.
I'm unfamiliar with the model. I'll have to look it up
That solar and multi-band stuff is worth less than zero to me, as is the extra water restistance. The alarms might be nice, if rarely used. If the $20 special has a countdown timer, good enough! I'm assuming both have the hourly chime and can display 24 hour time.
Love my GMW5610. But one day, my eyes are gonna tell me to get the W-218H 😎
That solar and multi-band stuff is worth less than zero to me, as is the extra water restistance. The alarms might be nice, if rarely used. If the $20 special has a countdown timer, good enough! I'm assuming both have the hourly chime and can display 24 hour time.
Makes sense. For me it's one less thing to think about in the day. They do both tell time in 24hr. I'm not sure about the chime.
The standout for me is the feel on the wrist. On paper they have enough features for just about anyone. If I didn't experience the g shock, the illuminator would be perfectly fine. I think both are viable watches in their own right.
I'm unfamiliar with the model. I'll have to look it up
Another square fill-in for a 5600 is the Casio F108 series (red, white and blue shown below), yet another good version with a compact square-look. The w218 are the black and silver cased ones below.
Love my GMW5610. But one day, my eyes are gonna tell me to get the W-218H 😎
PM sent.
To be fair I bought the cheaper one first. It was somewhat impulsive. Then I decided to compare it to the g shock. I've wanted a square one for a while so this was a good experience for me. And confirmed my own bias 😜
Call me a cheapskate but if I intend to use a beater watch like a real beater watch, I'd rather risk damaging a $20 watch.
Yes!!!
I chose the W218H. The bull bars make it fun. 😎👍
Where did you get the bull bars from?
Where did you get the bull bars from?
Amazon. They were intended for the 5600 but it fit.
G-shock looks smaller, which is a plus for me. AFAIK it's also similarly thick. I don't have to worry about it in any situation. I have just one big digita watch and while the G-shock does more than I will ever need, it also does everything I will ever need.
It also looks nicer.
G-shock looks smaller, which is a plus for me. AFAIK it's also similarly thick. I don't have to worry about it in any situation. I have just one big digita watch and while the G-shock does more than I will ever need, it also does everything I will ever need.
It also looks nicer.
What digital watch do you have? Yes the G is only slightly smaller. It's barely noticable. They are similar in height. Slimmer than most divers. I'll post my other G shock later for reference which is a thick boy. So this feels like a feather compared to that.
What digital watch do you have? Yes the G is only slightly smaller. It's barely noticable. They are similar in height. Slimmer than most divers. I'll post my other G shock later for reference which is a thick boy. So this feels like a feather compared to that.
GW-M5610U, see my profile. :)
GW-M5610U, see my profile. :)
Looks well loved!
I think a 5600 is a better comparison of value, which can be regularly found for around 40 bucks. The 5610U upgrades are worth it to me, which is why I own it, but if you didn't care about the upgrades, the 5600 is obviously way better value. If you're going to be extremely hard on the watch, I think the 5600 is the best option because it will stand up to more to make up for the doubled price, but if you're not going to beat it to hell, either will probably do just fine. Personal preference at that point.
I think a 5600 is a better comparison of value, which can be regularly found for around 40 bucks. The 5610U upgrades are worth it to me, which is why I own it, but if you didn't care about the upgrades, the 5600 is obviously way better value. If you're going to be extremely hard on the watch, I think the 5600 is the best option because it will stand up to more to make up for the doubled price, but if you're not going to beat it to hell, either will probably do just fine. Personal preference at that point.
Agreed. Objectively it's a better comparison. Of all the square versions I liked this particular model. Especially with the blue accents. Here's a picture of my older g shock. Since this one has red accents I wanted some variety.