Advise me on Casio G-Shock watches

[foghorn67]

I missed out on the Costco sale where they had a Casio G-Shock that was radio synced for about 29 bucks.
I am now regretting this. But it got me to want one very badly. All my watches are analog or a combo. I want a digital only face, radio synced. I heard some bad stuff about the solar powered ones not being reliable.
Please recommend one, preferebly without a metal strap. Looking at 100 bucks or less.
If you have a g-shock, chime in.

 

[everman]

The definitive G-shock forum.

One of the best solar/atomic models.

 

[LTC8K6]

I have a G-Shock atomic solar that has been perfect for many years. Never had a problem with it. Still picks up the sync signal regularly. Eventually it will need a new rechargeable battery, but so far, so good.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Own the G-Shock G-7100D. 2 batteries rated for a total 10 years (though I'm sure it wont). Have owned it for at least 4 years. Was $135 at the time. Metal watchband (could have done the model under it with the polyurethane band for $100. You pay a lot for the metal band).

The black painted letters will start to buff away after the first year, but since the letters are still engraved it still looks nice..

The watch should handle any normal abuse without any problems. The weak spot is that the watch band is attached to the watch with two very thick and hard plastic couplings. These are strong, but are obviously the weakest point in the watch. HOWEVER, my case is an exception. The *only* reason that plastic piece broke on one side was because I ran over it with my expedition. Yes, I DID run over this watch with my 6000lb. SUV. That is my testament to the durability of this thing. I was just fooling around with it, dropped it and wasn't thinking about it, and ran over it. Got home, found I didn't have it, so I drove back to the parking lot, and sure enough there it was flattened into the ground. I picked it up thinking "Oh crap, there went that investment", but it was fine except for that one broken plastic piece. One week and $4 later (ordered a replacement from Casio's parts support and had Walmart install it) and the watch was as good as it originally was.

These watches might not have the "ooooh" look of Omega or other expensive timepieces, but if you're like me who wears a watch and still does carpentry and other outdoor work, then you'll appreciate its durability.

BTW, the waterproofing works perfectly in it in both salt water and fresh water. But I've only tested it down to around 45 ft. It's good down to 20BARs of pressure.

 

[Mojoed]

The battery in my G-Shock atomic solar died in less than a year. I've never had any other watch die on me like this one did.

Good watch when it worked, though.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Own the G-Shock G-7100D. 2 batteries rated for a total 10 years (though I'm sure it wont). Have owned it for at least 4 years. Was $135 at the time. Metal watchband (could have done the model under it with the polyurethane band for $100. You pay a lot for the metal band).

The black painted letters will start to buff away after the first year, but since the letters are still engraved it still looks nice..

The watch should handle any normal abuse without any problems. The weak spot is that the watch band is attached to the watch with two very thick and hard plastic couplings. These are strong, but are obviously the weakest point in the watch. HOWEVER, my case is an exception. The *only* reason that plastic piece broke on one side was because I ran over it with my expedition. Yes, I DID run over this watch with my 6000lb. SUV. That is my testament to the durability of this thing. I was just fooling around with it, dropped it and wasn't thinking about it, and ran over it. Got home, found I didn't have it, so I drove back to the parking lot, and sure enough there it was flattened into the ground. I picked it up thinking "Oh crap, there went that investment", but it was fine except for that one broken plastic piece. One week and $4 later (ordered a replacement from Casio's parts support and had Walmart install it) and the watch was as good as it originally was.

These watches might not have the "ooooh" look of Omega or other expensive timepieces, but if you're like me who wears a watch and still does carpentry and other outdoor work, then you'll appreciate its durability.

BTW, the waterproofing works perfectly in it in both salt water and fresh water. But I've only tested it down to around 45 ft. It's good down to 20BARs of pressure.

nice review. :thumbsup:

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: everman
The definitive G-shock forum.

One of the best solar/atomic models.

good info....


thanks guys!

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I have a G-Shock atomic solar that has been perfect for many years. Never had a problem with it. Still picks up the sync signal regularly. Eventually it will need a new rechargeable battery, but so far, so good.

Same here, been good for well over a year and half now.

 

[foghorn67]

Okay. I went to a couple of stores and tried on some G-Shocks. This is when I figured out my body is odd. I forgot how skinny I was before I worked out (was 135 lbs). But I still have skinny wrists and ankles. It looks like I will get a Casio Waveceptor or something similar instead.

 

[XxPrOdiGyxX]

I remember these being ginormous back in the day. I'd rather just put a stick in the ground when I want to know what time it is.

 

[sygyzy]

I have a solar atomic and it's been going strong for ~5 years. I keep it in a closet, which is generally dark, and it knows to go to sleep. It only takes a little bit of wear for it to "recharge" using the sun. I love G-Shocks and like how they are making a huge comeback (big with street culture).

 

[krunchykrome]

I owned a gshock a while ago. I wore it a few times, and eventually sold it on ebay. I felt it was too large. I like heavy watches, but this was not heavy, and it was very uncomfortable.

 

[Vehemence]

G-shocks are great. I don't get atomic or solar or anything crazy.

 

[LS21]

i have a solar powered syncing gshock. with the resin/rubber strap. so the entirething is everything-proof. it IS reliable.

its been field tested through 2 months of continunous camping and hiking. works great.



DO NOT GET TIMEX IRONMAN. ive burned through a bunch of those. Casio GS > Timex

 

[Nitemare]

I loved mine until it came time to change the battery. About 8 screws and I couldn't get a battery to last more than a few weeks afterwards.

 

[dbk]

What model is this one?

nvm..found it

 

[Minjin]

I recommend staying away from the solar/atomic models. Casio doesn't seem to have perfected the rechargeable battery yet (unlike Citizen and their Eco Drives). The standard 10yr lithium battery models are great though. I have a 5600E because I don't like wearing a large plastic can on my wrist...

 

[SlickSnake]

The plastic casing and plastic bands self destruct depending on how hard you use it. Or even if you don't use it at all. I have had 4 of them, and the plastic bands break first, about 2 or so years down the road, which is when I stop using it, and then the case develops large cracks in it. I dug 2 old ones out of a box a few weeks ago, and the bands were totally disolving along with the watch housing. I was able to pick all the old cracked plastic off the housing, revealing a nice oddly shaped metal watch. One of the batteries still worked in one watch, which was at least 15 years old! If you want band durability, you want the metal or leather bands.