Looking for a new watch. I currently have a FitBit Ionic. I’m not overly fond of it, as I can’t wear it everywhere I want to at work due to security concerns. There are a few other quirks I’m not fond of either, like you can’t adjust the time zone without it being connected to your phone. And the whole stalking thing. So I figured when I broke it or it wore out, I’d replace it with something else.

FitBit recalled the watch, and they are giving me $300 to buy it back.

Now it’s time (pun!) for a new one. I’m looking for something friendly to my aging eyes (hence analog), I’d like an altimeter and compass, but NO connectivity (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc). I’ve narrowed it down to the following two watches. The only difference between the two is that the G-SHOCK has a sapphire crystal, near as I can tell.


Pro Trek PRW-6600Y-1A9 $380

G-SHOCK GWG1000-1A1 $800

Or, I may just cheap out and go back to a Timex Ironman.

Thoughts?

I’ve had a PRG-600Y for two or three years. It keeps fantastic time, 1 second every 2 months or so. I’m near sighted and it’s easy to read even with my distance glasses on. It has an automatic light at night that turns in when you twist your wrist to look at it. The hands move out of the way automatically of the digital display for some functions. For others, like the stop watch, you press two buttons and they move. It’s been swimming in Lake Huron, the Atlantic Ocean, and my pool with no ill affects. It was on sale and I had some Kohl’s cash, so I then no I paid $157 for it. I don’t like the style of many the G-Shocks.

Apple Watch 7 is $399.

It will do everything a fit bit does and more.

My wife went through 4 fit bits two for free under warranty before going to an apple watch.

She has an Apple series 3, which means she has had it for 5 years and still going strong.

I have an Apple series 5 and does everything a fit bit does and more bells and whistles.

I am sure that the 7 does even more.

Apple watch has connectivity. Hard no - I can't wear it at work. I need something "dumb", not a "smart" watch.

The Mudmaster is a real chonker, so know that going in. (It’s a big watch.)

I would suggest also checking out the ProTrek PRW-50. It’s 42mm across the bezel, roughly the same size as G-Shock squares (e.g. DW-5600s). It’s an analog/digital like the GWG-1000 and has essentially the same module. (Same functions and user interface.)

Analog for timekeeping, UV backlight and lumed hands and numerals, solar-powered, atomic clock-syncing, stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm, second time zone (with airport codes around the bezel for travel), altimeter, barometer, compass, and thermometer.

Highly recommended.

I know you said 'Analog' due to your 'aging eyes', but beyond the Analog Time, all of the other features on the Mudman (Altimeter, Compass, etc) are digital and on the 'smaller side'. That said, if you're considering the 'Mudman' you should seriously consider the 'Rangeman' at less that half the price! My seriously 'aging eyes' seem to do just fine with it and it's got an outstanding feature set!

GW9400-1 $330 Light Face LCD w/ Black Digits



Or if reverse/negative contrast is more to your liking and/or better for your 'aging eyes'...

GW9400-1B $330 Black Face LCD w/ Light Digits

Probably my favorite watch is also my cheapest. It's a G-Shock solar powered, that I've been beating the heck out of for about 6 or 7 years. It also connects to a satellite each night & downloads the official time. I paid $59 for mine, but the price has gone up.
https://www.amazon.com/Casio-G...s%2C188&sr=8-11&th=1

For a cheap but reliable and easy to read beater it’s hard to beat a g-shock. But if you want to be different from everyone else and their kid brother who have a G-shock these two watches are a good way to go.

The Suunto Core and Seiko Digital Tuna solar (which is an incredibly underrated watch) with probably the most intuitive and easy to use interface ever made. The rotating bezel is functional thanks to a minute track that runs around the perimeter of the LCD screen.



The Suunto Core isn’t solar but it has a lot more functionality. The Core’s battery is cheap, easy to replace (I just replaced mine) and you can add lugs and a NATO strap to really change its look and feel. It has an altimeter, barometer, storm warning, compass, thermometer, depth gauge, and dual time.

Reminder: Check with forum member David Troung as he may be able to get your watch for you. God Bless !!!

G Shocks are a bit large and chunky. No mercy on taking up wrist space and relentless about cuffs being pulled up in the winter. I have a GAX 100 surf and moon watch with analog and it will take a beating working on cars etc. with little damage to show for it.

I got a Protrek PRG 280 a few months back, it's less chunky but just as big. Some are noted for a bit of fogging if made in the SE Asia plant. It's pops up when going from 72f indoors to 28F outside on mine. A nitrogen charge would likely stop it. It's the same company so modules are likely the same with watches that have identical features.

Suunto Cores are highly popular but the WR is much reduced due to battery ports etc. A WR30 watch is likely not shower resistant after a few years. Cores are now made in China (Casios, too) not Sweden altho other models are.

The utility of a altitude watch is dependent on setting it to local barometric pressure at the height you are standing above sea level - and that number to input is NOT the number reported in the weather. Not even. The local weathermen use an altered barometric pressure which is baselined to sea level - which means Denver weathermen at 5,000 feet tell you artificial sea level pressure. Its a weather thing as they compare changes, not absolutes. Setting the altitude (repeatedly over months) means getting a good reference right where you are standing for a starting point. Only then can it accurately display changes in altitude or weather. A baro sensor has to be vented to outside pressure, which creates an engineering issue getting it sealed up for water resistance, the better watches still handle it with WR100 or WR200 resistance (minimum IMHO.)

Temp is another sensor which requires OFF THE WRIST use to accurately measure, and it takes about 30 minutes to acclimatize.

If both are in use, especially the altimeter, it's a power hog which is why Suunto Cores are seen used on ebay with butchered battery ports. Hiker websites sell port kits and battery packs which hold a dozen for a week's hike. The final result for me was a hard pass on wrist altimeters - I just don't need the readout, and most serious hikers going upmountain will carry a compass and geodesic map anyway, as do I anytime I'm out in the wild. Others claim the imminent warning of rain etc is a blessing (which can come from an unobservable direction in the mountains.)

As for visible at night, I find the Protrek/G Shocks use an LED, you can see it if you push the button at night just fine. But not well lumed compared to a Dive 200 watch which must be visible underwater. Dive watches are about the top in visibility for that.

The outdoor watches with plastic straps aren't as comfortable as a stainless link bracelet over time. Silicone dive straps or NATO/Zulu's are good, weather resistant, dry quickly, and often substituted. A G Shock has a proprietary attachment requiring adapters for "normal" strap use. The Casio is currently on a Aussie Waterproof Zulu strap which works ok with the metal bezel and stainless rings for looks and comfort. It's my current outdoor watch for chores. After buying it I can say I don't bother playing with it much. Like a chronometer which can time to .05 second, the menu buttons and display are rarely used. Perpetual calendar is a plus, stop watch almost never, an alarm not too much. Compass I do use hunting - but I also carry a Silva Ranger. If anything if I were outdoors a compass and hiking altimeter with a zipper pull thermometer would do better as I wouldn't be dependent on one electronic source of data. I don't think we have got there until I can input local weather "not really" pressure and have it calculate and correct it, then move on.

BTW there are links to corrective pressure tables, subtract about one inch of mercury for each 1k feet higher - Denver is 5" less actual than the weather report and tenths of an inch mercury is how we read it. My local is 1" off at our altitude of 1,100 feet, +/- 200 feet for terrain. I had a Timex WS4 which is a huge digital watch, I could never get it to zero out altitude even sitting in on the beach at Galveston. Common complaint for a lot of ABC's. They don't work the way we think they work.

Suunto Cores are water resistant. I’ve showered with mine for well over a year with no issues. It’s rated to 100 feet/30m and even has a depth gauge for snorkeling so I think for the vast majority of people out there the WR is fine. If your going down more than 30m you need a diver.

quote:

Originally posted by VBVAGUY:
Reminder: Check with forum member David Troung as he may be able to get your watch for you. God Bless !!!

Thanks for the reminder!

quote:

Originally posted by Tirod:
G Shocks are a bit large and chunky. No mercy on taking up wrist space and relentless about cuffs being pulled up in the winter. .....

This has always probably been the biggest (pun intended again?) downside to these watches. And probably why I haven't ordered one yet....

This was my first (and only, actually) altimeter watch.... Brings back memories.

I do understand the inherent inaccuracies, and am fine with that. I'm only looking for something to use "recreationally" - elevation gained/ lost skiing, mountain biking, hiking, etc.