Other Technology | February 22, 2024
Casio is one of the most iconic watch brands, the company has always had a strong presence in the market, although their curious rings have not arrived yet. The company created one of the first touch-screen watches in history over 35 years ago, and now, the company has launched a model with durability and hiking functions as its main strengths.
This device is the Casio Rangeman GPR-H1000-9, we’ve tested it to see everything it offers and whether it can replace a conventional smartwatch or if it remains intended for an audience looking only for its specialized functions. Its price is over 400 euros.
Certainly, it’s a watch that catches the eye, not only because of its yellow color but also because of its shape, as it’s evident that it’s a rugged device, made to withstand all kinds of accidents. Another point to highlight is its screen, which is not the traditional model typically found on a smartwatch. In fact, it’s not even touch-sensitive, but thanks to it, the device’s autonomy is incredibly high.
The first thing that catches the eye about this Casio Rangeman GPR-H1000-9 is that it’s not a small watch; its size is considerable. It’s designed to survive long hiking days, so the company has endowed it with resistance to shocks and falls. This is very beneficial, but it can also make it a bit uncomfortable when wearing long sleeves.
It’s a watch that is controlled using its buttons since it doesn’t have a touch screen, which can be inconvenient for everyday use when you need to check something, but it can be very useful when using it in the rain or while on a hike. There are three buttons on its left side, one for up, the center one for acceptance, and the bottom one for down. In applications like the stopwatch, the top and bottom buttons serve as the start and end button. On the right side, there are only two of these buttons, one to illuminate the screen and the other to go back to the previous section.
We’ve been able to test the yellow-colored unit, and it certainly stands out when worn on the wrist. Its strap is made of rubber to withstand falls or any kind of damage, as it absorbs shocks better. However, it should be noted that it can be a bit uncomfortable if you have hair on your arm, as the rubber strap sometimes pulls on them.
At its bottom, it has the magnetic charging port and the optical pulse sensor to measure heart rate. However, its size may be too large for people with small wrists, as with some coats, there are times when the watch struggles to fit inside the sleeve.
As mentioned earlier, the screen of this watch is not touch-sensitive, and the change in panel type is noticeable compared to other smartwatches. However, it’s important to consider that this is a specialized product, intended for those seeking a rugged model with ideal measurements for hiking.
Its screen is always active, but it doesn’t backlight unless we press the upper right button. The positive point is that as long as there is sunlight, the time will be visible perfectly without the need to touch anything, just look at your wrist.
At night, however, you’ll need to activate the backlight to see properly. It has the option to stay on for up to 5 seconds, which is highly recommended to see all possible details. During the day, the experience of not having to turn your wrist or press a button to activate the screen has been very positive.
During the time we’ve used the watch, it hasn’t been possible to deplete its battery since the screen consumes very little, and it also has a solar energy charging system that makes the battery drain much slower.
This watch is a device for a specialized audience, and some of the things that set it apart are that it has a triple sensor with which it can orient via a compass, measure altitude, and ambient temperature. It integrates a GPS that allows it to obtain data about the user’s location, which can be useful if you’re looking to measure any of the more than 9 compatible sports activities.
When selecting one of these, the watch automatically displays heart rate, distance traveled, current altitude, and ascent or descent speed so the user can stay informed about their route. It offers other common functions in smartwatches, such as the ability to read notifications on the watch screen, although to do this, it must first be paired with the mobile app.
It also has other health-related measurements, such as blood oxygen sensor or heart rate, which can help to some extent to know the user’s health status, although these are only basic measurements since the watch does not focus excessively on this aspect.
This watch has a price of 499 euros, so it can be a good purchase, yes, but only for people who will take advantage of its specialized functions. It’s a sturdy watch, so it’s capable of withstanding shocks and adverse conditions.
The fact that it has GPS is also a good addition for this type of use. Furthermore, one of its great strengths is its long battery life, which is very positive for outdoor sports. In this sense, it may be worth it for users who are fans of mountaineering or trekking since its sports modes can provide relevant data for hiking, such as altitude or distance.
If you’re simply looking for a smartwatch capable of fulfilling the usual functions of these devices, such as displaying notifications, measuring pulse and sleep, or recording workouts at the gym, it may not be the best option, as the fact that it’s a rugged device limits it somewhat in terms of comfort.
