CasioQuartz Watch

I really liked this watch, to the point that I bought two different versions of it. Obviously both very similar, this one is dark gray with a traditional LCD display and the first one I got is black with a reverse display. Both great watches, very durable, and I like the look. It's hard to say which I prefer more. The black has more of a "stealth" look to it but I like the dark gray with traditional LCD display also. Readability on both is great but you do need some ambient light to see the display without using the backlight. The light is very bright due to dual LED's when you hit the light button (the big G button at the bottom of the watch) so it's easy to find in a dark environment. I personally enjoy the understated text on this watch, you can see the lettering but it isn't filled in with another color so the G-SHOCK and the G on the bottom of the watch aren't overly noticeable. Accuracy so far seems awesome. Backlight can be set to display automatically when you turn your wrist a certain way, and the time it shows can be set to either 1.5, 3, or 5 seconds. The vibration alert option is great for me because I have a bit of high frequency hearing loss, and so while I can hear the beeps it sure wouldn't wake me up. I am sure that this one would wake me up from a nap, but the vibration only lasts 10 seconds (probably to save on battery use) so I wouldn't trust it to rouse me from a deep sleep. The vibration does get my attention though when I'm using the timer. The vibration can be turned off and the alarm set to a traditional beep/display flash if you so desire. One caveat - I have fairly large wrists (about 8 inches) and I like a slightly loose fit on my watches...and I'm on the second to last hole in the wristband. So, if you have really huge wrists the original band may be too small for you. Here is my full list of pros and cons:PROS:Stylish looking, well built, waterproof, very durableCan start timer from the clock screen easily, can set timer down to the specific minutes/seconds you wantPre-programmed calendar to 2099 with DST as an optionWorld Time Clock has multiple cities available for second timeVery accurate, Multiple alarmsVibration option for timer/alarmsCONS:Only one timer, no auto-repeat optionVibration only lasts 10 seconds, can be turned off but no option to increase length (I wish there was a 30-second option for this)Metal button to start timer/stopwatch looks cool but is a bit recessed, have to watch the display to make sure it's startedThis version does not include the octagonal metal G-shock watch boxDo not see the point of the "shock absorber" wings on each side of the watch under the band (I may end up removing them)

What a great watch. Very large but still fits well on a 6.5" wrist. Being able to mute the button presses and turn vibration on for the alarms and count down timer are awesome. One touch count down timer from the home screen comes in very handy.The only con is that the backlight is WAY too bright. Once your eyes are adjusted to the dark this thing shines like a beacon. It can light up a wall if all other lights are off. If it had the old school EL backlight and MB6 it would be truly perfect.

Just unboxed it today and theres nothing special about the packaging. Skimpy paper sleeve over a watch on a plastic stand with some paperwork tossed in a plastic mailer bag. Watch arrived undamaged surprisingly with the minimal packaging.On first glance it looks good and is comfortable sitting on my wrist. I have a larger hairy wrist and theres no snagging hair or rubbing. The extra fins under the strap help it stay in place when moving. Display is really easy to read especially with the backlight. Vibe is strong enough to notice and the way the timer functions on the homescreen is handy. Also appreciate the difference in tone when it rolls through back to home. Relatively easy to set to your time. Will be an enjoyable watch to daily as a mechanic.The video by watch geek on youtube explains all of the functions and setup perfectly.

TL:DR version- Perfect time keeping digital watch for every dayPros: all of which make this watch greater than the sum of its parts and well worth it despite the costs- large clear characters with specially filtered display giving max viewability from all angles. Beautiful- distinct bold characters for time and date making those very clear and lacking any confusion- one-touch timer making this one of the most practical time-keeping watches- bright and even auto illumination- comfortable wide band and easy to replace- long battery life (5 years? Decade? Many reports of these but bottom line set it and forget it)- understated charm of the grey modelCons:- no solar- no atomic time keeping- 6 hr limit to auto-illumination, must turn on again after limit- no ABC functions but this was never designed for that reason- no MIP display which all new watches should useLong review:I did not think I would love this watch but I love this watch. It is a testament to the fact that our tastes and preferences can change.There is nothing particularly remarkable about the GD-350, especially the fully grey variant that I am donning. Maybe the only thing that does is the metal look timer button, a few screws and the strap buckle. It is so understated that it would fall to the bottom of the pile if one were to stretch their hand out to pick a G-Shock, while the Rangeman and other G-Masters would easily be at the top.However what the GD-350 does have: it will last a decade easily with regular use, and it’s battery will last a few without needing to regularly charge. And it will be a very reasonable $10-$20 to swap the battery when replacement is needed. This watch also costs half or a quarter of the price of the other fancy options, leaving me with limited resources, enough funds to purchase other options for when I truly need a watch with the extra features. When that happens, the aforementioned Mudman, Rangeman, or even Garmins will be the first thing I upgrade to.For my every day wear needs, the GD-350 is excellent. While it doesn’t have solar charging or atomic time keeping, the sheer practical functions it does have, and the price make this piece well worth those sacrifices.The one feature that none of these watches have is the silent vibration. That is the killer feature present on the GD-350 that is not present on the Mudman or Rangeman or most of the G-Shock, Pathfinder, Pro-Trek, or regular Casio range. I don’t have to pay 4 times the cost of the Apple Watch to get it, and also be slammed with 100 other notifications most of which I don’t needsThe Garmin Instinct would have been perfect except that it’s vibration is stronger than my iPhone, and that’s bad. I don’t need half my arm shaking and everybody around me still able to hear it. Casio has a cheaper vibration model but only comes with 1 alarm (an example of Casio’s insane product disparities). Casio has newer models that have awesome MIP displays and Vibe but they are more like smartwatches with slightly less battery life (though 1 - 2 years is still excellent). However, they exist in a smaller square body. Why not give them to us in the delicious insane 55MM+ bodies Casio?Coming back to core point: the GD-350 has the perfect light vibration that is completely silent unless you bring it close to your ear, but strong enough that you will not miss its vibration. It can certainly wake you up from sleep if you are not a very heavy sleeper. It is inaudible to others in quiet environments like classroom, library or office.The other excellent feature is that you can start your timer right from the main clock face just like on the Rangeman. The Garmin instinct in comparison requires no less than 5 clicks to start your timer, even if you have it already set. Unsure what they were thinking of since this was meant to be for the outdoorsy action person. Again your looking at a few swipes from your Apple Watch.I mean the GD-350 is hands down the watch I would want if I was all about silent tactics. No bold colors to draw attention. Completely silent vibration so that only I know what it’s telling me (only the time but that’s why you want a wrist watch), immediate access to timer for timing mission critical and strictly timed events. It’s light is also strong and powerful, with auto illumination if you select it, coupled with the blue section on the LED makes the face look like the HUD of a fighter plane. I’d imagine this would be the watch Batman would want to wear.Now being completely realistic though, the bulk of this watch makes wearing any clothing with tapered or elastic sleeves very tough.The display on this is excellent and also such a key selling point - even better than Mudman and Rangeman. Where those are cluttered and much space taken away from the main time section, only the Garmin does better which more generous allocated space for the time, and has MIP making its viewability world class. Coming back to the GD-350, it’s viewing angle easily trumps those of the Mudman and Rangeman.The bulky and wide strap also makes this super comfortable for all day wear. I can also wear this anywhere casually without drawing attention. I got more attention wearing the $20 AE1500 Illuminator watch which is also another amazing time telling watch. The Orange glow on that is excellent. If only it had the vibration feature.My concluding point is that I decided that I wanted a watch to tell me the time without all the noise of messages, emails adds, can stand up the physical bumps and scrapes my last watches have succumbed to, notifies me of time changes, alarms, and elapsed time silently, and allows me to rapidly see what I need in light or dark environments without confusion. It is also comfortable to wear all day everyday. The beauty of the GD-350 is it’s simplicity and what allows it to stay on my wrist fulfilling the key functions of a wristwatch perfectly.Some cons:- auto illumination times out after 6 hours, requiring you to reset it again. Not a big deal but not as cool as Mudman/Rangeman/Garmin/Apple that do this all the time without fail- can’t stop timer without going to timer menu- would it be great to have so many other features? Compass? Temperature? Altimeter? Barometer? More than 5 alarms? More than one timer? Would I love to live in a mansion? Yes.Given standard limitations, the GD-350 is not missing anything a standard G-Shock has that is not in the Master of G range or that is not a smartwatch. That said, the GD-350 is greater than the sum of its parts when compared to much more expensive models in Casio thanks to the insane fragmentation of features making no Casio really the perfect marriage of non-smart digital wrist watch at present.That said, the perfect watch in my opinion, would be a watch with Rangeman features, in the body of the GD-350 with vibration, and MIP display that can be made positive. It’s a wonder they don’t make at least the vibration a standard feature as that classic 40 year old tone alert is quite annoying. Why not at least give it a more modern update with some better mid-tone?Also the Garmin Instinct series is really the killer watch that I would want, but the limited battery life is its major downfall. Even in the latest version 2, 60 days with power saving features and not using smart functions is impressive, but I can’t stand the idea that 5-6 years from now it will be a dead paper weight, as Garmin’s design and policy was to have a non-replaceable battery and they come out with new models and better improvements every year. I would rather buy the older tech Casio knowing that it will absolutely outlive the Garmin and won’t be outdated for the core functions of time keeping.1 month update:I’m doubling down on the review above that this is one of the best G-Shocks in the market and really in its own class. One key aspect of this is the screen. Overall this watch is deliciously low tech and the screen is simply a very high quality well filtered old school LCD that is as clear as crystal from absolutely all angles. Only the raised bezels are keeping me from being able to test its viewing at near 180 degrees. It has a faint tint to it that really helps its visibility even without light in darker conditions. This watch is the ultimate stealth tool.Recently mated it to a Jayandkays 16-24MM lug adapter and attached a wide nylon strap - completely awesome.Casio if you are listening (I know - no one is reading this far and thank you if you did):The perfect digital watch:- MIP display- minimum 2 year battery life that is user replaceable and non-proprietary- 55MM round or octagonal display for max surface area for useful information on the wrist- Large characters at least half an inch for the primary time numerals- Date expressable in many different ways but always allowing day, weekday name and month to exist at the same time- strong even backlight (teal as my personal preference); just no fall off or cutoff areas which is annoying; also make it variable in strength and time- vibration alert with variable strength- tone with variable volume and better mid-tones that don’t cause headache- wide pressable buttons- all the best G-Shock body features (deep inset screen protected by wide bezel, rubberized surfaces that are scratch resistant- mud resistant back plate (as on Mudman)- user replaceable band which is at least 24MM wide (I could live with an OEM adapter option)- one touch accessible timer AND stopwatch- timer with auto repeat- at least 5 alarms - more the merrier- at least 3 world time selectable regions (up from the 2 at present)-always active auto illumination-solar charging-atomic time keeping- optional only: ABC functions which I could live without if all the above details were presentIn short - give us the best of GD-350, but modernize with an advanced MIP display, added timezones, and more selectable alarms.