Owner: Thomas
Used since: 2006
Tested by: Thomas
Review by: Thomas
Primary Use: Hiking, Navigation/Orienteering
UPDATE October 2023:
The watch stopped working many years ago as the solar function would not charge the battery any more properly. This model is now long replaced by next gen solar powered watches from Casio.
Review:
I was on the outlook for a tough outdoor watch that had key features such as Altimeter, Compass, thermometer, etc. This watch delivered all of this and much more. Although it was quite expensive (about 550AUD when I bought it), I had a good experience with my other Casio G-Shock watch and thought it would be a good buy. Have used the watch many times over 5-6 years on Bush adventures that required a lot of navigation. However, I have to say that the durability of the watch was not as great as I expected. The buttons were harder and harder to push over time, the wrist band cracked in parts after about 3 years and worst of all after about 4 years the screen had random blackouts that would reset all data. Eventually it would come back after some hours or days. For this price, the watch did really not hold up that well and I was not using it that much either (i.e. compared to my G-Shock that I use really every day for every activity).
Pros:
- Lots of great features for the true outdoor enthusiast.
- Solar based battery power.
Cons:
- Expensive (although newer models now cost almost only half of when I bought the watch in 2006).
- Buttons stopped working properly after some years.
- Wristband not very durable compared to my G-Shock.
- Adjust and Light button are hard to press and located awkwardly.
- Screen started to have random blackouts after a few years.
Comment:
Note - this exact model is no longer sold and has been replaced by newer models. Given my experiences with this watch I am not convinced I would buy another model of this series as the quality was not up to a standard that justified the purchase price.
Manufacturer Website:
http://www.casio.com/products/Watches/PRO_TREK/PAG240B-2/