Casio G-Shock

[Iain C]

I quite fancy a Casio G-Shock watch for sailing duties, as let's face it it's very easy to damage or lose a decent watch on a boat. Every "proper" sailing digital watch I've had has broken which is a shame, as I do find the sailing specific timers great for racing. However I've come to the conclusion that only a G-Shock will put up with the abuse so I'll compromise a bit on functionality and go for something that lasts.

The "Rescue" model features a tide graph. I'm wondering if anyone has one, and if the graph is remotely accurate or useful, or if I'd be better going for a different model of G-Shock.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Blue Drifter]

I bought one for the same reason, it's been great. The tide graph is actually very good, a bit of Googling to set it up to my local sailing area and it seems accurate. I think I paid about £65 incl delivery. It is chunky but light, comfortable to wear and has a very comprehensive manual. Lots of features that are useful for sailing and nice big buttons for ease of use. No regrets with it. Didn't know it was called the Rescue model, but it is the same as picture.

Just checked and it was £63 from Amazon

Casio G-7900-1ER G-Shock Men's Digital Resin Strap Watch https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002LAS0PE/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_DG3wvb1JTX2GT

 

[Iain C]

Thanks for that. I understand the watch has a "yacht timer" function too. http://www.casio-europe.com/euro/watch/technology/yacht_timer/

My previous dedicated sailing watches had the following functionality...

-"Rolling" countdown...so at a club with a rolling 3 minute sequence where there's one prep signal but a class start every 3 minutes, when it got to 00:00:00 from, say, 03:00:00 it would revert back to 03:00:00 and start counting down to the next start
-5,4,1,0 countdown
-Sync button. Let's say you were mid kite drop as the 5 minute gun went. By the time you bagged it you were 15 seconds late hitting the start button and you are now 15 seconds "out" with the true sequence. However as your watch came up to 04:15:00 your finger was poised over the sync button and as the 4 minute gun went you pressed it, the watch skipped straight to 04:00:00 and you are now back in sync with the start sequence.

Does the G-Shock do any of this?

Also, can you have it in "yacht timer" mode but start the sequence from 3 minutes (or any number of your choice)? The linky above almost implies you can only start it on 10 minutes?

Thanks again

 

[colind3782]

I don't know about the sailing functions but I've used a G-Shock daily in very tough environments for years. I have too many watches and I keep saying I'll ditch the G-Shock next time the battery runs out. Unfortunately, the batteries last for years and I always end up replacing it so the watch goes on. It's had a couple of new straps but I can't seem to destroy it. The watch will certainly outlast me!

 

[DinghyMan]

I don't know about the sailing functions but I've used a G-Shock daily in very tough environments for years. I have too many watches and I keep saying I'll ditch the G-Shock next time the battery runs out. Unfortunately, the batteries last for years and I always end up replacing it so the watch goes on. It's had a couple of new straps but I can't seem to destroy it. The watch will certainly outlast me!

I'm the same, I bought mine years ago just for work and its been diving, sailing, kayaking, DIY'ing for years and last time I had the battery replaced the guy apologised that he would only guarantee it to 100m depth for diving which should do me... They do seem to be pretty indistructable.

 

[Blue Drifter]

Thanks for that. I understand the watch has a "yacht timer" function too. http://www.casio-europe.com/euro/watch/technology/yacht_timer/

My previous dedicated sailing watches had the following functionality...

-"Rolling" countdown...so at a club with a rolling 3 minute sequence where there's one prep signal but a class start every 3 minutes, when it got to 00:00:00 from, say, 03:00:00 it would revert back to 03:00:00 and start counting down to the next start
-5,4,1,0 countdown
-Sync button. Let's say you were mid kite drop as the 5 minute gun went. By the time you bagged it you were 15 seconds late hitting the start button and you are now 15 seconds "out" with the true sequence. However as your watch came up to 04:15:00 your finger was poised over the sync button and as the 4 minute gun went you pressed it, the watch skipped straight to 04:00:00 and you are now back in sync with the start sequence.

Does the G-Shock do any of this?

Also, can you have it in "yacht timer" mode but start the sequence from 3 minutes (or any number of your choice)? The linky above almost implies you can only start it on 10 minutes?

Thanks again

Put simply, I don't know, this is beyond my usual usage. Does this help:

http://support.casio.com/storage/en/manual/pdf/EN/009/qw3194.pdf

 

[Robin]

if it had a stainless steel case and strap I would have bought one when my older casio went tits up recently ( busted button) so I bought a Nautica analogue chrono that is less butch but does the job nicely. I paid $39 for mine on sale at West Marine but then yesterday in Walmart saw a remarkably similar watch to the Casio illustrated for just $10, worth buying a dozen for 'stock' and treating as disposable.

 

[PhilS]

I can also vouch for the durability. I bough a basic G-Sshock 6 years ago after scratching the face of my nice watch. Still on the first battery and has been used for every sailing trip/ gardening job/DIY job since.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I've had one for about three years; it's fine. The tide graph is useful - but as it only divides the cycle into 6 segments, it's not very precise, and of course, it doesn't give tidal height at all. But if you just want to know roughly where in the cycle you are, it's great, and apparently pretty accurate. Don't use the stopwatch functions, as I'm not a racer, but I do use the dual time function so I know what time it is in Hong Kong! The alarm is pretty quiet, and I wouldn't rely on it waking you - I can easily sleep through it. The light is good!

Main things are ten years battery life guaranteed, and that a shock that kills the watch will probably also put you beyond worrying about it!

I paid about £50 (or a bit less) for mine, but I got it in Hong Kong.

The strap is often reported as a weak point; mine is OK so far.

 

[Alfie168]

I wreck my watches so quickly I either buy new old stock on eBay or my current one was a special offer at Argos in Weymouth as I killed my previous sailing Casio last year when it leaked whilst swimming at Lulworth. I've not bought a G shock yet, but I will ruin it quite quickly if I do.

I've got to the age when the figures are looking a bit small to see properly.

Tim

 

[[70521]]

I buy cheap, £20, Casio waterproof (200m) watches. They last just as long as the over priced G-Shock ones.

 

[maby]

Do bear in mind that the tide graph assumes a standard tide model and synchronises to the movement of the moon with a user defined offset. As has already been reported here, it makes no attempt to predict tide heights, but it is still useful provided you are sailing in an area where the standard model applies. If you are sailing in one of those weird places like the Solent where you have double highs and prolonged slack periods, it will not be particularly meaningful. You also have to reconfigure it manually when you move to a different area.

 

[G12]

The Casio Sea Pathfinder is as cheap as chips, has the tide on it if you set it up properly, timers, dueal time, alarms and is small (good for getting under wet weather gear/layers and not catching on things). It also has a decent light. I think they're about £20-25 at Argos. I can confirm that they are extremely abuse proof....

 

[maby]

The Casio Sea Pathfinder is as cheap as chips, has the tide on it if you set it up properly, timers, dueal time, alarms and is small (good for getting under wet weather gear/layers and not catching on things). It also has a decent light. I think they're about £20-25 at Argos. I can confirm that they are extremely abuse proof....

I've been surfing many times wearing my Casio Sea Pathfinder and it has never malfunctioned. This includes several wipe-outs that resulted in it going quite deep and being dragged through the sand - as was I... I generally came off a lot worse from the experience than the watch!

 

[Iain C]

I buy cheap, £20, Casio waterproof (200m) watches. They last just as long as the over priced G-Shock ones.

I'd disagree...i reckon my 49er crew has broken at least 3 of those whilst sailing!

The G Shock really is a tough cookie...I remember a watch mag test where they threw it off buildings, drove over it in lorries and lots of other cruel things...the only thing that eventually killed it was a 12 bore!

 

[G12]

Well it is depth rated to 100m and the only thing I ever broken is a strap....that failed after being covered in some very nasty dielectric oil which I believe attacked the rubber....certainly didn't do my skin any good either...
I'm not saying the G shock isn't tougher, just that you can't go wrong for 20 odd quid....

 

[Iain C]

Thanks for the experiences chaps but I'm just not interested in a SeaPathfinder. I'm a bit of a "watchie" and whilst I'm very much an analogue automatic man the G-Shocks do have a bit of a cult following and that's what I'm after. I do like the really chunky look...it's like having an LR Defender on your wrist. A Freelander just wouldn't cut it ;-)

It's a shame...there's an ideal sailing G out there, but it needs the functionality of about 3 different models rolled into one. In the meantime, it looks like the G-Rescue is the best compromise...it's got the Yacht Timer function by the looks of things, but it's missing the solar/atomic function.

This one has both of those, nicer aesthetics, but is unfortunately missing the yacht timer...

 

[Fantasie 19]

I quite fancy a Casio G-Shock watch for sailing duties, as let's face it it's very easy to damage or lose a decent watch on a boat. Every "proper" sailing digital watch I've had has broken which is a shame, as I do find the sailing specific timers great for racing. However I've come to the conclusion that only a G-Shock will put up with the abuse so I'll compromise a bit on functionality and go for something that lasts.

The "Rescue" model features a tide graph. I'm wondering if anyone has one, and if the graph is remotely accurate or useful, or if I'd be better going for a different model of G-Shock.

Thanks in advance...

As a previous Casio fan I would only say 1/. it's a PITA changing the battery and then having to re-waterproof the seal 2/. as a reading glasses wearer most of that dial would be a blur to me unless I gave it to someone to hold at front of boat...

 

[[70521]]

The G Shock really is a tough cookie...

That has not been my experience.

 

[John Barry]

The tide graph seems (from the linked pdf) to be based on the luni-tidal interval.

This is not a measure that has been used in anger for a couple of hundred years, and has an accuracy for many places of about +/- 1 hour. You can check the accuracy by plotting tide times against date, and checking the maximum deviation from the best fit straight line. Basically they're basing the calculation on just the tidal harmonic M2 phase offset (g), so you get no allowance from the Sun's effect, or from any others.

Although luni-tidal intervals are not (as far as I know) published they can be calculated from details of local lunar meridian transit and a current tide table - you need to calculate for at least a month and take an average - this should also show the approximate error. You can also calculate it from knowing the local tidal harmonic M2 phase offset (g), which is published.

Happy to calculate it for you if you wish - I'll need to know the ports that you want it for (just so long as not everyone asks me to...)

John