Casio Pathfinder Watches

[Independence]

Does anyone have any experience of these watches. The barometric trend and tide facilities particularly appeal to me, but:

1) They are a little more expensive than I was hoping to pay (nothing new there then)
2) I'm seeing mixed reviews, a) the solar powered ones don't seem that reliable and the replacement batteries are expensive and b) when batteries are replaced (solar or not) the seal is broken and never seems to be waterproof thereafter.
3) Casio's primary market seems the US (I'm in the UK) which means either ordering from a limited selection in the UK or ordering from the US and not knowing who I'm dealing with and how they will handle problems should they arise.

One huge bonus with them is they would be a lot more subtle in the middle of a meeting when taking an apparent glance at your watch when your mind wanders off towards the weekend's sailing, than suddenly booting up your lap top!!!

 

[PeteCooper]

I have one of the bottom of the range Sea-Pathfinders(about £25 worth) and am very pleased with it. The tide graph is a useful guide, and so far it has been accurate and easy to read. When I first got it I used the setting so that when you flick your wrist the backlight comes on, but I turned that off as being unnecessary. The battery comes with a 10 year guarantee. Mine has been immersed many times in fresh and salt water and has not suffered at all. The original plastic wrist strap broke, don't they all, so I replaced it with a velcro and fabric strap from Animal. My next watch will be the equivalent of what I have now when(if!) this one dies.

 

[Ru88ell]

I agree with Pete. I've been using the £20 Sea Pathfinder for years now. The countdown timer and alarms are great, and it's very easy to use. They take a hell of a beating; building, sailing, climbing, swimming. It is possible to get replacement straps too. I fear Casio ceasing manufacture, so I've gone to the extent of having a spare 'in stock' just in case.

For £20 you can't go wrong.

 

[CPD]

Hi Paul, Did you know George has and uses one - well worth a chat as I remember him demonstrating it a while back and very impressive it looked too ...?????

 

[Independence]

Hi Alan............you mean YOU don't have one?

Is this an oversight, is your navigation station complete without one, is there no room left on your person for anything else?

(PS is there any other day than Weds that suits for ECJM)

 

[Pasarell]

Casio Pathfinder

I have a top of the range one bought in the Middle East 5 years ago. Excellent and easy to use if a little chunky. Barometer has always read slightly high, but consistent amount compared with the boat and I tend to use the graph for trends rather than absolute numbers. Tide graph is pretty good. Thermometer sensor is on the back so only measures the temperature of your wrist!
I don't wear it all the time but probably about 70% so lot of use. The battery finally died in December so just under 5 years life. Sent it back to Casio so the seal would be replaced. Cost £35

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I love mine...had it for years now.... battery replaced once (by me!) with no problems with waterproofing....

As said above, the thermometer is a waste of time, but baro is useful, and tough as old boots

 

[MorrowinD]

I've had mine for around 5 years ( top end back then with all the whistles and bells though quite chunky ), great watch and rugged as can be. Still original battery, in fact the only thing to have gone has been a couple of the pins in the Titanium strap/bracelet.

I purchased mine direct from the US ( mail order - might have been Ebay ) and all was well.....go on, treat yourself !

 

[Searush]

Looking for a watch at present so this caught my eye.

I note that the Tides & moon phase are based on current lat/long. I presume this is input manually, but tide times can vary quite considerably around N Wales & the Straits. How accurate is it in your location & how easy is it to change the time manually to match a specific location?

 

[planteater]

Looking for a watch at present so this caught my eye.

I note that the Tides & moon phase are based on current lat/long. I presume this is input manually, but tide times can vary quite considerably around N Wales & the Straits. How accurate is it in your location & how easy is it to change the time manually to match a specific location?

It works on the lunitidal interval and that's it. It doesn't store local tidal curves or anything clever like that but it's good enough for walks on the beach or checking whether you need to speed up or slow down to get back to a drying mooring.

Oddly, the £25 Pathfinder is the best of the lot - the more expensive ones have incomprehensible displays, IMO.

 

[tim_ber]

I have this:

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/2772446/Trail/searchtext>CASIO+WATCH.htm


the tide graph is accurate for where I live for the last 2 or 3 months without any adjustment; means I can be at work and see that the boat is afloat and wish I was on it.

5 alarms

count down etc

light and auto light.

Not the best I imagine, but cheap enough.

£19 not bad I thought.