![Casio GW-9500-1JF [G-Shock Master of G Series MUDMAN Triple Sensor Model] Watch Japan Import July 2023 Model](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71UQw8-bRrL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
I will start by saying that I'm a huge fan of the Casio G-Shock line. I have the Mudmaster GWG-1000, and the Pro Trek WSD-F20 which has a very nice screen but no battery life. I compared this to all my GPS watches including the Garmin fenix 5X and then just realized that you can't compare this watch to anything else because it's in a class all by itself (which is neither good or bad). I know that it's only a couple of millimeters thicker and wider than my Mudmaster, but it feels and looks larger, thicker, and heavier, which I do like. It feels great on the wrist and this has to be the most comfortable strap that has ever been made for a G-Shock! Even with the carbon fiber reinforcement (which you can see through a clear coat on the back of the strap) it is so comfortable, I have actually forgotten that it was on my wrist. It has a battery life that is far superior to any other GPS watch I own. The fenix 5X has really good battery life, but this one, with its no-frills monochrome screen, holds the battery life almost indefinitely. The recharging attachment snaps easily onto the back of the watch and it charges very quickly. The ceramic back of the watch is impressive, and my understanding is that it helps with inductive charging and also quicker and easier GPS reception; regardless, it is pretty neat and very comfortable. It would be nice to have a larger screen, but I also understand that there has to be space for the solar charging panel.
The onboard menus are easy to navigate and intuitive. The phone based software app needs some upgrading and the limitations are too many to go into with this review. One issue I had was that I made adjustments to the watch from the phone app (such as changing the altitude from meters to feet, the temp from Celsius to Fahrenheit, etc.) and only some of the changes actually worked. This happened with every attempt, so what I ended-up doing was just going into the submenus and making the changes on the watch. This resulted in the changes actually remaining. The other thing is that this watch does not have any ability to measure heart rate or steps and although it does connect with the software on your phone, it doesn't receive texts or messages like a 'smart' watch (the Pro Trek WSD-F20 and Garmin do receive messages, etc.). That was when I realized that this watch isn't trying to be a smart watch, it's just a watch that you'd really want if you were stranded somewhere, especially where there was no cellular signal. The watch in no way 'relies' on the software on the phone and what I mean by this is that when connected to the phone, you cannot manipulate any screens on the watch; you must actually disconnect the watch from the phone app to use it. This makes it a pure survivalist watch that I would want to have if I was out in the middle of nowhere.
As far as the GPS goes, I was actually disappointed when I first connected because it took over 5 minutes of sitting in the same place, outside, to connect. For whatever reason, during and after the 3rd connection, it now connects very quickly. My Garmin fenix is by far the quickest and connects indoors without any windows nearby in less than 10-15 seconds, and now this watch connects just as fast if not faster than my Garmin. I don't know why it took so long the first couple of times, but ever since my 3rd attempt to connect, it now connects in just a couple of seconds even if I'm indoors with no windows around. The GPS is just as accurate and precise as any other watch or handheld on the market and you can download the activities onto your phone/iPad and use either topographic or satellite maps to show your activity which is pretty cool. I'm sure that as this watch is on the market for a longer period of time, the software will get better and better, as with most products. Garmin has the best software on the market, but again, this is not a smart watch designed for exercise, etc. or to compete with those types of platforms.
Overall, this is a great watch and although very expensive at over $900.00 (almost twice as much as I paid for the Pro Trek or Garmin) I would say is worth the price. I actually like that it doesn't need to be connected to a phone and works all on its own. It's also nice that it doesn't send/receive texts or emails from my phone; if I want that feature, I can use one of my other two watches. I like this watch for everyday wear and will use it in my routine rotation of watches.
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Reviews with images
Great Watch, High Price, but good Quality
I love this watch. Has all of the features I wanted, looks good, solid construction. The price is high but seems fair. What I HATE about this watch is the metal band that holds the end of the watch strap down always slides down the watch and the end of the band hangs and flops around and drives me nuts. They should have used a rubber retainer for the end of the watch band instead of a metal one. The battery lasts a long time if you dont use the gps
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Yee Ta
It’s the best Gshock in my collection
Reviewed in Japan on October 16, 2021
Yee Ta
Reviewed in Japan on October 16, 2021
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