I’ve a confession. I like Casio G-Shock watches and have ever since I acquired my first DW5600 throughout my awkward teenage years — I wore it till the rubber started to disintegrate. So, naturally, when G-Shock’s line of fitness-focused smartwatches hit the scene, I used to be intrigued: Traditional Casio appeal meets trendy smartwatch comfort? Signal me up.
My alternative to take the brand new Casio G-Shock Transfer DWH5600MB-1 smartwatch for a spin lastly got here this previous weekend. And after spending roughly 72 hours sporting it, with 15,000 steps walked, I’ve various impressions, which will probably be included in a forthcoming evaluate. Within the meantime, what follows are the seven issues that stunned me most concerning the G-shock Transfer smartwatch.
It’s bigger than I anticipated
This shouldn’t have come as a shock. However I uncared for to learn the official spec sheet, so, it was. Caio’s Bluetooth-enabled smartwatches are bit bigger than their customary “dumb” DW5600 G-shock watches. For instance, the previous is roughly 2.0 mm longer, 0.7mm wider and nearly 3mm thicker than the G-Shock mannequin I put on usually. It’s additionally 11 g heavier. That stated, the G-Shock Transfer matches my considerably dainty 7-inch wrist pretty properly (i.e. it wears smaller than it’s), regardless of sitting a tad excessive.
There’s no method to observe bike rides (for now)
I used to be bummed to find that the one actions you may observe with the G-Shock Transfer are walks, runs, fitness center exercises and interval coaching. I attempted utilizing the operating mode to trace a 10-mile bike journey however ended up with restricted knowledge. The watch didn’t document distance or tempo, simply energy burned and coronary heart charge numbers. And although Casio just lately added help for linking Strava to the Casio Watches app, thus far, there nonetheless doesn’t seem a method to observe biking.
It’s a bit uncomfortable to put on to mattress
To maintain tabs on the standard of my sleep, I are inclined to put on a Fitbit Encourage 3 health tracker to mattress. The machine is significantly smaller and lighter than the G-Shock Transfer, so swapping one for the opposite was an adjustment. Whereas the Transfer is mostly comfy sufficient to put on for the size of a day, conserving it on all evening lengthy is tougher. For instance, I’ve practically clonked my associate within the head with the watch, on a number of events, whereas rolling over or adjusting a pillow.
Battery life is great
It’s been 72+ hours since I first strapped the G-Shock smartwatch to my wrist, absolutely charged, and as of writing, it’s nonetheless exhibiting a full battery. In that point, I’ve tracked each a 3.5-mile stroll in addition to the previously-mentioned 10-mile bike journey. I additionally examined out the heartbeat oximeter and coronary heart sensor quite a few occasions. This a dual-power watch, by the best way. Whereas the health and well being monitoring features run off energy from the inner rechargeable battery, the time and date features rely solely on solar energy.
The bezel scratches type of simple
The actual mannequin I’m sporting, affectionately named the DWH5600MB-1sports activities a reflective, metal-like bezel, which glimmers and shines in sure lighting situations, and is simply flashy sufficient for my style. Sadly, it’s additionally susceptible to scratches — I have already got a number of small ones and that quantity seems to be rising. That stated, the display and case stay blemish-free.
The companion app is simply okay
The Casio Watches app, obtainable for Android and iOS, is considerably bare-bones in comparison with the competitors. For instance, it isn’t as simple to navigate because the Fitbit app, neither is the consumer interface as pleasing to the eyes. I additionally discovered the exercise and restoration knowledge a bit tougher to parse, not to mention export. Lastly, the house display must be reimagined: Proper now it’s a revolving door of commercials for brand spanking new Casio watch fashions which you need to navigate previous each time you restart the app.
That stated, I’ve had no points with connectivity or pairing the watch to my iPhone. Organising the G-Shock Transfer did take 45+ minutes, although. This was due to a laundry listing of steps to finish adopted by a prolonged firmware replace.
It will get compliments
By way of aesthetics, health trackers and smartwatches are typically boring at finest and dorky at worst. Nonetheless, the Casio G-Shock Transfer smartwatches are a uncommon exception: attractiveness by no means take a again seat to performance. And whereas I might not be essentially the most trendy man within the membership, this watch has already gotten me greater than two compliments.
G-Shock Transfer — remaining ideas
Finally, each as a watch nerd and a health author, I’m discovering loads of causes to maintain the G-Shock Transfer strapped to my wrist. The health and well being monitoring options are genuinely helpful, regardless of the restricted variety of bodily actions that may be tracked. Past that, although, it’s only one heck of a cool piece of wearable tech.
