Gary's First Look at the G-Shock GW2310-1

 

In the realm of more affordable watches, I just bought a Casio G-Shock GW2310-1.

http://gshock.com/watches/Classic/GW2310-1

This is my first G-Shock, and I like it quite a bit. It's solar powered and has atomic time setting. I like the layout of the display, which is sharp and contrasty. It wears a little smaller than the stated dimensions might suggest, because some of the width is due to the button guards and some of the thickness is due to the crystal guard. The strap is a little on the short side and is somewhat stiff, but it works fine for me (using the 4th hole). Those with large wrists, like Jeff, will likely find the strap too short.

I like that it takes just one button press to swap the Day and Date for the World Timezone and Time on the main timekeeping screen. The "power wheel" on the display looks cool. It shows if PowerSave mode is enabled, and also the level of battery charge.

It seems very well built and is light on the wrist. One downside is that the alarm is relatively quiet, but this seems to be a common issue with G-Shock models. Another issue is that the display is somewhat small compared to the width of the case, so the digits are on the small side for a watch this size.

Overall, I recommend it.

Here's a short YouTube review of the GW2310-1. There are more detailed reviews of the negative display version available on YouTube as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy4RsPBwXSY

 

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Comments

[Gary]

Just to be clear, the embedded YouTube review is not by me.

There is an error in the YouTube review regarding the charging time. He implies 5 minutes of direct sunlight fully charges the watch. Actually, it takes 5 minutes of direct sunlight to power the watch for one day. It takes many hours of sunlight to fully charge the watch. This is detailed in the owner's manual, which can be obtained at this link:

http://www.casio-usa.com/products/Watches/G-Shock/GW2310-1/

[Angelo]

Very nice. I like my G-Shock a lot. It's nothing fancy but for me, that was sort of the point of getting it. Matte black, digital, indestructible. I find myself grabbing it on days when I'm thinking I might be exposing my watch to some moisture or rough treatment. I'm also amazed at how well these things hold their value (not that I have any plans of selling mine). But even the inexpensive ones seem to be in demand on E-Bay in the used market---they bid up. I think Casio found a genius niche with this series. They range from "affordable" to somewhat expensive. They have had dozens of different styles if not hundreds----and seem to limit production so that some versions become "sought after." People buy them for accuracy and durability (high school football/basketball officials for example). Some people also just like the styling and capability of a watch that can be whacked and still run. And they really cornered this market.

[Gary]

Angelo- Yes, these do seem to be robust watches, with lots of protection for the crystal and the pushers. And you're right, Casio makes a huge number of models.

The GW2310 actually looks better in person than it does in pictures or videos. The finish on the perimeter of the "power wheel" reflects light in a pleasing way. There are a lot of layers in the display, which gives the impression of depth when you're looking at it. The Photoshopped display on Casio's web site looks very flat in comparison.

[Angelo]

http://www.amazon.com/Timex-T45181-Expedition-Analog-Digital-Chrono/dp/B000FGDE70/ref=pd_rhf_cr_s_cp_3_78QQ?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E223CJHR1GE6KSCD3DD

With all the talk of watches costing in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars----here is a watch that is around thirty-five bucks, free shipping---and has a great outdoor look in my opinion. These things are made to last too. They don't offer the bulletproof durability of a G-Shock, but for most people, they're tough enough to go the distance. Plenty of value if you like the style.

[Matt Johnson]

Sorry for the mistake in the video, I must have misread the manual.

[Gary]

No worries, Matt. Your review was useful to me, and it helped me decide to go ahead and buy the GW2310-1.

With continued wear, the strap seems to have become more flexible and comfortable, although it's still too short for Popeye (or Jeff). When I want to wear a watch that I won't worry about damaging due to water infiltration or rough usage, I wear the GW2310-1. (In fact, it's my only digital watch with 200m water resistance.)

The atomic time setting feature works well. It fails no more than a day or two per month, and I don't even put the watch near a window overnight.

[Gary]

I found some info on G-Shock test modes. I tested these steps on my GW2310-1. The display test mode should work on most G-Shocks. The others will only work if the watch has the relevant hardware (i.e., tilt sensor, solar panel or radio receiver).

Press and hold the following buttons simultaneously:

Top Left, Top Right & Bottom Left - Tilt sensor test (shows TLT)
Time display area shows blank when not tilted, 8888 when tilted
Press Bottom Right to escape

Top Left, Top Right & Bottom Right- Solar cell test (shows SLR)
Time display area shows blank when exposed to light, 8888 when there is insufficient light
Press Bottom Right to escape

Bottom Left, Bottom Right & Top Left - Display test (and module version)
Press Bottom Right to scroll through various screens and escape

Bottom Left, Bottom Right & Top Right - Time sync hardware test
Shows radio-controlled transmitter countries/frequencies, etc.
Press Bottom Left to escape