Loads of gizmos, constructed for journey, and charmingly ugly, the Casio ProTrek PRG340-1 is mission-ready.
Stunts, chase scenes, unique locales — if you consider the Mission: Impossible films, sure set items come to thoughts. But amongst EDC lovers, this movie franchise has one other calling card: Ugly however charming (“chugly”) wristwatches.
Now, the ProTrek PRG340-1 ($280) hasn’t technically been featured on the silver display screen. But in my thoughts’s eye, this new Casio can be completely at dwelling on the wrist of an IMF agent.
It’s obtained all of the incorporates a good super-spy wants: photo voltaic charging, a compass, barometer, and altimeter, and sufficient alarms and timers to maintain your world-saving plan on monitor. Plus, it has that cumbersome, utilitarian look I’ve come to count on from Ethan Hunt and his group.
So when the supply to check drive the watch got here by means of, I half-expected the e-mail to set my pc on fireplace. This, fortunately, didn’t occur. But a sure theme track might have performed in my head as quickly because the tester arrived. And over greater than every week’s price of wrist time, the tune by no means fairly managed to fade.
In quick: The Casio ProTrek PRG340-1 is a superb journey watch, totally outfitted for numerous conditions. Its huge numerals and easy-access capabilities make it a breeze to function, in a bundle that wears someway smaller than its dimensions. It’s engaging, feature-rich, and let down simply barely by its supplies and ending.
Casio ProTrek PRG340-1 Watch Review
Specs
- Case measurement: 54.7 × 51.7 × 15.1 mm
- Case/band materials: Biomass plastic
- Weight: 54 g
- Movement: Casio Tough Solar/Triple Sensor Quartz
- Water resistance: 100 m
- Crystal: Mineral
Do you need different folks to have the ability to learn the time out of your wrist, midway throughout the room? Then the PRG340-1 is your watch.
The central numerals dominate the ProTrek’s show, which is considerably smaller than its practically 55mm size would point out. Yet regardless of its measurement, the watch wears surprisingly effectively.
Its case rises 15.1 mm from the wrist, and the band dives down from the lugs with a cushty grace. There’s additionally a mannequin with a titanium bracelet, for an upcharge of $50.
Casio aimed to make the ProTrek equally as straightforward on the setting. The firm web site states that the PRG340 line makes use of biomass plastics that don’t sacrifice consolation.
“The case and urethane band are crafted from biomass plastics made with castor oil and the band from biomass plastics made with corn,” in accordance with Casio.
Corn, you say? Well, I assume even a super-spy must have their greens. But as soft because the band could also be, I’m extra impressed with the assorted gadgetry.
The Adventurer’s Toolbox
The PRG340-1 comes with three main sensors: a compass, a barometer, and an altimeter. This leaves out the atomic timekeeping discovered on its lately reviewed cousin, although the photo voltaic charging stays.
Each of those is offered with a press of the corresponding button on the watch’s right-hand facet. There’s additionally a two-way rotating bezel, one thing the analog/digital PRW6900YL-5 lacks.
But the star right here is the display screen. Per Casio, “The duplex LCD lays out separate layers for the compass graphics and the clock functions, enabling a larger compass display for better legibility and easier navigation in a design that is both functional and beautiful.”
It’s pretty spectacular to see this layering in motion, particularly realizing that there’s a photo voltaic panel lurking someplace behind. Some digital watches may be tough to learn at an angle, particularly when driving or sporting sun shades. Not so with the PRG340-1, regardless of its technical problems.
And talking of brightness, take a look at its double LED.
Downsides
From a know-how standpoint, I feel this ProTrek traces up with its worth. Unfortunately, it’s let down only a bit by the plastics surrounding mentioned tech.
I’m all for using environmentally pleasant supplies, and for this, Casio will get one thing of a move. But there’s additionally a slight contact of button-wobble right here, and the chassis feels just like that of a primary Tough Solar Sport.
Are the biomass plastics higher? Yes, I’d say so. But whether or not or not they’re $200 higher is as much as the customer to resolve.
Speaking of the quantity 200, it might be good to see the next water resistance right here. Still, 100m is stable, and I perceive that the sensors possible prohibit a greater ranking. And the PRG340 will do one thing that even most watertight G-SHOCKs received’t:
That’s proper! It’ll lay flat.
And all jokes apart, that is truly a pleasant characteristic. It means that you may set the watch on a desk whereas fist-fighting with an murderer or terrorists, and nonetheless have the ability to look on the time.
Casio ProTrek PRG340-1: Conclusion
Reading by means of the product description, it’s clear that Casio is promoting the PRG340-1 as an adventurous, outdoorsy watch. And really, it’s. But for me, that is secret-agent stuff all the way in which.
With its huge numerals, technical credentials, and intuitive structure and interface, the ProTrek PRG340-1 has all of the makings of a long-term, go (nearly) anyplace companion.
The use of biomass plastics is laudable, even when they depart the watch feeling only a contact on the facet of toy-like. But in my e-book, the general consolation and performance make up for it.
Now, stand again — this evaluation will self-destruct!
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