This watch has about all the gimmicks you could want in a watch. Well, perhaps a GPS, heart rate monitor and MP3 player would be nice inclusions... However, it is solar-powered with a generous battery reserve and should never die with normal light exposure. I've never seen my battery level fall below H (high). It has a thermometer, barometer, altimeter, compass, moonphase indicator, tide chart, automatic synchronization with international atomic clock radio broadcasts and the standard multi-function watch stuff like stopwatch, world time, etc.
That's all fine and dandy, but let's face it, this is NOT a precise instrument.
The compass is surprisingly consistent, though I did have to calibrate it away from the factory preset initially. I feel this feature is the watch's strongest feature due to its accuracy and the fact that it could someday save your life. Still, it's not perfect. The compass display only lasts a few seconds, so you can't use it like a real compass.
The barometer also is quite consistent once calibrated, though I have seen errors of 2 hPa in either direction.
Thermometer is rather fickle if the watch is being worn on skin. I've noticed as much as 5 degrees Fahrenheit error in either direction. It's typically within 1 F degree either way. Have never verified the thermometer's accuracy when not being worn, so can't comment on that.
Altimeter gives decent approximation. I live at sea level and get readings as low as -10 meters and as high as 10 meters while at sea level. Typically it reads 0 or 5 meters. On a recent trip about 250 miles from home, with the watch calibrated at my home's sea level, I reached a peak altitude of 1195 meters, according to the watch. On my descent, I compared the watch's altitude reading with a posted USGS altitude sign. At 457.2 meters (1500 feet) the watch read a pretty consistent 420 meters.
The moonphase indicator is, of course, very accurate.
Tide charting leaves much to be desired. It calculates first high tide to within 20 minutes. Pretty good. However, this is the only actual high or low tide to be seen and to actually see the actual time, you must go into the Adjust mode. The actual graphing of the tides is sloppy and inaccurate. A dot-plotted chart like that used for the barometer should be incorporated. The 2-hour increments of the present graph also hinder true accuracy. Also, this mode ALWAYS defaults to showing tide at 6:00 am. This time can be adjusted manually each time you enter the mode, but the default time CANNOT be changed. Tide charting is the watch's weakest feature.
Rather disappointed with the atomic clock synchronization too. I live in HNL, one of the listed time zones that should be able to receive atomic calibration. Has not happened yet, after over a month. When I try to manually synchronize, I get a level 1 (low, but existent) signal indication, but no synchronization. Frustrating.
It's also a little disappointing that a "titanium" watch has a PLASTIC shell and stainless back and presumably a something-other-than-titanium case. The band does appear to be legitimate titanium but I wouldn't be surprised if it's titanium-plated aluminum or something. This watch, despite it's substantial bulkiness, is very light. My Citizen Eco-Drive Skyhawk, which is TRULY a titanium watch and is notably smaller, is noticeably heavier.
All in all, it's a cool watch. It's very stylish for a digital watch. It's comfortable. It's very durable. And you'll always have reasonable accuracyfrom any function (maybe not with tide charting), with a good compass. Worth the Amazon price, but not the suggested retail price.
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Casio Men's Pathfinder Multi-Band Solar Atomic Ultimate Watch #PAW1500T-7VProduct Description: Perfect for rugged adventurers and weekend warriors, the solar-powered Casio Pathfinder men's sport watch is loaded with a digital compass and altimeter/barometer/thermometer--perfect for both mountain trekking and cave spelunking. It also includes tide and moon graphs and moon age data, and is very precise thanks to its atomic timekeeping features. The durable round watch case (measuring 50.5mm/1.98 inches wide) and bracelet are made of titanium, which is nearly 50 percent lighter than steel, but 30 percent stronger. It's also particularly resistant to salt water corrosion, as well as hypo-allergenic--perfect for those with metal allergies.
The altimeter offers 5-meter measurements from -700 to 10,000 meters, and it can store altitude, month, date and time data, provide tendency and differential graphs, track cumulative ascent/descent, and sound an alarm when you reach a specified altitude. The watch also has a digital compass with 16 points of measurement displayed on the dial face. Other environmental and timekeeping features include:
Barometer with atmospheric pressure tendency/differential graphics
Thermometer
World Time: 29 times zones (30 cities), city code display, daylight saving on/off
5 daily alarms
1/100 second stopwatch with 24-hour capacity and elapsed/split time modes and 1st-2nd place times
Countdown timer with 60-minute range
Auto Calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2099)
This watch also features a ±20-second accuracy per month, Afterglow backlighting, and water resistance to water resistance to 200 meters (660 feet)--which will stand up to the rigors of recreational scuba diving. This solar-powered watch has a battery life of up to 5 months on a full charge (without further exposure to light).
This multi-band radio-controlled watch receives a time calibration signal transmitted from several locations across the globe (the U.S., UK, Germany, and Japan), and it has an auto receive function (up to 6 times per day). You can choose to automatically receive this signal four times a day, or manually update the watch to the atomic clock.
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Some time ago I have sworn that I will only use solar-powered watches that synchronize time with atomic clocks. Initially only quite expensive and 'stylish' models were available, but wearing a timepiece worth several hundred bucks while doing work around the house makes you constantly worried that you scratch precious thing.
