Casio Digital Watches: Casio Pathfinder PAW1500 Altimeter Watch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I recently received this watch as a gift, as I already owned a Casio Pathfinder PAW1300G-1V (the earlier model), and it was thought that I would appreciate the upgrade.

In short, this is a nice watch, but there aren't that many features over the PAW1300 line to justify the increased size.Unfortunately, in spite of these new features, I find that I still go back to the PAW1300 as my daily watch, simply because it's a better package as a whole.

There are three major new features in the PAW1500 series that are not in the PAW1300:

-- Tide calculator
-- Moon phase calculator
-- Water resistant to 200m (instead of 100m)

The increased water resistance is terrific, as this turns the Pathfinder into an actual diving watch, instead of a mere snorkeling watch.But the other two features, in my opinion, are underwhelming, and the cost in the module's case-size are quite great.

To whit:the PAW1300 is 47.4mm round and 11.5mm thick.The PAW1500 is 51mm round and 13.9mm thick.This may not sound like a big difference, but side-by-side, it's palpable.Before obtaining this watch, the PAW1300G-1V was the largest one I owned (in a close tie with the Seiko Orange Monster).Now this watch completely dwarfs it.It's so big, I feel like I can use this watch to deflect bullets, Wonder-Woman-style.

(If you like big watches, then don't listen to me.If you don't care, but want this watch anyway, then get ready for the predictable, "Good thing that watch is water-resistant to 200 meters, because you'll need it when that watch drags you down to the bottom of the ocean"-type jokes from your friends, and even strangers.)

Additionally, the 1500PAW has some shortcuts, like the countdown timer.The PAW1500 only has a "yacht" timer, which means that you can count down only from a maximum of 60 minutes.Instead, the PAW1300 has a full 24-hour countdown timer, which is something I use frequently.To find this feature crippled in the PAW1500 was a disappointment.(Also, the altimeter only has a 20-record capacity in the PAW1500 compared to the 40 records in the PAW1300, but I don't think many people will be affected by this.)

The PAW1500 does have one minor pro that I should mention:the information is better-displayed than it is on the PAW1300.Despite the watch's large size, there is technically less space in the LCD display for numeric/text/icon information, but to me the information is presented with a cleaner layout and is more intuitive to read.I.e., I think it makes the best of what it has, and I wish that the PAW1300 had done a better job in this regard.

In short:if you are looking to get a cool outdoor-gizmo watch, this one will deliver heaps of features in spades.The solar power is awesome, and once you have atomic syncing, you'll never go back.The other features, when you learn how to use them, are extremely powerful in combination.

Still, I would advise that you be honest with yourself.Do you really need 200m water resistance, and calculators for tides and moon-phases?(And do you really want a watch the size of a beverage coaster?)If not, then I would recommend that you take a look at the PAW1300 series.It's considerably cheaper, and the size is less obnoxious.

(The PAW1300G-1V in particular is noteworthy in that the band is not integrated with the case, but can be swapped out for standard one-piece 22mm bands, like the Zulu or NATO straps.)

There have been many generations of Pathfinder watches over the past several years, and to me, the PAW1300 feels like the golden version:the Pathfinder done right (well 90% right).Unfortunately, the PAW1500 feels like an awkward, next-generation compromise in order to pack in those few extra features.Maybe the PAW1600 will be an improvement.

As a final note:I see a lot of reviews for the Casio Pathfinders complaining about the lack of accuracy.Please note that these watches need to be calibrated to local conditions if you want them to be truly accurate, and even still, you should fully understand how the features work (and the basic science behind them) if you want to get the best use of these watches.If you are looking for a zero-maintenance, GPS-quality dashboard for you wrist, I would recommend looking at the Garmin Foretrex 101 (while a terrific piece of equipment, it's not solar-powered, and will require changing the AAA batteries every 10 hours).

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Product Description:
Whether your adventures take place at high altitudes or on the high seas, the Casio Pathfinder PAW1500 Altimeter Watch helps you track critical data. Core Triple Sensor functions?altimeter, digital compass, and barometer/thermometer?plus extras like tide and moon graphing, report on natural phenomena around you.

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