The Casio G-Shock GPR-H1000 Rangeman is a brilliant hybrid smartwatch that surprised me with its comfort and durability. It offers solar and USB charging and its software is not intrusive. However, it does not have a sapphire crystal and is too big for sleep tracking. It is a great casual smartwatch that does not need to be worn all the time to get the benefits from it. The watch is designed for the outdoors and has all the connected features one could want. It uses a platform that maintains a Bluetooth connection to your phone, delivers notifications, tracks workouts, and connects to various health apps.
The Rangeman is a large and imposing tool watch, not suitable for wearing under a shirt cuff, but it is surprisingly comfortable. It is tough and water-resistant and has a flexible and forgiving strap. However, it uses mineral glass instead of sapphire crystal, making it less scratch-resistant. The watch runs on Casio’s own proprietary operating system and uses a heart rate monitor and GPS, making it suitable for tracking various activities including walking, running, cycling, and swimming.
One of the key benefits of the Rangeman is its solar-powered feature, meaning it may never need to be charged up any other way. When needing to charge, it comes with an oversized cable clip for easy attachment. It provides about two months of use from the battery without using the heart rate sensor and seeing sunlight at all.
The GPR-H1000 Rangeman costs $500 in the US and 450 British pounds in the UK. It falls between the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Apple Watch Series 9 in terms of price. It is a true hybrid smartwatch that balances the features of a traditional watch with the functionality of a smartwatch, making it a great choice for those who don’t want to rely solely on a smartwatch.
Overall, the new Rangeman is a great blend of both G-Shock and smartwatch worlds, combining the benefits of both without the need to wear it all the time. This makes it a suitable option for individuals who want a smartwatch without feeling obligated to wear it constantly.
