Better Than Garmin? | G-Shock DW H5600 Ultimate Review & Comparison with Garmin Instinct Solar
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- čas přidán 19. 07. 2024
- This week we have hands-on with the new Casio DW-H5600. In a world where high-tech smartwatches and multifunctional wearables dominate the market, there's something expected but also comforting about the new Casio DW-H5600. But is this fitness tracker too little too late for Casio, let's find out as we go review both versions of this watch.
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0:00 Intro
1:20 Review Outline
2:30 Better: Garmin or G-Shock?
3:20 Good for Cyclists?
3:24 Unboxing
4:10 Measurements
4:30 Case & Strap Material
4:40 Wrist Shot and Hump
5:15 Water Resistance
5:45 MIP Display
6:39 Functionality
7:35 Module
8:15 Blue vs Black
8:45 Button Functionality
9:00 App Functionality
9:39 Fitness Features
11:20 The Missing Feature
12:00 Button Usability
13:10 Battery & Charging
13:45 What Do You Think
Disclosures:
I use affiliate links when linking products in the video description. Casual Watch Reviews is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. - Jak na to + styl
Looked so sweet I got myself (Wife) the grey last weekend here in Osaka.
Cost about 34000 JPY. Absolutely stunning. As you said, the screen is really what makes it, with the new features.
I love a Casio and a G shock since I was a teenager, but this was something new,a dnd hopefully something they continue to perfect.
Thank you for another great review Sam! I love my G-Shocks and this one is very tempting.
My son gave me his old series 3 and I really like the fitness/sleep tracking but I do mostly water sports for exercise in the summer and I much prefer the look of the H5600.
Quick question - are you double wristing with G-Shock? I occasionally double wrist with the Apple Watch because I see it as a fitness track and not a watch but a G-Shock is a proper watch 🤔
I have never worn two watches! I feel weird about it 😁
Omg I am in Orlando as well! Hahaha loved how you tracked your heart rate on the mummy ride 😂
I have used Garmin tracking while walking around the world showcase at Epcot. It’s really cool to see how long we stayed at each pavilion.
If your a shock fan and just fancy a bit of light fitness tracking then the new G is great… it your a genuine fitness enthusiast / athlete the instinct is a no brainier.
Thank you for closeups and 4k video!
Great review Sam! I will admit, as a g-shock fan, this is the first smart watch that’s ever tempted me..
Cheers Sunil! If you get the itch let me know!
Thanks for that quality and detailed video. Very good.
After watching Russel's review a second time. I noticed he had some trouble with the buttons being a bit shallow as the functions are menu driven. I'm curious if the bezel is removable to allow better button access while using the settings. He and I both have a GBD 200 as well. He mentioned that he found those buttons much more suited to using the menu's comfortably. I had a good chuckle when you showed his "paw print" 🤣
I already bought one yesterday, now waiting for it to arrive.
Also I have a Garmin Instinct, so I think they could both share wrist time.
After your detailed explanation, I decided to buy Casio DW-H5600-1DR. Thank you ✌🏻
Since I’m a multi sport guy my Garmin 935 does the trick for me. It has its issues like poor gym rep reading and it can take a long time to sync the GPS. For the price I paid the Garmin wins easily for what I need.
Great review as I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on the gshock. Looking for some basic features such as the heart rate monitor, not so much with all the other fancy stuff. I think its also great that the ghock cam stand on its own with all fuctions without the need of a phone app.
Love the iconic square and durability of the gshock. Would love to see more of a comparison in durability and water resistance vs the Garmin. I suspect the gshock wins hands down, but curious! Hence is likely the reason for the hard to push buttons on the G, certainly adds to its durability and water resistance factor which I feel is underrated. There's a reason special forces wear these over Garmin or apples.
Special forces cannot wear smartwatches or watches with bluetooth connectivity and/or GPS in the field, hence G shocks are mostly worn. Garmin also produced instinct tactical version for this specific purpose where no signal won't be transmitted or received in tactical mode.
You can put the watch into airplane mode or power saving to stop Bluetooth signals essentially a stealth mode
Is Casio watch able to back sync number of steps from Casio Watch app to display steps from all Casio watches or is the sync one way only (from watch to Casio app but no steps are sync from app to watch)?
I ordered one although I'm not into fitness tracking. Some of the features sound like fun to mess around with but I'll probably end up using it like a regular square with added moonphase, sunset times and MIP. Will be interesting to see if it can power itself through Solar if dumbed down.
you can if you put it into low power mode
Wish it were bigger.
Keep in mind, mineral crystals are a little more shatter resistant than sapphire crystals. Sapphire is nearly scratch proof, but more brittle, due to the hardness of the material. Given G-Shock’s design for extreme use, the mineral crystal might have been for more shatter resistance.
Hi Jeffrey, yep I don’t buy that at all from them if thats the case. Some of the toughest watches in the world use sapphire. Citizen use it a lot and gshock do on their super expensive ones. Seiko’s most capable dive watches user sapphire and the Rolex Deep Sea Challenge uses sapphire. I have never had a sapphire shatter, they break the same as mineral.
@@CasualWatchReviews Sapphire is scratch proof but not shock proof, for a G”SHOCK”, shock protection is the name of the game
Finally somebody gets it. All watch reviewers (which are not divers!) complain about dive watches that do not have sapphire when that’s exactly the reason why they don't.
No. Not really. If you have two crystals from identical dimensions and one of them is mineral and the other sapphire; the sapphire ends up being just as shatter resistant plus ways more scratch resistant as well.
@@CasualWatchReviews The Vostok Amphibia has a plastic crystal and it was designed for diving, so...
Love Casio G-SHOCK, I have the GW5000-1JF and the GW5000U-1Jf but I will stick with my instinct solar, my instinct was always full in the South of France and Europe, only in the UK did it need plugging in. It charges off portable charging packs as well if your out in the sticks. Cheers
Garmin is still the king of sports tracking, while pricey the app and metrics you get are very detailed, the new models also have amoled display which is fantastic.
This mip display is great. Hopefully casio will release a square with basic functions with mip display soon.🙏
I would like to see that also!
So detailed video, I like it!
Epic review Sam. (Never even heard of the Pro Trek model which says a lot 😂) I’ve tried all the
Hey Aaron, cheers. I was worried it was too long but there is a lot to cover! Appreciate you watching and commenting!
This is a must view if you’re hunting for a smartwatch. Perfect length because you were thorough without just repeating the same features 5-10x like some other reviewers out there 🤦♂️
I always wonder when Casio would introduce this iconic design for their smartwatch line. Thank you Casio. But this one almost a perfect watch for me. With 200m water resistant I wish this watch can track swimming activity.
How tight does this have to be on wrist for the heart monitor to actually work? I'm really just interested in the step tracker and the display, I love the G-Shock solar and 200m water resistance.
Not that bad, there are plenty of adjustment holes so you can get a decent fit with it!
I want to try the display.. but I don't need the other features.. I will keep using my Gw-9400 Rangeman
As other have said: I want exactly this design but with standard features and flat backside. Why is not the MIP standard???
I'm a big G-shock fan and have several g-shocks. I've borrowed the GBX-100 from a friend and have been using it for 10 days... love the design but horrible interface and horrible app for the smartphone. The notifications are just ridiculous.
This new watch also looks pretty weak... Casio has a lot of catching up to do vs the competition. I love the square design and screen... but if I ever need a sport watch then I'll go for Garmin for sure. And I'll get a g-shock for being a fantastic and durable watch. I'm looking for my 6th g-shock now.
I have a Garmin Solar Instinct (1) and it seems very fragile compared to any of my G-Shocks, particular the 'glass', which feels very plasticky.
Hey Ian, mine is the instinct 1 also, the solar version. So this should give you a good idea then of what they are like compared. Thanks for watching.
Personally I don't care for any of the health related features. But please make that mip display widely available in other models!
Yes it would look awesome on the digital frogman and that square they charge 4k for should have one.
I've just got the GBD 200uu-1er and the display is to die for.
It would be perfect if it had solar
... And Atomic radio controlled too!
@@a.j.e4349 I don't care too much about that one since I'm not in a region that is covered. But that would also be a compelling addition for many.
I understand that the GShock "looks better", but from my experience of the new Garmin Instinct 2X, I've had many compliments from people (all men and no women) telling me how cool it looks.
I have 8 Casio watches that I put into rotation, and they serve their purpose of telling time, and occasional compass and barometer when I'm hiking.
I really feel like this smart watch is meant for a very specific people--namely, GShock Square enthusiasts who don't mind dropping hundreds just to get the MIP display on a Square, which is a shame. I hope Casio starts listening to what their fans really want, instead of shoving half-baked products down their fans' throats.
Just make Garmin watches look appealing
Can you share your experience in how well the vibrating alarm works to wake you up? Literally the only thing I use my Apple watch for now is the vibrating alarm in the mornings.
Hey, I'm sorry I can't remember. I have tested three similar watches in recent times, 2 gshocks and one other. I can't remember which was which for the vibrating alarm
@@CasualWatchReviews Thanks for taking the time to reply!
I have the Garmin Instinct 2X Solar and I also bought one of these G Shocks. I run a lot and you are right. For the fitness aspect, there is no comparison. I actually like the way the Instinct looks and I am a G-Shock Square fanatic. My Garmin also has a flashlight on the case which is pretty rad and useful. This G-Shock is overpriced for the features it offers. You are better off getting a fitness band and a 5610 if you like G-Shock squares
This is a great point actually. I much prefer the look of the gshock but the Garmin is built for purpose and the software and app integrations are more advanced.
very nice... temped to get one ... cheers
Cheers Craig! I probably will be selling at least one of them if intetested
Either make it a no compromise fitness watch (fast operation, fast data update, precise measurements) or just leave those features out. The downside would be more often charges, but really this as it is is the worst of both worlds
I'm getting one.... I hate smart watches but like the functionality.... I love gshock squares. This is a hybrid of both (although it seems to be a poor smartwatch).
Glad I watched this video because I ordered it thinking it was 51mm as described in the product dimensions. When in fact it's 51 mm from top to bottom of the watch that connects to the band. Misinformation from the ad. It's a small watch. Not a true 51mm like the magnificent Garmin. BTW good review.
Glad it helped and thanks for watching!
Great review...👍 question... does this watch have the ability to store music and play it via bluetooth connectivity? Thanks.
No, not from what I saw
I like the screen display, and it does enough for me. I am not a fitness freak, so the basic health sensors are good.
Can you rely 100% on solar / room light to change these?
No, if your using all the features your going to need to charge it also. If your switch off the fitness features you may be ok
Oh righto. Literally bought mine four hours ago. Damned happy with it - the grey absolutely pops. If it’s mint-in-the-box are the features going to be disabled or would I have to do so after purchase?
Thanks for the swift reply anyway!
Is the app updated and enhanced in features in the last year?
Yes it has, I cover this a bit more in the recent rangeman review I did if you have time to take a look!
@@CasualWatchReviews will watch it now! Thx.
Is there any difference between 'Tough Solar' vs 'Solar Powered' ?
Not that I’m aware of? Maybe Tough Solar is their brand name, like eco drive for citizen?
@@CasualWatchReviews
That is correct! Tough solar, eco drive and Solar(Seiko) mean the same.
CURIOUS: Has anyone removed the back so that the heart rate monitor could be taken off and put the screw back on from a GW-5000U? I don't want the heart rate monitor, but I would like the other features such as the MIP display and step counter.
Can anyone put Garmin model, I think OP missed it.
It's in the title of the upload
I love it. Bought the Blue one.
What do you think about the protruding parts of backside? They are leaving marks on the skin, but is it uncomfortable?
most people don't wear watch because it's feature anyway, for me personally this square win
The watch was looking for the software update that needs to be installed at the beginning
Hi, thanks for the comment, I'm going to look into that because it keeps doing it even though I'm regularly syncing with the phone.
@@CasualWatchReviews a bit of a pain at the beginning, and worth it. Got my watch today, and after the update, it works flawlessly, and I am pleasantly surprised at how good it is. A lot of people are having issues since they try to use the watch alone, it has to be used with the phone to set up and then the interaction with the watch is good enough
Great review by the way😃
@@CasualWatchReviews I noticed that when my phone is more than 2 meters away, the Bluetooth signal starts flashing and I get the big Bluetooth search screen
@@emaeder18I would like to know your thought about the health monitor sensors.i want to get that watch and ready to pull the trigger but unfortunately all I see is negative reviews but interested to know the experience from an end user
On this watch and the GBD H2000 (got both) you would use the app for function and info, and use the watch as a …. G shock.
If you feel it’s behind the times or not smartwatch enough, you would be better off buying a smartwatch.
This is a Casio G Shock focused on fitness and everyday health and sleep, with Polar sensors and an app.
You don’t buy a Rolex and compare it to a Garmin, and a Casio is also it’s own thing.
This has to be one of the mort ridiculous comments I have had on this upload. They are clearly trying to go at the fitness watch market with this one, comparing it against an equivalent Garmin is absolutely the correct way to go about this review.
Nope! Casio & Garmin are years ahead of Casio Move Series. Not only is Casio inaccurate, but also they are inconsistent...
This item already have a gps?
No the GPS comes from your phone for this one.
Clear answer G-Shocks are not meant to break that's why they don't have Sapphire Crystal as It is brittle.
Hi, thanks for watching. I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with you here. Not only is sapphire not brittle but GShock use it on their top of the range MR-G watches. I even have an MR-G from the 90s that has sapphire.
Please don’t take my word for it, look on their website. They even sell a square with sapphire. It’s a cost thing nothing to do with toughness.
Nearly every dive watch made for saturation diving uses Sapphire along with modern speedmasters used by NASA astronauts.
I love the idea and attempt but Casio is still a few generations from catching up to garmin or apple.
I don't think is a matter of G-Shock being left behind. Is a matter of them not using their proprietary technologies to achieve the same results. They are falling on the mistake of trying to compete with deposable smart watches on their own terms. For instance, Amazefit had a watch that was basically a smartish casioesque thing. Casio could easily have a watch with GPS, MIP display, maybe HRM, sapphire and solar... These are all technologies they already use on other watches. I think they just have a design team that is no longer interested on innovation, but rather capitalizing on nostalgia. I mean, the Garmin Instinct 2S is regularly on sale for $249 from the Garmin site. Love Casio, but they are falling in the same trappings of Seiko.
You made some great points here.👍 especially as I'm also looking to potentially buy the Garmin instinct S2 you mentioned. Do you know if the S2 can store music files that can be played and connected to my ear buds via blue tooth? I've checked Google and reviews but I can't seem to find a direct answer to this? Thanks.
As a smart watch, it’s kinda terrible.
As a regular watch that has some cool extra features though, it’s fantastic.
Especially given the fact you can just outright disable much of the functionality if you don’t need it.
If I want amazing smart functionality, I’ll wear my Apple Watch. I wear a G-Shock in situations where I’d otherwise fear for the Apple Watch’s life.
Do I still just want a regular DW5600 with the MIP display, yes. Will this be a good (albeit slightly expensive) alternative in the meantime, absolutely.
Hey Joel, I just reviewed the new 'Smart' Rangeman, has a lot more features. See what you think!
@@CasualWatchReviews fantastic watch! Certainly a much better smart watch, although it still can’t beat the Apple Watch on smarts alone.
That being said, if someone needs G-shock durability with proper smart functionality, the Rangeman might be great for them.
It’s too big for my liking though, I don’t need the smart features, and the addition of GPS is actually a dealbreaker for me since it’s disallowed in the use case where I use my G-shock instead of the Apple Watch.
Also, squares are just much cooler ;)
Is the battery easily replaceable?
It’s rechargeable?
@@CasualWatchReviews yes but it´ll eventually die after it reaches its limit of recharge cycles
Well you know more than me about it then.
Watch looks amazing, but to little to late for me and at $299 as of 06 -07- 23 ..I will have to pass 😔
I'm looking for a gshock smartwatch that has a good battery life and can show me notifications from my phone apps like whatsapp, Instagram, Slack. The only health feature a care about is the heart rate measurement. Should I buy the DW H5600?
You say “prop from original total recall film” like it’s a bad thing 😂😂
Thats one of the greatest films ever, any time I can get a reference in there is a good day 😂
@@CasualWatchReviews 🤣🤣
The fact that it doesnt have its own GPS and doesnt seem to work with any decent fitness apps makes this next to useless compared to a dedicated Garmin watch. Also why on earth would they keep the difficult to push buttons for all these functions and a pointless removeable bezel?? I am a massive square g shock fan and have worn one daily for many many years but I just dont see the point of this other than a quick cash grab cashing in on the massive popularity of the 5600 series
I think its good. Those who want a g shock with a little bit of fitness tracking like running, etc... The new smart bands and smartwatches gets slow over time and are full of useless features which i am never going to use. In that way i thinks its better than rest.
Casio should just make it a solar version counting steps, see the GBD200, and stay away from the heartbeat oxi stuff. Other watches do it better and easier.
I think they do… or have made just a step counter one?
@@CasualWatchReviews I don't think they have made that one. I don't want to heart monitor because I don't like it and just want everything else. The GBD 200 is too big in my opinion and the H5600 looks better.
The watches are awesome but Casio was never an App company.
And instead of syncing the polar sensors with the awesome polar app, they build jet another garbage app.
I disagree about the Garmin looks. If you change the face on Garmin to black, it looks way better. I used to have one but got tired of charging it, even if it was once every 2 weeks.
Yep, at least Garmin gives you the choice I guess, I prefer the ‘positive’ display.
G-Shoc should stay with the nostalgia crowd. They are far behind other fitness brands and nobody buys a Casio for the smart features. For example I don't buy this watch because of the "smart" features. It is unreasonable thick and expensive. Having a charger for the watch is an abomination in my eyes.
It is spelled “G-Shock”.
I would buy it for the terrific display, iconic look, heart rate sensor and robust design.
I don’t need a smartwatch so I don’t expect it to be one.
I don’t need a fitness watch, so no worries there either.
I just look at it as an upgraded square that monitors your health.
Its a step in the right direction but yes the current version needs a lot of improvement, Imagine a gshock which can do everything an apple watch can do on solar.
@@sanshammanchanda4328
Please no, who would need Apple Watch functionality on a G-Shock?
Too much clutter, I don’t need a gazillion of functions.
🎉😢😢ⓢⓐ
Puyuiuuu😅
Ipl
😊😊
I don’t like a Watch you have to charge it’s annoying that’s why i got rid of my rechargeable Rip Curl watch for a G-Shock g- lid with tough solar Gwx 5600 Beautiful square g - shock
Yep, I totally get that! Appreciate you watching!
I'll stick with my 5000u.
I need to add a 5000u to my collection!
No. I got the Garmin Fenix 5 for $300 new. A much better watch all around.
If this G-Shock was $100-$150 then it might be worth it. $300 for the same price as a Fenix 5? No.
Totally get your point there. Thanks for watching!
They are far less than garmin instinct 2
They are actually more expensive than the instinct 1 in the video.
Garmin instinct 2 solor is way better
Garmin is the best as everything they make is initially used and tested by military SF.
I think it’s the better of the two for sure!
This attempt from Casio is so bad, it's almost embarassing. Severely behind their competition.
So true , i dont get it, they embaraced themselves with squad smarts, 400 euros or more , bad software and much more....now this, it s a shame ...They should just let the smart market where it belongs or take a break and work a few years seriously...this is ridicilous...so back to the drawing board casio...
I own the watch and this video sums up my decision making pretty much. I think it smart features are enough for me and as a dumb square the battery life is impressive. Could it be better yeah. But ultimately the display sold it for me. It’s is excellent. The style is classic and when the next version comes out I will get it. The fact that they are still working on features is great… they recently added apple health and Strava integration so now it has everything I need
that screen to body ratio tho....such a ridiculously small screen...😂 And what's with all the writing around the HUGE display bezel? Come on..this ain't 1990. It looks so old school and bizarre..wtf...at a glance it looks just like a watch from the 90s.
This pretty much sums up Japanese culture - total stagnation. They were at the top of the tech industry. There were times even apple had to let Japanese companies design and develop their products. And look at where they are now.
@@kiloton5764bruh that’s the point. it’s the old school g shock square design, it’s literally the reason why everyone enjoys how it looks. It’s a timeless design. If people want a bigger screen they can look towards the Gbd h2000 instead.
I disagree about the Garmin looks. If you change the face on Garmin to black, it looks way better. I used to have one but got tired of charging it, even if it was once every 2 weeks.
Casio reminds me of Nokia lol
AITCH not HAITCH
Hey?
Obviously a Garmin is better in every way. And they are made to last too.
I disagree, it’s not protected in any way and it looks cheaper to me.
No, it is not better than Garmin
Did you see I reviewed the new Rangemen? See what you think of that one!
No. Next question.
Ok, next question… did you enjoy the upload and would you consider subscribing!
Meh. Yes.