This was my novelty pick of CES 2016, or at least the previous F10 version was. The previous version was rugged, had androidwear and a dual-layer LCD: one monochrome & one colour. The Nixon Mission then seemed to be a bit like this ie a bit like the WSD-F10.
Now we have the snappily named WSD-F20 (no oHR, BTLE HR via chest strap and 3rd party on-watch app) aka PRO TREK (think professional trekker, outdoors, rugged)
Apart from the dual screen, there are full colour offline maps ie no smartphone should be required – perhaps, more correctly, there will be no need to have cellular/carrier service.
Supports map data downloads through partnership with Mapbox, a provider of worldwide map data. Maps can be displayed even when your smartphone is offline, such as in areas where cellular service cannot reach. The map works in tandem with the built-in GPS function to display positioning information.
It’s an AndroidWear 2.0 device (AW2 released Q1.2017) and supports wifi. There will be limited functionality with iOS but lots of apps will work on it from your Android phone.
Built in low-power GPS: Supports positioning data from three satellites (American GPS, Russian GLONASS* and Japanese “MICHIBIKI” QZSS). Steadily receives positioning data and displays your current position on a full-color map.
The current version is almost war proof. It seems to be vendor self-certified to US military standard MIL-STD-810G, which is something like an all-out attack from the 5th army. Or something like that (well, actually not like that at all). But not the navy as it’s ‘only’ good to 50m underwater. [Seriously though, this means the device will likely be more durable than most others in a hiking environment]
And here’s one of those videos that tell you nothing. Watched by 17,000 people though which is pretty good for a corporate video (anything more than 30 is good)
At Eur/$/£500 ish then it is expensive compared to the competition. It’s rather neutral, IMHO, when it comes to looks. Perhaps it looks cheaper than a $500 watch? Change the orange and the watch face and I’d probably be happy enough.
For the sake of argument let’s say it’s competing with the SPARTAN ULTRA. The ULTRA wins on looks but the CASIO wins on richness of the OS. The ULTRA might win on the navigation front, eventually, but the CASIO wins on OS, maps and (maybe) durability. Many others are saying they don’t see where it sits in the market ??!! There, I just told you.
OK compared to the Fenix 5x the Casio will lose in most every respect except, IMHO, AndroidWear triumphs over CIQ as a medium term bet for usefulness. So the CASIO will end up shifting down a bit in price so it can compete better.
It hasn’t got a oHRM but so what? Maybe it SHOULD have one but it’s no big shakes for many, but not all, people to wear a chest HRM if they want HR data. The exception of course is hikers; if I’m hiking for a few days I might want periodic HR and personally I wouldn’t want to wear a chest strap for that length of time. Then again having a oHRM under layers of clothing on a cold, exposed day isn’t very practical either…you can’t see the watch to navigate! (It can utilise a Bluetooth HRM through AndriodWear (Soruce: DCR) hence a chest strap or the scosche on your forearm or the MIO on your wrist will be fine for those who need it.
It looks like it can be charged whilst being used, with the charging port being on the SIDE of the device. Handy for a USB battery to plug into half-way up Everest hopefully? maybe, perhaps. AW2 will most likely (we don’t yet know) have high battery demands and hence a limited battery life on the Casio (TBC). Hopefully with Casio enabling a new low-powered GPS chip they have thought about this. Even a low powered GPS chip will still drink the battery juice fairly quickly. Let’s hope that Casio enable some form of intermittent GPS enablement (like the TomTom Adventurer) to prolong battery life significantly.
And here are the specs which say it’s AndroidWear 2.0. Which is surprising as it isn’t released yet. So it must be working on beta firmware 🙂
If anyone can think of a witty comment about the ‘vibrator’ functionality please let me know. I’m struggling.
Main Specifications
| GPS | Compatible (including GLONASS*1 and Michibiki) |
|---|---|
| Color Maps | Compatible (supports offline use) |
| OS | Android Wear 2.0 |
| Display | 1.32-inch dual layer display Color TFT LCD and monochrome LCD Color: 320 × 300 pixels |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive touchscreen (anti-fouling coating) |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters*2 |
| Environmental Durability | MIL-STD-810 (United States military standard issued by the U.S. Department of Defense)*3 |
| Sensors | Pressure (air pressure, altitude) sensor, accelerometer, gyrometer, compass (magnetic) sensor. Supports Bluetooth SMART HRM but only on an appropriate app such as STRAVA (which will run on the device) |
| Microphone | |
| Vibrator | |
| Battery | Lithium-ion battery |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth® V4.1 (Low Energy) Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) |
| Buttons | TOOL button, Power button, APP button |
| Charging Method | Magnetic charging terminal |
| Recharging Time | Approx. 2 hours at room temperature |
| Battery Life | Normal use: more than 1 day, roughly (varies according to use) Timepiece Mode (timekeeping only): more than 1 month, roughly (varies according to use) |
| Size of Case | Approx. 61.7mm × 56.4mm × 15.7mm (H × W × D) |
| Weight | Approx. 92g (including watchband) |
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Looks like a watch from the 90s… Time to hire a new design team? 😛
late ’90s maybe 😉 . it’s not so bad I thought. some people like that sort of thing (not me especially)
I still love this ’90s look… Oh my God, I’m getting old…
Okay, I have to buy this watch… ?
nineties look, teenies tech (actually what do you call our current decade?)