Review - Casio Men's PAW1500T-7V Ultimate Pathfinder Solar A

[TysonC]

Full write up with pics here - http://www.thechristiansurvivalguide.co ... mic-watch/

Casio PAW1500T-7V Pathfinder Watch Review

During my earlier years I adjusted to the idea that I needed a tough watch for field use. My drawers had a mix of Timex Expeditions, a Coleman or two, and your typical G-Shocks. These watches were not always fashionable and often times weren't everything I wanted - a timepiece, stopwatch, barometer, and compass, but they worked. When Casio first introduced the Pathfinder series that encompassed all I had needed in a watch (save that they were ugly as sin) I considered them heavily. However, they had one major flaw...battery drain.

Then a few years back Casio started producing G-Shocks with an embedded solar panel to constantly charge the battery. The concept of kinetic energy keeping a spring or battery charged has been used for quite some time, but the solar idea had never been refined enough for use in a tough watch. Then they went and one-uped themselves and put the system in a Pathfinder. Problem was, the things weren't cheap. Such is the thing dreams are made of and onto gear "wish list" it went.

Christmas last year I didn't have much in the way of a "normal" gift I wanted and explaining why I need a Berkey Light water filter usually brings about a, "okay, how about a Target gift card" kind of response. So as I contemplated my Christmas morning future I remembered to check my old gear wish list. A watch seemed pretty normal, regardless of the fact that it's solar powered and has about a bajillion functions and features seemingly only good for outdoor use, so I asked for it. Lucky me they took the hint and eventually I had a brand new Casio Ultimate Pathfinder with a titanium band. I was ecstatic!

First thoughts after unwrapping: The face is big! I guess it would have to be for all that info to show up clearly and then add a solar panel. Parts of the case were covered in plastic, not impressed - wish it was all metal. The whole package is lighter and slimmer than I'd thought it'd be. I had thought it'd stand pretty high on the wrist - it doesn't.

The watch looks great. Its not the nerd alert the original Pathfinders were. The titanium band and case, plus the black bezel give a great masculine but yet refined look. The display shows a lot of data - time/date, tides, moonphase, and barometer chart or day of week is the normal display along with powersaving icon, alarm on, misc stuff that doesn't take up much space. The face is big but isn't uncomfortable or extremely heavy, though Casio could probably streamline the thing by eliminating some full time displays and just having them cycle with the tools/modes.

The band needed adjustment to fit my wrist (as most watches do). I tried to take the pins out myself and was successful, too bad the same thing wasn't true for putting them back in! It uses the suction cup style pins that are tough to get back together without watchmaker tools. So I broke down and went to a jeweler who did it for free - same guy that made my wife's wedding ring - one more thumbs up for utilizing good, honest, American-owned small businesses. The fit we went to is snug, as I don't like a watch moving around AT ALL and the weight of this behemoth is sure to pull if the fit is loose.

Then it was necessary to set the atomic time. It wasn't difficult, the usual "pick a city" thing and adjust for DST if needed. The watch picks up the signal up to six times a day but once is about all you'd need to keep it +/- two seconds a day. Now please note that the watch does need good reception and about four full minutes to update. Casio recommends taking the watch off at night and placing it on a window, easy enough. The only real problem I've ever experienced with the atomic timekeeping was on my honeymoon in the Caribbean. It didn't receive anything. I'm sure I could've adjusted for a different radio signal but I didn't know how and using the world timekeeper function was easy enough.

Once on my wrist for a full test drive I started geeking out on the tools. The compass, altimeter, and barometer are all ridiculously easy to get to as they all have dedicated buttons on the right side of the case. Once you press any of the buttons for the tools and get the info you need, one press of the mode button (only one on left of case) will return the display to the "normal" time display. I found the tools to be more than adequate for rough field use. Of course they are not precision instruments, how could they be in such a small package? However, its better than you'll need for quick references in the bush or when mall crawling in the concrete jungle.

The one function I don't like is the automatic backlight. I just can't seem to figure out a quick way to get this thing to come on. It should be a quick turn of the wrist activates the backlight, but it doesn't. Not for me, atleast. I have to turn my wrist at just the right angle and hold it for about 1.5 seconds to get the thing to come on. If I don't do this perfectly I have to move my wrist and try again. Instead I just use the regular "light" button at the 5:30 position of the case because its quicker. Even in no light I can grip the watch and find the light button in under one second every time. I do wish they had made the light button bigger/easier.

Take these awesome features and then throw in the solar charging and power saver mode and its wrist candy. This watch will theoretically never need a new battery though contrary to popular belief, it does have one. Its just that the panels keep it charged, thus, limited drain. I use the power saver mode that puts the display in a sleep-like state after a period of time (about 60 mins) without movement or light exposure. The display will kick back on if you press a button, move the watch abruptly, or expose it to light. It usually takes about two seconds.

Good Lord does this watch have a lot going for it! After six months of wearing this watch I have to say its just about everything I ever wanted. Its rugged, reliable, and pretty much maintenance free with almost every tool I could need for quick orientation and situational reports. After all that its comfortable, too. Man, its hitting on all cylinders.

Well, this thing is great but in all fairness I do have some criticisms. The face is huge and it would be comfortable if smaller. I suppose you could take away some of the data displays to do this and relegate them to a button/tool mode. The backlight button should be bigger and easier to find and the auto backlight feature is too particular to rely on. Hopefully Casio will take note of such criticisms and make an even more streamlined and efficient field watch.

All in all its a great buy for under $250 shipped. For bushcrafting and prepping its a great survival watch as it's tough and adds no noticeable weight/space in your GHB or BOB but creates a layer of secondary tools including a compass and stop watch (for timing post-event procedures, heart rates for cpr/etc). The fact that it's solar powered and may never need a battery change in your lifetime is also a huge advantage as self-sufficiency also includes efficiency.

The only glaring issue - it should be dead or entirely unreliable after an EMP detonation.

Ratings (five being an absolute home run, one being a regrettable experience) -

Value: 4.25
Quality: 4.5
Ease of use/learning curve: 3.75
Features/multiple uses: 4.75
Maintenance: 4.75

Recommendation - Buy it if you're a watch guy that feels naked without one. Its a bit pricier than a regular G-Shock but well worth the price.

[CryHavoc]

I always liked what I read about them. They advertise them in every issue of Backpacker magazine. Good to hear it doesn't need a 'For Dummies' book to understand it.

[RogueJSK]

Nice review. I have the previous generation of that watch, the PAW1200T-7V, that I wear nearly every day. (From what I can tell, they're nearly identical in function, but the external appearance differs.) Like yours, mine is extremely light and very durable, and while I don't always need the extra bells and whistles, they do come in handy at times.

[TysonC]

I always liked what I read about them. They advertise them in every issue of Backpacker magazine. Good to hear it doesn't need a 'For Dummies' book to understand it.

It does come with a pretty thick users guide but in all honesty, the only things I needed for was setting the atomic band and changing readouts to standard (fahrenheit rather than celcius, feet rather than meters, etc.). There's a pretty good following online that can answer questions the user guide doesn't.

[Glennbo]

Due to the recommendations of this forum I bought a casio G-Shock (The Aviation) earlier this year. It's the first time I've worn a watch in over twenty years!

I'm extremely happy with this purchase. I've beat on it and it works great. I smash it up against things all day at work and no problems. I submerge it in dishwater and no problem. The cat likes to chew on it while I'm reading and no problem. I really like not having to baby it or stop to consider that it's even there no matter what I do.

I put mine on the windowsill for nightly update adjustments. I've practiced all the features so that I no longer need the owner's manual except I still haven't learned how to set the time manually since I never need to.

Mine has hands because I don't like digital displays.

The solar battery is great! When I first took it out of the tin it was down to medium. Eight minutes in the sun and it was powered up to high. Hasn't gone down in power since.

Sounds like your watch has more bells and whistles than mine. I thought about getting a more elaborate one, but I really don't need a barometer, altimeter, or thermometer...although the compass could come in handy. I don't even use my stopwatch features, timer, or world time displays at all. I do use the alarms like crazy.

I decided not to use the light that goes on when you raise and tilt your wrist because I worried I might inadvertently drain the battery. Maybe the pause you're experiencing is due to a deliberate delay in order to prevent the light from lighting up during casual movements and draining the battery.

[TysonC]

Glennbo - I definitely think you're right with the autolight, but its just too annoying. Don't worry about manual activation of the backlight, it doesn't take all that much energy. Use it when you need it, just go in the sun with it once in a while.

The compass is the one thing I view as an absolute need if I'm going to spend this much on a Casio. The altimeter never gets used, I'm in Florida. However I do use the barometer to help gauge when fish might be biting and to get an idea of how severe an incoming storm may be.

[Kabong30]

Every time I browse watches on Amazon that watch winds up getting ogled for a while. Right now I have a few G-Shocks that I rotate through and an older Pathfinder (PAG70T-7VCR). I wish I could justify the cost of one of the new ones too myself.

[TheFishinMagician]

Thanks for the review.


How accurate is the tide charting? Moon phase/data? Those would be the two most important features to me, if I were to purchase the watch (and it's been on my radar for a while now, believe me).

I've heard the tide charting is not very accurate at all. Can you confirm or deny?

[Blacksmith]

I wore similar solar pathfinder during my last tour and most of the time these days. Very good watch but I am not crazy about metal bands. My only complaint was that the compass was not as accurate as the original. The original was dead on. I find my pathfinder to be off by about 4%, which is quite a lot when you think about it. Too much to consider the compass as anything but a toy.

[Voodoo Medic]

Just my two cents but I have had a Suunto Advizor for the last seven years and it has been awesome! It has done three tours in Iraq with me and I have only had to change the battery twice. Can handle all the abuse you can give it and has some great features too. I know a few guys that have pathfinders and all of them within two years end up with a Suunto. Something else to consider anyway in the watch arena.

[roscoe]

Just out of curiousity, why do so many servicemen wear Suunto watches? I see thm in pictures of Iraq all the time. The only thing it offers over a Timex is the barometric pressure - everything else can be had on a $30 Expedition - compass, multi-time zone, temperature (which is inaccurate on your wrist, anyway), etc. Why would you guys need to know the barometric pressure or elevation? You know where you are on the map or GPS, which gives elevation, so it must be barometric pressure. I know the urges of gear, and had a Suunto, but found I never needed the one thing that makes it cost $250.

[TysonC]

Thanks for the review.


How accurate is the tide charting? Moon phase/data? Those would be the two most important features to me, if I were to purchase the watch (and it's been on my radar for a while now, believe me).

I've heard the tide charting is not very accurate at all. Can you confirm or deny?

I gotta be honest with you, I don't use the tide data at all. I suppose if I was into inshore fishing a bit more I'd probably use it, so I can't confirm or deny it's abilities. I can however say that the moon phase looks to be accurate when you compare by naked eye.

The compass is just about spot on for me, but I'm in Florida and need no corrections. This is probably my most used tool on the watch and it never steers me wrong.

[Voodoo Medic]

Just out of curiousity, why do so many servicemen wear Suunto watches? I see thm in pictures of Iraq all the time. The only thing it offers over a Timex is the barometric pressure - everything else can be had on a $30 Expedition - compass, multi-time zone, temperature (which is inaccurate on your wrist, anyway), etc. Why would you guys need to know the barometric pressure or elevation? You know where you are on the map or GPS, which gives elevation, so it must be barometric pressure. I know the urges of gear, and had a Suunto, but found I never needed the one thing that makes it cost $250.

I think one of the major factors that so many servicemembers use Suunto watches is their reputation in the Theater of Operations. I know several guys that have had G Shocks, Pathfinders, etc. and they never had anything good to say about them. On the other side of the coin you have guys like me that have deployed three times and beat the crap out of this watch and it still works like it is brand new. I will be the first to admit that I am biased but I am ok with that. As little as people think they may use the barometer, when you think about doing combat missions things like rain are a good thing to know about in advance. Especially when you have to consider methods of travel, i.e. aircraft, dirt roads, etc.

[Glennbo]

I know several guys that have had G Shocks, Pathfinders, etc. and they never had anything good to say about them.

This is ironic since the reason I got my G-Shock was because of the recommendations in several threads on the "Other Gear" forum from guys who were deployed multiple times and swear by the Cassio G-Shock. This thread is the first time I've heard of your watch.

In any case there are probably quite a few great, tough watches being produced today!

[locknload]

Nice review, thanks. I'm trying to decide between the 1500 and 2000.

[Twenty-Three]

Are we allowed to link the the christian survival guide? It being religious and all...

[Blacksmith]

G Shocks are often issued and so are often the cheapest solution. Very good watches but not the best watches.

Why barometer/elevation? Because I didn't always have my GPS with me. Because the GPS battery might be dead. As mentioned knowing when it might rain is great information.

[WhoShotJR]

For you guys who have barometers in your watches, do they seem to do a good job with predicting the rain or the severity of a storm? And has anyone ever seen a self winding watch with barometer/compass?

[TysonC]

Are we allowed to link the the christian survival guide? It being religious and all...

I happen to be a Christian but it's not a religious site. It's a preparedness site. The name is just the name.

[Voodoo Medic]

For you guys who have barometers in your watches, do they seem to do a good job with predicting the rain or the severity of a storm? And has anyone ever seen a self winding watch with barometer/compass?

If my watch is properly calibrated the barometer seems to do a fairly good job. However I must say that at times my knee does a better job of telling me when the weather is going to roll in.