Coach’s Take: An Exercise physiologist reviews the Casio G-shock h5600
All photos by Abigail Ferguson IG: @AbigailiFerguson
Introduction
Well, it’s been six months since I offered up a review of Garmin’s Fenix 7 Pro, so I guess another review is well overdue. I’ve had a chance to test two Casio G-shock watches for the past year or so and figured I would give my thoughts on both models, starting with the H5600. G-shock watches are extremely popular; we saw them just about everywhere when we lived in Hawaii, and I can see why people like them. They have a pretty stout history of use in the military. The original G-shock, introduced in 1983, quickly gained popularity among military personnel for its durability and reliability in harsh conditions. Widely adopted by various military forces, including the U.S. military and special forces like the Navy SEALs, G-Shock watches are favored for their shock resistance (hence the name), water resistance, and advanced features. Over the years, Casio has released models tailored to military needs, further cementing the G-Shock's status as a symbol of toughness and resilience. I’ve heard several accounts of the watches surviving bombing raids and other attacks when their owners didn’t fare quite as well. How do these watches compare to powerhouses like Garmin in tracking training and outdoor adventures?
Claims
Casio claims that their G-Shock H5600 watch features Tough Solar power, shock resistance, 200 M water resistance, multi-band atomic timekeeping, and a full auto LED backlight, making it a durable and reliable choice for outdoor and water activities. Additionally, it offers world-time functionality, a countdown timer, a stopwatch, Bluetooth connectivity, and a compact, lightweight design for everyday wear. It also allows you to track the duration of several exercise activities, including running, walking, gym workouts, and interval training, with a built-in optical heart rate (HR) sensor.
The good
The design is very cool and retains the rugged G-Shock look, but in a smaller package than it’s larger GBD-H2000 big brother (or sister, you decide). The smaller size makes it less intrusive and easier to wear under long-sleeve shirts. The screen is also super easy to read and has a early digital-age vibe that throws back to the earlier days of Casio watches (think late 90’s and early 2000’s). It gives off a moderate hipster vibe, so you might like this watch if that’s your thing.
The battery lasts long thanks to solar charging, even with the HR monitor set to always run. I like to have the flexibility of checking my HR with a quick glance at my watch, and this watch managed this while also tracking my daily activities for just shy of three weeks before needing a charge. Not too shabby. It’s also great to have connectivity with your phone so that you can review your activities after the fact and keep track of your sleep quality and workout stats.
The screen is very easy to read, even in low-light conditions. This characteristic beats the visibility of the pre-AMOLED watches from competitors like Garmin and is a great selling point for Casio.
Things I would change
Get used to this update screen. You’ll see it many times while you troubleshoot the firmware update process.
Ok, here comes the bad, and there’s lots of bad despite how much I love the look of this watch and Casio’s history.
The watch is such a pain in the ass to operate and sync up with a phone. From the first interaction, I found it difficult to determine which Casio app to download (there are many options to choose from), and once I figured out the correct app, I struggled to get the watch to pair correctly.
Once paired, getting the the firmware to update is a major challenge and failed multiple times. For me, I needed to disable all smart alerts from my phone so the watch wouldn’t get interrupted during its update. The update itself also takes far longer than it should and clocked in around 25 minutes for each update. Compare this to the 2-3 minutes required for an update on my Garmin watches and you’ll see why it can be so frustrating.
Activities are severely limited and the user is unable to add more or customize their options. This drops the G-shock further behind other companies like Garmin, especially when considering the plethora of pre-built options you can add to a Garmin watch.
The heart rate tracking is also far from accurate during exercise, especially when the user is sweaty…which is 99% of the time, especially down here in Florida, where the watch was tested. On multiple occasions, I would receive readings well into the 160’s and measure my heart rate manually to find the readings in the 80’s-90’s. It is not ideal if you are trying to plan and monitor training progress using heart rate as your measurement of intensity.
There’s no GPS connectivity for this version of the watch, so you’ll need your phone with you to track distance and speed for runs/bike sessions. This may not be a big issue if you’re always carrying your phone for music/safety reasons, but for some who train naked (figuratively not literally) it can be a limiting factor, especially since other brands offer this feature in a similar size watch.
Final thoughts
The Casio G-Shock H5600 maintains the rugged, iconic G-Shock look in a smaller, more wearable size. Its design is both functional and stylish, with an easy-to-read screen and a nostalgic digital vibe. The battery life is impressive, lasting nearly three weeks with the heart rate monitor constantly running. This feature, combined with its Tough Solar power, makes it highly reliable for long-term use. The H5600 offers essential features such as shock resistance, 200M water resistance, multi-band atomic timekeeping, and a full auto LED backlight. These features, along with world-time functionality, a countdown timer, and a stopwatch, make it a solid choice for daily wear and basic outdoor activities.
Bluetooth connectivity allows for activity tracking and sleep monitoring, but the user experience is marred by difficult app synchronization and lengthy firmware updates. The watch can track a few exercise activities like running and gym workouts, but its options are limited compared to competitors like Garmin. Customization and additional activity options are lacking. The built-in optical heart rate sensor is unreliable, especially during intense exercise or when the user is sweaty. This inaccuracy makes it less suitable for those who rely on precise heart rate data for training. Additionally, the absence of built-in GPS means users need to carry their phones to track distance and speed, which may be inconvenient for some.
In conclusion, the Casio G-Shock H5600 is a stylish, durable watch with a few key features that make it suitable for everyday wear and basic outdoor activities. Its long battery life and classic design are strong selling points. However, it falls short in several areas compared to more advanced competitors like Garmin. The difficult app synchronization, lengthy firmware updates, limited activity tracking options, and inaccurate heart rate monitoring significantly detract from its overall appeal. Additionally, the lack of built-in GPS may be a dealbreaker for serious athletes. While the H5600 may appeal to those who appreciate its rugged aesthetic and basic functionalities, those seeking comprehensive fitness tracking and seamless user experience may find it lacking. Regarding the price, I think you’re better off buying a Garmin product. From a coach’s perspective, the G-Shock doesn’t allow me to do my job effectively, especially since we use GPS tracking and accurate heart rate and power data to inform our decisions. However, it may work as a compliment to a more serious training watch, especially if you dig the design.
