Excellent features, easy to use and its a G

Casio makes so many variations of the G-Shock that it can be difficult to keep up with. Without a lot of research you might have trouble finding one with all the right functions you want in one watch. I think for those who need the maximum number of functions, this particular model is a great place to start.

Along with standard time keeping, you have world time, and ability to turn daylight savings time on and off.

Also included is a data bank that can store 30 names and phone numbers. I personally have no use for that since if I need to call somebody I just go to the list in my cell phone. However the watch does not give up more useful functions just to include the phone book so its easy enough to ignore.

There are 5 alarms and the hourly chime. This is 5 daily alarms with no snooze option. I kind of like the snooze on some of my others but it is certainly no a major loss to do without it. Like most watch alarms, dont depend on this one to bring you out of a deep sleep if you have somewhere important to be. The alarms are best used as simple reminders.

Of course there is the stopwatch. It can go to 23h59m,59.99s. It also has a 5 second auto-start option. This is a 5 second countdown for the timing to start. The last 3 seconds each have a short beep and then when the timing starts a longer beep is sounded to signal the start...so its like 5...4...beep...beep...beep...GO!(beeeeeep). Probably not a required feature, but cool for the gadget minded among us. You can also start the timing manually like other stopwatches.

Ah, my most used feature, the countdown timer. It can be used for times from 1 second to 23h.59m,59.99s. It counts down in 1/10 second increments. This is a feature missed on a few G models so its nice they included it here.

The band on this particular model is a nylon strap with a velcro closure. Personally I like it, but I have read on some forums that others do not. I think one thing in question is its durability. I have not read of any actual failures, just speculation, so I guess only time will tell. I can see a problem being that it can get dirty in some avtivities. Say you use the watch while fishing and get the smell in the band, I suspect it would be mighty difficult to clean it up. For those who may question the usefulness of the band, the watch is also available with the standard resin band.

The watch is a tough-solar model but does not include the wave-ceptor. I love the wave-ceptor on some of my other models, but the watches tend to be accurate enough that the exclusion of it is in reality no big deal. The solar feature should prevent you from having to change the battery for a very long time, although even rechargable batteries will eventually lose their ability to operate.

The backlight is standard Casio El and has the optional autoEL (tilt it to look in the dark and the light comes on). The auto is a neat gadget, but one I found I almost never use once the novelty wore off. It is also a quick way to drain the battery and require more frequent charging.

Like all standard Gs, this model is WR200M (about 660 feet). It is of course shock resistent and able to handle impact and heavy vibration with no ill effect. Chances are if you are wearing the watch and there is enough impact to damage it then you yourself will probably have a serious enough injury that the watch wil be the last thing on your mind.

The watch is not for those who like small, thin watches to wear under long sleeves. Its big, bulky and typical G. For those like me who prefer the large ones then this is a good choice.

Assuming you want to buy a G but you are not real sure what features are included in each model then this one is a safe bet as you will get about any of the basics you could ask for.