Customer Reviews

Casio Men's GW800-1VCF G-Shock Atomic Multi-Band Watch

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This watch does exactly what I want it to, tell me the exact time no matter where I am in the world. It is supposed to pick up the time signal in Europe, England, Japan, and America, but I have only tested the first two so far and it works fine. It features multiple (30 I think) time zones, including some +30 minute zones. There is no GMT zone, but I turned daylight saving time off for LISBON and use that in place of GMT. It has 5 alarms, which is 3 or 4 more than I can use, but nice to know they're there if I need them. Countdown timer only goes up to 59:59, I'd like to have one that counts longer than one hour.

As for the solar power and legendary G-shock toughness, only time will tell.

When I got this watch, it came on within a second of being exposed to light and all I had to do was set the time zone and I was ready to go with the exact and correct time. So far I'm very pleased with it and consider it essential travel gear.

Update: After having worn this for a few months, I'm still very happy with it. One thing I noticed was that outside the range of the atomic clock signal, it lost about 5 seconds a month.

GREAT! Much smaller fit than the GW500A-1V which I also own. But still
a big "manly fit" but in comparison to the GW500A-1V it is not as thick. It just seemed to me as much as I like the GW500A-1V it had some useless features like the three circles at the top that are really unreadable & uses battery power (which made the watch go into the "recovery state" at times).

Now to this Model : The big selling point of this watch GW800-1V for me is it has a Countdown Timer. Most Casio Watches I see don't have a Countdown Timer (countdown from a hour only). I use this feature 3 times daily.

Trying to get a back-up band (Black Resin) has been a problem . . . . Casio has these on back order (so far a month).

A update band came in the next day. Ordered from Casio Sales & Services out of California. Note the band looks like it will be harder to replace myself than other Casio Bands (which I have replaced myself) but will not know this until I have to do it; which I trust will be many years away (or never). Also note the buckle on the band has two "prongs" going into two hole on the band which is not typical of most bands; the look takes a little getting used too, but I did after a few days. It is a band that I feel can only be replaced with the Casio Band for this model a "universal/generic" band I feel would be hard to find, but have not tryed looking & no need too because I have the Casio Band now.

This model the Atomic checks at 12 midnight,1,2,3,4am. Once it gets a
sucessful Atomic check (in a 24 hour period) it will not keep checking each of the other times. I like this because it saves the battery. Even though it has a Solar function I found that doing anything you can to conserve battery useage like light not being pushed is helpful so the watch will not go into the "recovery state". Also to make sure the watch is in bright light at least 30 minutes a day is helpful as well.

Besides all the many other features this watch has (which you can read up on) in general the word from me is this watch is a must have! It has not been off my wrist since 12/08/08 (easy to clean while in the shower)!! Trust my comments have been helpful to you and you order this model & enjoy the many features of this fine timepiece!!!

Another update like the watch so much I bought a 2nd watch on 2.13.09. So I have a back-up. Also I have 3 boys by haveing two GW500A-1V and two of this model GW800-1V I can pass them on to my sons when they are teens/young adults (their wrist have to be able to handle the size of these watches first). So need I say any more my first recomendation is to go with this model GW800-1V, don't delay your ordering you will be very happy to have bought this "workhorse" of a watch!!!!

I've worn the GW800 daily for 3 years and have no complaints. It syncs nightly to an atomic clock as advertised as long as I leave it on a windowsill at night. It is the most accurate watch I've owned. No problems with the solar charging and submerging it in water is not an issue. This watch makes better use of screen real estate than other watches I've owned, i.e. minimum of redundant circles and status bars counting seconds. The numbers are easy to read. The simple uncluttered display was the main reason I chose the GW800 over other atomic multi-band G-shocks. Otherwise it has all the features one would expect from a Casio digital: stopwatch, 12/24hr time, backlight, etc. It has a few added useful features such as secondary timezone and 60-minute countdown. While it is a bit of extra effort to set it by a window at night it has otherwise been hands-off after the initial setup. The size is smaller than the gigantic classic G-shocks but larger than the tiny 80s-style classic Casios. Small for a G-shock but normal-size by men's watch standards. It is a nice-looking digital but if you wear a suit to the office the metal-band version would be more appropriate.

As far as the solar timekeeping, it can be hit-or-miss at times. Occasionally the watch doesn't sync for a day or two, especially around twice-yearly time changes. Location seems to matter. East-facing windows are better than west windows. I've never been able to manually sync it during the day. The timekeeping is still very accurate and eventually it always syncs so it hasn't been a problem. I bought a backup watch because I read reviews about the solar batteries losing their charges and dying prematurely. After three years this has not been a problem and the backup watch sits in a drawer unused. Some people complain that Casio alarms are too quiet but I can't comment on that as I use my cell phone's alarm to wake up. My only complaint is that the GW800 works so well it's boring. No setting, no adjustment, no battery changes. Nothing to do but wear it and observe precise timekeeping.

The watch worked very well in Europe as well as here in the US. You must set your current location city before it would automatically pick up the time in the various zones. The only downside is the watch band piece, which with these particular bands, that keeps the band from "flapping in the wind" always breaks too quickly.

I own the predecessor of this watch, which was back then in 2004 when I bought it the latest and greatest technology you could have - solar plus atomic plus g-shock.
The only drawback was that this watch received time adjustments only from the US station, so it was severely hampered in Germany, where I relocated in 2004.
After six years of daily use, it still functions without a flaw, and being back in the US, the limitation to only the station here is not really a concern right now. But, eventually I will find myself back in Germany, and also after six years there is some serious wear and tear showing - I bought the g-shock for a reason, not to show off ...
So, I decided it was time for a new watch. Same requirements as before - g-shock, atomic, solar. And digital instead of analog layout (I am an engineer, I need the precise time, all the time). That limited the field to just a few watches. another requirement was bulkiness - or the lack thereof. Granted, the g-shocks are usually more bulky than other watches, but there are differences also within this specific group. Another requirement goes without saying - the price should be as low as possible. I do not mind to spend 150 bucks for a really good watch that fits my needs perfectly, but if I can get it for half ... you get the gist.
Another requirement was, that the new watch should have all the functionality of the old one - stop watch, two time zones, five alarm spots, backlighting. The final requirement was, that it could also receive the European time adjustment signals, on top of the US one.
Well, the GW800-1AV (terrible name ...) fits the bill perfectly, it fulfills all requirements. And not only that, it also looks very good (says my wife ... and I concur).
The only (minor) gripe I have is that the old watch came with a better wristband. The new one is out of a harder plastic, which has not the same flexibility as the old one. Also, due to the very smooth surface (the old one had a more gum-like surface), the excess portion of the band, that usually is kept in place by the little loop on the band, comes loose all the time, because there is no resistance to hold it in place. That is somewhat annoying, but in my mind no real serious flaw - just a minor glitch.
All in all, I am very satisfied with this watch and will probably carry it for as long as the old one.

This watch has everything I need and nothing I don't. As most people around I am not a marathon junkie or wilderness explorer. I do not need 100 Laps memory, compass, altimeter or tide information in my watch. What I need is worry free piece with perfect precision, alarms, easy use, ability to swim or scuba dive with my watch on and having no need to change batteries. This watch has all that plus many other useful features such real shock resistance, scratch resistant glass window very comfortable band etc. Price from Amazon was very reasonable ($73 and free delivery).
There is something to improve. I would appreciate bigger time display, brighter back light which would stay on as long as I push button not 1.5 sec as it is now. Also it would be nice to have a similar model with sapphire window for total scratch resistance. Understandably it will be more expansive but I would buy them.
The conclusion is the Casio Men's G-Shock Atomic Multi-Band Watch #GW800-1AV is perfect for everyday use.

I'm not one to really write any reviews, good or bad, but since Amazon made it sooo easy w/ one click to add your review, here it is:
I bought this as a gift for my husband, he's 52 yrs old, and wanted a classy, yet manly watch (ok, i did for him, heee, he's easy to please) and he just loves this watch.....And for the price, you can't go wrong, about $80 bucks w/ 2-day delivery, which came in one day, so the watch and Amazon, a win-win!!!!!!

Great watch, out of the box was already set and working great. Fast service and a better price than anyone locally.

I am well pleased with the product. The watch looks nice, keeps time perfect as it resets atomically, and has many nice features. In my opinion it looks sporty, but is tough.

I bought this after my son wouldn't give mine GW700 Casio G-shock back after he took it to camp. I like the band on this one better than the GW700, as it is easier to get off and on. The watch is tough and performs as described--always at full solar charge, always set by the atomic clock, easy to use, good night illumination. Excellent value.