Customer Reviews

Casio Men's PAG40B-2VCF Pathfinder Triple Sensor Blue Watch

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The search for the most rugged, functional watch is over. The Casio Pathfinder tops them all. I spent the first year of the war in Iraq wearing this watch without fail. The compass function came in very handy driving all over the desert. And the large face makes it easy to see.

My first triple sensor watch, 15 yrs. ago, was a Casio Quatro. It worked well for some 10 yrs. till it began suddenly going blank, even with a new battery. When the local jeweler (where I originally bought it) could no longer get Casio Triple Sensor watches from his distributor, and could not fix the problem, I bought a LaCrosse triple sensor watch with lower water proof rating. When 2 of these leaked in shower, hot tub and sauna situations, I finally went on line and bought this model Casio, after reading all the reviews.
I learned as much or even more by reading the lower star rating reviews, and would recommend the same to a prospective buyer.
This is by far the best triple sensor watch I've ever owned, and though I've only had it for less than a week, I would whole heartedly recommend it, or perhaps one of the similar models, to anyone looking for these features in a sport watch! The separate buttons for compass, barometer, altimeter, and light, as well as the other 2 bottons for setting the various measuring devices, makes it easy to use. The compass works well for general directions, after setting it up the bidirectional method, and is not intended for navigation purposes. The night back light lights up the numbers for easy visualization in the dark.
As far as the thick manual, if you cut off the other languages it's only 1/8" thick, and if you go on line to Casio and download the manual from their website in English, it's only 8 pages long (letter size pages) and can be easily taken on trips for reference.

For the price, you will have a hard time finding a watch with as many features. As most other watches with sensors for the different functions, even some costing over 4 times as much, it comes calibrated with "international settings" (it measures altitude based on atm pressure variations), but you can calibrate as you wish depending on the situation (for example: if you want to measure a mountain climb from the point of origin/base).

The band is little stiff at first, but eases up with time. My only negative on this specific model is that it doesn't come with a countdown timer. This function can easily be overlooked by using the chronometer or the alarm function, but it's not as convenient. I've had a very good experience with Casio, and their products are usually very reliable. Overall, highly recommended.

everything works fine as advertised. my only concern is it takes a good while to get the temp. it has to set it self everytime, which is normal. the altitude is pretty accurate and the compass is also pretty accurate. if you are not sure you can always calibrate the 3 sensors. i'm deployed to ballad, iraq and being in aviation, i use the 3 sensors everytime. highly recommended.

I became interested in this watch when a friend of mine paid me a visit and he was wearing the Casio Pathfinder Triple Sensor. I admired the rugged good looks and the large watch face display. I have owned the watch for almost a month, and I like the ability to hit the light button to see what time it is in the dark. The triple senor capability is interesting if you want to know more about the environment you are in. I was looking for a rugged "work" watch with good looks, waterproof and a good price. I looked all over the internet and found Amazon had the best price with free shipping. I am very happy with my purchase and would buy the same watch again.

I've had this particular watch for a while and I wish I had bought it sooner. For the features it offers, it is an absolute steal. I've read all the reviews and I feel that a lot of the criticisms are unfounded. Take the temperature readout for example. Everybody complains that it isn't accurate when worn on the wrist. This feature is fully adjustable. Simply calibrate it to read the right temperature while it's on your wrist and it will be very accurate. Of course, if you do this, it will only be accurate when you're wearing it. You can't have it both ways so take your pick. Another area of complaint is the altimeter. When you are moving from one place to another, the barometric pressure changes, just ask any pilot. That's why they calibrate their altimeters before every takeoff to insure accuracy. This watch is no different, it must be correctly calibrated in order for it to be reasonably accurate. Yes, there will be some variance but this is normal. The compass, when properly calibrated, will provide very acceptable accuracy and is a useful feature as well. I also saw a complaint about changing the batteries. Some people do not feel comfortable doing this themselves but it's not really that hard to do. Give me 4 (four) SR927W (399) batteries and a small set of screwdrivers from Radio Shack and I'm done in 20 minutes.
Overall, I've been extremely happy with this watch and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Used correctly, it is hard to beat for the price.

I've owned this for a few months (including a recent backpacking trip) and have found it very useful.

Pros: Great look, good design/functionality, I like the buttons on the side for each of the measurements. The altimeter seems precise (but drifts from day-to-day due to barometric pressure). The thermometer seems accurate as long as you're not wearing the watch! Not sure if there's any way around that. The compass is great and also seems very accurate. So far it's survived some abrasion and water and handled it fine.

Cons: The watch is quite big, I wish there were some way to have a more accurate temperature reading while wearing it, and a more accurate altitude. The watch has to be calibrated daily in order to be accurate. As far as I know, this is true with most any altitude watch as they are based on barometric pressure.

Overall I'm very satisfied so far!

Positives:

1.Looks great!
2.Fairly Accurate Barometer
3.Compass is good to use, if accurately set...

Negatives:
1. Tempature readout inaccurate because its strapped to you, to get a accurate display you have to leave it off, which is impractical.
2.Altimeter is shows I am -220ft and sometimes -500ft... I didn't realize New Jersey was below sea level, so the altimeter seems to be useless to me...Not sure how it is for others.
3.The strap is ok, not so flexable...Looks like it will break before the watch...Not sure. Look for a metal or nylon strap maybe.
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I'll keep the watch, it took me a long time to decide to buy it or not. Would have to think long and hard if I had to make a similar choice again. Its not great nor is it bad. its FAIR.... 50/50.

Before you read this review, know that I was lusting after the PAW line of Pathfinders before I bought the PAG 40. I particularly was drawn to the solar power and atomic clock calibration of the PAW line. HOWEVER, this PAG 40 showed up at my local Costco for $99.97 - a deal I couldn't pass up. I am not disappointed - IT'S A GREAT WATCH! I give it 5 stars because of the features and the price I paid for it.

The PAG 40 is my third Pathfinder watch. I've been wearing them now for nearly 20 years. This newest one does not disappoint. Rugged, light, and incorporating everything I've come to expect from Pathfinders, with the added bonus of much bigger face and better backlighting than my original two. WAY better backlighting.

All the new Pathfinders I've looked at solve the major weakness I personally found in my previous two: the pins holding the watch straps in place seat in shallow divots in the plastic housing. These eventually wore out on both my previous Pathfinders and proved impossible to fix in a lasting way. The new Pathfinders have screws that hold the pins in place. A much needed improvement. I'm surprised to find others haven't reported this problem. With the size of the watch, it's easy to catch it getting in and out of a back pack.

For the many out there who criticize the accuracy of the altimeter, barometer, and thermometer, with respect I've got to say get over it. I'll handle each one at a time.

1. I've backpacked with very expensive barometers and no matter how you cut it, unless you're carrying GPS and can get an accurate fix, a hand held barometer of any type needs to be recalibrated to fixed points on your map because they are entirely based on air pressure. The Pathfinder is no different. If you're in the backcountry and you experience a sudden change in the barometric pressure, a significant change will alter your altimeter's reading. When I backpack with the pathfinder, I typically start my trip calibrating it at the trailhead, and make comparisons throughout the day at known topo points on the map. Resetting the pathfinder is a snap, and when I do this regularly I rarely find inaccuracies with my Pathfinders. In fact on one occasion, I was traversing my way up a snowy slope to a saddle between two peaks in the north Cascades and experienced fog so dense I could barely see my hands in front of me. Between the compass and altimeter I stayed the course and crossed the saddle just where I was supposed to.

2. A barometer reads and tracks the changes in the barometric air pressure. If your barometer is in a fixed position, your tracking is accurate. If however, you are going up and down in the world, as in backpacking or driving around a place like the northwest, the barometer can be a little tricky. Still, if you know your elevations through a map or knowledge of your home turf, this barometer is reliable and accurate.

3. How does anyone expect a thermometer strapped to your wrist to accurately measure temperature? Adjust your expectations here and face reality: The place where the thermometer comes in handy is in camp, probably over night, not strapped to your wrist, measuring the air and not your body's heat.

Best than other expensive watches that claim to do the same but not.
Altimeter :OK (After minor adjust/config. , read manual)
Barometer: OK (Nothing to adjust in my citie)
Compass : OK (Tested with a USD600.00 Suntoo Compass)
Temp: OK (Minus +/- 2.5 degrees, considering wearing it. To be more accurate take it out of wrist for about 5 to 7 minutes and do a reading)
Ahhh and it tells time and date too....:)
This is a must have daily outdoors wrist watch.
Big one , you better first take a look at your self and try it before buy it , this is in case you dislike big face watches , eventhough it's men's fashion at this time.