Customer Reviews

Casio Men's PAW1300-3V Pathfinder Multi-Band Solar Atomic Green Watch

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have owned two Casio G-shock watches over a span exceeding a decade. I always liked the G-shock, but alas the viewing light recently stopped working and it was time to try something with a few more features. After quite a bit of searching I settled on the Pathfinder (model PAW 1300 - 3v) and I believe I made the correct personal choice.

Before actually receiving the watch from Amazon I was definitely concerned about the overall size of this watch. From my research I was half afraid I would end up with a geeky watch the size of a dinner plate on my wrist. Moreover, I don't have a big wrist to begin with so this was a real concern. I was pleasantly surprised that although slightly larger in circumference than a standard watch, this watch was not nearly as large as I had imagined. In fact, the difference between this model (1300) and the previous model (1200) is the size. The 1200 is nearly identical in features but is quite a bit thicker than the newer 1300 model. This Pathfinder sits nicely on my wrist and does not look unusual.

Practically speaking, this watch has a lot of nice features that I like, such as the compass, the automatic display light, atomic synchronization, and the solar power to note a few. While I would easily purchase this watch again, I might consider the model with the metal band. I say this because somehow with the price of this watch I was expecting it to have a bit more panache to it, if that makes any sense. This watch is fairly light weight and somehow looks characteristically similar to a lot of other pedestrian plastic-band watches out there. That may be fine for people who want just a plainish looking watch, but somehow the metal band version might look a bit nicer, although perhaps not as ruggedly practical.

I haven't had this watch long enough to judge its overall durability, but if my former G-shock watches are any indication, this Pathfinder should hold up just fine.

I've benn looking for a watch like this for years, it has everything that I need Atomic timekeeping(you dont need to set the time ever!!),Multi-band,solar power don't need batteries!!!, Digital compass,Altimeter, Altimeter memory , Altitude alarm, Barometer, Thermometer, Low temperature resistant, Full auto EL backlight with afterglow, Daylight savings on/off, 5 daily alarms, Countdown Timer, Hourly time signal, Auto calendar, 12/24 hour formats,and water resistant!!! for the money is the best watch that you can get!!!!

I like the looks and the features of the watch. Initially thought its green color looked too 'toyish' but it's actually not bad at all. I'm happy with it.

I have two gripes for this watch. First is its excessive time drift if not synced to WWV signal. I have other 'atomic' watch and clocks and my paw1300 has the worst internal clock accuracy. It loses about a second every two days, but it is still within Casio stated accuracy of +/-20 sec/month. That's the worst I've seen in any quartz type watches so I have to sync it regularly to offset the drift. My second gripe is it's poor WWV signal reception sensitivity. My other Casio G-Shock watch with the Waveceptor feature can pick-up the signal on most tries, but not my PAW1300. When tried together side-by-side, the paw1300 is successful maybe 10% of the time.

Other than my two gripes, I like the watch. It looks good, fits nicely, and has useful functions.

10/1/10 Update: I've been wearing it for over two years now and I like the watch even more. I'm an avid hiker in the Cascades and this watch has just the right features for it. It's resin band is tough, no sign of wear after constant 24hr/day of wearing for over two years.

I bought this watch prior to heading out to a wilderness and survival training. I have used this watch in some of the harshest and most intense situations you could think of. The watch is comfortable, slim, extremely useful as a back up navigational aid, and great under all conditions. My only gripe is when indoors if not placed near a window it will not atomically sync. Aside from that this watch is the most useful time piece I own. The countdown timer is great for reminding me to do periodic system checks at work, or to hydrate when mountain biking. The auto light is great when I am doing night work in dark areas and need to check time to enter into a log. Having the Dual time zones display comes in handy when I am flying so I can enter items in GMT or enter them in local time depending on the form. Solar charging is a great feature and means I never have to worry about batteries. The altimeter, compass, and barometer are great tools and when I am out mountain biking, hiking, or just wandering around its great to have.

I am extremely pleased with this watch and recommend it to anyone looking at it.

I am a female, but like the functionality of many watches made for men. I specifically wanted a digital compass, atomic time synchronization, solar power, and with at least one alarm and one timer. I don't need nor want running stuff like splits and laps, etc.
All the watches that have the features I wanted have all kinds of other things that are fun, but not necessary for me (altimeter, barometer, temp). And all those things make watches BIG (understandably).
So I live with the BIG clunky watch on my arm and all the males that comment on it (like "wow, what a big watch" or "why do you have such a big watch?").
The size is the reason for 4 stars and not 5 - and the only reason. This watch is fairly easy to learn to use (good instructions)- even for the features that I don't use regularly. It has solar power, compass, temperature (when you detach it from your skin), barometer, altimeter, 5 daily alarms, countdown timer, timezones (1 local, one GMT), auto DST knowledge that needs "confirming" and a good backlight, plus some recording of data. It is reliable. It synchs to the atomoic clock just fine (when I make sure it's near a window at night), and is very readable and not uncomfortable! Now, the next generation or two of electronics may help make it smaller, but then it would be harder to read with aging eyes!
I like it and would recommend it for anyone who wants the features it has and can live with the size. Note: This watch is big in diameter only. It is quite thin compared to others with same features. Got to fit all that stuff SOMEWHERE. Good watch.

Excellent watch. Does everthing I need it to do and keeps the correct time. I like the features and the initial setup was simple. The functions are simple to use and unlike my Suunto Metron when I want to know the altitude, barometric pressure or direction I don't have to push buttons until I get the right function to come up. It was cheaper than the Suunto with more functions. Plus it is a little more rugged to withstand the current environment I am in.

I can't wear-out this watch. I was hopng it would get me through one year on the ground in Afghanistan. That was in 2008. I'm still using it in 2010 and still inflicting punishment on it from Africa to Asia to North America. This watch won't quit on me. I have roughed it up so much that you can't read all the lettering on the buttons anymore, but it still keeps flawless time with absolutely no maintenance. All the component functions appear to work, although I don't use much but the time and compass. The compass function has always been a little squirley. It's hard to lock onto a direction. I wouldn't use it for precision navigation. I don't know how you could build a tougher wrist watch.

It depends for what purpose you want the watch...
1: Style: It have a good sporty look but not very suitable for daily office wearing...So it cannot be said as multipurpose watch..but then no watch is exactly multipurpose...so i will rate 4 out of 5.
2: Comfort: very comfortable. So light that you dont even know that you are wearing anything on your hand. 5 on 5.
3: Built Quality: I will built quality is pretty decent. Strongly built. I have been wearing this watch from last 3 yrs and apart from some blemishes here and there (which comes during daily wear) there is no problem as such. It is not at all delicate watch. I will give here also 5 on 5.
4: Reliability: The most important feature of any watch. You dont want to get late to any meeting because your watch screwed up. So this watch is just EXCELLENT. I am not sure if I stretched my point properly but it never loses even a second. Also its Atomic sensor adjusts the time every night so this watch can never go wrong. I just rely on this watch blindly. I wish I could have given 10 out of 5 here.
5: Features: This watch have everything. From solar powered to atomic sensor, from temp,compass, altitude, pressure everything just perfect. In power save mode, watch blanks off the screen when there is darkness and as you press any button or as you go near any light source it starts. So it saves power..which is again very good. here again i would like to give 5 on 5.

By now I believe you must have made your mind. Again as i said in the begining, it depends on for what you want the watch....

THIS WATCH DOES IT ALL !!! SOLAR POWERED, ATOMIC, BAROMETER, ALTIMETER, THERMOMETER, ,COMPASS, G-SHOCK. THIS MODEL IS LIGHT ON THE WRIST AND IS MUCH LESS LIKELY TO GET SNAGGED ON THINGS -- IT RIDES SO CLOSE TO THE WRIST BECAUSE ITS THE NEW LIGHT WEIGHT VERY THIN MODEL. IT HAS A GREAT MINERAL CRYSTAL THAT IS HIGHLY SCRATCH RESISTANT. IT ALSO HAS A NEW FUNCTION THAT YOU CAN ACTIVATE TO HAVE ITS BACKLIGHT TURN ON WHEN YOU TURN YOUR WRIST TO A VERTICAL ANGLE, ABOUT 90 DEGREES. VERY HANDY. THE WATCH CAN HOLD A 5 MONTH CHARGE KEEPING ALL FUNCTIONS ACTIVE. WHEN THE BATTERY GETS LOW, IT SUSPENDS THE AUTO ATOMIC SIGNAL SEARCH AND JUST GIVES THE TIME WHICH IS MY CUE TO HOLD IT TOWARDS THE SUN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO FULLY RECHARGE IT. I AM VERY PLEASED WITH THIS PURCHASE. IT IS UNOBTRUSIVE AND IS HIGHLY FUNCTIONAL. GLAD I GOT IT. YOU WILL BE TOO !!!!

Excellent watch - The Casio PAW1300-3V delivers the features as promised. I own an earlier battery powered model and this new solar powered model works great. It is also great to have the time automatically kept current with the atomic clock located in Colorado. The stop watch, count down timer, alarms, back-light, compass, barometer, thermometer, and altimeter all perform great for a watch. I highly recommend this watch and the other similar models with these same features.