The 2011 Casio G-Shock GDF 100 Altimeter comes equipped with a two-in-one front-facing pressure and temperature sensor. Although its exterior styling is light years away from something that we usually associate with a ‘pilot’s watch’, it is (rather unsurprisingly, I would say) also way more usable for those who actually fly something more powerful than an office chair. People who prefer an active lifestyle will probably like one, too.
The altimeter, which Casio touts as the timekeeper’s main selling point, sits in the ugly wart growing from the gadget’s resin bezel at 9 o’clock unfortunately. This is really a pity since the gadget’s oversized body is large enough for the sensor to be safely tucked away from our eyes.
Well, knowing Casio‘s approach to industrial design (at least when it comes to lower-priced members of the G-Shock family) the wart may actually be put there intentionally just to show off the sensor in question.
As usual for the G-Shock range, the new GDF100 is literally loaded with features.
Besides the aforementioned barometer and thermometer, the timekeeper can also serve as an altimeter, a stopwatch, and a countdown timer.
Other functions include a world time with 31 time zones, five daily alarms, an hourly time signal, and a full auto-calendar which is good till the year 2099.
Too bad, there is no pulsometer here. I would really love to wear one of these to my weekly hike in the mountains.
Like most rugged sports watches, this one is also quite large measuring 55 x 51.5 mm in width and height and more than 17 millimeters thick.
You May Also Like:
As one can easily visualize, it will gladly take all available space on your wrist (and then some,) but that is okay. After all, we don’t buy G-Shocks to wear with tuxedos. We buy them to use as beaters that can take some lickin’ and keep on tickin’.
Well, maybe not literally, but the huge resin case is here not just for looks.
Casio designed it to keep the electronic module that powers dozens of its multiple functions from all sorts of dangers, save, perhaps, for a tactical nuclear blast.
Surprisingly enough, the G-Shock GDF100 is still rather light tipping the scales at 69.2 grams.
The weight savings mostly come from the gadget limiting the use of steel to its ‘core’ that also protects the tiny electronic Module 3255 from shocks and radio interference.
As usual, for this module, it’s really easy to read. The Japanese brand doesn’t try to show you all the information at once. At any given time, the GDF 100 only shows you the time, day of week, and the date. All the other functions will only appear at the time of your choosing.
For a better nighttime legibility, there is even a nice LED backlight system that emits bright light without draining the battery.
The only thing that protects the LCD display from the elements is a piece of mineral glass. Although mineral crystals are not as good as synthetic sapphire ones when it comes to scratches, they are also a lot more difficult to shatter in case of a bad accident.
So far, there are only three color variations available for this model. There’s a Matte Black with orange accents (GDF100-1B,) a Matte Black with silver accents (GDF100-1A,) and the menacing Crimson Red with black accents (GDF100-4.)
All in all, I am very pleased with this gadget. It’s not just the variety of colors and functions. It’s also the “affordability” factor. At the moment when I am uploading this review, the GDF100 retails at just $130 dollars. It’s probably one of the best “value for money” offerings that you would be able to find these days.
See also: Timex Expedition WS4
WWR’s Final Rating
Originality 3/5
Versatility: 3/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Ergonomics: 4/5
Overall Legibility: 5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Photos: Casio
Casio G-Shock GDF100 Altimeter specification
Price: $130
Movement: Electronic, Module 3255, Made in Japan
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, full calendar, barometer, altimeter, thermometer, world time, stopwatch, countdown timer, daily alarms, hourly time signal, 12/24-hour format
Power reserve: 5 years
Case: Resin
Shape: Round
Dimensions: 55.00 mm x 51.50 mm
Lug width: 33.00 mm
Case height: 17.20 mm
Crystal: Mineral
Back: Solid
Dial: LCD with LED backlighting (Super Illuminator system)
Numerals: Arabic
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Resin