The G-Shock G-LIDE GBX-100NS you see here is primarily aimed at surfers and people who do other water sports, such as paddling or swimming, as it comes with tide data, sunrise and sunset information and more . But don’t think for a second that just because you don’t do any of these activities, the class won’t be for you.
Casio actually does what the smartwatch industry needs most: it gives you design choices. The GBX-100NS is technically very similar to the G-Shock GBD-200 I recently reviewed, and is a great example of how the brand continues to integrate simple, useful fitness technology into its durable, traditional watches. Let’s take a closer look at how it differs and why it matters.
No, you don’t have to surf
I don’t dive, but I own and love too many dive watches. I also don’t surf, but I’ve been happily carrying the GBX-100NS for the past few weeks and never felt like I wasn’t taking advantage of its features or that I was being overwhelmed with information I didn’t need or understand. Simply put, the GBX-100NS’ surfing credentials are only there if you want them.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
What do you get? Information on tide times and levels, tide chart, lunar cycle data, plus sunset and sunrise times. With the G-Shock Move app, you can access tide data from 3,300 different locations around the world. Everything is displayed on the watch itself and is easily scrolled using the Lap button. If your favorite place isn’t listed in the app, coordinates can be added manually, but it’s not a quick process.
If you’re not a surfer or don’t watch tide data regularly, the information displayed may not mean much. However, I liked seeing the sunrise and sunset times, and if I happened to be at the beach, the high tide times could come in handy even if I wasn’t planning on riding the waves. Some deeper data is not easy to interpret if you are not familiar with it.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
If you don’t need all this, then you are left with the GBD-200 hybrid smartwatch with a different design. This means step tracking, run tracking, interval training, notifications from your phone, stopwatch and phone finder are all there and controlled via the Move app or the watch’s menu system. Everything is identical to the GBD-200, so check out our full review of that watch for a more detailed look.
It may not sound like it at first, but this is a big deal, as the GBD-200 is a great hybrid smartwatch, but the design may not appeal to everyone. The GBX-100NS goes in a slightly different direction, but still offers the same great features. I don’t surf, but I would probably choose the GBX-100NS over the GBD-200 because I prefer the style. The choice is really welcome and that’s what makes G-Shock’s growing range of hybrid watches so exciting.
He wears a GBX-100NS
The GBX-100 was first introduced a year ago, but the new GBX-100NS — NS stands for Night Surfing — models are less sporty and therefore more versatile. There are two versions, the GBX-100NS-4 seen here with a bronze stainless steel bezel and the GBX-100NS-1 with a black ion-plated bezel. Both have a neat hairline finish. The five buttons on the resin case have an easy-to-grip texture and require little force to press.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
G Shock GBX-100NS (right) and GBD-200 (left) Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
G Shock GBX-100NS (right) and GBD-200 (left) Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
I like the rubber strap on the GBX-100NS. It’s very flexible, more so than the GBD-200, and is attached with a two-pin buckle for extra security, and the double-hole design allows for more water drainage than a non-surf watch. It has many holes so it not only fits all wrists, but can also be easily worn over a diving suit. It’s really comfortable, but I’d like to see the GBD-200 wrist guards used here too, as they’re great at keeping the watch centered on your wrist.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
It uses a Memory in Pixel Screen (MIPS) LCD, which is sharp and very bright, and I had no problems reading in sunlight or low light. The cool negative style — greyish text and numbers on a black background — looks great, and the backlight adds a soft blue glow to the entire screen for better visibility in the dark.
Is it a smart watch?
No, the GBX-100NS is not a smartwatch, it’s a hybrid watch and a very good one at that. The related features are tailored for people who value good watch design and durability over a touch screen and apps. The lightweight 66g watch is really comfortable to wear, the pedometer and run/walk-focused fitness tracking provide basic, accurate insight into your activity level, and notifications show enough information to let you know when you should pick up your phone.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
The GBX-100NS is shockproof, has scratch-resistant mineral glass over the screen and is water-resistant to 200 meters. There’s no need to charge the watch’s battery, and while there’s no solar charging, the internal battery should last a year or two, depending on your use of the connected features.
Notifications are reliable and accompanied by a sound signal or vibration, which can be specified in the menu. You have to dig around the various screens and press buttons too many times to see more details, but I rarely needed to. I was able to find out most of what I needed to know from the initial alert and then use my phone. You can’t interact with messages anyway.
I used the watch connected to the iPhone 12 Pro. Bluetooth range is modest and sometimes had trouble reconnecting immediately after signal loss. Notifications deleted on the watch do not delete them on your phone. The Move app has a decent design, but the menus are sometimes boring and a bit complicated, there’s no obvious way to do things like set a daily activity goal. Adjusting the settings can also be difficult.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
However, much of what you do with the app is a one-time thing. Once you’ve set up your settings, world time, daily goals, and tide chart, chances are you’ll leave the app alone so its nitty-gritty isn’t frustrating. Remember, this is a hybrid watch, not a full touchscreen smartwatch, and you’re buying it more for the watch than the app.
Not a smart watch, not only for surfers
Is the downside of the GBX-100NS that it’s not a smartwatch, and not just for its ideal target audience? Not at all, that’s a good thing. The G-LIDE GBX-100NS takes everything I liked about the GBD-200 and puts it in a body that I think is better looking, less sporty than previous models.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Casio is starting to take advantage of its ability to integrate its Bluetooth connectivity and fitness tracking software in a selection of designs, colors and shapes. Although the GBX-100NS is not drastically different from the GBD-100, the changes are enough to appeal to different people. Rather than just thinking about whether you’ll ever use the tide chart feature that separates the GBX-100NS from other G-Shocks, you should also think about whether the style and colors match your outfit and lifestyle. If not, the GBD-200 or GBD-H1000 may be more suitable for you.
Choice matters when it comes to wearable tech, and Casio is starting to offer it in abundance. The G-Shock GBX-100NS is available to buy now for $180 from G-Shock US or £159 from G-Shock UK, in a variety of colors including the first models launching in early 2020.
Editor’s recommendations
Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn