Casio offers Move hybrid smartwatches and Pro Trek, Mudman, and Mudmaster watches with smart functions — the Rangeman combines the best features from all four.
Within the G-Shock family of wristwatches, sits Casio’s most well-equipped adventure watch, the Rangeman GPRH1000, which debuted last month and is available in a bold orange-hued yellow with black highlights (GPRH1000-9), or in a classic black with yellow accents (GPRH1000-1). The watch measures 53.2 mm in diameter by 19 mm thick and is 60.6 mm lug-to-lug and is by no means a tiny watch, though at just over 90 grams on the integrated urethane strap — it’s lightweight enough to wear all day comfortably.
This report features in field photography an observation of the Rangeman in its native environment. All photos were taken at Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Colorado, at the Walker Ranch loop trail, and at the Lost Gulch (located minutes from the University of Colorado).
MIP Screen
The Rangeman GPRH1000 has no touchscreen, color maps, or internet access. Instead, it has a fantastic high-contrast white and black memory-in-pixel (MIP) LCD that’s crisp, easy to read in all lighting conditions, and consumes less energy than a typical color touchscreen — allowing it to go weeks without a single charge.
Solar Assisted
The Rangeman runs module 3554, which is solar-assisted quartz movement that requires very little energy. In my experience, you only need to recharge the battery if you leave the heart rate monitor in the “Always On” position because the optical sensor is something that constantly drains power. And even then, the Rangeman runs for long periods without needing a charge, thanks to the solar assist and low energy design. If it runs low, you can quickly recharge it with the included USB Type-A alligator-style charging clip, which attaches magnetically and via pressure to the electrical connection on the caseback.
GPS Antenna
The Rangeman GPRH1000 comes with a built-in GPS antenna to accurately measure position, distance, and speed of movement in real time. Additionally, when outdoors, GPS can be used to calibrate your watch’s time function manually and to receive position information (when the watch is not connected to a smartphone).
Six Sensors
This is one of Casio’s most advanced timepieces and in addition to GPS, the Rangeman uses an unprecedented 6 sensors (most sensor-based G-Shocks used 3-4 sensors) to give you data on everything from the weather to your altitude to how many steps you’ve taken. An (1) Optical Heart Rate sensor uses LED light to measure changes in blood flow and track heart rate. The (2) Accelerometer sensor analyzes movement to measure activity such as the number of steps taken. A (3) Gyroscope sensor tracks swimming strokes and turns in the pool. It also helps with compass calibration. Casio’s Triple sensor accurately detects changes outdoors and in other environments using a (4) Magnetic sensor, (5) Pressure sensor, and (6) Thermo sensor to track compass bearing, altitude/air pressure, and temperature.
Altimeter
The Casio triple-sensor, uses a magnetic sensor, pressure sensor, and thermo sensor track to track compass bearing, altitude/air pressure, and temperature — and using this is typically the most accurate, the watch can also track altitude using the GPS antenna. However, with regards to altitude, the onboard sensor tends to be more accurate than GPS, except if there are certain weather-related pressure changes, in which case the GPS becomes the more reliable way to calibrate altitude.
The differential between a reference altitude and another altitude can be displayed above the current altitude in Altimeter mode. This makes measuring the attitude differential between two points easy when climbing or trekking. Additionally, there’s a second screen that shows visuals of the differential as a graph. During my trek, the altimeter readings — which jump in 5-foot increments — changed frequently as I moved around, which may have been because I had it set to update frequently, or because the latest sensor is more accurate. I tested past triple-sensor Casios such as the Mudman, Pro Trek, or Mudmaster, and don’t recall seeing small changes in altitude register. While I did not have a way to test altitude more accurately, I did compare the Rangeman’s altimeter with an iPhone built-in altimeter and both were within a few feet of each other.
Durable Construction
Black forged metal button guards protect the three buttons on the left of the case, and the two buttons on the right. The buttons themselves are protected by cylindrical stainless-steel parts, and the button shafts are equipped with gasket fittings to prevent contamination with mud and dust. Prominent target mark-inspired notches provide anti-slip top surfaces so the buttons can be operated in environments with mud, dirt, sand, rubble, or during severe weather — even with gloves on.
Key resin components of the bezel, case, and band are made with bio-based resin. Produced using renewable organic resources, this material is expected to help reduce environmental impact. The caseback features carbon resin that’s also directly integrated into the middle of the case, which makes the case strong yet lightweight — and has an appealing aesthetic. Not to mention it feels warm and comfortable against your skin compared to metal. A flat mineral crystal that sits below the plane of the bezel (armored) protects the dial and has minimal chance of getting damaged by this design. As you approach higher price points, a sapphire becomes expected, though in this case, the mineral crystal is fine.
Urethane Strap
Casio uses a similar water-draining strap design on Mudman and Mudmasters as well, and it does disperse moisture well. The soft urethane material is strong and durable yet maybe a little bit softer than the aforementioned models, though it’s hard to tell without comparing them side by side. The single metal keep and double-pronged buckle work well at securing the watch and strap end in place, while also looking more rugged and durable than traditional two-piece resin-based strap keepers. Like the buttons, the top side is textured so that even wet fingers can tighten it without slipping.
Module 3554
This watch has more functions than any other G-Shock I can think of and the result of such technology is a whopping 101-page operation guide. Again, I cannot recall a previous Casio of any kind with such a sheer amount of tech. Most operation guides are closer to 30-40 pages. If you like functions, this Rangeman has more than enough to keep you busy.
The quartz movement is accurate -/+ 15 seconds per month, even with no GPS signal reception or mobile Bluetooth connection. When paired, the mobile link will make an automatic connection periodically to keep the time mobile phone level accurate. The battery can run from 14 hours up to 2 months, without a wall charge or solar charge. If the heart rate monitor is off, it can last towards the high end of the estimate, and with heart rate monitoring on, the watch will last towards the lower end. However, with solar charging, the range extends. And in power save mode, even without a wall charge or light, on a full charge, the Rangeman can last up to 23 months. Using the GPS or heart rate mentioned continuously the watch will last from 14-19 hours. With the heart rate measurement off, the time can extend to 2-months. With full power save mode on, the watch can last up to 23 months, even without being charged with a cable.
I. Watch-based Functions
Stopwatch (1-second, Elapsed time, split time), Countdown Timer (1-second Countdown range: 60 minutes Countdown start time setting range: 1 second to 60 minutes – 1-second increments), Sunrise, sunset time display Sunrise time and sunset time for specific date, Moon data (moon age of the specific data, moon phase), Alarm/hourly time signal (4 daily alarms with snooze, Smart alarm – with snooze), Calendar (Full auto-calendar to year 2099), Mute feature Button operation tone on/off, Energy saving feature Power Saving (display goes blank to save power when the watch is left in the dark), Battery display/alert Battery level indicator, World Time – 38 time zones, daylight saving on/off, auto summer time (DST) switching. Airplane mode, Vibration alert, 12/24-hour format, Regular timekeeping: Hour, minute, second, am/pm, month, date, day, and Vibration on/off.
II. Sensor and GPS-based Functions
Having six sensors (magnetic, pressure, thermo, optical, accelerometer, gyroscope), plus a GPS antenna, allowed Casio to create a huge amount of functionality, as you can see below.
Activities: Multi-sport (running, trekking, walking, biking, swimming, others); Calculate and display distance, speed, pace, and other information using GPS or accelerometer; auto/manual lap function; auto-pause function. Training Analysis: Cardio load status. Activity Log Data: Up to 100 runs with up to 200 laps each, measurement time, distance, pace, running index, calories burned, energy source used, heart rate, maximum heart rate, cardio load, pitch, maximum pitch, stride, altitude gained, number of strokes, SWOLF. Wrist Heart Rate Measurement (30～220 bpm): Heart rate, target heart rate setting, graphic heart rate zone indication, heart rate graph, maximum heart rate, minimum heart rate. Sleep Measurement: Sleep recovery status (6 stages), sleep recovery stage display, sleep status (5 stages), sleep score display range (1 to 100, measurement unit: 1), autonomic nerve status (5 stages), ANS score range (-10 to +10, measurement unit: 0.1), Breathing Exercise: Setting range (2 to 20 minutes in 1-minute increments), biofeedback, zone-specific time summary, Step Count Measurement: 3-axis acceleration sensor, step count display range (0 to 99999 steps), step count reset: automatic reset at midnight every day, Active Time Measurement: Special algorithm measures movement time using status analysis (walking, running, biking, undefined), Life Log: Step count, step count graph (week, month, 6 months), calories burned measurement, active time measurement, Step reminder, Floor Elevation Measurement, Digital compass: Measurement range: 0° to 359° 16-direction display Auto level correction, Altimeter: Measuring range: -700 to 10,000 m (or -2,300 to 32,800 ft.) Display range: -10,000 to 10,000 m (or -32,800 to 32,800 ft.) Measuring unit: 1 m (or 5 ft.) Measuring interval: 2 minutes/5 seconds, Altitude differential measurement: -3,000 to 3,000 m (or -9,840 to 9,840 ft.) Altitude graph, Barometric Pressure Measurement: Measuring range: 260 to 1,100 hPa (or 7.65 to 32.45 inHg) Display range: 260 to 1,100 hPa (or 7.65 to 32.45 inHg) Measuring unit: 1 hPa (or 0.05 inHg) Auto measurement interval: 2 hours Barometric pressure graph Barometric pressure change indicator, Temperature Measurement: Measurement range: -10.0 to 60.0℃ (or 14.0 to 140.0℉) Display range: -10.0 to 60.0℃ (or 14.0 to 140.0℉) Display unit: 0.1℃ (0.2℉).
III. App-based Functions
Using the watch connected to a compatible Android or Apple smartphone via the Casio Watches app (and Powered by Polar algorithms for the data), you’re able to control these settings and functions: Auto time adjustment, Easy watch setting, Time Zone setting, Approximately 300 world time cities, Notification function (incoming calls, incoming e-mails, new social media posts, calendar notifications, reminders), Training analysis data, Activity history, Life log data, Sleep analysis data, Tide graph setting (approximately 3,300 global points), Phone finder, Strava, and Apple Health compatibility.
LED Light
LED light is very bright and effective, and activates when you press any button, although it works best to use the dedicated LIGHT button located on the upper right case flank because that button will not activate any other function by doing that, whereas hitting any of the other four buttons will. White LED backlight (Super Illuminator) Full auto LED light, selectable illumination duration (1.5 seconds or 5 seconds), afterglow.
Field Notes
Even without the app working initially, I was able to change meters to feet and Celsius to Fahrenheit, and so forth, and was able to set up and use the watch’s altimeter, barometer, thermometer, compass, and other functions, even without being paired. That’s one significant advantage of a hybrid watch like this compared to a full-fledged smartwatch, which relies much more heavily on being paired to a phone.
Like other models such as the Move DWH5600, the MIP screen is sharp and clear in all lighting situations. Now in a larger format that’s even easier to read, and offers more functionality.
According to Casio, you must be outside to receive a GPS signal. And in my experience, I found this to be accurate.
Of all the functions I was able to try, the Compass is something I think they could redesign the display for considering it’s a pointer connected to a circle, with the degrees in the center, but no N-S-E-W markings.
Overall, operating the Rangeman was easy because of the large well-designed buttons and relatively intuitive interface. Although, as I mentioned above, pairing is never going to be as reliable as using onboard tools. Also, there are a significant amount of features and a 101-page operation guide, so expect a steeper learning curve than on less complicated G-Shocks.
Verdict
Casio’s latest Rangeman is a tour de force G-Shock hybrid that represents many of the Japanese brand’s advanced features. From the bio-resin to the mud-resistant button construction to the forged button guard and carbon resin components the watch is lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly. Functionally, you’ve got GPS, Bluetooth, and 6 sensors with long battery life and solar-assisted charging.
Whether you’re hiking, biking, swimming, climbing, or running — the Rangeman GPRH1000 is one of G-Shock’s ultimate adventurer watches, and it can help you track your position and performance in real-time, and monitor your heart rate and blood oxygen levels along the way.
Despite its significant presence on the wrist — at 90 grams on the integrated urethane band — the Rangeman wears markedly well. Don’t expect it to fit under the barrel of a dress shirt cuff, though, and why would you even want to anyway? This watch is made for the outdoors, plain and simple.
Retail is $500. Learn more at G-Shock.
SPECIFICATIONS:
G-Shock Rangeman GPRH1000
Reference: GPRH1000-9
Year: 2024
Total Weight: 90.27 grams (92 grams stated)
Case Material: Bio-based resin, stainless steel, carbon resin
Case Diameter: 53.2 mm
Case Thickness: 19 mm (20.3 mm stated)
Lug-to-lug: 60.6 mm
Crown Diameter: No crown
Glass: Mineral crystal
Movement: quartz module 3554
Depth Rating: 200 meters
Strap: Perforated Bio-based resin
