First Look: CASIO PRO TREK PRW-7000 "All-rounder" Pro Trek for greedy outdoor lovers

The new PRW-7000 model has been released from the PRO TREK series, which has long been extremely reliable as a watch for outdoor activities such as mountain climbing. While maintaining the basic functions of an outdoor watch, its robustness to withstand harsh conditions, and the peace of mind you can use it without worrying about battery remaining, the new Pro Trek, which adds newly developed direction meter and new features that are useful for water activities, is a level that is acceptable to say that it is all that outdoor users want, due to its versatility and high level of perfection.

Casio's authentic all-purpose outdoor watch was recently thankfully provided with a sample with a review request. I'd like to review this as an opportunity for me, who I admired when I was a student and now a PRO TREK user for several years, so I'd like to give a review (of course, I'm going to seriously consider the content of the article as usual). So, this time I'll share my first impressions before using them thoroughly.

Appearance and fit

First, at a glance, compared to previous PRO TREK, the characters and indexes are less noticeable from the bezel around the bezel, giving it a very clean and simple impression. The matte black has a texture that looks like it's carved out, so cool. This may be a negative for those who want a ruggedness like G-SHOCK, but personally I really like this, which has a functional beauty that eliminates waste and has an even higher quality feel, and I really like it. I wish I could have taken the plunge and put together the second hand and other indicators in monochrome colors anyway.

The windshield uses sapphire glass, which is resistant to scratches, and the dial uses large indexes that have been treated with light and large carbon hour and minute hands. The screw-in crown on the right side is large and easy to grip, but it is a little stiff and doesn't seem to be very easy to use. Should we consider this a trade-off between malfunction and difficulty breaking?

The LCD uses a highly visible STN liquid crystal, and the light uses a double LED light that illuminates the LCD section and dial respectively. Visibility in the dark is not an issue at the moment. Incidentally, the auto-light function, which automatically lights up when tilted in dark places.

The stainless steel back plate is highly rigid, while the hairline emblem is luxurious. The carbon fiber insert band made of belt material is stronger than conventional resin, but has less elasticity, so it was a bit difficult to put on and take off, but once you realize that it's okay to pull hard and get used to it, it won't be a big problem.

It feels comfortable to wear when worn, but for this size it is not particularly bothering you (95g), and it feels good on the skin. The body is also large so it doesn't get caught on your wrist, so it feels very natural for now.

What caught my eye was the thickness that gets stronger each time a new model is released. The recent models are as thick as other manufacturers, so there may be some things that can't be helped, but the thickness of 14.5mm is stressful every time you get stuck when you put on or take off clothes or backpacks, so I always wonder if I'll be able to get back to my slimmer days.

Functions and operability

High-standard basic functions ideal for mountain climbing

First of all, the "PRO TREK" is an outdoor watch that can use sensor technology to measure various natural information such as direction, atmospheric pressure, altitude, and temperature, but the PRW-7000 is equipped with the latest sensor system, Triple Sensor Ver.3, which allows for even higher-definition measurements . Furthermore, it has a built-in solar panel that generates electricity even with fluorescent lights, making it easy to run out of batteries the radio reception function that keeps track of accurate time , and the low-temperature resistance (-10°C) , and its highly reliable basic performance is still very reliable for climbers who want stability in harsh conditions.

The newly developed direction meter with automatic horizontal correction function allows for azimuth measurement of orientation in one unit even if the clock is not horizontal, making it possible to measure orientation without worrying about posture even in outdoor areas where it is rarely kept horizontal .

Added features suitable for water sports

Another major feature in terms of functionality is the addition of useful features for water sports in rivers and seas, such as the 20 atm waterproof performance, which is intended for use at the waterside the fishing time function, which tells you the appropriate time of fishing in the day , which affects the activity of the fish. Not only does it climb, but it has evolved into an all-around outdoor watch that can be useful for any outdoor environment, such as fishing in the sea and rivers, kayaking, rafting, and more.

Personally, I have not yet had the opportunity to actively use all of the functions so far, but if this is a function that can be used for stream fishing, I have a craze that there would be no more powerful wristwatches for stream climbing enthusiasts.

A digital/analog hybrid display that combines accuracy and intuition

The basic way to display information is to display the time using an analog hour and minute hands, while measuring information using a sensor can be accurately reported using a digital screen and a second hand.

It doesn't really matter as a function, but the smooth and refreshing movement of the needle when switching to each mode is super fun (click on the image to play).

In addition, the retrograde indial at the bottom right shows supplementary information and more complex information for each mode. It serves as an indicator for tide graphs that show trends in atmospheric pressure, altitude difference from the reference point, the target direction (bearing memory), and current tide and tone information. Equipped with a dual coil motor, it displays the information needed for outdoor activities emotionally and intuitively. All of the measurement information is displayed using a fan-shaped needle, but at first it is difficult to tell what is referring to, so to be honest, it takes some getting used to it. Although we don't use all the functions right away, it seems that it is undeniable that if we try to cram many functions into this small area, it will inevitably become difficult to display.

Main Specifications

For more information, the Casio official website or Casio Customer Support .

Summary: What kind of people do they recommend?

Although the final conclusion is still not yet, I imagine someone who fits this watch perfectly based on the specs and first impressions.

In fact, today, as we can now easily enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, fewer people can say that they will only be doing one type of activity, even up to 10 years from now. People who enjoy this kind of outdoor activities in a crossover style, such as me, want a restaurant that feeds one-star classes in all of Japan, China, France, and Italy than in three-star Italian restaurants. There's no way there's actually a place like that, but the PRW-7000 is sure to be useful in any activity, regardless of the field, and it's not surprising to say that it's just like an all-rounder you rarely see. The only drawback is the price of "82,000 yen + tax," but in a sense, the high level of perfection that could be used for more than ten years if the purpose is not correct, can be said to be worth the price in a way.

If I had to point out the aspects I'm not good at, this gear is a legitimate evolution as a watch and measuring instrument, and is not an activity tracker or activity recording device for fitness. In this regard, the convenience and fun of the so-called "smart" devices these days are far from suitable for smartwatches and fitness bands. So if you're someone who wants to bring an athletic orientation into the outdoors, this watch is not at all satisfying, so you need to be careful.

By the way, it's a bit of a pain for me, who can't throw away both of them, and these days I've been seriously thinking about putting them on both the left and right for the time being... Anyway, next time I'll be bringing you a review of my experience in the field after a while, so stay tuned!

PRO TREK PRW-7000-1AJF

CASIO