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Casio Pathfinder PAW-5000 Watch Review

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio That is, while the watches are fantastically functional, they ooze a bit of "dork." I am a proud owner of many a Pathfinder watches, and love the looks, feel, and utility they provide - but admit it isn't a watch I'd bring along a wingman on a date. Better for activities, being outdoors, and wanting to survive the perils of nature. Social gatherings demand a bit more tact when it comes to your digital aura.

So the clever engineers at Casio devised the PAW-5000. I can't say with absolute certainly that this is the first Pathfinder watch with analog hands, but it is the first that I am aware of. It has all the bell & whistles you expect in these watches, with the addition of analog hangs, and a Casio Tough Movement (Tough Mvt.). So what is a tough movement? It is a special quartz movement that helps keep the hands perfectly aligned after times of physical shock. I first wrote about it here, so click that link to learn more. Pretty much something you need to having with a rugged watch like this. One of the benefits of the movement is that hands are always perfectly aligned (that I have found), which is a big plus for a quartz watch in my book.

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

As you would expect, the movement is also solar (any light actually) powered ("Tough Solar"), and atomic clock radio controlled. Actually, being an analog watch might be of benefit to power generation. You can see that most of the dial is a photo-receptive solar panel - larger than the smaller ring used in the all digital screen models. Like other high-end pathfinder models, the watch can receive signals from your local atomic clock to sync to the correct time perfectly each day. This is actually one of the most complex functions in these phones, but you can set it to auto receive each night. I recommend looking through the instructions if you wish to fiddle with the "RC" (radio controlled) functions.

I have to admit that even though the watch dial is really busy on the PAW-5000 watch, it isn't that tough to read - in fact, I would say it is easy to read. Casio is smart not to add clutter underneath where the hands travel (too much), which greatly assists with legibility. I personally find the hands easy to spot and they have a high contrast with the dial. So legibility is good! Casio took some inspiration from the popularity of the Tissot T-Touch family of watches. Not in the "touch" department, but in using the hands for some of the features. Thus, the orange seconds hand is used a lot in the various functions. It isn't quite as slick as in the T-Touch watches, but the Casio is clearly much less expensive (and will probably last longer). As such, the seconds hand is used as the compass needle in the compass mode, to assist with the barometer reading, to see what timezone you are switching to in the world time function (see the abbreviated reference cities spelled out around the dial), and a few other things. Casio does a good job making you feel that the analog part of the watch plays nicely with the Pathfinder part of the watch.

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

For many of the functions you will need to rely on the smaller LCD screen. That will be your go to space for the chronograph, alarms, countdown timer, calendar, readings for the sensors, and other information. For years Casio has learned to skillfully use small LCD screens for such functions. While each is totally useful, I still recommend an all digital Pathfinder watch if you are going to be using these functions extensively. It just makes more sense when you have more LCD screen real estate. But if you are going to be mainly using the watch for time, with the occasional need for the other functions, then this is a solid choice.

Being a pathfinder watch, the piece will of course have the requisite "ABC" functions. This is the altimeter, barometer, and compass. This also includes the thermometer as part of the barometer function. Again, this are present and useful as expected, with reliance on the small screen, and some integration of the analog hands. The button layout on the watch is the same you are used to. With three on the right, one on the left, and two on the front of the watch. There is little to no learning curve if you are going to the PAW-5000 watch from any other Pathfinder model.

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio

One area that Casio might need to work on a bit is the backlighting. The watch uses a bright LED. It is bright enough, but is placed in an odd location - right at the bottom of the watch. If you turn it on in the dark, it washes out the LCD screen a bit, making it hard to read. Plus, the light isn't lit quite long enough for me. It takes me a little bit longer to read analog hands versus a digital readout. I understand that the LED draws on the battery a lot, but I end up having to turn it on a few time to read the time. These are relatively small issues actually, and don't actually impede using the watch, they just make it take a bit longer in some instances.

Casio really upgraded the look of the Pathfinder watch here. The PAW-5ooo has a nice metal bezel (even in this resin model). There is also a model with a titanium bracelet available. Case is water resistant to 100 meters. The metal bezel looks really nice, and helps "de-plastic" the watch a bit. The resin strap also has metal plates on each side near the watch. At about 50mm wide, the watch is bit, but nothing larger than other Pathfinder watch - though it is a bit thicker than some of the ultra-thin models we have been seeing such as the Casio PAW-2000 that I reviewed here. Style is overall good, and I think we finally have a Pathfinder watch that can be worn to the office. It really has a cool technical look to it, but one that isn't too nerdy Casio Pathfinder PAW 5000 Watch Review   casio As always with this collection, the watch is very comfortable on the wrist (large or small), and is quite light. Casio has mastered the "I didn't even realize it was on my wrist" feeling in even its largest watches. An evolution on the Pathfinder collection the PAW-5000 is not. Instead, it is a true analog/digital alternative to the rock-solid collection that for most people is the gold standard of multi sensor watches. Casio engineers prove that they can use their greatest technology to house a highly durable analog movement in a watch that is meant to keep you updated with information when you need it most. Also, it offers two pieces of functionality that Tissot T-Touch lovers have been begging for, for years. Those being solar power generation and atomic time keeping. Price for the Casio PAW-5000 watch starts at $450 (more for the metal bracelet version)

Learn more or get one at Casio here.

About Ariel Adams

Owner & Editor-In-Chief of aBlogtoWatch (formerly known as aBlogtoRead.com) - the world's largest and most popular wrist watch blog. Ariel Adams also regularly contributes to other important media such as Forbes, Departures, Centurion, Tech Crunch, and more.

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31 comments
robu radu
robu radu

Great review. The Casio brand guarantees great quality, amazing style and looks at advantageous prices.

nat
nat

Hey Admin,

How about answering me about the erratic readings on my altitude and temperature readings?

nat
nat

Hey Admin, How about answering me about the erratic readings on my altitude and temperature readings?

Johnny Shane Ross, MD
Johnny Shane Ross, MD

I've been wearing Casio watches all my life. I was severely burned in a truck accident when I was a teenager. My casio melted into my wrist and the digital face sunk into the case, but amazingly, the watch kept running for several more years until the battery ran out. I survived, as did the watch. I still have it stored in the original case. Needless to say, I'm sold on the brand. I just got the PAW-5000 and have been pleased. Your review is spot on. I agree that the backlight does'nt stay on long enough. The automatic backlight function is too distracting, in my opinion. My only complaint is the lack of luminous on the hands. Otherwise, a very goodlooking timepeice that I can wear to the office, in addition to having all the functions anyone would ever need.

admin
admin

Very welcome comment. Thanks for that Johnny.

nat
nat

I get wildly inconsistent readings in my altitude and my temperature modes. My elevation varies by -100 to +200 from my actual elevation. The temperature ranges from +- 10 degrees F. I called the customer service number and they said this was normal. It seems a bit "loose" for such an expensive watch. What have you experienced?

nat
nat

I get wildly inconsistent readings in my altitude and my temperature modes. My elevation varies by -100 to +200 from my actual elevation. The temperature ranges from +- 10 degrees F. I called the customer service number and they said this was normal. It seems a bit "loose" for such an expensive watch. What have you experienced?

Nick
Nick

I can’t decide between the PAW1500-1V, PAW2000-1, or the PAW5000-1. I like the look of the 5000 the best, but like the features of the 1500-1V. Do you know if the accuracy is the same on all of these models? I know the PAW5000-1 is the newest model, but does that mean the technology with the sensors is improved over the PAW1500? Overall the PAW2000-1 looks like it just has some “neat” features and a more casual look. Are there any advantages for the PAW2000 over the PAW1500-1V?

Nick
Nick

I can’t decide between the PAW1500-1V, PAW2000-1, or the PAW5000-1. I like the look of the 5000 the best, but like the features of the 1500-1V. Do you know if the accuracy is the same on all of these models? I know the PAW5000-1 is the newest model, but does that mean the technology with the sensors is improved over the PAW1500?

Overall the PAW2000-1 looks like it just has some “neat” features and a more casual look. Are there any advantages for the PAW2000 over the PAW1500-1V?

MO
MO

Guys, I've been looking for a REAL-GOOD well rounded tactical watch, under/around $500. I run twice a day, so it has to have all the capabilities a solid runner must have. I am new to these type of ABC time pieces and I have been debating whether I should get this brand new CASIO PAW 5000 or I might as well get a SUNTOO watch. (I heard that Suntoo watch is not scratch resistant). PLEASE, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Meredith
Meredith

First Pathfinder analog watch was the PAG60 but this is much cooler.

Antonio Leal
Antonio Leal

Thank you for a very good review. I have a few questions. (1) Does the hour hand automatically move to the local hour when World Time mode is activated? (2) Is the chronometer and countdown timer only on the digital display or on the hands too? (3) Is the alarm loud? My PAW-1100 is very soft and almost useless. (4) Does the city display bezel turn? How does that work? Thank you

Antonio Leal
Antonio Leal

Thank you for a very good review. I have a few questions. (1) Does the hour hand automatically move to the local hour when World Time mode is activated? (2) Is the chronometer and countdown timer only on the digital display or on the hands too? (3) Is the alarm loud? My PAW-1100 is very soft and almost useless. (4) Does the city display bezel turn? How does that work?

Thank you

Lou
Lou

Is there any lume on the dial markers or hands ?

admin
admin

maybe, but there is a special auto backlight that works when you flick your wrist to an angle.

This comment has been deleted

Brad
Brad

Does the PAW 5000 display the temperature and can it be setup to show the time in the digital display?
thanks!

admin
admin

Yea, I think so

This comment has been deleted

Aakash
Aakash

Nice discussion.... I am on the verge of deciding between 1500 and 5000 with metal bracelet. Which one I should go for? Do they have same functions? Is Compass easy to use in 5000? Lookwise, I like 5000. But, I donot want to go for just look. I am in need of your advise. Thanks in advance.

This comment has been deleted

Frank Uroda
Frank Uroda

Fine for analog lovers. Now to the next (after 2k) fascinating digital moment.

Aakash
Aakash

Nice discussion....

I am on the verge of deciding between 1500 and 5000 with metal bracelet.

Which one I should go for? Do they have same functions? Is Compass easy to use in 5000? Lookwise, I like 5000. But, I donot want to go for just look.

I am in need of your advise. Thanks in advance.

admin
admin

Depends on whether you want all digital or like the analog hybrid dial.

Frank Uroda
Frank Uroda

Fine for analog lovers. Now to the next (after 2k) fascinating digital moment.

sonorman
sonorman

It might be a bit late, but I like to let you know, that the backlight can be configured to 3 seconds instead of just one. (Yeah, it's in the manual. ;-) But you are right. The LED is placed very badly. On the other hand: as far as I know, there are not to many solar powered watches out there, that have active lighting.

sonorman
sonorman

It might be a bit late, but I like to let you know, that the backlight can be configured to 3 seconds instead of just one. (Yeah, it's in the manual. ;-)

But you are right. The LED is placed very badly. On the other hand: as far as I know, there are not to many solar powered watches out there, that have active lighting.

Paul
Paul

Oh man! That's all I need is yet another watch I want. I have a Casio PAW2000 and just today received my Timex WS4.

David Stoddart
David Stoddart

I got the casio pro trek titanium watch about 10 years ago, and it has analogue hands !!! It is a tough solar watch with altimeter, barometer, temperature and digital compass. It also has a magic back light that can be switched to come on just by moving the watch from the vertical to the horizontal!! It is all titanium too and it's the best all rounder in my collection.

David Stoddart
David Stoddart

I got the casio pro trek titanium watch about 10 years ago, and it has analogue hands !!! It is a tough solar watch with altimeter, barometer, temperature and digital compass. It also has a magic back light that can be switched to come on just by moving the watch from the vertical to the horizontal!! It is all titanium too and it's the best all rounder in my collection.

Howard R. Paul
Howard R. Paul

Casio Pathfinders have been the best watch for me in the outdoors, diving, working, cycling, you just can't kill the thing and it is super accurate with atomic time keeping, and it's solar powered. My favorite and only wash and wear watch of my entire collection, and usually one of the pathfinders is my daily wearer.

Howard R. Paul
Howard R. Paul

Casio Pathfinders have been the best watch for me in the outdoors, diving, working, cycling, you just can't kill the thing and it is super accurate with atomic time keeping, and it's solar powered.
My favorite and only wash and wear watch of my entire collection, and usually one of the pathfinders is my daily wearer.

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