The longstanding Casio Professional Trek (previously Pathfinder) watch household endures on because the Japanese model’s famed “mountaineering” watch. Right now, I take a look at the Casio Professional Trek PRT-B50, particularly the PRTB50YT-1 in black with an identical black titanium bracelet. Professional Trek’s territory even inside Casio has been shrunk as a result of encroachment of G-Shock fashions that in some ways overlap with Professional Trek fashions in each performance and magnificence. It was as soon as solely Professional Trek fashions that had “ABC” (altimeter, barometer, compass) sensor know-how, in addition to lots of Casio’s hybrid analog/digital shows. That is now not the case, as Casio has lent all of Professional Trek’s distinctive promoting factors over to the G-Shock household — so, let’s check out this admittedly good Casio Professional Trek mannequin and perceive the way it compares and contrasts with its G-Shock “sister mannequin,” the Casio G-Shock Mudmaster GG-B100 (aBlogtoWatch overview right here).
On the identical time, Casio is at present promoting each the Professional Trek PRT-B50 and the G-Shock Mudmaster GG-B100, which each share the identical base “module” (the time period Casio makes use of for its actions). Extra so, as configured, this Professional Trek PRT-B50 on the black titanium bracelet and the Mudmaster GG-B100 have the identical retail value. Customers will justifiably be a bit confused as to which mannequin is correct for them. To be truthful, the bottom mannequin Professional Trek-B50 is available in at a a lot cheaper $220 value level, whereas this model with the black IP-coated titanium bracelet prices extra. In essence, the G-Shock Mudmaster is the costlier mannequin, and accordingly, the case is extra sturdy and wear-resistant (although it’s bigger as a consequence).
I dedicate a lot of the Professional Trek PRT-B50 video overview to discussing the way it compares to the Mudmaster GG-B100… and on the finish of the case, except you’ve got a specialised want for a specific characteristic in one of many two watches, the selection is a matter of style and magnificence. Right here is the place the Professional Trek mannequin beats the G-Shock. To begin with, even at 50.8mm-wide and 15.8mm-thick, the Professional Trek is the smaller watch of the 2 in thickness. It additionally advantages from having a rotating navigational bezel — however, to be sincere, that isn’t very helpful (particularly for the reason that module has a compass perform constructed into it).
The Professional Trek can be a lighter watch, which is amazingly obvious even on the titanium bracelet. In whole, the watch weighs simply 64 grams. On the wrist, you actually don’t really feel like something is there. Lastly, the Professional Trek PRT-B50 marginally beats out the G-Shock Mudmaster GG-B100 when it comes to legibility, due to the dial’s high-contrasting and really easy-to-read palms and hour markers (each of that are painted in luminant). It’s also true that if you would like a G-Shock with a titanium bracelet, it’ll price you much more cash than the retail value of a PRTB50YT-1. Talking of the bracelet, let me talk about it a bit since, for me, this can be a new bracelet design and I feel its intelligent engineering requires some dialogue.
There are two downsides to the bracelet. First is that in case you have smaller wrists, like mine, the way in which the bracelet connects to the case signifies that the case lugs sharply jut out a bit. This isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, however it’s a level of inelegance that I consider Casio ought to have designed round a bit higher. Second, the bracelet affords solely a minor degree of micro-adjustment (only one further spring bar gap in deployant to assist ideally dimension the watch). I’d say that the choices for sizing the bracelet will work for many wrists, although, as a sports activities watch, this Professional Trek is supposed to be worn snugly sufficient to not transfer round, however not so cosy as to limit your wrist’s motion.
Sizing the bracelet is one of the best half as a result of Casio engineered a very intelligent system that does require a software, however one which, if you happen to don’t have it, one thing you’ve got laying round might simply double to launch the straps. I additionally consider that this new hyperlink design helps the bracelet be thinner whereas sustaining a excessive diploma of structural integrity. No, this strap isn’t going to have G-Shock sturdiness, however I consider it’s going to fulfill the overwhelming majority of makes use of. A small plastic software provider with the watch lets you press down on a hidden pusher on the rear of the case. This, in flip, causes each maintain pins within the hyperlink to retract and permit it to separate. If you recognize what you’re doing, you may go from a wholly unsized bracelet to a sized one in underneath a minute. That is wonderful given that almost all different bracelets require a particular spring bar elimination software, regular palms, and a few endurance, as the complete train can take 15 minutes, or extra, relying on how correct your sizing predictions are. Additionally, observe how comparatively skinny and discreet the fold-over deployant clasp is. I must also point out that, along with the bracelet having quick-release finish hyperlinks, the Professional-Trek case is designed to just accept many after-market 24mm-wide straps. (G-Shock watches usually don’t have detachable straps, and if you happen to do want new straps, you may usually solely use ones made for that exact case.)
The remainder of the Professional Trek PRT-B50 case is in matte black resin, which now partially extends over the caseback to supply what could be much more sturdiness. Whereas the G-Shock has 200 meters of water resistance, the Professional Trek has 100 meters. The peak of the rotating bezel can be designed to guard the crystal from undesirable shock. The case itself is enticing, however in a means that has at all times been deliberately extra conservative than G-Shock. The now-larger G-Shock-style pushers are simple to press, however there are a whole lot of them on the case (six in whole). Casio additionally didn’t label the underside heart pusher on the entrance of the case that prompts the backlight. The pusher virtually blends in with the design of the case and I can see individuals carrying this look ahead to possibly even years with out even realizing a backlight perform even exists except they’re advised concerning the location of this pusher.
As is the case with the sister G-Shock Mudmaster GG-B100 watch, the one useful draw back of the module within the PRT-B50 (the Casio module 5601) is the shortage of solar energy era. This may have made the watch way more autonomous. This isn’t that large a deal, because the battery is alleged to final, on common, two years and is a CR 2025 cell, which could be simply bought at many shops (so it isn’t a kind of finicky specialist battery sizes).
I actually like this module for the cash as a result of it affords every little thing individuals have come to anticipate with regard to Professional Trek performance but in addition some new fashionable options, corresponding to Bluetooth connectivity. Utilizing the G-Shock app, you may have your telephone routinely regulate/replace the time and set issues on the watch, such because the alarm. “Cell Hyperlink” through Bluetooth is a characteristic that’s coming to increasingly Casio watches, and it’s nice that it’s already being broadly rolled out on much more entry-level fashions. Casio calls the Professional Trek PRT-B50 a “quad sensor” watch as a result of, along with the altimeter/barometer, compass, and thermometer of previous-gen Professional Trek watches, the most recent sensor is a step counter. Although this can be a gentle type of exercise monitoring smartwatch, the PRT-B50 can the truth is perform as a easy semi-smartwatch exercise tracker or you may merely use the step counter (pedometer) with none telephone connectivity. In that regard, I actually admire Casio’s strategy with Bluetooth — as of now, on most fashions, utilizing Bluetooth along with your watch is elective and never required for many of the core performance.
Regardless that the small unfavourable (what the darkish screens are known as) LCD show doesn’t take up the majority of the PRT-B50 dial, it’s one thing that you just’ll use quite a bit. That stated, I like how, from a distance, this Professional Trek appears to be like kind of like a wholly analog watch. The default display screen can show the time digitally, the calendar, steps, or a barometric strain graphic (for climate prediction). Devoted pushers on the case can help you shortly activate the altimeter and compass capabilities. These repurpose the seconds hand as an analog indicator such because the compass needle. The system is moderately refined and works fairly properly; it additionally occurs to be fairly snappy in its efficiency.
What attracts me to the Professional Trek PRTB50YT-1 is its legible dial, good-looking but conservative model, and its gentle weight and carrying consolation. I’m nonetheless not fairly certain the way to inform if somebody is healthier off with a Professional Trek versus a G-Shock, however Casio wins both means. It’s true that the Professional Trek PRT-B50 is the price range mannequin, assuming you may dwell with out the titanium bracelet (there’s a non-black mannequin, as properly). With the bracelet, the watch continues to be a superb worth on condition that the bracelet design is each new and never provided on this inexpensive kind within the G-Shock assortment. Beginning value for the Casio Professional Trek PRT-B50 watch assortment is $220 USD and, as featured, the PRTB50YT-1 has a retail value of $380 USD. Study extra on the Casio Professional Trek web site right here.
