Alex Roddie reviews the Casio G-SHOCK GBD-H1000-1ER, an indestructible but uncomfortable wearable.
The Casio G-SHOCK GBD-H1000-1ER features on our list of the best GPS watches for hiking.
The G-SHOCK is almost indestructible – but I found it uncomfortable to wear due to its size. It’s mainly pitched at runners, although it can also be used to track hikes thanks to its integration with the G-SHOCK MOVE app, which is functional but a bit buggy. You can’t export GPX files, but it will sync with Strava.
I found it slow to get a satellite fix and slow to save a recorded track. The heart-rate sensor seemed accurate, but distance was consistently short. While walking, it will provide distance, heart rate, ascent, and other stats. I found the interface confusing – menus are unintuitive and I often found myself pressing the wrong buttons.
The monochrome screen is clear in sunlight, and the standby time with GPS deactivated, in smartwatch mode, is excellent – I could barely make a dent in it. Battery life with GPS on is less stellar but still good enough. Although it’s hard to tell how well solar charging works, as this is not indicated on the watch face, it does top up the battery quite rapidly when left in direct sun.
Runners who like the G-SHOCK look might consider the GBD-H1000, but there are better watches for mountain walking.
If you want to compare more GPS watches, check out the rest of Alex’s guide to GPS watches.
We’ve also recently answered a couple of the frequently asked questions when it comes to GPS watches including ‘Do GPS watches need the internet?’ and how to use GPS for hiking navigation.
This review first featured in The Great Outdoors in August 2021.
