Description:
Introduced last spring, the Casio PRW-5000 is at the top of the range of Casio Pro Trek, both technical features that price bracket (the titanium version is in fact a proposal for a list price of 499 €).
To be fond of “hands and Technology”, I could certainly feel bound by the purchase of such a “copy”, so, without thinking twice, I’ve added to my collection of outdoor watches a beautiful PRW-5000T-7VER , of course, in the noble version titanium, which makes it even more technical and fascinating.
The watch is sold in the now familiar box of plywood, which is imprinted with the green “Pro Trek”. After opening the “box” made of wood, can be admired in all its splendor the PRW-5000, wearing a livery brushed titanium anchored to the resin box with four screws browned at the corners thereof.
Despite the generous dimensions (56.8 x 49.3 x 14.3 mm), once a wrist watch is amazingly strong yet lightweight (approximately 110 g) and are pleasant and comfortable, thanks to the bracelet (titanium solid) that fits snugly around the wrists of all sizes, the presence of two fins located behind the twists and turns that keep the cash position, avoiding troublesome wrist rotations.
The case, made of composite materials, is well made and the case back, stainless steel, is secured with four screws on the edge of the box, while the setting of the dial is brushed titanium. The dial, grossed an inch below the frame, is protected by a scratch resistant mineral glass. The bracelet, attached to the case of two screw pins are inserted between two “conventional” loops straight, which also allows mounting straps “normal” type was born, leather or velcro, depending on your needs and personal taste (this is great news for a Pro Trek, since it usually takes Casio customized solutions for each model, making it impossible to customize the strap).
The shape of the case, as with the recent introduction of PRG-240, is reminiscent of the classic Pro Trek (PRG-80 from the forward), with three smart keys on the right side (Compass, Baro and Treble), the triple sensor at eleven o’clock, the Mode button at eight and Light and Adjust buttons on the back of the box, just above the bend below.
The comparison with the PRG-PRG-240T and 15000T in my possession is almost taken for granted; PRW-5000 is definitely the most often, but less wide, the PRW-1500, while slightly smaller and thinner PRG-240.
The first feature that catches the eye when you look at the PRW-5000 is the unusual presence of pointers (Pro Trek is unusual in the world, apart from some rare exceptions, such as the SPF-60, still in Casio list, and a few other references that have had little luck, at least on the Italian market), that stand out on a quadrant by violet pearls (which acts as a solar cell) which has carved out a window for the LCD display of the digital module.
With this solution, Analog-Digital Casio introduces a new technology, called “Tough MVT” who, working in symbiosis with the ABC functions, allows easy viewing of information that can not be clearly displayed on the small LCD and simultaneously give the user the ability to monitor rapid changes in altitude, atmospheric pressure, and view the Magnetic North just like a real compass.
The hour and minute hands are adjusted automatically and synchronize every clock signal reception (and after reactivation in the event of entry into operation of power-saving safe mode in case of solar charging of long stay in the dark) also second hand, the arrow (which looks like the needle of a compass true) indicates the change in altitude (in High mode), the barometric trend (Baro mode) and the direction of North (in the Compass).But let us now “test drive” of this PRW-5000T.
The functions of the watch (with dual time, can be set for various cities in the world), 5 daily alarms, timer (up to 60 ‘), chrono (up to 59’59 “), to receive radio signals from six stations worldwide (Multiband 6 ) and power solar (Atomic) need no introduction, since these are basically the same on the other PT and GS.
They deserve more attention instead of the functions of ABC. Compared to earlier designs, the 5000 seems to be slightly more sensitive and accurate, although the manufacturer does not officially declare that you have implemented the temperature compensation in the triple sensor (Form 5114).
This means that, as a function of temperature, the watch provides altitude values relatively stable, long (of course) that you calibrate the altimeter frequently and especially before a trip.
As for the bush, I found (without any prior calibration) a good agreement with reported data from my Suunto Core (provided declination adjustment) and in accordance with the indications of a classic compass (Suunto).
Very functional use of the solution to Casio as the second hand compass needle (in fact, as mentioned above, this index has the shape of an arrow), thanks to this new feature, “Tough MVT.
This solution is, in my opinion, both functional and (why not) “suggestive” at least since the duplex LCD (which was missing on previous models, and recently reintroduced the PRW-2000 and PRG-240), because makes reading the compass much clearer and more immediate (which would be impossible with an LCD display sacrificed so much like the PRW-5000).
The barometric sensor performs very well his duty, without prior calibration, but simply on the basis of parameters set to default, the values of relative pressure are in good agreement with those provided by the weather. Baro mode, the function Tough MVT allows you to indicate the seconds hand, an increase or decrease in pressure, compared to a time t0, indicating the amount of variation due to a barometric scale drawn on the edge of the dial.
The altimeter, after calibration with respect to a reference altitude, has a sensitivity of 5 m (as on all PT) and does not seem to suffer from variations in temperature (not that Casio did not tell us that this new form 3134 implements temperature compensation?).
In this mode, the second hand indicates the variations in altitude, ascent or descent, with a scale shown at the edges of the display.
Ultimately, the performance of the PRW-5000, as compared with those of the PRW-1500 and PRG-240 I own and I have tested seem to be slightly higher, especially as regards the operation of the altimeter, which provides measures more stable and, above all, less influenced by changes in ambient temperature.
With regard to the barometer, however, with the settings set the home readings are very close to those given by my two other PT, and in good agreement with satellite data and GPS.
Despite the excellent performance such as ABC, I still need to be objective and highlight some of this negative note PRW-5000.
First, the digital display of 5000, much sacrifice, is wholly insufficient to clearly display all the information that ABC can actually provide. For example, the graphs of the trend and barometric altitude gradients are so small as to be almost useless when compared with those of other Pro Trek, less noble and older (see PRG or PRG-40-80, for example, not to mention the PRW-1300 and PRG-240).
Another sore point is the lighting system. The PRW-5000 adopts a full auto-LED, which illuminates the face with a diode positioned at six o’clock, and the lighting can be set as “auto EL” to turn on automatically only when the wrist is rotated to face, in low light conditions.
This system, however, illuminates the digital display, so that is practically unreadable in the dark, and does not diffuse the light evenly to all the analog dial. It took time to implement a backlight for the small LCD (Tissot has done with the T-Touch Expert)?
In conclusion, the PRW-5000, especially in the T version, clad in titanium, is proving an excellent compromise between functionality and design, a perfect blend of class and technology, to be worn in the office or outdoors. In short it is the watch that can satisfy those who, like me, want to have your wrist something more than just marks time.
Obviously, the PRW-5000T is not without flaws, it is worth highlighting the lack of functionality of the backlight, the size of almost Lilliputian “LCD display, which is not always clear and sufficiently detailed.
Finally, questionable (to me), Casio is the choice of not to carry the T version of its top range entirely of titanium, but to reserve the use of this material only at the cuff and the front bezel of the case.