The throw down in ultimate, ridiculously large, geek watches begins with two heavyweights from two heavyweight watch makers.
In the left corner we have Casio, with their PAW-1200 featuring atomic time calibration, solar power recharging, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, compass, and
life jacket.
In the right corner we have Suunto, with their Vector X negative display featuring a ridiculously large badass display, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, compass and
breathalyser.
They're big, they're bad, they're super sporto-geeked out. Man!
Suunto Vector X
Hailing from Finland, weighing in at 1.9 ounces (53.86 grams), 2 inches (50.8 mm) in diameter and 0.62 inches (15.9 mm) in height, this watch is huge folks, HUGE. Polar's F6 men's looks like the women's model by comparison. The negative display is a nice touch, easy to read in any amount of light. When a little boost is needed, the blue electro-luminosity can be activated. The illumination is low, plenty enough to read the time, elevation, temperature, barometric pressure and compass reading.
As you cycle through the functions, the time remains constantly displayed in the lower third of the watch.
The altimeter seems pretty accurate (field test verification coming).
The barometer is very accurate. The barometric trend display is helpful and can forecast upcoming weather.
The compass is very sensitive. The manual suggests that it only be used outdoors, less your fridge magnets throw it out of whack.
CHECK IT.
Casio PAW-1200
If you think the Suunto is huge, check out the Casio weighing in at 2.93 ounces (83 grams), 2.52 inches wide (64 mm), and 0.57 inches (14.4 mm) in height, the PAW-1200 is bigger, beefer, and just plain meaner looking than the Vector X, but is it badder, meaning gooder?
PAW1200 64.0 x 48.9 x 14.4mm / 83g
I must admit, when I read the specification sheet for this watch, I was blown away. Could it get any better? Well, of course it COULD, but we're not far enough into the future just yet. I thought for certain this thing would smoke the Vector, no problem.
Problem?
Well, let's just say specification sheets can be, uh, misleading. Don't get me wrong, it has all the functions it's advertising, they just don't work like you would expect. I mean, there are certain limitations.
For example, the thermometer has no problem reading the temperature of your wrist, which can be anywhere between 20 and 80 degrees warmer than the ambient air temperature. Whilst on a recent trip to Chicagoland, USA where it was SNOWING, my faithful PAW-1200 reported a brisk 54.3 degrees Fahrenheit. IS HELL FREEZING OVER??? Oh wait, it's really 23 degrees, shit. No worries though, just take your watch off and sit it, good watchie, in a neutral place for 10-15 minutes and you'll get a more accurate reading, like 74.6 degrees Fahrenheit where the wall thermostat is reporting 72.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
For reals, I personally like my Casio compared to the Suunto because of the added atomic time keeping and solar powering, but I have to give the Suunto the big thumbs up on their big negative display. It looks sweet, but then again it doesn't have the crazy compass indicators that the Casio has.
CHECK IT.