Casio has introduced the G-SHOCK GBX-H5600, one other Polar powered watch that brings coronary heart price monitoring and health evaluation into the G-LIDE surf lineup. It pairs the basic 5600-style sq. with tide information, a MIP show, USB charging and solar-assisted timekeeping, whereas extending the Polar-backed characteristic set seen on the DW-H5600.
That is the primary G-LIDE mannequin with an optical coronary heart price sensor, and it connects two strands of Casio’s lineup which have been operating in parallel. The GBX-100 introduced the surf options and MIP show. The DW-H5600 introduced coronary heart price and Polar-backed coaching metrics. The GBX-H5600 is the place these two meet.
A G-LIDE that now works off the seashore
So far, G-LIDE has been very particular in what it does nicely. Tide graphs, moon information and ocean timing have all the time been the main focus, with solely mild exercise monitoring within the background. That made sense for its viewers, but it surely additionally restricted how usually the watch made it onto the wrist outdoors of surf periods.
The GBX-H5600 adjustments that. It tracks coronary heart price, steps and exercises, and makes use of smartphone GPS to tighten up distance information. Extra importantly, it provides a layer of research that was lacking earlier than. Polar handles that facet, with metrics like Working Index, Cardio Load, Vitality Used and Nightly Recharge, together with sleep monitoring and restoration insights.
That doesn’t flip it right into a full sports activities watch, but it surely does make the information extra helpful. You aren’t simply logging exercise anymore, you’re getting context round effort and restoration. For a G-SHOCK, that could be a noticeable shift.
Identical sq. look, lighter really feel
On the {hardware} facet, Casio retains issues acquainted. The case is available in at 51.1 by 44.5 by 17.3 millimetres and weighs 47 grams, which is lighter than earlier coronary heart price geared up squares. That issues as a result of these watches are sometimes worn all day, not simply throughout exercises.
The Reminiscence in Pixel show can be the fitting name right here. It retains visibility sturdy outside and matches the digital G-SHOCK id a lot better than a brighter however extra power-hungry display would. You continue to get shock resistance, 20 bar water resistance and bio-based resin used throughout the case, bezel and band.
Battery trade-offs are nonetheless there
Casio goes with USB charging supported by photo voltaic help. Photo voltaic helps preserve the time show operating when the battery is low, however the well being monitoring and related options depend on common charging. That’s the similar compromise seen on the DW-H5600.
Battery life lands at round 35 hours with exercise monitoring and a couple of month in fundamental watch mode with coronary heart price turned off. It isn’t aiming to compete with full photo voltaic G-SHOCKs right here, but it surely does sufficient to stability options with battery measurement.
Our takeaway
Casio is clearly leaning into this complete Polar powered factor. So far, this was principally sitting in watches just like the DW-H5600 and the extra sports activities centered GBD-H2000. Now that very same layer is popping up in a G-LIDE, which isn’t the place you’ll have anticipated it a 12 months in the past.
That’s what makes this fascinating. Casio shouldn’t be attempting to construct its personal massive health platform, it’s simply plugging in Polar and dropping these insights into totally different watches. So now you’ve gotten a surf watch that may really let you know one thing helpful about your coaching and restoration, not simply present you tides and moon phases.
On the similar time, they don’t seem to be overdoing it. This isn’t abruptly attempting to be a Garmin. There isn’t any deep coaching ecosystem or standalone GPS. It simply sits in that center area, the place you get sufficient information to be helpful, but it surely nonetheless looks like a correct G-SHOCK you may put on wherever with out occupied with it.
Subscribe to our month-to-month publication! Try our YouTube channel.
And naturally, you may comply with Devices & Wearables on Google Information and add us as a most popular supply to get our professional information, opinions, and opinion in your feeds.
