Casio Pathfinder Watch - Casio Pathfinder Watch

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We've reviewed a lot of Casio Pathfinders here, they're highly functional outdoor watches that combine toughness with utility. Today, we're pleased to present the new PAG40-7V, a new model with a few tricks up its sleeve. Let's start with a feature list:

Triple sensor: Altimeter/barometer, compass and thermometer.

Mineral crystal, rubber and plastic case with steel caseback.

53mm by 18mm, very light at 74g.

New 3-color design: white, black and green, with a distinctive asymmetic bicolor bezel.

Water resistant to 100m (330ft)

Five alarms plus optional hourly beep

Dual-layer LCD with compass on second layer in blue.

Multifunction graph (green rectangle) for plotting barometric pressure or altitude, either current or saved.

50-sample memory (15 minute intervals) of altitude or pressure

Low-temperature resistant

Non-ratcheting compass bezel for trekking

Auto or manual electroluminescent backlight

Casio movement module 2271 (PDF of manual).

Probably the biggest news with the PAG40-7V isn't about the watch at all, but it's availability. This model will be exclusive to Amazon.com, which is a first and quite thought provoking. Amazon, which you might not know, sells a lot of watches, demonstrably enough to make it worth Casio's while. This is a trend we'll be keeping an eye on, as I'm sure it's not well received by other retailers or distributors. It's too soon to tell what the effect on us as watch customers will be.

Getting back to the actual watch, it's a pretty normal Pathfinder - the watch you grab when it's time to get outside. It works pretty well as a daily wearer, but the 53mm width is a bit large for most of us. The good news from that 53mm is that the display is super-large and thus easier to read, especially the time, altitude, compass bearing or pressure displayed on the large center digits. The use of a second LCD layer for the compass works a treat, as you can see here, with north indicated by triple needles and the the other cardinal directions lit up as well for orientation. Simple and effective. At the same time, the nearest-quadrant abbreviation (NNW shown here) is displayed as well, allowing both precise and approximate readings.

Yep, I immediately took it hiking! On the wrist, the three color scheme is actually not that big of a deal, and of course the functionality and readability are excellent. I like that day, date, month, year and time are all visible at once, yet it's uncluttered and reads well.

Compared to the ultimate Pathfinder, the PAG40-7V lacks solar power, radio set, countdown timer, moonphase/tides but not much else. We still have the shrouded buttons, similar displays and overall functionality, at a fraction of the cost. The PAW1500T-7V is $350 or $400 for strap or bracelet; the PAG40-7V is $200. For half the price, you're getting over half the features, which seems like a good deal to me.

The strap is a standard Casio, meaning that it's custom to the watch, well designed and very comfortable. On the right you can see the L-shaped attachments to the strap, which keep it shaped for your wrist, and also that part of the 18mm thickness is a plastic layer on top of the stainless steel caseback. Unusual construction for sure.

Casio has long made excellent outdoor watches, and this one continues that tradition. They managed to reduce the price while retaining many of the features that made the Pathfinder so great. I thought that the lack of solar power would bother me, but in fact the only thing I really miss is the countdown timer, which I find to be very useful for cooking, parking meters and the like.

If you need a reliable, inexpensive hiking or everyday watch, give the PAG40-7V a look. Available this fall on Amazon.com only.

Amazon.com is quickly becoming a spot for limited edition or exclusive watches. You'll often see the popular online "everything" store carrying an exclusive watch model that you simply cannot get anywhere else. Here is a special Casio Pathfinder timepiece that you can only find on Amazon.com and it is the model PAG40-7V. This watch is a variation on a popular line mostly sold in Europe and Asia, brought here with a unique color scheme. The case is in black, white, and green. The bezel is made in a black and white sections looking almost "Yin Yang" in theme.

Aside from its distinctive looks, the watch has the standard set of many functions you come to expect in a Casio Pathfinder watch. Aside from the time, calendar, alarms, and other timing functions, there is the compass that uses the duplex LCD screen, a barometer, and an altimeter. It all comes in a rugged and easy to live with package that is really suitable for outdoor adventures or urban trekking. Price is a reasonable $200. Look for the model PAG40-7V on Amazon.com

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