Watches
Product 2017
Man

CASIO PROTREK WSD-F20

The CASIO PROTREK F20 is the latest baby from the CASIO family, an improved version of the SMART F10; the same technical prowess but with added value – a GPS.

 

In-hand satisfaction

the CASIO PROTREK F20 is very intuitive to use. Both the installation and use are guided and the Android installation is a child’s game. In five minutes it’s up and running.

 

You have to be careful with the charger and ensure it is properly attached, although it is magnetized it sometimes it comes undone as the magnet is not strong enough – a shame they didn’t improve it.

 

The software is the same and easy to understand and use.

 

 

 

LET’S CHECK IT OUT

The watch has the same aviator look, and comes in two colors (orange or black), still quite large and thick, not easy to slide under technical outdoor clothing and it is also still quite heavy.

There are 3 command buttons on the right that control and guide you through the menus.

It has a digital screen, which has different parameters, styles, screens and display functions.

 

 

Battery life is still the biggest problem. You can help limit the battery consumption by putting the screen on sleep, reducing luminosity.

 

The PROTREK is a stylish looking watch, easy to use, with interesting functions and is connected:

 

You can use Bluetooth on your watch to connect via your telephone for its applications and Google.

 

CASIO always has their standard applications:

Weather.com, alarm, stop watch, etc.

In the connected mode you can use your address book, calendar, and after there is links for Google Play and AndroidWear.

 

 

THE MAIN GAME

As for the F10 you need to download the user manual to access and understand how to set-up the watch and use all its facilities.

 

Be connected!

Fans of being connected will be fully satisfied! Texts sent vocally – and it works pretty well!

 

 

So how does it fare on the terrain?

 

“I would like to organize a training plan and/or follow my activity and my performances”

 

The 3 applications provided; Activity, Fit and Exercise Fit haven’t changed much.

The Activity App offers 2 more themes: ski and paddling

 

 

 

  • activity app for outdoor sports

In 2 or 3 clicks the parameters are sorted.

 

Another app CASIO MOMENT SETTER (download via Google Play), enables you to add notifications depending on certain events (eg.: Alert every 200m of elevation climbed, or drink every hour, etc.)

 

Once launched for any sport on foot, the watch will show various information, vertical climb remaining, vertical speed (up and down), distance, etc.

 

To change from one screen to another you swipe with your finger or use the top button.

 

For biking mode you have nothing to do – just press Start, average speed, maximum speed and distance is indicated.

 

Fishing – the watch will calculate the number of lances and distance.

 

For all these different sports a map shows the tracks.

 

Skiing- the watch times the descents and indicates the distance, maximum speed and how long it took.

 

 

 “I’m going into the mountains, mountaineering or ski touring”

What do I need? Know where I am on the map, know the altitude, be able to orientate myself.

 

The CASIO has a GPS – but you would have thought that it would be autonomous – well unfortunately not completely. You need to link it to a smartphone software to benefit from its connected functions.

The only app, which is compatible with CASIO is Viewranger, that provides OPenSTreetMap at 25000. The IGN maps are pay for.

 

 

There are still navigation functions missing and you would have thought that with an integrated GPS you would no longer need a ‘phone.

 

SO the method remains unchanged (practically):

– launch the Viewranger app on your phone

– createe the track on your smartphone (it’s best to create it before in the Internet via your Viewranger account)

– Launch your phone navigation by asking it to “follow the track”. Your phone’s tracking mode must be switched on (ok so what’s the point of having a GPS watch?).

– Something new, Launching your phone navigation automatically launches the Viewranger app on your watch.

It seems that you could, when the watch has launched Viewranger, disactivate your phone’s localization.

– The watch automatically displays a screen allowing you to save the track

Then by swiping the screen from right to left you display one by one:

– the next header to reach, and its distance from where you are, with an arrow pointing in the direction to go.

– the map indicating your position and the current route.

All the info comes from the phone, which is the use of being connected, but for the F20 we would’ve liked something belonging to the watch.

The GPS point provided by the watch and the map tracking are precise and reliable (within a few metres of those provided by other GPS, so depending on the signal precision). But, the watch easily loses the signal and a good dozen times in three hours we had to wait 30 seconds for it to find the signal again.

 

 

If you get lost, what do you do? Still no backtracking. You have to stop the navigation on the phone, then reverse the route on the Viewranger app on the phone, and relaunch the navigation, rather lengthy operation.

Managing two devices, the phone in your pocket and your watch on your wrist is very irritating, because even if you have hands free, the tiny map on your watch is not the same as a real IGN TOP 25 map, or even a smartphone map.

 

Other watches such as GARMIN or SUUNTO, or other wrist GPS, are totally autonomous once they have downloaded the route to follow.

 

During the trip you do have the TOOLS, always the same ones, excellent quality and reliable, that show the altitude, direction, atmospheric pressure, etc.

You can calibrate the compass easily (by rotation movements), the altimeter and barometer. Each TOOL provides two screens, the first with instant values and the second with the evolution during the last 6 to 12 hours.

The altimeter is pretty precise and reconnects easily in manual mode.

 

 

We really like the backlighting which is efficient and the luminosity adjustment enables excellent use when the days are bright or as the sun goes down.

In terms of battery use we still have 2 devices that consume (watch and phone): 3h of hiking with the use of the map and the GPS, the watch goes from 100% to 64% and the phone 100% to 70% (just using Bluetooth). You have one day of autonomy if you don’t change the screen by passing onto the 2 layer mode.

You gain a little on battery life on the phone in comparison with the CASIO F10, but you need it.

With this  CASIO F20, and despite the GPS, Casio hasn’t been able to reach a more PRO watch (its name Protrek just made us hope). With more extensive use the watch remains disappointing and always complicated to use because you rely on two gadgets: the watch connected to a Smartphone. It’s a little like a Swiss knife, gadgets, a beautiful object, but for serious use it isn’t that functional and won’t satisfy real wanderers (the navigation instrument hasn’t improved), or training fans because these functions still miss the heart rate monitor.

It is still not at the same level as the Garmin and Suunto.

 

 

The concept of a connected watch remains unsuitable and without doubt questionable in an adventure race, trekking or mountaineering, activities where we look for simplicity, reactivity and the mere fact of having to rely on two pieces of equipment is a huge constriction (more complicated to use, rapid battery loss, risk of breaking down).

The ideal is really a watch that can hold a map, or a route to follow (gpx file) or an app that makes it totally autonomous and uses less energy – Bluetooth exchanges with the telephone.

 

"It’s a little like a Swiss knife, gadgets, a beautiful object, but for serious use it isn’t that functional and won’t satisfy real wanderers (the navigation instrument hasn’t improved), or training fans because these functions still miss the heart rate monitor."

Rating

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
  • Ergonomics
    8
  • Altimeter Precision
    9
  • Battery autonomy
    3
  • Compass reliability
    9
  • Connected functions
    7
  • Navigation
    3
  • GPS Precision
    9

Price : 499

Weight

92 gr

Overall Rating

6.86

LONG TERM TEST

We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PRODUCT ?

Receive your answers by mail. Do you have a particular question concerning the design, use, durability or other about a tested product? We will answer your question personally.

    CONTACT US

    MrMs

    * Fill all required fields.

    Conformément à la loi Informatique et Libertés nº78-017 du 6 janvier 1978, vous disposez d’un droit d'accès, d'opposition et de rectification à toute communication des informations personnelles vous concernant en adressant un mail à : [email protected]

    WRITE A REVIEW ON THIS PRODUCT

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      • VIA FERRATA
      • CANYONING
      • SKI
      • SNOWSHOES
      • TOURING SKIS
      • TRAIL RUNNING
      • MOUNTAINEERING
      • CLIMBING
      • MOUNTAIN BIKE
      • ROAD BIKE
      • TRIATHLON
      • TREKKING
      • Hardwear
      • Casques vélos
    UP