Watches
Product 2020
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CASIO WSD-F21HR

This Casio WSD-F21HR watch that appears on the market after the Casio Smart FD20 and the Casio Pro Trek WSD-F30 that we tested, is like a wrist computer that integrates running as an activity. This product has an optical heart sensor and its sports profiles vie with Garmin, Suunto, and Polar. But the base product is expensive for training watches or for endurance sports. Can this Casio keep its promises in concurrence to the giants in the market? Are the modes provided good enough?

We tested it for months on end, on different terrain, including cycling. The first model we had unfortunately stopped working, which is very rare with Casio whose products are usually impeccable. But there are plenty of examples of Garmin and Suunto watches that stop working. So Casio sent a new watch to continue the tests.

 

The design is more imposing, aggressive and less fluid than a Suunto or Garmin, the Casio’s look gives it a virile personality. It takes up a lot of space on your wrist and can be annoying if you wear a long-sleeved top that isn’t stretchy, which of course is the case for most of these type of big watches on the market. Let’s say that the Casio is nevertheless bigger yet has the same size screen as a Suunto 9 Baro. The thickness of the face is practically exactly the same.

 

The strap is wide, tough and firmly attached thanks to the two buckle tongues. Although its overall stiffness doesn’t necessarily play in its favor in terms of comfort. On the top-of-the-range products the straps are made from soft materials. You don’t necessarily feel that it’s uncomfortable for most activities except when cycling.

 

The Casio WSD-F21HR, gives you access to seven sports profiles: running, trail running, hiking, fishing, cycling, paddling, snow. There’s no swimming profile, which is a shame it could have opened the doors for triathlon use (as it already has analysis for biking and running…), for example swap the “fishing” to “swimming”!

It’s a bit of a deception not to be able to take advantage of more sports modes in a series when the watch costs 500 euros. To use others you have to go through the app, which we didn’t do.

 

The real pleasures when using this Casio WSD-F21HR, is first of all the touch screen, which is very reactive, unlike many other brands. We really appreciated the colorful screens, the pleasant interface. You quickly find the tricks for moving from one screen to another, manage your music, find your telephone, times and tides, microphone for searching on Google without touching your telephone or other curiosities like the “fishing timer” which is supposed to let you know when the ideal fishing time is, handwashing timer, etc. not all is necessarily useful but that can sometimes be of service, such as the torchlight. Most of the services need a network connection via your smartphone (with a full battery). Another point concerns the efficiency of the different reading stages and screens: you need practice finding the menus, etc.

 

That’s the overview, but how well does it work out running?

Firstly, it has an optical heartrate sensor on the wrist (we wonder if you can connect it to a heartrate belt?). We compared the Casio WSD-F21HR readings to those from a Suunto 9 Baro (which is not exempt from critics). A nice surprise the Casio’s optical sensor works well after the usual phase where the sensor takes a little time “warming-up” and displays totally inaccurate readings and then we receive accurate readings. On the other hand the Casio WSD-F21HR systematically increases the values: when you are at 140 beats it displays 150 or 160 (at least with the people who tested it).

The other good point is that you have constant access on the map on the watch when we go trail running. You know exactly where you are all the time, you can discover paths and the GPS tracking is pretty efficient even if the first satellite connection takes a bit of time at the start of your session.

 

The third point that we really liked is its legibility, with clear readings.

The main problem is the Casio WSD-F21HR battery length. The brand states an autonomy of one and a half days, which seems pretty loyal to our experience testing. This corresponds to using the watch with moderation in relation to the activities. As soon as we use the GPS, display the maps, heartrate monitor, LCD color screen and notifications the battery rapidly runs out. We are a long way off the top end Suunto and Garmin that now need less recharging (120 hours in ultra-mode for the Suunto 9 Baro. The Casio needs charging practically every day if you go out training, and we didn’t notice anywhere that the battery was at a low charge before a session, and were unpleasantly surprised during the session when it ran out. You can of course find the battery level via the app but you need to do that and then look for the info.

We also noticed how weak the recharging cable is during previous testing with the Casio Smart FD20 and the Casio Pro Trek WSD-F30: the magnetic end is not powerful enough to stay in place when the watch is on its side and the connection is lost. You think you’ve charged the watch through the night and it has in fact disconnected and not charged at all.

 

So you have to constantly recharge the Casio WSD-F21HR and sometimes deactivate the color display, GPS, the active screen, daily safeguard, etc. You can also use the function “Prioritize battery” which also minimizes uses elsewhere.

 

For runners who want to plan training sessions or excursions this watch has the essentials: elevation, speed, heartrate monitor, altitude, etc. Screen customization is limited and it lacks a function for managing interval training.

 

This Casio WSD-F21HR still has characteristics that are more useful for trekking/hiking than trail running. It lacks real training modes and proper battery autonomy. Its touch screen and legibility are however fantastic.

"This Casio WSD-F21HR still has characteristics that are more useful for trekking/hiking than trail running. It lacks real training modes and proper battery autonomy. Its touch screen and legibility are however fantastic."

Rating

  • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
  • ERGONOMICS
    6
  • GPS PRECISION
    8
  • HEARTRATE SENSOR
    6
  • INTERVAL TRAINING
    0
  • SYNCHRONISATION
    7
  • BATTERY AUTONOMY
    3
  • INSTRUCTION BOOK
    6

Price : 499

Weight

81

Overall Rating

5.14

LONG TERM TEST

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

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    1. Hendrick Marthapang says:

      The charging is definitely the weakest spot. Use it during hand washing has caused me bringing more than 3 times to Service Center to handle the corossion built up between charger and the contact at watch. Last repair, I leave it unused and in 3 months time, cannot charge at all again after the servicing.

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