By Max Lundin
CASIO PRO TREK
Somewhere between familiar notes of G Shock aesthetic and the technical features of your favorite Bluetooth-enabled wristwatch lands Casio ’ s entry into the outdoorsy-focused sensor-enabled segment , PRO TREK . Separated into two lines , PRO TREK and PRO TREK Smart , we ’ ll be focusing on the former , Quad Sensor-oriented line , as opposed to the latter , Android-enabled offerings .
Casio ’ s standard PRO TREK line brings the manufacturer ’ s nextgeneration sensor technology to the wrist with a time-tested Casio case , fully furnished with buttons in all the places you ’ d expect them to be - starting with the LED illumination button just below the South marker on the bezel .
Aside from the illumination button , two left side and three right side buttons will allow you to toggle through the watch ’ s various functions and will activate the Bluetooth connection . Dramatic Arabic numbers on the dial and compass marks on the bezel accentuate the tactical feeling of this watch . The analog hands offer a similar boldness , while the more subtly detailed compass bearing and button descriptions make a complicated display easier on the eyes . Overall , the Pro Treks appear to be standard rugged tactical watches that , lacking a full LCD display , do not let on to their enhanced “ smart ” capabilities on the surface .
PRO TREK ’ s reason to be is its Quad Sensor system which enables compass , altitude / barometer , temperature measurements as well as an accelerometer , the accelerometer being the factor of differentiation between generations three and four . You might want to give the manual a quick glance before stepping out the door for your walkabout , or in this case , the mobile companion app PRO TREK Connected . This app is fairly bare bones in terms of what it offers to enhance the experience of the watch , but it adds some practicality with route logging which maps trips on your mobile device . If you aren ’ t already committed to another trail logging app , PRO TREK Connected may be your answer to tracking your hikes in more detail . Personally , I found the app most effective for learning the ins and outs of activating different features with visuals more friendly than digging through a manual . The Bluetooth connectivity time is quite quick relative to many other devices and you will have no trouble reconnecting when necessary . Once you hike the learning curve and can quickly toggle between different modes , metrics such as calorie burn estimates and distance between dropped waypoints offer quick references without the need to get absorbed back into your mobile device while trailblazing .
PRO TREK ’ s two latest entries offer a premium version of the PRO TREK formula . The PRT-B50YT-1 sports a black ion-plated titanium band , which gives the piece an elegant finish , complimenting the black case for a completely blacked-out finish . The two-tone PRT-B50T-7 features a silver titanium band with dark grey and black accents , giving the watch a more casual / everyday feel relative to tactical elements . Both feature a fine back cover made of lightweight glass fibers , enhancing ruggedness . While these round-out the high end of the PRO TREK line , additional entry-level pieces lack the same monochromatic design , but feature largely the same construction and most importantly , Quad Sensors .
If you ’ re looking for a smart watch that extends full smartphone capabilities to your wrist , the standard PRO TREK line isn ’ t what you ’ re looking for . But if a classic-feeling , truly rugged outdoor watch fits nicely into your hiking kit , the PRO TREK line deserves a place in your short list of hiking watch options .
In an era where we are under constant assault from digital devices , these pieces find a healthy compromise between aesthetics and practicality that allows you to track an adventure without distracting you with all the detail and complication of a full display smart watch .
42 | AboutTime Magazine