Casio G-Shock Move GBA900 (here featuring models GBA900-1A in black and GBA900-7A in white) is the latest affordable sports watch from the Japanese manufacturer. Casio positions the GBA900 as the most accessible watch in its POWER TRAINER collection, which includes G-Shock watches specifically designed for fitness tracking. These are traditional G-Shocks with smartphone connectivity (via Bluetooth), functioning like classic models with an analog-digital dial but with several new tricks (features).
Despite the release of several truly impressive high-end models this year, the price range of $100 – $150 has recently been a star zone for interesting products from Casio.
As one of our favorite watch companies, Casio continues to release a multitude of intriguing novelties with new features that also keep getting better and better in appearance. The GBA900 model is actually smaller and, consequently, more comfortable to wear than many other G-Shock watches. Even though its dimensions are 48.9 mm in width, 16.6 mm in thickness, and 51.3 mm lug-to-lug, this is considered a medium size for G-Shock. The GBA900 also weighs very little - only 61 grams, and the case is water-resistant up to 200 meters.
In many ways, the GBA900 externally does not differ from many G-Shock models released before it, which is not a bad thing. However, I find that the colorful versions of these watches, as well as the black-and-white GBA900-7A, look particularly pleasant. The analog hands are easy to read, and several areas of the negative LCD screen are still well visible. In addition to the time and calendar information, which occupy most of the dial, there is a horizontal exercise intensity histogram at the top of the dial to help you maintain sufficient activity. Although the budget price of the GBA900 does not allow for features like a heart rate monitor, it includes an accelerator and uses GPS information from a phone connected via Bluetooth. This likely allows the watch to inform you of the distance you have traveled.
Moreover, Casio suggests that the software in the watch learns based on previously used GPS distance data and can track distance without the need to constantly connect to the phone via Bluetooth. This is very cool.
Connecting the watch to the Casio G-Shock smartphone app is also useful for other functions, such as automatic time updates while traveling. The Casio module inside the watch also ensures the operation of a number of other expected features, including world time function, stopwatch, alarms, full calendar, and countdown timer. Casio claims that the battery life is two years with regular use. The dial is also equipped with a white LED backlight, which is activated by pressing a button.
The case does not use the new Casio Carbon Core Guard construction, which has so far been primarily used in Casio's higher-end products, but the steel back cover is framed by wedges of soft plastic, which make the watch much more comfortable to wear. The wedges now have ventilation holes, which may be simply decorative but may also help reduce sweat accumulation under the watch when you wear it during intense physical activities.
For fitness enthusiasts who, for a number of valid reasons, are not interested in smartwatches but would like assistance in maintaining activity, the Power Trainer GBA900 is an excellent blend of modern features with classic G-Shock (plus the comfort of wearing).
I believe that once you start using Casio watches with the G-Shock App, it's hard to go back, so it's nice to see more and more Casio watches being designed from scratch to harmoniously integrate with your smartphone (rather than replace it). The price for the Casio G-Shock Move GBA900 Power Trainer collection watches is 130 USD. More on the Casio G-Shock website.