The G-Shock GBD-H1000 is Casio’s first running watch with GPS, heart rate monitor and solar power that can withstand extreme conditions – with unrivaled battery life. I was allowed to test it in daily training for two weeks.
My first fitness watch is an olive green G-Shock. In 1998 I am a regular soldier, an officer candidate for the reconnaissance team, and just discovered that running can also be fun.
Back then the training watch was called: Stopwatch with lap function.
I fondly remember my first G-Shock.
Regardless of whether it is freezing cold, heat, sun, rain, mud, dust, night marches, baggage runs, obstacle courses or multi-day exercises – she went along with everything without complaint.
When a friend who works for Casio asks me if I would like to test the “Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000”, part of the new “G-Squad HR” series, for two weeks, I don’t have to wait long consider:
“G-Shock G-Squad HR GBD-H1000 – as long as I don’t have to remember the name, I’ll be there!”
Okay, now I’ve got the name on my chest. And above all, I know what the GPS running watch can and cannot do. Some things really surprised me.
Casio asked me to test the watch from the point of view of a runner, technology and fitness freak for internal company purposes and to give them feedback for the final fine-tuning of the watch.
Now that the watch is freely available, I can share my experiences with you here as well.
My G-Shock GBD-H1000 test also has a side effect that continues to this day:
I’ve been running every day since then.
For the test, I ran around the Hamburg Outer Alster once a day for two weeks (run log here) in order to gather the most meaningful data and experience possible.
I didn’t intend to extend the running streak after that – but that’s exactly what happened until today. This is the magic of the Seinfeld Method in action. And now it’s become a habit that I’m grateful for.
Back to the main actress, the brand new G-Shock GBD-H1000. Let’s start with the basics.
The basics – design and basic features of the G-Shock GBD-H1000
I start with the design, general functions and operation. This will give you a first impression of the watch.
Design
A G-Shock has always been a statement . This also applies to these:
The GBD-H1000 stands out.
Its 55 mm diameter and 20 mm height make it one of the largest fitness watches on the market.
It is definitely tailored to the male wrist – in combination with sports, leisure or outdoor clothing.
Even with a weight of 101 grams, it tops most of its competitors. However, this is not noticeable when wearing:
It is easy and comfortable to wear on the wrist.
Anyone looking for a subtle watch that disappears under a jacket and shirt is out of place with a G-Shock anyway.
Display and resilience
It is waterproof up to 200 meters (20 bar), it is also shockproof and – this is what makes it unique – it charges your battery using the solar cells integrated in the display.
With this, Casio clearly positions the watch as a “real” G-Shock:
This watch was developed for outdoor activities – under extreme conditions, if need be.
The black and white LCD display, which can be easily read in strong sunlight as well as at night (via the integrated background lighting), also goes with it. Practical:
If the ambient light is weak, you can activate the backlight by turning your wrist.
If it is still bright enough, the additional lighting remains switched off.
All of this saves the battery.
Because, as my Casio friend told me, a long battery life is one of the three core properties of a G-Shock.
Excursus: What is a G-Shock?
In 1983 Casio launched the first G-Shock. The acronym stands for “gravitational shock” – a concept by the electrical engineer Kikuo Ibe. He developed it in 1981 and revolutionized the watch market.
His goal is to construct an inexpensive digital watch that meets three requirements:
- At least 10 years battery life
- At least 10 bar water pressure (100 m)
- Withstands at least 10 meters of fall without damage
First of all all of his prototypes fail because of these specifications. Only when he was watching children playing with a rubber ball did he come up with the brilliant idea of applying the rubber ball principle to the watch case:
He designs a clock with a floating digital movement.
This prototype coped with all test series unscathed and went into series production in 1983 – the first G-Shock was born. Suggested price: $ 50.
If you happen to find an original of the first model (designation: DW-5000C) in your drawer, you can count yourself lucky: auctions are up to 5,000 euros
The three core requirements are the DNA of every G-Shock to this day.
operation
You operate the GBD-H1000 with the five push buttons arranged around the circular display.
Accidental pressing is practically impossible with the buttons, as they have a fairly firm pressure point.
G-Shock watches have their own operating concept.
The “Mode” button (bottom left) takes you one after the other through the main screens of the watch. The GBD-H1000 has eight such modes that are fixed:
- Time of day
- Heart rate
- Tabata training
- Stopwatch
- Compass, altimeter, barometer / temperature
- Training diary (past running trainings)
- Current fitness level
- Notifications (SMS, WhatsApp, etc.)
The running training You can start directly from the time view by pressing the RUN button.
Practical: The time display can be accessed from any view with just one push of a button.
Starting a running training session is no more than two button presses away.
For comparison: With my Apple Watch I need up to four taps. In return, the operating concept of the Apple Watch opens up faster. With the GBD-H1000, a look at the operating instructions speeds up getting used to the navigation. 1
My colleague Sebastian, who also carried out a series of tests, found his way around immediately. However, he was already wearing a G-Shock (without training functions).
G-Shock users will quickly internalize the operation of the GBD-H1000.
Everyone else is allowed to take some time to understand the concept. The watch can then be operated quickly and directly.
measured values
The GBD-H1000 collects measured values via a series of sensors:
- GPS navigation
- Accelerometer
- Magnetic digital compass
- Barometer
- Thermometer
- Optical heart rate measurement
The watch calculates further parameters from this measurement data in order to provide a whole range of functions. For example:
- Core functions: Time, date, battery, stopwatch, alarm clock, heart rate, altimeter, air pressure, temperature, pedometer and compass.
- Tabata training: Remaining lap time (countdown), lap number and heart rate.
- Running training: Running distance and – pace, lap distance and pace, training diary / evaluation of all runs, VO2max, training load, fitness level, regeneration time, calorie consumption and heart rate.
For the analysis of the running training data, Casio relies on algorithms from Firstbeat, which are also used in Suunto and Garmin sports watches.
You can evaluate the many measurement and analysis data directly via the clock.
The watch also transmits the data via Bluetooth to the associated G-SHOCK MOVE app (iOS / Android), which makes evaluation even more convenient and other functions such as training programs, firmware updates, maps and interfaces to Strava, Apple Health and Google Health offers.
Let’s get to the sports functions.
Running and Tabata: GBD-H1000 in training
The GBD-H1000 is not a multi-sports watch, but a specialist.
In addition to the mandatory stopwatch, it has a step counter and two training modes:
- Running training
- Tabata training
There are no programs for other sports.
The target group is therefore not triathletes, but runners and CrossFitters.
If you want to find your way in the wilderness, you will also find a compass, altimeter, temperature and air pressure meter on your wrist.
In my GBD-H1000 test, I mainly looked at the three sports functions: pedometer, running, tabata.
step counter
With the help of an acceleration sensor, the GBD-H1000 determines the steps taken and shows them on the display.
The step measurements already seemed to be quite high to me at the beginning of the practical test.
The step measurements on my Apple Watch, which I continued to wear, were consistently about a third below those of the G-Shock.
In a study published in 2018, the Apple Watch was certified to have a measurement error of 6.2%. 2
Therefore, from day 8, I took additional measurements with the (no longer available) Fitbit One, which is one of the most accurate pedometers. 3
The G-Shock calculated an average of 31% higher step numbers than Fitbit One and Apple Watch, whose measurements were close together.
The step measurement was about ⅓ above the target.
I suspect that the algorithm in my test sample was not yet optimally configured – after all, it was a pre-production model.
I forwarded my measurement results to Casio two months before the product was released.
Since, from my point of view, this is a software and not a hardware issue, the accuracy should be improved with a firmware update.
I could not test whether the accuracy of the pedometer was actually improved.
running training
running control, heart rate, GPS and analysis
The process is very simple:
Press the “RUN” key. Wait for GPS signal (about 40 seconds). Start running.
If you can do without GPS data for the first minute of training, simply click away the “Search” message and start immediately.
If you like it even more simple, you can start walking without pressing a button.
The watch can also automatically recognize and record runs.
Since there was no operating manual at the time of my test, I did not know anything about this function. So I didn’t test it.
What I have tested, however, is the (switchable) auto-start / stop function.
The auto-start / stop function is practical and works.
This detail is a blessing for runners like me: If I stop the timer manually, I forget to press the start button every second time after the break. Then all the data for the rest of the training is missing.
During the running training, the GBD-H1000 records all relevant training parameters:
- (lap) distance in km
- (lap) speed in min/km
- Heart rate in beats/min
In order to be able to assess the precision of the pulse measurement, I carried out comparison measurements with the Polar H10 pulse belt.
The deviations were
The pulse measurement of the GBD-H1000 is precise.
If necessary, you can configure which data you want to display during your run via the app or directly via the clock.
There are a total of three screens that you can switch between while running. The displayed data can be clicked together as you like.
For me, the preconfigured views were perfect.
I used the (can be switched off) automatic lap function, which automatically sets a lap marker after every kilometer. This means that I have all the kilometer times at a glance later.
After your training you can go directly to the detailed evaluation via the clock.
The clock memory is large enough to store 100 running training logs that you can access later.
You need the app for a map of your run.
Your location is tracked every second via GPS signal.
Distance and speed are calculated from these measured values.
In order to be able to assess the quality of the GPS measurements, I ran a precisely measured running route twelve times during my test: the 7.4 km lap around the Hamburg Outer Alster.
On the 7,400 meters, the deviation was 50 meters. So 0.6%. That’s a good number.
The GPS measurement is close to reality.
Casio has also given the watch a couple of exciting additional functions.
Automatic training planning
An interesting feature is the automatic training plan creation via the G-SHOCK MOVE app.
At the time of my test, the app was unfortunately not yet finished. I was working with an early beta.
The evaluation of my own trainings already seemed largely final, while the training plans were not yet integrated.
I cannot judge the quality of the automatically generated training plans.
Casio relies on the algorithms of the Firstbeat algorithm, which is also used in other fitness watches (e.g. Suunto 3 Fitness). In any case, the model sounds promising:
You specify the training goal and interval, the app calculates the appropriate training plan and transfers it to the watch.
You can specify qualitative and quantitative training goals:
Qualitative training goals are for example:
- Maintain fitness (3 training units / week)
- Improve fitness slowly (3-4 training units / week)
- Improve fitness (3-4 training units / week)
- Improve fitness quickly (3-5 training units / week)
Quantitative training goals can also be competitions:
- 5 km
- 10 km
- Half marathon
- Marathon
The app is designed to target the training units Calculate the basis of your existing fitness parameters. It then transfers the training units to the watch and programs them for the training days you specify.
Even if I couldn’t test the quality of the training plans, my experience shows:
An experienced trainer puts every algorithm in his pocket.
But the reality is not black and white. Suboptimal but regular training is guaranteed to beat doing nothing – in search of the supposedly perfect plan.
Fitness level and regeneration
How do you know how fit you are – and whether your cardio training is bearing fruit?
VO2max is a measure of your endurance performance.
VO2max stands for the maximum oxygen uptake per kilo of body weight and minute (ml / kg / min).
People with a high VO2max do not get out of breath as quickly when climbing stairs as people with a low VO2max.
The GBD-H1000 calculates your current VO2max.
To do this, you have to run twice a week for at least 10 minutes, otherwise you will not have the database for the calculation.
Using a 7-level rating system, it assesses the fruits of your training:
- DETRAINING signals a decrease in fitness level compared to the previous week due to a lack of training stimulus.
- RECOVERY means: “Shift down a gear, yours The body needs relaxation. ”
- MAINTAINING means that you should keep your current level and should make changes to your routine for new training stimuli if you want to get better.
PRODUCTIVE stands for: “Great, you improve yourself. Carry on exactly like this! ”
- PEAKING signals a peak in performance, important for competitions: Now you can use your full potential.
- OVERREACHING stands for too much of a good thing: If you train too intensely, you lose weight and risk overtraining. Then you need more relaxation.
- UNPRODUCTIVE indicates excessive stress outside of training. You can keep exercising, but you should pay more attention to healthy sleep, a healthy diet and mental recovery.
During my two week test, the GBD-H1000 rated my training as “PRODUCTIVE”. That coincides with my subjective perception during training.
The GBD-H1000 also gives you recommendations for recovery time in hours and minutes.
The recommended recovery time seemed conclusive to me.
I cannot judge how robust this value actually is. I am not aware of any studies on this.
In coaching I recommend this model for muscle regeneration to my clients, which is based on a daily self-assessment.
Data interfaces
Casio provies interfaces to other platforms via the GSHOCK MOVE app, above all:
The training data can be used with any software that supports the health platforms.
The Japanese have also thought of a Strava connection.
Since I share my training sessions on Strava, this is an important criterion for me.
Tabata training
Interestingly, in addition to the running function, Casio also has a simple timer Integrated for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that supports circuit training.
You can program the Tabata timer with simple circuit training.
You can configure it directly on the watch or via the app, the latter being more convenient.
Every imaginable interval training can not be implemented, but classic Tabata units can.
It works like this:
- Define number of laps: First you define how many laps your training circle should have. Values between 1-20x are possible here.
- Define the content of the lap: Here you determine how exactly a lap is designed. You can name a maximum of FIVE elements and assign a duration to them.
Then the training circle lands on the watch via Bluetooth.
There you start the training on the Tabata screen by pressing the “RUN” button and you can get started.
The GBD-H1000 gives you a beep when the next element begins.
Until your workout is through.
Here is an example of how you could design a training session with four elements:
- Bodyweight squats , AMRAP 4, 20 seconds
- Break , 10 seconds.
- Push-ups , AMRAP 4, 20 seconds.
- Break , 10 seconds.
Of these, you set five laps, A crisp 5-minute circuit training is ready.
The display shows you all relevant values during training (see graphic).
The biggest limitation of the Tabata timer is the restriction to only five laps.
Unfortunately, you cannot use it to implement more complex circuit training, such as our free #DRNBLBR workouts for the home.
Nevertheless, the function is a nice nice-to-have for simple training circles.
Video demo: Training functions of the Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000
Need a demo? In the video my colleague Sebastian and I show the aforementioned Tabata training for the expert test at Casio.
Battery life: the killer feature
The battery life of the Casio G-Shock GBD- H1000 puts all GPS running watches known to me in the shade.
One battery charge alone provides a decent range (manufacturer information):
- 12 months with deactivated GPS and heart rate measurement,
- 66 hours with permanently activated heart rate measurement.
- 14 hours with permanently activated GPS and heart rate measurement.
But one fact is left out:
The solar cells charge the battery permanently.
The solar cells apparently work so effectively that my GBD-H1000 didn’t have to be plugged in during the two weeks, on the contrary:
After two weeks the G-Shock still had 50% juice.
And that despite the fact that every day I turned around the Alster for around 40 minutes with activated GPS and heart rate monitor. That is over 9 hours with activated GPS and heart rate measurement.
Outside of training, I spent most of the day in closed rooms. There the solar power yield is naturally worse than outdoors.
With daily running training the battery of my GBD-H1000 would have lasted a good month.
I don’t know which GPS running watch can keep up.
What if the G-Shock has to be plugged in? Casio indicates the charging time via the supplied charging cable with a maximum of 2.5 hours.
If you go for a run a few times a week, you can probably get by for months without a charging cable.
The more time you spend outdoors, the longer the battery will last.
Usage scenarios are even conceivable in which the watch never has to be plugged in again.
Strengths, weaknesses and price of the G-Shock GBD-H1000 at a glance
Pro
- Large, eye-catching, masculine.
- Easily and comfortably carried.
- The display is easy to read.
- “Indestructible”.
- Excellent running watch.
- Accurate GPS measurement.
- Precise optical heart rate monitor.
- Tabata timer for circles with up to 20 laps.
- Clear operating concept (after prior training).
- Astronomical battery life (thanks to solar charging).
Cons
- Too big for delicate arms.
- Weighs 101 grams.
- No touchscreen.
- Voluminous housing.
- Multisport functions are missing.
- No navigation function.
- No heart rate measurement via Chest strap.
- Tabata timer allows max. 5 round elements.
- The operating concept requires training.
- If you never have to charge your watch, you can lay the charging cable.
The Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000 has been available in four different colors since May 22, 2020.
The recommended retail price is 399 euros .
Conclusion
If you are looking for a slim lifestyle watch that supports many sports, comes with a touchscreen and a subtle design, this watch is not the right one for you.
The Casio G-Shock GBD-H1000 is first and foremost a great running watch with an outstanding battery life (1-2 months for ambitious runners).
They can also be used for (long) hikes.
The integrated Tabata feature should be particularly interesting for fitness freaks and trainers – it can replace a separate timer (e.g. GymBoss). At least if your training circle consists of five or fewer elements.
Above all, the GBD-H1000 is a “real” G-Shock.
If I were at the beginning of my career as a Bundeswehr officer again today, this would be the ideal watch for me.
As scouts, we spent a lot of time outdoors in all weathers. Running training and nocturnal orientation in the wilderness are part of the job – and this is where the GBD-H1000 scores.
You can tell that this watch was developed primarily for outdoor use – under extreme conditions if necessary.
Where it can show its strengths – indestructible design, day and night clearly readable display, digital compass, good running functions, solar charge and marathon battery life – it is so far without competition.