Two Useful Features I Demand (but Had a Hard Time Getting Affordably) in a Wristwatch
Written: Jul 12 '08 (Updated Jul 15 '08)
Product Rating:
Pros: Virtually the only cheap wristwatch to include a handy "countdown timer" andfive alarms.
Cons: Green background makes LCD display relatively hard-to-read sometimes. Upper-left "Adjust" button's somewhat difficult to press/activate.
The Bottom Line: Except for two annoying-but-tolerable quirks, it's excellent. Few other affordable models include a countdown timer and five programmable alarms--not to mention 30-name/number "databank;" stopwatch; dual time; and "backlightable" display.
henry_thoreau's Full Review: Casio Digital Databank #DB35H1AV Watch for Men
Prefatory note: I recently bought this watch via a third-party seller at Amazon.com. The seller was "JUSTCALCULATORS;" the price for the watch was $18.95; and the cost for "shipping and handling" was a whopping $8.99. The latter charge, however, was actually reasonable, given that the item was very protectively boxed and promptly shipped via priority mail, such that delivery only took three postal-business days (Los Angeles to Kansas City). It was also very protectively packed, and it arrived in excellent, unused condition.
When it comes to wristwatches, I've long been more concerned about functionality than cachet. If I'm going to encumber my wrist with any "foreign object," the latter had better justify its presence by providing certain useful features beyond "time and date."
The subject of this review is my third Casio wristwatch of this multifaceted ilk. I still have two old (and recently on-the-fritz), late-eighties Casio models whose designs and functionality reveal that not much has changed in twenty years. In fact, when I operate this new "Casio Digital Databank #DB35H1AV Watch for Men," it's as though it's "1988" all over again.
Well, actually, there are a couple of mildly disconcerting (tolerable) shortcomings that this watch entails vis a vis my prior, comparable Casio models. (I'll discuss those respective shortcomings later, in the "Two quibbles" section of this review.)
First, though, let me explain the two fundamental reasons that I chose this particular Casio model. (It's generally hard to find both of these features in one low-cost "men's" watch!)
The "countdown timer":
First, I wanted the "countdown timer" feature. This allows you to press a button and have the watch count down from any duration (ranging from one minute to 24 hours) that you choose. When the countdown reaches "zero," the watch will emit a series of discreet yet quite audible beeps for ten seconds. (You can stop that beeping by pressing any key.) You can also select whether or not the watch--after having counted down to zero--will subsequently automatically begin counting down (from your previously input duration) all over again. I myself generally keep that "auto-repeat function" deactivated; but there are noteworthy exceptions.
For example, if I want to encourage myself to stay "maximally hydrated" (drink more water!) throughout the day while being otherwise distractedly immersed in my "computer work," I can keep the "auto-repeat function" activated and set the countdown timer to 15 minutes. That way, I'll receive a subtle reminder (beeping) every little while, whereupon I'll "habitually" reach for my water glass (or bottle).
On the other hand, if you want to be reminded to take a particular medication (or simply take a break or eat a snack) in, say, exactly three hours and ten minutes, you can set the countdown time to "3:10" (with the "auto-repeat function" deactivated or not) and then press the watch's "Forward" button (one of two keys directly below the LCD display) to start the countdown.
Not one but five programmable, daily alarms:
Secondly, along with the "countdown timer," I wanted more than just one (programmable) "daily alarm." As you likely know, countless watches do include one daily alarm (not to mention the ubiquitous, selectable "hourly time signal" that this watch likewise includes). But some people--including me--can continually make use of at least four or five separate alarms. For example, many years ago one of my gigs was that of high school teacher; and I found it handy to program one of my aforementioned Casio wristwatches to discreetly "beep" about three or four minutes before each of my late-morning and afternoon class periods was to end. Indeed, not only was that little audible reminder handy for the instructor, but also the students (much like well conditioned, Pavlovian pooches) soon responded favorably to the subtle-yet-audible beeping such that they proceeded to wrap up their desk work (or whatever), gather their books, and get ready (in a relatively orderly fashion) to depart the premises. It actually engendered a calmer, more orderly classroom-departure scenario.
But that's just one example of how having more than a measly single alarm could prove handy. I can surmise that many doctors, nurses, lawyers, office managers and sundry wage slaves could make good use of at least some of those "extra" alarms, especially given that you can input a brief (eight-character) text notation for each programmable alarm, such that you'll be reminded of the specific nature of an important meeting, appointment, task, or other event that you don't want to miss.
Other noteworthy features:
30-name/number "databank." You can enter up to 30 pairs of "names plus phone numbers." Each textual "name" can comprise up to eight characters (i.e., text and/or numerical digits); and each "phone (or other) number" can comprise up to 12 numerical digits. While I didn't buy this watch primarily for this "databank" (a.k.a. "Telememo 30") feature, I must admit that I appreciate being able to save certain names and numbers that I haven't quite committed to memory but which I periodically need.
Stopwatch. I myself will likely never need this feature, but it's nice to know it's available. It has a "24-hour" measuring capacity. It also features three "measuring modes": elapsed time; split time; and 1st-2nd place times. And it's accurate to within 1/100th of a second.
Dual time. This feature allows you to view the current time for any other time zone that you care to set up.
Backlightable display. Pressing the lower-right side button (fittingly labeled "LIGHT") illuminates the LCD display for two seconds. Given the problematic, "greenish-background" nature of this model's display (see below), it's fortunate that this "backlighting" feature is included. Of course, continually pressing that "LIGHT" button could substantially shorten the battery's estimated life (see below).
Band:
The included band is of the ubiquitous "black resin" variety. Personally, I much prefer the feel of such smooth, lightweight, rubbery "resin" (against my skin) to any variety of metal that I've tried. Comparable "black resin" bands lasted many years on my prior, late-eighties Casio watches; however, I've yet to see one last the full life of the (Casio) watch. Of course, compatible replacement bands are rather cheaply available at Wal-Mart or wherever. Note that the instruction booklet suggests that you "not tighten the band too tightly. You should be able to insert your finger between the band and your wrist."
Battery life:
The "CR2016" lithium battery is rated to last approximately two years, assuming alarm operation of twenty seconds per day and one backlight operation of two seconds per day. As of this writing, such batteries are available on-line (or at a local, bricks-and-mortar retailer) for no more than four dollars. However, removing and installing such batteries in these Casio wristwatches can sometimes be problematic; if you don't have experience (or the "knack" for) doing it yourself, I strongly suggest (lest you break a tiny retaining clip or whatever) that you first try availing yourself of a local Casio/battery retailer's expertise. (As long as you're buying the battery from them, they'll usually install it for free.)
Two quibbles:
Unfortunately, this watch isn't perfect.
First, Casio employed a distinctly "green" background (in lieu of the ubiquitous "greenish gray" on many of their models) for this particular model's LCD display. In many situations where ambient lighting is indirect or somewhat subdued, this unusual greenish background significantly reduces the contrast--and therefore the legibility--of the LCD display. This problematic display--"tolerable" though it generally is--arguably constitutes this model's single biggest (and almost its only) drawback. However, I'd be remiss not to emphasize that--provided ambient lighting is sufficiently bright and you view the LCD display from a particular angle--that green background becomes unusually reflective and "magically" transformed from its usual subdued hue to a vividly luminescent green. Whenever that happens, the normally lackluster display is delightfully legible! Besides, even when there's not enough ambient light to induce that welcome phenomenon, you can always resort to pressing the "LIGHT" button (on the lower-right edge of the watch) to illuminate the display electronically for about two seconds. (Again, pressing that button continually would shorten battery life.)
Secondly, of the three "side buttons" on this watch [at first glance, there appears to be a fourth side button at the upper-right, but that's merely a faux button], the upper-left "Adjust" button is not only relatively tiny but also somewhat hard to activate. I find that I have to press that tiny round button unusually firmly--and with my thumbnail held at a precise angle--in order to activate it. Mind, this could be mostly a problem with my particular watch; but, judging from the general design, I wouldn't be surprised if it's more or less a (tolerable) problem with all specimens of this model. Now and again I get a tad frustrated with that hard-to-activate button, especially given that it's the primary button for resetting or adjusting most of the watch's operational modes, including the countdown timer; the alarms; the dual-time; the "telememo" screens; and, not least, the primary "time and date" display.
After several days of living with those idiosyncrasies, I found myself growing more and more accustomed to (and comfortable with) them, and the less significant they seemed. Bottom line, considering this watch's unique combination of special features and its low price, I've concluded that I can pretty easily tolerate both of the above quirks; still, I must say that neither of my previous, comparable (circa 1988/89) Casio models entailed either of those occasional hassles.
"Made in China."
Incidentally, whereas my oldest (circa 1988) Casio model was made in Japan; and whereas my next oldest (circa 1989) Casio model was "assembled in Korea," the stainless steel back of this model DB35H1AV bears the inscription "made in China." 20 years ago I'd have doubted the longevity of any economical watch imported from Mainland China. But I'm writing this review in the year 2008, and my experience with electronic Chinese products manufactured since the start of this millennium is that they're generally about as reliable as anything (at a comparable price level) manufactured elsewhere in Asia (not to mention other global sectors). In other words, over the past two decades, times (if not timepieces) have changed.
The "User's Guide" (instruction booklet):
The roughly credit-card-sized, illustrated booklet included with this watch is divided into analogous English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese sections. The English section comprises 35 pages.
All in all, this diminutive "owner's manual" (including sensibly labeled, black-and-white, "line-drawing" illustrations) is sufficiently easy-to-understand. And there's virtually nothing that it doesn't cover regarding this watch's operation, features, etc. There are respective sections dedicated to each of the particular operational features. And even such features as this watch's "water resist capacity" are discussed. (This model is water-resistant down to a depth of about 50 meters, i.e., it's said to be okay for "swimming" but not "snorkeling" or "scuba diving"; and you shouldn't operate its buttons underwater.)
Miscellaneous points:
The "time system" is switchable between 12-hour and 24-hour formats.
The "auto-calendar" is pre-programmed from the year 1995 to 2039. (This puppy's "good to go" for the next 31 years!)
The upshot:
For the life of me, I can't fathom why it's so hard nowadays to find an affordable wristwatch that includes (as this model does) both a "countdown timer" and"multiple daily alarms." Both of those features have proved so invaluable to me that I can't imagine there aren't countless other folks who'd likewise readily benefit from them. Yet, when I tried to find such a watch at any bricks-and-mortar retailer in my suburb of Kansas City, it was as though most clerks had never even heard of those two features. Moreover, even in cyberspace, I had to do a lot of painstaking "comparison shopping" at Casio's web site in order to discover any "affordable" models containing both of those features. Basically, this model DB35H1AV was virtually the only such model for men that was downright cheap.
Unfortunately, along with its unique combination of virtues, this watch is uniquely frustrating (among the closely comparable Casio models I've owned) insofar as its LCD's curiously green background noticeably reduces the contrast and makes for a harder-to-read display unless you view the watch from a specific angle and in a fairly bright environment. Admittedly, if you're chiefly going to be using this watch outdoors or in an extremely brightly illuminated room, the "green" display's shortcomings will seem relatively minimal and easily tolerable. But woe to the owner of this watch who proposes to merely glance at it--at arm's length--within any setting where ambient lighting is rather subdued or downright dim. You'll find yourself pressing the lower-right "(back)light" button frequently, which, in turn, will shorten the battery's life, which normally (assuming you only press the "light" button once per day) is rated at "approximately two years" (before a very cheap, widely available, replacement battery will be needed).
***
Here's a concise summary of this watch's "Technical Specs" (via Casio's web site):
30 page databank: 8 letters and 12 numerals per page; Auto-sort function
50M water resistant
Electro luminescent backlight with afterglow
Dual time
5 multi-function alarms
Countdown timer (measuring unit: 1 second; countdown range: 1 minute to 24 hours); auto-repeat function
1/100 second stopwatch (measuring capacity: 23:59'59.99"; measuring modes: elapsed time; split time; 1st-2nd place times)
Hourly time signal
Auto Calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2039)
12/24 hour formats
Accuracy: /-30 seconds per month
Battery CR2016
Approx. battery life: 2 years
Module 1600
Size of case: 42.5 x 39.0 x 12.0mm
Total weight: 40g
The Casio(r) DB35H-1AV watch boasts a super-functional design with a 30-page databank that includes 8 letters and 12 numerals per page. The watch incl...More at Buy.com
30 Page Databank(8 letters and 12 numerals per page,Auto-sort function ) 50M Water Resistant, EL Backlight with Afterglow, Dual Time 5 Multi-function ...More at Amazon
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