Suunto Vs. G Shock
Comparing Suunto and Casio G-Shock is somewhat unusual, even though they’re both rugged and build for the outdoor and military use.
Everybody knows that G-Shock watches are affordable, long lasting, and capable of handling intense physical stress. On the other hand, Suunto watches come with more technologically advanced features, which explains the generally higher price.
If durability and price count the most for you, the G-Shock may be a solid choice, whereas the Suunto watches are a better choice for those interested in the high-tech features and willing to pay the extra buck for them.
What is Suunto Watches all about?
The era when a watch was only telling time is gone. Nowadays, watches come with functions that nobody in the watch industry even imagined decades ago, and we have the technology advance to thank for.
GPS, Atomic Timekeeping, Solar Power, Triple Sensor, or impressive ruggedness are only some of the features to name on modern watches.
To stand out from the crowd, the professionals at Suunto managed to create watches that are both rugged and come with smart features, without ever compromising on the looks.
The durability of Suunto watches nothing to worry about as they’re made to withstand the harsh environments and challenging conditions. Resistance to water, shock, and bump resistance, along with the shatterproof build, are fundamental for the Suunto watches.
If G-Shock watches are popular amongst the outdoor frenzies out there, the Suunto watches are no less but a dependable choice for the outdoors as well. Some of the models are going to help with the performance training, including functions that give you consistent data on your physical performance and health.
The divers are also going to enjoy some of the Suunto models as the Finnish manufacturer designs reliable dive computers. The D-Series from Suunto is a useful option to keep in mind when shopping.
Why is the world mesmerized with G-Shock?
Creating a virtually unbreakable watch has always been a constant dream for people working in the watch industry. For Casio, it was Mr. Ibe that was determined enough to create the very first G-Shock watch back in the 80s.
The essential principle of G-Shock watches is the “Triple 10”, which means that any G-Shock watch is going to handle a free fall from 10 meters (33ft) and submerse up to 100 meters (330ft). Also, the battery in a G-Shock is supposed to run for ten years.
To this day, even the most basic G-Shock is going to be capable of taking the most intense physical stress. Resistance to water (up to 660ft for most models), gravity, electrical shock, low-temperatures, and vibration are standard abilities of G-Shock watches.
Some particular technologies had to be used to obtain that level of ruggedness. Internal mechanism floating inside the structure or urethane protecting the elements inside are only some of the many techs.
The high-end G-Shock watches come with newer and more advanced functions. GPS, solar power, Automatic Timekeeping, Triple Sensor, or high-quality materials give the increased value and reliability of these watches.
There are seven significant features for the G-Shock watches that ensure their toughness. Resistance to vibration, low-temperature, electrical shock, impact, gravity, shock, and water are crucial for the G-shock watches.
The individual technologies are used for making the G-Shock watches. The internal mechanism that float (so that the shock is distributed evenly) or the urethane protecting the interior elements are only a few of the many that lead to the fantastic toughness of these watches. The scratch-resistant external materials help the G-Shock watches take harshest conditions.
Even if the G-Shock watches aren’t designed for the Navy SEAL, they’re a regular option for the military professionals and outdoor enthusiasts.
Do they come with similar functions?
Many modern watches come with functions that your phone isn’t able to provide, as everyone is looking nowadays for a universal gadget that does it all on its own.
Most Suunto watches come with altimeter (it identifies your height as compared to the sea level), digital compasses (point the direction and perform more accurately than traditional compasses), and barometers (which identify the air pressure and the risk for rain or storm). Some advanced models also include GPS, tide and moon graph that fishers or divers appreciate.
The listed functions aren’t typical for the basic G-Shock models, but some impressive G-Shock watches include them, nevertheless. The Master of G series includes G-Shock watches that come with functions that improve the experience on the land, at sea, and in the air. Each of the series has its list of features, but any of them can work for all sorts of outdoor experiences.
In all fairness, you may not need the extra-features all the time. Some users end up using the functions simply because they can access them and not because they need it. You wouldn’t stress about the weather forecast much unless you’d have a gadget give you an accurate input from time to time.
The situation is different for the outdoor enthusiast, or the military personnel which lives may depend on how the weather turns out after some time or get lost in the middle of nowhere.
As for the fitness-oriented models, both Suunto and G-Shock provide a nice variety of models to choose from. However, the Suunto may provide more information for diving, with Heart Rate, 24/7 activity tracking, stress&recovery, sleep quality& tracking functions being common for Suunto fitness watches.
Does the style make any difference?
Round and rugged, Suunto watches come with digital display, but you can change the appearance of the dial for many models. The variety of designs isn’t the structural strength for Suunto watches, nine times out of ten.
If the iconic rectangular shape of the first G-Shock is something that many G-Shock users still go for (which is why the watch has been re-issued over and over again, with newer and better functions every time), G-Shock watches also come with both round and even hexagonal shapes. The display can be digital, analog, and even digital&analog at the same time. Needless to say, this alone increases the variety of designs for G-Shock watches, offering to its customer’s so many styles to select from.
But it doesn’t end here for Casio –Shock. The Japanese manufacturer has always been created limited editions for honoring musical artists, environmental organizations, or other social aspects of our lives. As a matter of fact, G-Shock watches aren’t just rugged and sturdy, but also a versatile option for casual wear, matching all sorts of fashion styles.
Which one is cheaper?
Sturdy build and ruggedness aren’t that expensive, which renders the G-Shock watches to be more affordable than Suunto watches. You may find dependable and essential G-Shock watches for less than $40, which isn’t the case of Suunto watches.
The more advanced features on the G-Shock watch are, the higher is going to be the price. You’re going to pay a couple of hundreds of bucks for a Rangeman or a Mudmaster that come with GPS, altimeter, barometer or digital compass, but that’s not a common situation for Suunto watches.
When it comes to Suunto, as they include more technically-advanced features, you’re to pay at least $200 for a regular model.
What’s the overall performance?
G-Shock watches run on Japanese Quartz movement, which ensures the accuracy of the functions. Some of the higher-end lines come with Solar power, which is great as it eliminates the need for replacing the batteries regularly. G-shock watches running on solar power can run on a fully charged solar battery for six months or so, without even needing a source of light.
As for Suunto watches, many of the popular models use Li-Io batteries which are easy to replace or to recharge. Even so, the Solar Power function is ideal for any watch, rending the G-Shock watches to be (the models including the feature) to be a more versatile choice.
When it comes to accuracy, each of the brands doesn’t disappoint thanks to the build and the technologies used. One may find the G-Shock watches featuring the Multi-Band Automatic Timekeeping function impressively accurate, but this doesn’t make the Suunto watches less precise.
Many Suunto and some G-Shock watches include smart features, and the quality of the connectivity plays a big part in the overall performance. With Suunto being more technology-advanced oriented, it’s expected for the Suunto watches to provide a better quality of the smart functions when compared to the G-Shock watches.
As for the durability or quality of the build, it’s pretty obvious who takes the lead. Even if Suunto watches don’t make a wrong impression in terms of ruggedness or ability to handle the harsh environments, it’s the G-Shock watches that take the insanely physical stress and challenging conditions. After all, they’re made to be “virtually unbreakable.”
The moment when you know what you’re looking for in a watch and how much money you want to pay for that sort of watch, it’s easier for you to decide which of the two makes a better choice. Just make sure your wallet is thick enough for getting a Suunto.
RESOURCES
https://toughwatches.net/suunto-watch-reviews/
https://www.reddit.com/r/gshock/comments/4nluqg/rangeman_vs_suunto_core_all_black_military/