- Casio G-Shock GW-BX5600-1 gets an improved MIP display
- This makes the screen much easier to read in sunlight, solving your readability problem.
- It is the first G-Shock watch in the 5000/5600 series to use this display technology
Casio’s G-Shock line of watches has been a design icon since its launch. However, it has had a long-standing problem for almost as long: readability. The relatively small screen and poor readability in bright conditions have made watch displays difficult to read, but a new update could change all that for the better.
With the introduction of the GW-BX5600-1, Casio has finally added a memory-in-pixel (MIP) display to its G-Shock watches, fixing a long-awaited bug and making on-screen content much more readable under bright sunlight.
This replaces the older STN LCD screen used by previous 5000/5600 series G-Shocks and means the digits are brighter, sharper and more visible when viewed from an angle. That change alone could make the device a valuable option for fans of the classic wearable.
After all, it now makes the watch much more usable when you’re out and about. It always seemed strange that Casio’s G-Shocks were designed to withstand the bumps and scrapes of outdoor adventures, but could be very difficult to read when you were doing exactly that, especially considering that rivals like Garmin have long used MIP technology.
Now, Casio has spruced things up with the MIP display, making the device even better for outdoor enthusiasts and providing parity with some of the best rugged watches on the market.
Refining a classic
The highlights of the GW-BX5600-1 are not limited to just the display. You also get a solar-powered battery that lasts up to six months of regular use (or 22 months in low-power mode) on a single charge, plus shock and water resistance up to a depth of 200 meters. It has Multiband 6 radio control to maintain the exact time and you can manage the clock settings on your phone thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity.
Additional features include a dual LED backlight, a 24-hour automatic calendar, five daily alarms, a countdown timer, and world time display. You can also adjust the display layout using the companion app, with more customization regarding contrast and information density, and you can choose between two fonts to customize the look to your needs.
There are two designs available: the GW-BX5600-1, which has silver highlights for a lighter look, and the GW-BX5600-1A1, which uses a darker, more understated aesthetic. If you’re interested in any of these watches, you can pre-order them on Casio’s website for ¥30,800 (around $200) or £159 GBP (US pricing not available yet). Casio says the watches will be available “soon.”
If you want a middle ground between an old-school digital watch and one of the best Garmin watches, the GW-BW5600-1 will be hard to beat.
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