[ProTrek Review] PRG-650-1ER — Neon Illuminator and luminous strap

Not often see a completely new series of watches in the model division ProTrek. Not that the Japanese ignored the travel brand, no. Other rules of the game just work here. Watches with an ABC sensor [compass, barometer, altimeter] are bought mainly by true fans of mountain trips, while the main youth and cultural demand is taken over by representatives of the G-Shock style. ProTrek, in turn, are trying to please office workers and people with double standards [in the good sense of the word]: work during the day, extreme on weekends. Consider the latest model PRG-650-1ER in a detailed review on the blog of Casio fans.

The Casio decided to release something completely different in the ProTrek lineup. “Other” just entered [read the review: PRG-600-1ER – advanced watches of a new style]! Conservative format [round shape, arrows, large electronic scoreboard], an abundance of functions and watches for all occasions – is it really before us a completely new positioning of the travel brand?

Most likely not, however, such PRGs are somewhat reminiscent of GST indices [only in G-Shock-ahs]: models depart from the traditional understanding of the direction and declare focus on a new audience.

Read the name of the “PRG-650” series – we have before us the continuation of the PRG-600 model line. Where there is a continuation, there is definitely a perspective.

Neon Illuminator Backlight

Yes, friends, the PRG-650-1ER uses a backlight, which we think is a very cool type – Neon Illuminator.

When you press the hidden backlight button [under the 6-hour mark], magic lighting of hour markers and hands is triggered. Why is magic?

Because the hands transform into purple indicators, and hour markers freeze in green “foliage”.

Unlike conventional LED lights, with Neon Illuminator you do not get wide background lighting. Illumination covers only the necessary places on the watch dial. This is enough to clearly see the current time in analog format.

The heart of the technology is hidden behind a special coating [on arrows and other marks], which is triggered by the activation of ultraviolet light.

What to do with an electronic display? Do not worry, there is a usual LED backlight. Even despite the inversion component, electronic indexes are clearly visible. Perhaps due to the increased size of the data itself in the electronic window [not small].

Automatic response depending on the viewing angle is present. It is only activated not by ordinary pressing the backlight button for a few seconds, but by the operation of SMART ACCESS [head] in the desired settings mode.

The next new component is the strap. He looks like an ordinary representative in many Casio watches.

At the first examination, he drew attention to two points: a white back layer and pleasant elasticity with ease. Standard polyurethane is clearly not suitable, and the inscription “SI” hints – this is silicone.

“The white back side is probably such a designer’s move and I don’t quite understand it” – so I thought before I saw the glow of the strap in the dark. Yes, gentlemen, the strap also glows in the dark. The Japanese did not regret the lum, they also wanted a backlit strap.

n the official description of the PRG-650 series, he found an interesting positioning – for the night “outdor”. The manufacturer did a lot for this, so there’s even nothing to argue with.

PRG-650-1ER easily fit onto the back cover, which indicates the “free” fastening of the strap [not “sewn” into the case, as is often the case with Edifice models]. I did not notice any additional [wrist-wrapping] elements on the back of the case. The strap itself plays this role: there are characteristic bends closer to the case.

It’s time to round out, but no. It is impossible not to notice the new “levers” in the places of bracelet attachment.

They are responsible for quickly removing the strap. Having rolled up my sleeves, I [in a few seconds] managed to do once it seemed impossible – to remove the strap.

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Gentlemen, it was elementary, absolutely comfortable and without any problems.

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A very robust solution that allows you to think about the future rich assortment of straps on the market. Now what is the situation? No … It’s easier to buy a new watch than to look for an original strap.

The dial

Dimensions are the same as they were in PRG-600 – 51.6 × 51.5 × 13.4. I can’t call the watch compact, it’s just comfortable.

Absolutely not heavy [80 grams] and with excellent analog readability. The hour markers and hands, even in low light and without backlighting, are viewed perfectly. Arab indices have appeared, which in general certainly do not interfere.

Bezel and Smart Access metal head are a smart solution, because these elements are the most vulnerable [to scratches].

“Specifications of PRG-650”]

• Case / bezel material: Resin / Stainless steel
• Silicon band
• Mineral Glass
• Neobrite
• Screw Lock Crown
• 100-meter water resistance

• Double LED light
  LED light for the face (Full auto LED light, Neon illuminator, selectable illumination duration (1.5 seconds or 3 seconds), afterglow)
  LED backlight for the digital display (Full auto LED light, selectable illumination duration (1.5 seconds or 3 seconds), afterglow)
• Solar powered
• Low-temperature resistant (–10°C/14°F)
• The auto hand home position correction
• Digital compass
  Measures and displays direction as one of 16 points
  Measuring range: 0 to 359°
  Measuring unit: 1°
  60 seconds continuous measurement
  Hand indication of north
  Bidirectional calibration
  Magnetic declination correction
• Altimeter
  Measuring range: –700 to 10,000 m (–2,300 to 32,800 ft.)
  Measuring unit: 1 m (5 ft.)
  Hand indication of altitude differential
  Manual memory measurements
  (up to 30 records, each including altitude, date, time)
  Auto log data (High/low altitudes, cumulative ascent and descent)
  Others: Relative altitude readings (±100 m /±1000 m), Selectable measurement interval: 5 seconds or 2 minutes
  *1 second for first 3 minutes only
  *Changeover between meters (m) and feet (ft)
• Barometer
  Display range: 260 to 1,100 hPa (7.65 to 32.45 inHg)
  Display unit: 1 hPa (0.05 inHg)
  Hand indication of pressure differential
  Atmospheric pressure tendency graph
  Barometric pressure tendency information alarm (beep and arrow indicates significant changes in pressure)
  *Changeover between hPa and inHg
• Thermometer
  Display range: –10 to 60°C (14 to 140°F)
  Display unit: 0.1°C (0.2°F)
  *Changeover between Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F)
• World time
  29 time zones (29 cities + coordinated universal time), One-touch UTC Time Zone Access, daylight saving on/off, Home city/World time city swapping
• 1/100-second stopwatch
  Measuring capacity: 23:59’59.99”
  Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times
• Countdown timer
  Measuring unit: 1 second
  Countdown range: 60 minutes
  Countdown start time setting range: 1 second to 60 minutes (1-second increments, 1-minute increments)
• 5 daily alarms
• Hourly time signal
• Hand shift feature (manual or auto (during altitude, barometric pressure, and temperature measurement))
• Battery level indicator
• Power Saving (display goes blank and hands stop to save power when the watch is left in the dark)
• Full auto-calendar (to year 2099)
• 12/24-hour format
• Button operation tone on/off
• Regular timekeeping:
  Analog: 3 hands (hour, minute (hand moves every 10 seconds), second)
  Digital: Hour, minute, second, am/pm, month, date, day
• Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month
• Approx. battery operating time:
  7 months on rechargeable battery (operation period with normal use without exposure to light after charge)
  25 months on rechargeable battery (operation period when stored in total darkness with the power save function on after full charge) Size of case : 51.6×51.5×13.4mm
• Total weight : 80g

Other functions

In addition to traditional functions [stopwatch, alarm clock, timer, etc.], I would like to mention advanced features: a convenient “Smart Access” function head, a compass, a thermometer, a barometer / altimeter, solar power, and automatic operation of the Hand Shift function [so that the arrows do not interrupt the electronic window] , time in 29 time zones.

Another feature — watch is low-temp resistant – it will surely work up to –10 ° C.

Conclusion

The PRG-650-1ER proves Casio’s flexibility in creating products for a new target audience [office plus sports, mountains …]. The watch continues to delight with the perfect mix of technology and appearance. Focus on the arrow shape hides the deep tourist potential of the new product and at the same time allows you to use the watch in a normal business [or office] environment. The Neon Illuminator, a luminous and easily replaceable silicone strap, was very pleased.

Read Quick News on PRG-650:

• [ProTrek Review] PRG-650-1ER — Neon Illuminator and luminous strap
• [September 2017] ProTrek PRG-650-1, PRG-650Y-1 and PRG-650YBE-3

All News on PRG-650 →

Firstly published, but we carefully translated into English.