The Japanese brand Casio, specialized in watches, has partnered with the Finnish brand Polar, specialized in the collection of sports data, for its new connected watch. An association that makes up for the mistakes of the previous generation.
This is the first partnership between the two brands. On Tuesday, February 28, Casio launched a new connected watch dedicated to athletes who want to measure their efforts: the G-Shock GBD-H2000. It is not the first time that the multinational specialist in watches has tested connected models, but this time it has partnered with one of its competitors: the Finnish brand Polar.
This company has been a pioneer in the design of heart rate sensors (or pulsometers) for 50 years, in addition to being at the forefront of current sports measurement technologies in its own connected watches. An unprecedented alliance, since Polar very recently opened the door to the sale of its licensed technologies and algorithms, at the end of January.
A monochrome screen in a huge case
Therefore, the G-Shock GBD-H2000 seems to be the first product of this partnership: the Finn took care of the sports data analysis, while the Japanese focused on the watch itself. As for the design, this new model follows the trend of G-Shock watches, with a rather large case: 59.6 mm by 52.6 mm, with a thickness of 19.4 mm.
Unlike other connected watches, the screen of this model is monochrome, like a classic watch with a digital screen, protected by a mineral glass. Its bracelet is made of resin, while its case is made of ” corn biomass plastic, a renewable organic material “says the Casio site. Despite its size, the choice of materials allows it to weigh”that» 63 grams.
On the technical side, the Casio G-Shock-H2000 is equipped with the usual sensors of this category of watches dedicated to sportsmen: in addition to the inevitable GPS chip and heart rate sensor, this model also includes a barometric altimeter, a barometer , a compass and a temperature sensor. The specialized site Montre Cardio GPS is also surprised by the presence of a blood oxygenation sensor, less common in this type of product. Finally, the connected watch is waterproof up to a pressure of 20 bar, or 200 meters deep.
Cutting-edge technologies, but few profiles
On the software side, this is where the partnership takes shape. On his website, Casio states that “sensors can access the Polar Smartwatch library to analyze training level and recovery after sleep“. Thus we find the technologies of the Finnish brand to monitor running speed, heart rate and even calories burned. Polar also adds guided breathing exercises.
The G-Shock GBD-H2000 also offers eight sport profiles, dedicated to optimal tracking of a specific activity, such as running,path,swimming, cycling or even the gym. A very low number of options compared to the minimum twenty profiles found among competitors.
Casio reviews its copy, but maintains autonomy
A gap that could push consumers to look the other way, especially since the latest Casio models have not lived up to the expectations of specialists. This G-Shock GBD-H2000 takes over from another connected sports watch from the Japanese brand: the GBD-H1000, marketed in France under the name G-Shock G-Squad HR, whose analysis of the raw data collected lacked analysis, again according to the specialized site Montre Cardio GPS.
Therefore, this new G-Shock will have to convince for its integration and management of Polar technologies. In any case, it reiterates the promises of gigantic autonomy of the previous model: using it only as a watch, Casio promises 34 months of autonomy in energy saving mode thanks to a ring around the screen that works like a mini solar panel. On the other hand, by using all the functionalities of the connected watch, the brand advances seven days of life before connecting it via USB.
The GBD-H2000 is already available for 399 euros on the Casio website, in four colors: black, black/orange, black/yellow and blue-green.
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