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There are a few exporters of JDM Casios if you really want a specific model and don’t mind paying a bit extra.
A GW-M5610 G-shock with solar charging and the radio sync will be pretty universally useful and robust and a lot smaller than the Pro Treks, but not have any ABC or thermometer functions.
Sounds like a good excuse to buy a Pro Trek to me. :)
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Is this the North American trip you mentioned to me like a million years ago? If so, very excited for you!
That Pro-Trek looks good and the weight penalty for extra functions seems to be a no brainer - a bit like insurance really. Straps are easy to swap out.
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Barometer would be mandatory IMO. Otherwise how will you get a weather forecast?
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I have a Protrek (PRW-3000) and it's an excellent watch. Much more readable than a G-shock and still really tough. It's very lightweight so doesn't feel that big. I like it enough that I've been keeping an eye out for the titanium version for the past few years (sadly out of stock everywhere and never appear second-hand).
Compass is really the only feature I've made use of but it's proved useful at times.
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I'd buy a Garmin Instinct Solar.
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Central and South
First, look forward to hearing about how this goes as I love that part of the world. I met an Austrian guy cycling South to North in Colombia.
Second, I'd suggest nothing too expensive, and with an easily replaceable strap. Both times I've travelled Central and South America I've got through a couple of watches due to strap damage. I would add that I'm not someone who is generally careless with their stuff. Deet, sweat and waves wreck your stuff.
Third, with smart phones you don't need much in terms of tech. A few people I met had garmins with GPS and elevation, but TBH for what you're doing my priorities would be:
- Comfortable
- Legible
- Inexpensive
- Looks
Last time I started with a cheap waveceptor(sp?) and liked the tide function when I cba to set the location. But ultimately with a phone even things like alarms, world time, or even a backlight for when you're in dorms are redundant.
Sorry if that's taken the fun out of the discussion.
- Comfortable
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@moog
What watch would you take for a long term bike tour?
In a few months I'm going to be setting off on a long distance tour which at times will be in fairly remote regions with no phone signal - none of my automatic (all pretty low end) watches keep time that well and I'm after something digital, maybe with trekking/adventure features.
Features I think would be useful:
Altimeter and barometer are cool but are these actually useful in the real world?
https://www.casio-intl.com/asia/en/wat/watch_detail/PRG-30B-3/
The Pro Trek PRG-30 seems to fit the bill but is an Asia only model. Available with a rubber strap from Creation for £140, I'd prefer the fabric strap but assume I'd be able to swap that myself.
https://www.creationwatches.com/products/casio-protrek-58/casio-protrek-world-time-digital-tough-solar-prg-30-5-prg30-5-100m-mens-watch-22782.html?currency=GBP
Alternatively do I just keep it simple and get a Casio F-91W for £20 and forget about all the features I'd probably never actually use.