Hidden in the thick brush of the Amazon website is Casio ProTrek’s newest release, the PRW-B1000. With no fanfare, no warning, not even an introductory email, this outdoors focused watch appeared for pre-order with a stated release date of July 1. So how did I find out about it?
G-Central reported the appearance of this secret ProTrek on Thursday, June 26. How he found out I don’t know. He even acknowledges that Casio has not made an official announcement of the PRW-B1000.
You can go to Amazon and see it for yourself by clicking here on this affiliate link. You might as well pre-order it while you’re there! You could be the first guy on your outdoor adventure with the new PRW-B1000.
Solving the ProTrek Mystery
What can we expect from the ProTrek PRW-B1000? We have very little to go on and some contradictory information. Let’s analyze!
First, the Amazon listing only has one picture. From it we can clearly see its resemblance to the ProTrek PRW-6900 with its rectangular case, brushed faceted metal bezel, and large metal crown. Further inspection shows the sword style hands, dot matrix LCD subdial, and brushed metal indices. Just like the PRW-6900!
What’s different? The analog subdials! The PRW-B1000 has analog subdials similar to the G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-B1000. Crazy to see that since I just chaotically unboxed the bluetooth enabled Mudmaster!
The G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-B1000 can synch to your phone via bluetooth and determine your location. If you set a GPS way-point the right subdial will point to it from compass mode. So I think it’s fair to conclude that this ProTrek PRW-B1000 will do the same!
Additionally, the left subdial on the Mudmaster GWG-B1000 can display altitude and barometric changes. And why wouldn’t we expect the same from ProTrek?
The B stands for Bluetooth
A common convention among Casio watches is that the “B” in the model number stands for Bluetooth. The ProTrek PRW-B1000 has the letter “B” in it. Can we be sure it stands for Bluetooth? Jinkies, I found a clue! On the watch face between the one o’clock and two o’clock indices is the official Bluetooth symbol.
I know some of you are throwing a conniption fit at me mentioning Bluetooth. I don’t really like Bluetooth either! However, let’s be real. Everyone hikes with his phone nowadays. Casio’s biggest competitor is Garmin. While I prefer stand alone watches you can see why Casio wants to add some Bluetooth features to their watches.
If you really want a Casio ABC watch with no Bluetooth, they are still available. But they are selling out. Better get the ProTrek PRW-6900 now, by clicking on this affiliate link. Don’t dilly dally. They will eventually sell out.
Reading the Details
Now let’s turn to the written description in the Amazon listing for the ProTrek PRW-B1000. It says the watch has a fire resistant Cordura band. Okay, but the image on the listing clearly looks like a resin band! So what is it? Stay tuned for more information. When we find out, I’ll let you know.
Additional features provided by the listing include:
- Multi-Band 6 – Radio transmissions will synch the watch to the Atomic Time. I am happy to see this because it means you don’t need the Bluetooth for time synch.
- Tough Solar – The sun will be enough to completely charge the watch. No plugging in the PRW-B1000. Good! Now if Casio can get an MIP watch like that I’d be stoked.
- Super Illuminator – This is the double LED illumination. One shines on the watch face, the other illuminates the LCD subdial. I talk about this on the GAB-2100.
- World Time Function – Would any high level Casio watch be complete without seeing additional time zones? This will be handy if you travel to different time zones on your outdoors adventures.
- 100 Meters Water Resistance – Not to G-Shock level of submergibility!
Is it for you?
If what we are interpolating from this singe Amazon listing is true, Casio is continuing to repackage modules under their different brands, with each featuring different trim packages and price points. The ProTrek PRW-B1000 looks like a less expensive and less durable Mudmaster. So if you want the functionality of the Mudmaster but are stymied by the $800 price tag, jump in the ProTrek PRW-B1000, which is listed for $580.
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