So I ended up buying a G-Shock GA-B010. If you want one too click here on this affiliate link. It comes in three colors, has Tough Solar charging, a step counter, and Bluetooth connectivity to your phone’s Casio Watches app!
I know that last point may not be a selling point to some of you luddites!
Video Summary
The chaos was just too much for my unboxing video. So I fed it into Google’s Gemini AI. Now it’s burdened with the task of summarizing what I did and said. Here’s the AI generated summary, which may be AI’s last output before it crashes:
G-Shock GAB010 Chaotic Unboxing – Solar, Steps, and “Paper Towels”
In this installment of his “chaotic unboxing” series, Jim Kinkade takes a look at the G-Shock GAB010. Filmed from the cab of his truck while on standby in the Permian Basin, Jim provides his unique, blue-collar perspective on this new addition to the G-Shock lineup. From the surprising choice of packaging to the integration of modern health tracking, Jim breaks down whether this watch earns a spot in your professional gear kit.
The “Paper Towel” Packaging Controversy
True to the “chaotic” nature of the video, Jim kicks things off by addressing G-Shock’s latest move in environmentally friendly packaging. The GAB010 arrived wrapped not in a burlap sack or a plastic baggie, but in what Jim identifies as a literal paper towel. While he jokes that it’s useful for “dabbing sweat off your brow” during a long day in the oil field, it’s a striking example of the shifting presentation for G-Shock’s mid-range models.
Solar-Powered Health Tracking
The GAB010 is G-Shock’s answer to the demand for a classic, durable watch that adds modern functionality without the need for constant charging.
- Tough Solar: The standout feature is its solar-powered module. Unlike previous health-tracking models that required USB charging (like the DWH5600), the GAB010 is designed to be powered entirely by the sun, even with its extra features active.
- Step Counter: Jim admits he was initially a skeptic of step counters but has since found them to be a valuable tool for tracking baseline activity and managing health. The GAB010 features a dedicated step tracker with a clever “pie chart” sub-dial that shows your progress toward your daily goal at a glance.
- Bluetooth Integration: The watch includes Bluetooth for time synchronization and data logging via the Casio app. Jim emphasizes that while he generally prefers standalone watches like the Mudman GW9500 for total independence from “the system,” he appreciates the ease of setting time and managing alarms through a smartphone.
Legibility and Design
Jim chose the colorway with the brightest indices for maximum legibility. He notes several design details:
- High Contrast: The sword-style hands and large markers make it easy to acquire the time at a glance, even in the bright West Texas sun.
- Hand Shift Feature: A common issue with analog-digital G-Shocks is the hands blocking the digital display. Jim demonstrates the “hand shift” feature, which moves the hands out of the way to provide an unobstructed view of the sub-dial.
- Fractions of a Second: Unlike some higher-end MIP (Memory in Pixel) screen G-Shocks that only display full seconds, the GAB010’s LCD sub-dial correctly shows fractions of a second when the stopwatch is running—a major win for those who need precise timing.
“Vocationally Tough” Ergonomics
Filmed while Jim was on standby at a coil tubing unit, the review highlights the watch’s practical fit:
- The “Watch Crotch”: Jim notes the wide “watch crotch” (the angle where the strap meets the case), making it comfortable for larger wrists. The material of the band feels slightly smoother and more “slippery” than standard resin, allowing it to slide easily under a work sleeve or safety gear.
- Durability: Even though it’s marketed with fitness in mind, it remains a G-Shock through and through, built to handle the heat, sweat, and vibration of an industrial job site.
Final Impressions
The G-Shock GAB010 is a “content gap” filler that provides a much-needed option for those who want solar reliability paired with basic activity tracking. It avoids the bulk and charging requirements of a full smartwatch while delivering the ruggedness of a classic G-Shock.
Jim concludes the video by encouraging his viewers to take care of their health (“move more, eat less”) and, as always, shares his signature message: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Paper Towels?!
When I read AI referencing paper towels I was like, what the heck is AI talking about? Is that another AI hallucination? Then I remembered the paper towel the watch was wrapped in its box. Oh, yea! Haha!
It was just a paper towel! It really stole the show! I call the little cloth bags that Casio uses burlap sacks. That, to be honest, is somewhat of a humorous exaggeration. I just blurted it out in one video and it caught on. It’s not actually burlap. It’s cloth. I’ve even heard other YouTubers use the term.
But this? This was just a paper towel! No exaggeration.
I hope Casio passes the savings onto us.