Many men hit a rough patch in life unable to accomplish anything because they are crippled by despair trying to decide between the G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 or the Mudman GW-9500. Gentlemen, I’m here to help. My name is Jim Kinkade. I am a G-Shock coach.
Both of these are top notch watches. These are two of the best items you can strap onto your wrist. Both of them do so much more than just tell the time. They offer timers, stopwatches, and alarms. They have the ABC sensors which are altimeter, barometer, and compass with the addition of thermometer.
So with similar specs which do you buy?
I recommend the Mudman GW-9500. It is my favorite G-Shock. The durability of this watch is amazing. It passed all of my tough tests with flying colors. The main advantage the Mudman has over the Rangeman is that the numbers are bigger and easier to read and its body is more diminutive so I can do equipment maintenance easier while wearing it.
If you want to buy the Mudman GW-9500 for yourself, click here to purchase it directly from G-Shock with my affiliate link. You can rack up some G-Shock points to redeem for some sweet gear. Also you have your proof of purchase on file with them. It’s where I bought my Mudman.
If you’re old school and still want a Rangeman GW-9400 you can buy it by clicking here. The yellow one I feature may not be in stock so this affiliate link will be for the red one. Cool watches sell out so don’t dilly-dally, just click buy!
Really you can’t go wrong with either. They are both amazing watches. I own both so if you are also a collector it’s not a bad idea to own both for yourself. But if for some reason I could own one and only one watch it would be the Mudman GW-9500. No question.
So in the above YouTube video I go into more detail comparing the two G-Shocks looking at the bezel and straps and details like that. Go ahead and watch the video or read the summary below provided by Gemini AI.
This video is a detailed comparison between the G-Shock Rangeman (GW-9400) and Mudman (GW-9500) by Jim Kinkade. He discusses the pros and cons of each watch, focusing on their design, build quality, features, functionality, comfort, durability, water resistance, and visibility.
Design and Build Quality
- Rangeman: Sleek design with a metal keeper, thicker profile, durable but with some band durability issues.
- Mudman: Rugged design, thinner profile, more comfortable, durable construction with mud-resistant buttons and metal shrouds.
Features and Functionality
Both watches offer similar features:
- Multiple time zones
- World time
- Alarms
- Stopwatch
- Thermometer
- Barometer
- Altimeter
- Compass
However, there are key differences:
- Rangeman: Requires scrolling through functions, smaller display, less legible in low-light conditions.
- Mudman: Dedicated buttons for quick access, larger display, better visibility in low-light conditions.
Comfort and Wearability
- Rangeman: Thicker profile, metal keeper can be irritating, band can be less comfortable.
- Mudman: Thinner profile, more ergonomic design, plastic keeper is more practical.
Durability and Water Resistance
Both watches are highly durable and water-resistant up to 200 meters. However, the Mudman’s reinforced construction and confirmed mud-resistance make it a more rugged choice for extreme conditions.
Visibility
- Rangeman: Smaller display, can be difficult to read in low-light conditions, bezel can obstruct the view.
- Mudman: Larger display, better visibility in low-light conditions, less bezel obstruction.
Other Considerations
- Button Pressing: Rangeman has easier button pressing, Mudman’s buttons are more protected but can be more difficult to press.
- Bezel Design: Rangeman’s bezel is larger and more protective, Mudman’s bezel is more streamlined and allows for better water drainage.
- Cost: Rangeman is generally more affordable, but the Mudman’s superior features and durability may justify the higher price.
Conclusion
The choice between the Rangeman and the Mudman depends on individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize style, ease of use, and a brighter display, the Rangeman is a good option. However, if durability, visibility, and comfort are your top priorities, the Mudman is the better choice.
Kinkade ultimately prefers the Mudman due to its superior durability, visibility, and comfort. However, he acknowledges that the Rangeman is a great watch and still a popular choice among G-Shock enthusiasts.
So that’s the AI generated summary of my YouTube video. It’s pretty accurate. It says that I said the Mudman is easier to read in low light conditions. I don’t think I said exactly that. The Rangeman has an inner bezel that stretches across the screen. That can cast shadows. The Mudman has an unobstructed screen. But the polarized light from the illumination of the Mudman can cancel itself out so sometimes at night the screen looks blank.
That’s a detail I want to warn you about. I talked about it in the video but the AI could not understand that!
That’s why it’s so important to find good sources of information from men who have real life experience. There’s too much autogenerated slop out there online and on YouTube! I hope you find my content helpful. If you have any questions about these watches ask in the comments here or on YouTube. There’s additional contact information here.
Conclusion
Gentlemen, deciding between the G-Shock GW-9400 and the GW-9500 can be one of life’s most difficult decisions. I recommend the the GW-9500. That’s based on my experience and my comfort preferences. But I see so many guys who wear and love the GW-9400. Really you can’t go wrong with either. Pick one and move on!