First Impressions

The Casio PRG300CM is one of the company’s newest ABC (altimeter, barometer and compass) watches based on the firm’s Triple Sensor engine. Casio claims the new smaller sensor allows them to build ABC watches far smaller than in the past. That looks to be true. Our sample PRG300CM comes in with a 1.625 inch watch face, about 25-30 percent smaller than similar ABC watches reviewed in the past. Weight is down too. The Casio PRG300CM hits the scales right at two ounces, a hefty reduction from watches like the Columbia Peak 15 which was part of one of our earlier ABC watch round ups. Our more svelte PRG300CM sample came in a green camo and reverse face.

Features

The Casio PRG300CM includes all the prerequisites for qualifying as an ABC watch – altimeter, barometer and compass. The compass was darn accurate right out of the box without an calibration. So was the altimeter. However, we found the inability to change the measurements from meters to feet a real problem. We like our imperial measures here at GearGuide so please give us miles, feet and inches. Weather prediction based on changes in barometric pressure and the alarms Casio provides didn’t really provide much value in our tests. Casio completely forgoes temperature readings in the PRG300CM. But that’s not much of a loss since most ABC watches almost always provide inaccurate temperature readings due to the proximity of the sensor to the skin.

The watch itself is made of resin and as mentioned above comes in at a super-light-weight two ounces. The face is clearly labeled and more readable than many reverse-faced watches that use dark backgrounds and lighter numbers. The watch face is small too. And one disadvantage of the smaller face is readability of many of the sub-function indicators like alarm setting, pressure indicators and so on. Frankly, I couldn’t read any of that text at all, even with the aid of 1.25 power eyeglasses. Bummer.

Specs
Materials: Resin housing and band
Weight: 2.0 oz
Watch Face Dimension: 1.625 in
Water Resistance: 320 ft / 100 m

In addition to the ABC features the watch includes data recording, a countdown timer, stop watch, multiple alarms and time zones. All worked well in our tests.

Couple of comments on the button layout for the Casio PRG300CM. Frankly, it’s a little funky. Casio locates the mode selector in the lower left. Setting is done by pressing and holding the upper left. And illumination They place dial illumination is lower center. All odd placements in my opinion. What this does, however, is make room for three buttons across the right side for easily accessing the main compass, barometer and altimeter functions. This layout we liked.

Fit

The relatively small size of the Casio PRG300CM makes it easy to wear regardless of your chosen endeavor. Once you get used to the button placement, functions can be easily accessed. We did continue to struggle with the illumination feature as the button — although larger — is recessed making it difficult to press. The band wore comfortably despite the initial stiffness out of the box.

Final Verdict

The Casio PRG300CM delivers rock solid and accurate ABCs and then some. Compass, barometric pressure and altitude readings were accurate, and calibration was not really necessary in our tests. Button placement and the lack of imperial measurements give us a little pause, but a very robust feature set makes this a very viable and compact solution for those needing a good wrist computer.

Thanks for reading another outdoor gear review from GearGuide. And thanks to Casio and the Coyne Agency for providing product for this review.