Sometimes, the old standards are the best – and G-Shock is great at molding the best of old-school digital watch design together with modern diving standards. The Rangeman GW-9400 happens to be one of their most popular diving watches, famous with novice divers as well as experienced water explorers.
Naturally, I thought I’d check this out for myself. It has the look of one of those classic waterproof digital watches that were popular many years ago – and on the face of things, it has plenty of buttons and gadgets to go at. However, I was surprised at just how useable and ready-to-go this watch actually is.
More About The G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400
This is a smart, solar powered stainless steel watch, offer multiple display functions and a classic digital watch aesthetic. It is designed with some striking features such as red accents which stand out from its simple black background.
It has numerous features, and thankfully, there’s a great little guide that helps to break it all down with ease. This diving timepiece does far more than simply tell the time – it is stylish, functional and well designed. It also has outstanding customer reviews, too. Therefore, before you judge the book by the cover, make a point to keep reading for the full lowdown. First of all, let’s crack into some essential specs and stats.
Specifications and Essential Facts
- Manufacturer: G-Shock
- Weight: 10.04oz
- Water Resistance: 660 feet / 200m
- Build: Stainless steel
- Power: Solar
- Watch Style: Digital
- Case: 5.3cm (diameter), 17mm (thickness)
- Strap: 22mm (W)
- Colour: Black
- Added Features: Mud resistant, shock resistant, large record storage, barometer, altimeter, thermometer, compass, sunrise and sunset, Mb6 timekeeping, five alarms, LED, stopwatch, buckle closure
What are the Best Features / Main Selling Points of the G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400?
Looking at the list above, this superb watch covers just about everything the user could require, be they in the air, walking, driving, sailing, surfacing or diving. With its smart appearance, it is even suitable to wear out to dinner after a day of diving!
The G-Shock Rangeman boasts an incredible array of features to help you time your dives, monitor your position and more besides. The fact it is impressively shock and mud resistant, too, makes it a leading choice amongst many that offer little support in this regard. The dials and features are numerous – and there’s a ton of buttons – but it’s all really intuitive in the long run!
The plastic strap is easily dried and comfortable to wear with or without a wetsuit. The thermometer is useful in and out of water at various depths and heights. The timers are good for monitoring limits and use of gas, lap times, speeds of a dive, even mountaineering out of the water – where we can just as easily lose track of time.
What are the Benefits of Using the G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400?
The G-Shock Rangeman is an all-singing, all-dancing diving watch, meaning if you crave control and love crunching data, you are going to feel right at home here.
Calculating target distance can be crucial in many sports activities, when light can begin to fade as darkness arrives – and having sunset/dawn data logged can be an immense advantage for planning ahead. This is likely to be a fantastic asset to any diver who wants to really make the most of their time in the water. The large record capacity is really useful if you’re going to dive regularly, and again, if you really love your data.
I especially love the atomic timekeeping here – even when you’re out in the deep, you’ll be able to keep track of time and your various dives as you go – with your watch always delivering information that’s relevant and easy to crunch.
What’s more, this is a watch that just looks the part – if old-school digital is an aesthetic you’re crying out for, then by all means give this timepiece a look.
Does the G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 Have Any Drawbacks?
There are only a couple of potential issues here which might differ from diver to diver, but which are certainly worth raising.
The color scheme of the watch may be a little too ‘sporty’ for some potential purchasers, whereas others will find it pretty striking. The number of buttons may put some people off – but it really will surprise you just how easy it is to get used to.
That said, some new divers and watch users may find the number of features and functions a little overwhelming at first, meaning I highly recommend you take the time to read through the manual fully before strapping up and taking to the water. It’s probably not the best watch for beginner divers or those who are just starting to consume the data – but for those looking for a great upgrade to an older watch, then it’s definitely worth a look.
I think it’s also worth mentioning that this diving watch isn’t likely to be the deepest of allies. There are plenty out there that cope with much deeper water, meaning that if you are the sort of explorer that’s really going down deep, you’re going to probably want to look elsewhere.
Yes – the look is fairly retro, and on the face of things it’s probably something akin to what Inspector Gadget wore on his wrist – but that’s a good thing in my book. When you’re out in the water, you need all the assistance you can get!
Conclusion – Should I Buy The G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400?
If you’re looking for a super-funky diving watch that’s crammed full of features and data potential, this is likely to be a great choice. Those looking for a simpler timepiece to go swimming with might want to dial things down a little – but this pretty much gives you everything you could possibly need right on your wrist.
Concerns regarding the depth potential are legitimate, though I feel this is a solid watch ideal for intermediate divers who like the idea of crunching the numbers – and who really want to give atomic timekeeping a go. It might not seem too interesting on the surface, but you’ll likely find the sheer accuracy fascinating out at sea and deep in the water.
This is an impressive watch when you first take a look at it and once you discover what it is capable of, should be a reassuring companion to take on all kinds of sports activities, adventures, explorations and even for competitions! It’s easy to read and is well-loved by the buying public.
This is a solid all-around watch that really does bolster the G-Shock line – I feel it’s comfortable, easy to use after only a short brush-up in the manual, and it’s got incredible potential. Don’t let looks deceive – retro in one way and slightly mind-boggling in another, I absolutely love this watch – it’s one of the most comprehensive of its line, and for that reason, well worth saving your diving pennies for. Naturally, I recommend you take a look at wider products to compare along the way.
