TrailFit Review: Casio Pathfinder PAW1300 Series at Trail Fit

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TrailFit Review: Casio Pathfinder PAW1300 Series

Posted February 24, 2009 at 11:34 AM by Paul Peterson

Section: Gear & Apparel

It is essential to track and monitor your body’s performance and response, as well as the surrounding elements to which you are exposed, whenever you are participating in outdoor activities such as trail running, hiking, backpacking and fastpacking. GPS technology provides information such as speed, altitude, and bearing, but often requires athletes to carry yet another device and is generally incapable of providing weather-related information.

Casio has introduced the Pathfinder Series as a way to disseminate vital information to trekkers using the low-profile and convenient platform of a wristwatch. I recently had the pleasure of exploring the 3V model of Casio’s Pathfinder PAW1300 Series and tested it on several types of training runs and within various environments.

Many of the PAW1300’s features and attributes were very appealing. The following list is comprised of the features that I found most beneficial:

Atomic Timekeeping. With this watch you will always have the correct time, thanks to direct radio communication from the atomic transmitter in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Solar Battery. The solar cell is charged frequently from both direct sunlight and artificial indoor light. Not only is this environmentally friendly, both you’ll never have to worry about your watch going dead in the middle of an adventure.

Digital Compass. Know your bearing at all times. The embedded compass displays the angle value, direction indicator, and four graphic direction pointers. The watch also allows the user to store and recall compass readings.

Barometer. The Pathfinder stores barometric readings every two hours, and graphs pressure for the last 26 hours. This allows users to predict weather patterns on the fly.

Altimeter. Using air pressure readings, the watch estimates, stores, and graphs current elevation and elevation changes. It even can alert you when nearing a target elevation.

Thermometer. A built-in sensor can display temperature in degrees F or C. It also works underwater, and be used to take stream or lake readings.

Auto Backlight. At night, just tilt the watch toward your face, and the LEDs automatically light up.

Tough Band. This watch can truly take a pounding without breaking.

As seen above, the feature list of this watch is truly impressive. I remember being impressed by calculator watches when I was kid, but these Pathfinders truly raise the bar of features that can be assimilated into a normal-sized wristwatch.

CASIO PAW-1300-3V_CR watch This bevy of features leads to the only real downside of the watch: its tremendous complexity. This is demonstrated by its hefty 153-page user’s guide, which I had to wade through several times before I became adept enough to calibrate and operate the Pathfinder’s sensors. Plan on investing some serious time into properly learning this piece of equipment.

Once the watch sensors were properly calibrated and I had conquered the learning curve, I found the various measurements to be fairly accurate. I particularly had good experiences with the altimeter, and determined its readings to be quite close to known benchmarks along some of my favorite hikes. And the elevation profile is a nice feature as well.

The Casio Pathfinder PAW1300-3V (Pictured, above right) retails for $300. With this hefty price-tag, the Pathfinder is certainly not for everyone, but should find a strong niche among outdoor enthusiasts and athletes (both recreational and competitive). If you are a trailrunner, adventure racer or even a dedicated back-country trekker, I would recommend adding one of the Pathfinder models to your running arsenal as it’s features will be specifically appealing and advantageous for your purposes.

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Tags: altimeter, atomic-timekeeping, barometer, casio, casio-pathfinder, casio-pathfinder-paw-1300, digital-compass, outdoor-enthusiast, outdoors, pathfinder, product-review, running-gear, solar, sports-watch, thermometer, trail-running, trailrunning, watch

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156 Responses to “TrailFit Review: Casio Pathfinder PAW1300 Series” (Leave a reply)

texas home security systems from around said:

There are things I like about the PAW1200 over the 1300, and if I had enough real estate on my wrist to accommodate it, I’d probably go with the PAW1200. Being that I am a watch lover cursed with relatively narrow wrists, however, I find the PAW1300 to be a much better fit without any compromise in functionality.
May 12, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Home Video Security said:

Great images, thank you
May 19, 2008 at 09:17 PM
Guardian Home Security said:

Cool watch
May 23, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Ste from USA said:

There are some features, which are not present in Casio G-Shock
July 8, 2008 at 09:27 AM
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August 14, 2008 at 05:25 AM
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I hope i had the money to go with such a cool and high technology casio!
August 28, 2008 at 04:53 AM
Watches to India from India said:

Your watches images & information about casio series is very interesting. It’s really nice. The casio pathfinder PAW1300 series has many features such as Atomic Timekeeping, Solar Battery, Digital Compass, Barometer, Barometer, altimeter, Thermometer, Auto Backlight etc. These all are functions are very helpful in our life. Thanks for sharing this information.
September 3, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Urdu sms from USA said:

I constantly checked my other Casios/G-Shocks to see if they were still as cool as I thought they were when I bought them. The Pathfinder I check constantly because I need to, and it still looks cool
September 22, 2008 at 02:33 AM
Straight Razor from USA said:

My Casio Pathfinder PAW1300 Series strap remains the most comfortable of any Casio I’ve owned.
the black/silver accents are very cool
few scratches in three months and I’ve knocked it around quite a bit.
September 22, 2008 at 02:36 AM
High Blood Pressure Symptoms said:

setting and running the CDT and stopwatch is a bit awkward. Even after three months I occasionally try to use buttons E and L to start/stop these functions, as with a Timex Ironman. In fact, button E sets the CDT, stopwatch, alarms while the Button L is the light button. You actually run the CDT and stopwatch using buttons A and C.
September 22, 2008 at 02:37 AM
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Nice watch! Well design and looks cool.
September 29, 2008 at 02:21 AM
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Nice Watch With Excellent Design…
October 1, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Sweet SMS said:

I want to buy this watch. but im wondering if water resistant means waterproof to 100meters?? like i can wear this watch while im swimming, have it submerged continuously no problem?
October 5, 2008 at 07:57 AM
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What an amazing watch! I was looking for info on it, and I am glad that I got here.Thanks for posting this informatve article here.
October 11, 2008 at 11:40 PM
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Is it water-resistant or not?
October 14, 2008 at 09:18 AM
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I love how the Pathfinder stores barometric readings every two hours, and graphs pressure for the last 26 hours. This allows users to predict weather patterns anytime!
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October 23, 2008 at 01:45 AM
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I particularly had good experiences with the altimeter, and determined its readings to be quite close to known benchmarks along some of my favorite hikes.
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October 24, 2008 at 05:23 AM
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November 14, 2008 at 05:05 AM
eugene danielsen from honolulu hi said:

i want ot know if this watch can receive accurate time receptions from the boulder colo if i am in hawaii. i read recently that you have to manually set for time.
November 23, 2008 at 03:18 AM
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I find the PAW1300 to be a much better fit without any compromise in functionality.
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December 16, 2008 at 01:40 PM
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December 27, 2008 at 01:16 PM
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This is demonstrated by its hefty user’s guide, which I had to wade through several times before I became adept enough to calibrate and operate the Pathfinder’s sensors. Plan on investing some serious time into properly learning this piece of equipment. real estate buyer consultant
December 28, 2008 at 02:13 AM
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I think images are fantastic....
December 29, 2008 at 12:57 PM
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Casio Pathfinder PAW1300 Series is very essential to track and monitor your body’s performance and response, as well as the surrounding elements to which you are exposed, whenever you are participating in outdoor activities such as trail running, hiking, backpacking and fastpacking.
January 1, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Xierui said:

I constantly checked my other Casios/G-Shocks to see if they were still as cool as I thought they were when I bought them. The Pathfinder I check constantly because I need to, and it still looks cool

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January 6, 2009 at 07:03 PM
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I think the watch is nice and the person wearing it will grab the attention of everybody.
January 11, 2009 at 12:58 PM
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Wow. Nice watch.
January 18, 2009 at 01:01 AM
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Wow really awesome. Really amazing watches and nice information on Casio Pathfinder Series watches. I always prefer to buy timex watch for my use or in my friend or relative circle for gifting purpose. But after read this post i decided that whenever i need buying wrist watch.
January 22, 2009 at 02:29 AM
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I’m sure it’s waterproof. After all it is a hiking watch. I’ll need a sports watch. thanks
January 22, 2009 at 09:06 PM
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I constantly checked my other Casios/G-Shocks to see if they were still as cool as I thought they were when I bought them. The Pathfinder I check constantly because I need to, and it still looks cool
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February 11, 2009 at 08:44 AM
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February 16, 2009 at 04:17 PM
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February 21, 2009 at 01:03 PM
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This guys are really cool! I like the watches that can give you not only time but pressure, and other stuff.
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Casio is just unique well known name for digital products like calculators and wrist watches.
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This looks like a perfect gift for my brother who loves to bike!
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May 2, 2009 at 06:44 AM
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I’ve been thinking about a new watch, as mind is getting quite old. However, it is like an old friend--well you know the feeling. I have looked at the Casio’s and they look good--such a wide varity. I have not seen the one you speak of in this post however, will look some more before I buy.
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May 19, 2009 at 05:23 AM
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Seems to be awefully advanced for a Casio. Has anyone bought and used one?
May 29, 2009 at 02:17 PM
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I have this one.
June 2, 2009 at 11:08 PM
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Well, i want ot know if this watch can receive accurate time receptions from the boulder colo if i am in hawaii. And i read recently that you have to manually set for time.
June 7, 2009 at 03:33 AM
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Glad to know about Casio’s Pathfinder PAW1300 Series watches. They self prove them amazing by providing such wide range of features.
June 17, 2009 at 04:49 AM
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It’s one of those cool looking analog/digital hybrids and is solar powered. It’s an Iron man so you’d expect it to be fairly rugged.
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July 22, 2009 at 05:30 AM
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October 21, 2009 at 12:05 PM
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November 5, 2009 at 06:37 PM
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Casio have good collection.. I have one with a calculator flip..
November 8, 2009 at 09:07 AM
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I became adept enough to calibrate and operate the Pathfinder’s sensors.The elevation profile is a nice feature as well.
November 8, 2009 at 12:49 PM
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November 8, 2009 at 05:43 PM
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Nice watch. I always use Casio, from g shock until then. Seems this brand new product is promising, from the appearance, a lot of features in it, and the durability. Want to buy it one..
November 9, 2009 at 03:03 AM
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I had no idea a watch like the Pathfinder was so affordable and so packed with great gadgets. I’m definitely pricing one this payday.
November 9, 2009 at 09:55 PM
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Such an amazing gadget this is! Keeping the track of your location as well as the weather condition is mind blowing.
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I am glad that I found my way here by coincidence! There goes a complete review of this very well designed piece of watch item.It is really an all in one gadget based on all those features.thanks..
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