I doubt the GW6900bc-1 is at Costco for $130. There are other models that look like this but not with the negative display and solar. Good luck on your search. Anything Casio you can't go wrong.
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I have Eco-Drives, Suuntos, G-Shocks, Pathfinders and many others... the Eco-Drives are great watches (maybe more a daily wear watch), Suuntos have been okay, any G-Shock is going to be good, same for the Pathfinders - I even got into making watches myself as a hobby.
The most important thing to decide (as with anything) is:
1. What do you need it to do?
2. Is the watch from a reputable maker?
3. How much do you want to spend?
4. What do you want it to look like?
...
157. What do other people think of your watch?
That said... I have sort of gotten away from the do everything ABC watches, towards the more reliable, simple time pieces; a true field watch. The above mentioned Bertucci is a great watch, the G-Shock military you mentioned is a 5600 series and is probably the gold standard for tough watches... and still small enough that you won't be taking it off "to do something".
As for the high-zoot, kitchen sink watches... next on my list is a PAW5000 Pathfinder, but I just like analog stlye - heck, an easy 80% of the time I am wearing either a Casio WVA320 or an AMW3200. Now I have a butt-load of watches that I just don't wear anymore :mad:
1. If I decide to go into the military after college, I need it to withstand anything the military can throw at me. I need it to handle the stresses of shooting, running, swimming, boxing, etc.
I have to be able to see what time it is on the watch in no-light situations.
Stopwatch/countdown timer is necessary.
Solar is my top choice. And since I'm very much a DIY Guy, if I can't find a solar watch then I need one that I can replace the batteries myself.
If I get one without a built-in compass, I'll need one with analog hands so I can use the hands and the sun as a rough compass (This would be my backup compass). If I get one with a built-in compass then I'll be OK with a digital. Altimeter would be pretty cool for the hiking I do, but can I really find an accurate altimeter on a $200 watch?
The sunrise/sunset function is really nice so I can know when to set up camp.
2. You said your Suunto was OK. Could you elaborate on that? I think I'm down to a Suunto or a Casio, so I believe both are reputable manufacturers.
3. Up to my girlfriend, but I doubt she'll spend over $200.
4. I like how clean the Suuntos look, and try as I might, it's hard for me to fall in love with the regular G-Shock bezel. There are a few that I like but most are not that appealing. I want to be able to wear this watch to class without it looking like I have a computer strapped to my wrist.
Think you can help me decide based on these answers?
http://www.casio.com/products/Timepi...ct/GW6900BC-1/
Casios website, although I may have incorrectly assumed that it was priced the same as the rest of the 6900 series.
http://www.gshock.com/products/index...2-2908560E72B1
Casios website and product lineup is confusing at best
this one has the solar feature and is only 100 dollars.
http://www.rei.com/product/808310
The one that is priced at $130 is the GW6900-1 (and others) not the GW6900BC-1. When I was researching to purchase the watch, I came across the same confusion. Few of the differences between the two are the strap is different for the BC-1 it is not a resin material like most of the G-Shock. Also, the most important feature for me was the negative display. I love the stealthiness of it.
Good luck.
My "go to" watch for rough stuff is a G-Shock DW6900-1V. I trust it without fail and my Luminox, while a decent watch, isn't nearly as tough.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg
I wear it with the face on the inside of my wrist. I bought it before I deployed in 2003 and have replaced the strap & battery once each.
If I were to replace it, I'd get a solar / atomic version, ala GW6900-1 or GW6900BC-1.
My g-shock is super tough and priced just right so if it gets lost or stolen, I won't shed any tears.