Review: Casio’sGW9400 Rangeman Might Be The Toughest G-SHOCK Ever Made

The G-Shock story has always been about solving problems. When Casio engineer Kikuo Ibe’s mechanical watch shattered on a Tokyo sidewalk in 1982, he didn’t just mourn the loss — he assembled “Team Tough” and spent two years dropping prototypes from bathroom windows until they created something genuinely unbreakable. As we all know by now, the result was the iconic DW-5000C in 1983, built around the “Triple Ten” concept: survive a 10-meter drop, resist water pressure to 10 bar, and run for 10 years on a single battery.

Fast forward three decades, and G-Shock had become synonymous with indestructible digital watches. But there was still a problem: Casio’s Triple Sensor technology — the ABC suite of Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass — had been exclusive to the Pro Trek line. G-Shock fans wanted those survival tools wrapped in shock-resistant armor.

And in 2013, Casio delivered. The GW9400 Rangeman became the first G-Shock to pack the full Triple Sensor Version 3 module, a true watershed moment for the Master of G lineup. It descended from the GW9200 Riseman and GW9300 Mudman, both of which had partial sensor integration, but the Rangeman went all-in. 

And now over a decade later, even with the newer GPS-equipped GPR-H1000 on the market, many enthusiasts still consider this 2013 model the definitive digital G-Shock, and arguably the toughest ever made.

While we personally prefer the equally beloved Square models, we’ve owned this watch for years, and decided it was due time to take a closer look at the cult-classic G-Shock GW9400 Rangeman.

Unlike the aforementioned Square models, the GW9400 looks like it was designed by someone who loves aggressive angles and has zero interest in subtlety. This is a 55.2mm fortress of black resin with red accents placed so deliberately they almost feel cinematic – especially the “Rangeman” text on the lower bezel that reveals itself when the light hits just right, like a movie title. Four silver screws anchor the bezel (likely decorative, but they sell the tactical aesthetic well), and button guards jut out at four corners like protective ramparts.

At $365, the Rangeman sits in a pretty interesting valley. You can grab a DW5600 square for under $50, and the Japan-made GW-5000U clocks in around $300. So what exactly justifies the premium for G-Shock here? Well, it’s two things: the Triple Sensor suite and those buttons, which we’ll get into a bit later. 

Community consensus borders on cult-like for the Rangeman. Scroll through any G-Shock forum and collectors declare it “the one to rule them all” or “the best digital watch ever made.” And while this watch is pretty massive to say the least, it does wear a bit smaller than those absurd dimensions suggest — the near-90-degree lug angle keeps it from feeling like a plank strapped to your wrist, even on our wearer’s 6.75″ wrist seen here.

The Rangeman shares DNA with Pro Trek models like the PRW3000 that also run the Triple Sensor V3 module. So what’s the difference here? Pro Treks are slimmer with larger displays and dedicated sensor buttons. The Rangeman consolidates those functions into one chunky pusher at 3 o’clock and wraps everything in G-Shock’s shock-resistant architecture. You definitely lose some screen real estate but gain the peace of mind that this thing really is tough as hell, surviving falls that would shatter most watches.

Let’s address it right out the gate: This watch is huge. 55.2mm wide, 53.5mm tall, 18.2mm thick, and 93g (~3.3oz). That’s thicker than the Seiko “Arnie” and wider than most dive watches. But as we mentioned, it doesn’t necessarily wear like a 55mm watch. Those aggressively angled lugs drop almost perpendicular to the strap, making the effective lug-to-lug feel a bit closer to 50mm. The watch hugs your wrist rather than sitting on top like a hockey puck.

And what exactly makes this case special? Well, it’s those six buttons. Most G-Shocks make do with four, and anyone who’s tried pressing the tiny pushers on a DW5600 knows the struggle. As much we all love the Square, those buttons can be challenging, especially in colder conditions.

The Rangeman’s buttons are large, metal, and diamond-textured for grip. They’re also mud-resistant, meaning Casio engineered the structure to prevent debris from gumming up the works. The tactile feedback is also really satisfying.

The button layout is brilliant across the board including that dedicated light button below the dial and probably most importantly, a massive sensor button at 3 o’clock with a red accent ring. Press it once to cycle through your last-used ABC function. It’s really thoughtful UX design that took Casio three decades to nail.

Button guards extend from the case at four points, protecting pushers during impacts. On the left sits the sensor itself — a small circular port handling barometric pressure, temperature, and directional readings. The case finishing is entirely matte black resin, and Casio lists this as mud-resistant and low-temperature resistant, with 200 meters of water resistance.

Flip it over and you’re greeted with a stainless steel caseback held in place by four screws, engraved with the Rangeman’s wild cat mascot, meant to represent agility, awareness, and survival in hostile terrain. Of course, G-Shock fans will know that this is part of Casio’s Master of G tradition, where each extreme tool watch gets its own mascot, and in that context, it actually feels kind of perfect. A little weird? Maybe. But also very on-brand and we really dig the jungle cat as it adds a bit of personality to the mix.

Onto the dial, where the Rangeman uses a positive LCD display — dark digits on light background. It’s generally easier to read in bright conditions, though it sacrifices some of that blacked-out G-Shock aesthetic so many fans love. The screen is a bit smaller than you’d expect, amounting to only about 25mm of display within a 55mm case. The solar charging ring eats up some of that screen real estate, and Casio sectioned the display into multiple zones.

The main screen shows hours, minutes, seconds, day, and date, and in the upper left sits a “rotary disc,” which displays seconds in timekeeping mode, goes wild during stopwatch use, acts as a compass indicator when navigating, and shows time zone differential in world time. While it does look pretty cool, it’s also incredibly functional.

The lower portion displays additional information depending on mode (and we won’t go through all of the details as it would require a much longer video). You’ll see barometric pressure trends, temperature readings, altitude measurements, or countdown timer info. 

Solar charging happens via the carbon-pattern ring surrounding the display, functional under any light source thanks to Tough Solar technology. And a convenient battery indicator tells you whether you’re at low, medium, or high charge. 

The backlight is truly bright in low light situations with good coverage and no hot spots, and it’s operated from that large, centered button sitting just below the dial. There’s also an auto-light function, though we’ve always found it a bit too sensitive for our liking.

When it comes to the dial, there is one criticism that is definitely worth mentioning: Casio used mineral crystal instead of sapphire. At $365 and given the Rangeman’s premium Master of G positioning, this feels like a miss. It’s more susceptible to scratches and feels a bit less premium, even if Casio clearly chose it for impact resistance over outright scratch protection

Viewing angles aren’t great either. Digits distort when you’re not looking straight-on, which can be annoying when driving or typing.

At the heart of the Rangeman sits the Module 3410, combining Tough Solar power with Multi-Band 6 atomic timekeeping. This watch charges itself using any light source and automatically syncs with atomic clock signals from six transmitters worldwide. Set your home city and the watch handles the rest, including daylight saving adjustments. Battery life is seven months on full charge without light exposure, though the solar panel constantly tops it off.

The star here is of course that Triple Sensor Version 3 module. Released back in 2013, this third-generation ABC sensor technology was 90% smaller than Version 2, uses less power, takes faster readings, and delivers more accurate measurements. The altimeter reads -2,300 to 32,800 feet, the barometer tracks 260 to 1,100 hPa, and the compass provides 16-point directional readings.

The barometer is actually quite useful for daily wear. Rising trend means clearing conditions, falling pressure suggests incoming weather. Casio even lets you set a barometric alarm for sudden drops as well. And, the 42-hour pressure graph gives visual history that’s helpful for planning outdoor activities.

The altimeter and compass are definitely less precise – think of these as references rather than GPS accuracy. The altimeter works via barometric pressure, so weather changes can throw off readings. Casio recommends frequent calibration against known elevations. The compass is serviceable for general navigation, but we’d still recommend packing a real compass for more serious backcountry travel.

One surprise feature we really enjoy is the sunrise and sunset times. Input your coordinates and the watch displays sunrise/sunset for any date. For anyone spending time outdoors, this is incredibly useful for planning or even just catching a beautiful sunset against the Pacific.

The resin strap measures 22mm at the lugs with a slight taper. What sets it apart from entry-level G-Shock straps is definitely the quality. Strap it on and you’ll immediately notice it’s softer and more pliable, without that cheap plastic feel of a DW5600. And the inner surface features raised channels for airflow and security when wet.

The clasp is double-locking with a metal keeper that’s appropriately chunky. Casio also added a raised notch at the tail preventing the keeper from sliding off. It’s another functional design element that makes you appreciate the thought behind this watch.

Comfort exceeds expectations here. The strap breaks in after a few days and molds to your wrist. At 93 grams, it’s not light by any means, but weight distribution is good enough that you stop noticing it.

So the question that remains after all of this: is this $365 G-Shock GW9400 Rangeman worth it, especially considering you can get a G-Shock square for $50 or even the GW-5000U for similar money?

Well, If you hike, camp, surf, or spend any real time outdoors, the ABC sensors definitely help justify the premium. The barometer has proven useful for checking weather trends, and the sunrise/sunset feature is more practical than expected. Even the altimeter, imperfect as it is, adds real value for tracking elevation.

The buttons are the other half. They’re so much better than standard G-Shock pushers that using a square after the Rangeman feels like a downgrade. Those dedicated light and sensor buttons, the tactile feedback, the glove-friendly size — these details really matter when you’re actually using the watch, especially in an outdoor or even blue-collar environment (we’re former technicians here).

We will say that the mineral crystal is a little disappointing, and the display could be more legible at certain angles. The size will also polarize; it’s huge and it’s not going to work well for smaller wrists, and it certainly doesn’t hide under a cuff.

But for G-Shock collectors, the GW9400 feels nothing less than essential. For everyone else though, it’s the grab-and-go adventure watch that never needs a battery change, never needs time adjustment, and will outlast just about anything you throw at it. In a world where the new GPR-H1000 Rangeman added Bluetooth and GPS but lost the plot with a busy interface, this 2013 original remains the purist’s choice — the “apocalypse” watch that keeps ticking long after the smartphones have died.

Is it the best G-Shock money can buy? Maybe it’s our Square bias showing, but that’s certainly subjective. Regardless, we absolutely understand why so many enthusiasts consider it the one digital G-Shock that gets everything right.

Recap

G-Shock GW9400-1 Rangeman

The G-Shock GW9400 Rangeman from 2013 was the first G-Shock to pack a full altimeter, barometer, and compass into that indestructible case, and over a decade later, many enthusiasts still consider it the definitive digital G-Shock. At $365, it’s pricey compared to basic squares, but if you actually spend time outdoors, those ABC sensors and vastly improved buttons make it worth every penny; it’s the grab-and-go adventure watch that never needs charging or adjusting and will outlast pretty much anything.

Pros

• Surprisingly comfortable despite oversized dimensions
• Excellent backlight and positive display for bright conditions
• Cult-favorite design with strong Master of G character
• Tough Solar and Multi-Band 6 provide maintenance-free accuracy
• Has highly useful barometer trends and sunrise/sunset data for outdoors
• Virtually indestructible
• Large, glove-friendly metal buttons have excellent tactile feedback

Cons

• Massive case size won’t suit smaller wrists or sleeves
• Mineral crystal feels underwhelming at this price point
• Limited display area relative to overall case size
• Poor viewing angles with noticeable digit distortion
• Altimeter and compass lack precision without frequent calibration
• Aggressive, tactical aesthetic lacks versatility for everyday wear
• Auto-light function can be overly sensitive

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