SandY P650 or Luminox?

grnamin

grnamin

Joined
Oct 6, 1998
Messages
2,269
From a purely utility point of view, which one would you get? Which is a superior product? Granted, if I got a Luminox, I would send it to Bill Yao to have the dial changed to a P650 version. If you were to choose between a P650 and the Luminox Stealth (with sterile dial), which one would you get?
 
I bought one of the last converted 3401 from Bill Yao. (He can't get 3401s anymore.) I posed the same question to him and he listed these enhancements the Luminox has over the SandY P650.

-Screwdown steel Case
-Date
-Illuminated second hand

I chose the 3401 instead of the 3001 for the saphire crystal.
 
Sundsvall, how's the 3401 working for you? Is the PVD coating wearing off any? Seems like a converted 3401 is the better choice. It does have an anti-reflection coated sapphire crystal, doesn't it?
 
PVD Coating is tough as nails. I wasn't paying attention while putting my flight jacket on and ran the zipper across the face of the watch. It made a terrible noise and I thought it was scratched for sure.

Upon inspection the crystal and watch case was fine.

Sapphire crystal is coated.

Only complaint: Second hand does not align properly. I asked Bill about this and he claims that it cannot be aligned perfectly.

Overall: Great beater watch. Tritium is very bright, watch is tough, looks good with the converted dial, pretty comfy with the NATO strap (I didn't like the rubber strap), and relatively inexpensive.

I wear this watch when I don't want to scuff up my nice watches. It was between this or a G-shock. I may still get the G-shock.
 
Matt, G-shocks used to be a staple with me until they started making them really busy with telememos, flashing readouts, etc. It's hard to find one that's as simple as the first one I got back in '85.
 
Casio brought back the original design, and unlike the original, is solar powered. I think the model number is 5600.

I was considering buying the 5600, but my eye strayed and now I am looking for a Casio Protrek "Black Helios" special edition.

In addition to the timers, alarms and stopwatch functions, it has camping/hiking functions like digital compass, altimeter, barometer, temperature. You do lose the shock resistant casing.

Another good digital watch that has these functions is the Suunto Observer. This is a cool watch that comes in either steel or titanium and can cost up to $500.

So, currently, I just wear my converted Luminox 3401. It does the job, and looks good doing it.
 
As for myself, I like all of the gadgets...what I do not like is how flashy some of the G-shocks look. I opted for a model (all black with yellow emblems) with 5 alarms, 25 memory slots, two time zones, a stop watch, and a day countdown clock. I am used to my Luminox 3001, so the Casio with all of it's functions is a nice change of pace. The basic, classic remake seems much simpler and thinner.
Matt
 
Sundsvall, there is a vendor on ebay who is looking to get the Helios version again, IIRC--he sold what he had and couldn't find them again. If I can find the email I'll leave his ebay ID. I was looking for a solar Pathfinder type--seems like a real "survival" watch :)

Greg, the only obvious thing about the P650 is the cool factor. I have had a true beater Lumnox for some time and have really gotten my money's worth out of it. One thing I liked about the Luminox is the traser on the second hand...don't have my P650 handy so I don't recall if it has it, too....but I've gotten used to the super-bright tritium glow. Put a NATO band on it and it's a pretty good basic everday no-cares watch.
 
Originally posted by JohnG
One thing I liked about the Luminox is the traser on the second hand...don't have my P650 handy so I don't recall if it has it, too....
Click to expand...
I think one main difference between the P650 and the Luminox models is that the latter does have a tritium gas vial in the second hand while the P650 doesn't.
 
Hey John - I was considering the same thing - Casio Protrek Black Helios and/or Casio G-shock 5600.

They are both solar powered. They are both user tools as opposed to jewelry (like most other watches).

I would like the G-shock for sports where I can wipe out and bangup or kill a watch (snowboarding, rollerblading, working out, etc).

The Protrek is good for camping, hiking, and other land-based adventures.

I don't think I would ever go into an airport with the luminox as it will definitely raise a flag and put you on the inspection line.
 
I dont' think you could EVER kill a G-Shock! BTW, why would a Luminox make you stand out?
Matt
 
Yup, that's why I would want a G-shock.

As for the luminox with the converted face by Bill Yao; Airport security looks for things that look military. I get stopped and searched because my carryon bag is made of Denier 1000 ballistic cloth, same material that is the same on Flak Jackets.
 
Originally posted by Sundsvall
As for the luminox with the converted face by Bill Yao; Airport security looks for things that look military. I get stopped and searched because my carryon bag is made of Denier 1000 ballistic cloth, same material that is the same on Flak Jackets.
Click to expand...
At least you're not getting searched because your wrist is registering radioactive. :D
 
Tritium emits only beta radiation, which has such low penetrating power it can't penetrate a watch crystal -- so it doesn't show up on a Geiger counter.

The idea of a military-style watch attracting attention from airport security hadn't occurred to me, but I suppose it makes sense. I wonder what they would think of my Israeli paratrooper rucksack.... (BTW I'm not an Israeli paratrooper; I only carry the rucksack.) Maybe that would cancel out the pilot watch? Who knows....
 
Well, I carry a Pathfinder TX duffel bag. It's black, made of 1000 denier Cordura, and looks a bit on the tactical side.

I flew to China with it 6 times in 2000 and 2001. Every single time, I was pulled aside and asked if I was military. After I told them I wasn't, they would x-ray and chemical test my bag and check my person. This was before 9/11.

I never carry anything that can be construed as a weapon with me anyway, so I didn't mind the extra hassle. I used to thank the airports security officers for keeping the flight safe.

Didn't have the luminox watch yet, but generally, security loves to check me out. Just unlucky, or plain ugly. We'll see how it goes.
 
Wow, I guess I never thought about that either but it does make sense. I had thought about the radioactive side too but that also makes sense. Well at any rate, the G-Shock is a nicer traveler anyway by the fact that I can store two time zones.
Matt
 
Actually, that's the main difference between the luminox 3001 and 3401, functionally anyway. The 3001 has an elapsed time bezel and 3401 has a second timezone bezel. 3401 is for pilots.
 
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