Solar powered watch--couple of questions

[JTR357]

I ordered this a few days ago.It's not expensive.It doesn't have tritium or titanium,but it looks like it'll be reliable & tough with almost zero maintenance,which is what I'm looking for.It was an impulse buy.If it lasts me five years,I'd say I got my money's worth.
I've been watchless all spring & summer.I feel naked without something on my wrist & Casio & Timex have always been good to me.

It's a Casio G-Shock Atomic Tough Solar Watch(GW530A-1V).

Technical Specs

Atomic Timekeeping
Receives time calibration radio signals which keep the displayed time accurate
Auto receive function (4 times per day)
Manual receive function
Signal: WWVB, Frequency: 60kHz
Tough Solar Power
Shock Resistant
200M Water Resistant
Auto EL Backlight with Afterglow
World Time
29 times zones (30 cities), city code display, daylight saving on/off
4 Daily Alarms & 1 Snooze Alarm
Time Recorder
Memory capacity: 30 records (each record contains month, day, hour, minutes, seconds)
1/100 second stopwatch
Measuring capacity: 23:59'59.99"
Measuring modes: Elapsed time, split time, 1st-2nd place times
Hourly Time Signal
Auto Calendar (pre-programmed until the year 2039)
12/24 Hour Formats
Accuracy: ±15 seconds per month (with no signal calibration)
Storage Battery CTL1616
Battery Power Indicator
Power Saving Function
Approx. battery life: 11 months on full charge (without further exposure to light)
Module 2688

Size of case/total weight
54.1 x 46.6 x 15.3mm / 67g

http://www.casio.com/products/Watches/G-Shock/GW530A-1V/

I've had atomic watches before,but never a solar powered one.
How long do the solar batteries(panels?) last?
Do they work well in the winter time when it's covered by a jacket sleeve most of the time?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Ken C.]

Been wearing the same watch for the past 2 years. Has held up well and it does work in the winter. The slightest bit of light is enough to charge it and the battery lasts.

 

[lava_lamp]

One of my current watches is a Citizen Eco Drive (solar) and I have had several other Citizen Eco Drives. I've never seen one stop working due to lack of light even though I keep my watches in a (dark) dresser drawer. I would speculate that you would see similar results from Casio.

 

[JTR357]

That's what I like to hear.Thanks Ken.

 

[powernoodle]

I have been wearing a Casio G-Shock (Riseman) for a long time, and its solar and atomic. Excellent daily user. I've had not a single issue with charging the battery, and never think about it. It just does whatever it does, and I ignore it. And I love the fact that each morning the watch has recalibrated itself to exactly the right time. Throw in a barometer, altimeter, thermometer and 5 alarms, and its good stuff.

 

[JTR357]

Thanks guys.I read somewhere that the solar panels wear out & stop working after so much time.I just read it a couple of days ago & can't remember where.It might have been on an open forum & someone might have gotten a dud.It came up in a search.

Thanks again for sharing your experiences.

 

[DRodent]

As soon as they get thinnner I'll get one - they had some at Costco last summer and the liturature said the batteries last like 5 - 6 months with no light so you shouldn't have to worry.

 

[WJC01]

I had two solar powered atomic duds. I have the Mudman 3031 now. I'm sure they have worked out the bugs.
Bill

 

[HEMI 1500]

been wearing this for 3 years, keeps ticking

 

[BlueyM]

Don't know about the G-Shock solar panels, but I have a Citizen Eco Drive that has been running strong for 11 years.

 

[Harayasu]

I've got a couple of solar powered watches, amongst which Casio G-5600E and Casio PRW-1300T, and they work great. When I don't wear them, I keep them near a window, so they get light constantly. My every day watch is a Citizen BM8180, solar powered too, and never got any problems with that one, even when wearing long sleeves. A fully loaded battery should power the watch for several months. So I don't worry about it and not having to worry about a watch is a great thing.

 

[BITEME]

Hate do disagree with all you fellas but I have 4 citizen eco drives and have had lots of charging issue with 3 of them ,if I wore each of them once a week I probably wouldn't have any problems ,but the literature says you can leave them in a zero light situation for quite a while before they stop ,but that has not been the case with mine.