@@Four-J67 the thing about 10 year battery Casio watches is that the 10 year moniker is more indicative of the battery's shelf life from self-discharge than how much power the watch actually uses.
I also had to decide between these two. In the end it was the cheap ae1500 that I bought. I just wanted a large display that wasn't negative, and I don't think you have to spend $300 for that. So the 1500 was my choice 😄
Another great review Jim. I couldn’t agree more with your comments. Casio should hire you as an adviser to their design team. You could sort out their display and visibility issues. Lol. Keep up the good work and thanks for the mention.
I'm so happy I ran across this video in my suggestions. I was about to pay for the mudman purely for the large numbers because I don't particularly care for the other features aside from the stopwatch and alarms. Thank you for saving me hundreds of dollars
Great watches, I have just bought the black AE-1500, just as you have reviewed. I had to get it through Amazon US annd send to the UK. They must be so popular in the States, as we find them hard to get in the UK, unless you want the blue one. The black one is going for $50 on ebay UK.
The GD-350 has decent numbers, they are still small compared to say the 1500, but decent size compared to most...I just got the 1500 a couple of days ago and it's going to be my go to work watch...at $22 you can't go wrong...I also think all Casio watches should have this display format, maybe not as big, but definitely the same layout...no unnecessary gadgets,meters, bars, or anything like that, just a nice simple layout with the date up top, a second counter on the bottom ,and the main time right smack in the middle where it belongs.... my favorite Casio is the GD 350 and if it had this display, it would be absolutely the perfect watch in my opinion.... I don't have a mud man Casio, but I do have the TRT-110 which is a mud resist, hell of a lot cheaper than a mud man at about $30-40 And every bit as good in my opinion, with a much better display set up.... I have 15 Casio's in my collection, ranging from $22 (AE1500) to $99 (GD350) Which is pretty much the most I'll spend on any watch... I don't see the point or the need to spend more than that on something that I basically just want to tell me the time... I really don't even use the functions that they have most of the time... I like the rugged looks and the price point for the most part... Casio makes some really nice budget friendly watches and the 1500 is no exception
It drives me crazy that Casio CAN make a watch as legible as the AE1500 but doesn't carry it over to their G-Shocks. But if you're good with the regular Casios then you'll save a lot of money.
I bought the 1500 on sale and use it for running. The large digits makes it possible to read time and split times, which otherwise can be difficult during running when it's shaky. But the 9500 is very attractive with the robustness and useful features, even if the display contrast is not as good as 1500.
I think maybe because to have the G-SHOCK watch the "mechanism" with the fragile digital display made of paper thin glass it needs some layers of materials and internal spacing.Those dictate the size of the display to be smaller. Also when the display is made bigger in some models, the core and the resin case grow up in size proportionally, thats why the mudmans look like parking meters. On the other hand Iluminators don't claim to be shoock resistant, they don't have all those additional layers and spacing inside, so there is room to make the display bigger. I think thats the reason. And a HOT TAKE in the end - I think the plastic glass is better material! Its stronger, its flexible, it scratches but will not break as easy as the actual glass glass. On a tough watch,plastic makes more sense to me.
Good point! You’re probably right. But G-Shock is rolling out the carbon core which I think may allow for larger displays since it won’t need to protective layers.
It must be me, but I have not had any glare or visibility issues with my gw9500. I do have the positive display version and I do have the japan version. Mine came from a Japanese vendor before it was available in the US. So I'm all in for the mudman.
Love the mud man but I can’t justify buying another watch for sometime especially when my new WGWB1000 does most of the same things funny thing is I am finding that my AE1500 is more comfortable on my wrist then my new mud master also you can tell the time quicker at a glance
The strap (more specifically the strap pins) are the weak spot. I have 2 of the AE1500(s) and both had the watch fall off my wrist due to spring bars popping out... As a contractor the AE1500 would not last long in the trades.
I just got a GW9500 and the visibility IS annoying. It's almost like they put the LCD backwards... What a mean is, if I hold my old GW9400 right in front of me (not on wrist) and turn it to the right the LCD gets clearer. If a turn it to the left, the digits almost disappear. On the GW9500 it's the exact opposite. I guess I could start wearing the GW9500 on my right arm... I found your channel a few videos ago and digging it
I have that mud man got it the month it came out I had a gwg-1000 that somebody stole from me in Phoenix , I need reading glasses but I can see the time in the day . I wish I could take off the compass I think that’s the problem? I could be wrong but it’s my go to watch for now that is . And it’s always accurate thanks to it being automatically set every night, but I wish it was more clear as well.
Yea I want to like madman’s and mudmasters and all but they always get something really wrong on them with the display. I don’t know how this keeps happening I just get Ironmans cuz those I can actually read. But this cheap Casio might fit the bill for me Ironman display at night isn’t the best and kinda cheap
Yea. Another thing is that the numbers on the Ironman are big but also thin. I think the AE1500 is easier to read because the digits are thick. The AE1500 is cheaper too.
Yea they are thin. I’ve had this thing for like an hour and I like it so much I’m never getting rid of it. Lol way easier to read and more comfortable than my Ironman
I have that AE1500 and wouldn't have even looked at getting the GW9500 had it not been so damn cheaply made. The screen scratches easily and the bezel guard keeps popping off. I don't have those problems.... Wow just as I was writing this I hear you mention my previous comment 😆 I'm done 😂
Casio should make AE 1500 solar version with mineral glass
That would be a good one but it would cost more than $22.
@@JimKinkade o.k.
I just added a tempered glass screen protector, which also slightly magnifies the numerals as well.
CR2032 batterylife may be as long as solar energy
@@Four-J67 the thing about 10 year battery Casio watches is that the 10 year moniker is more indicative of the battery's shelf life from self-discharge than how much power the watch actually uses.
My 80+ year old eyes love the 1500's so much that I'm picking up all of the models for the collection.
Aw yea! It ain’t a collection without an AE1500.
did u find any glass protectors that fit?
I also had to decide between these two. In the end it was the cheap ae1500 that I bought. I just wanted a large display that wasn't negative, and I don't think you have to spend $300 for that. So the 1500 was my choice 😄
Wise decision.
Another great review Jim. I couldn’t agree more with your comments. Casio should hire you as an adviser to their design team. You could sort out their display and visibility issues. Lol. Keep up the good work and thanks for the mention.
I would storm into the Casio boardroom and be like NO MORE BLUETOOTH!
I'm so happy I ran across this video in my suggestions. I was about to pay for the mudman purely for the large numbers because I don't particularly care for the other features aside from the stopwatch and alarms. Thank you for saving me hundreds of dollars
No problem! The Mudman is really really tough. But if legibility is your first priority check out the AE1500.
@@JimKinkade absolutely. I genuinely thought that the mudman was the only large number option on the Casio market. I'm so excited to receive it!
Great watches, I have just bought the black AE-1500, just as you have reviewed. I had to get it through Amazon US annd send to the UK. They must be so popular in the States, as we find them hard to get in the UK, unless you want the blue one. The black one is going for $50 on ebay UK.
Wow! Perhaps I’ll send you a pallet and we can do some Casio Watch arbitrage.
The GD-350 has decent numbers, they are still small compared to say the 1500, but decent size compared to most...I just got the 1500 a couple of days ago and it's going to be my go to work watch...at $22 you can't go wrong...I also think all Casio watches should have this display format, maybe not as big, but definitely the same layout...no unnecessary gadgets,meters, bars, or anything like that, just a nice simple layout with the date up top, a second counter on the bottom ,and the main time right smack in the middle where it belongs.... my favorite Casio is the GD 350 and if it had this display, it would be absolutely the perfect watch in my opinion.... I don't have a mud man Casio, but I do have the TRT-110 which is a mud resist, hell of a lot cheaper than a mud man at about $30-40 And every bit as good in my opinion, with a much better display set up.... I have 15 Casio's in my collection, ranging from $22 (AE1500) to $99 (GD350) Which is pretty much the most I'll spend on any watch... I don't see the point or the need to spend more than that on something that I basically just want to tell me the time... I really don't even use the functions that they have most of the time... I like the rugged looks and the price point for the most part... Casio makes some really nice budget friendly watches and the 1500 is no exception
It drives me crazy that Casio CAN make a watch as legible as the AE1500 but doesn't carry it over to their G-Shocks. But if you're good with the regular Casios then you'll save a lot of money.
Just got my mudman 2 days . Love the duplex display.
Casio is set to release the 010 series very soon. The GD 010 and the analog version, GA 010 might just be the most legible Shocks ever!
I bought the 1500 on sale and use it for running. The large digits makes it possible to read time and split times, which otherwise can be difficult during running when it's shaky.
But the 9500 is very attractive with the robustness and useful features, even if the display contrast is not as good as 1500.
Yes! Also the Mudman might be overkill just for Running.
I think the duplex display on the GW-9500 is the main reason for the lack of LCD contrast compared to the PRW-3500 and AE-1500.
I think you’re correct. There’s just too much stuff on the screen.
Just got my Ae 1500whx . Feeling good 😊
Nice 👍 Glad you like it.
I think maybe because to have the G-SHOCK watch the "mechanism" with the fragile digital display made of paper thin glass it needs some layers of materials and internal spacing.Those dictate the size of the display to be smaller. Also when the display is made bigger in some models, the core and the resin case grow up in size proportionally, thats why the mudmans look like parking meters. On the other hand Iluminators don't claim to be shoock resistant, they don't have all those additional layers and spacing inside, so there is room to make the display bigger. I think thats the reason.
And a HOT TAKE in the end - I think the plastic glass is better material! Its stronger, its flexible, it scratches but will not break as easy as the actual glass glass. On a tough watch,plastic makes more sense to me.
Good point! You’re probably right. But G-Shock is rolling out the carbon core which I think may allow for larger displays since it won’t need to protective layers.
Pra quem quer apenas o básico que é ver as horas e alarmes o AE1500 é um ótimo custo benefício 😎👌
great comparison
SIMPLICITY! That's why this watch is so great, very easy to see very legible.
It must be me, but I have not had any glare or visibility issues with my gw9500. I do have the positive display version and I do have the japan version. Mine came from a Japanese vendor before it was available in the US. So I'm all in for the mudman.
Maybe the Japanese version is different. We need to do a side by side comparison.
Eligibility is fine with Mudman 9500, gotta have pretty bad eyes to complain. Alot clearer than my previous 5600 and older, which where still fine.
Love the mud man but I can’t justify buying another watch for sometime especially when my new WGWB1000 does most of the same things funny thing is I am finding that my AE1500 is more comfortable on my wrist then my new mud master also you can tell the time quicker at a glance
It’s funny that the $22 is more comfortable!
Hopefully aftermarket case mods become available with glass
That would be an inexpensive way to get sapphire!
That's why all my gshock aren't digital. I can see the timd in any angle in tbe analog models
True! A lot of people don’t realize this.
The strap (more specifically the strap pins) are the weak spot. I have 2 of the AE1500(s) and both had the watch fall off my wrist due to spring bars popping out... As a contractor the AE1500 would not last long in the trades.
True! That’s why I say if you wear a $22 Casio to work be ready to buy another one when it pops off your wrist.
Have u found any screen protectors that fit the 1500? Can u give us an update video.
2$ Ali Express.
how does your ae1500 display stands without any scratches.. I can't spot any
Just wait. It’s still new.
The main thing that makes a G-Shock, a G-Shock, is actually the module inside, which is encased with a rubber sleeve, so it takes the brunt of impacts
True! I don’t think the AE1500 has any shock protection like the GShock has. Is that a Ryobi in your profile pic?
I put bull bars on my AE1500
Genius move. 👍
May I know what casio bullbar that fit on AE-1500?
Thats interesting sir...Any video or picture link?
@@ThioHardy78 i have it home I’ll make a video whenever I make the drive back home and tag you
Like comparing apples to oranges, one's a entry level, and the other a top of the line, so of course one has much more features.
I just got a GW9500 and the visibility IS annoying. It's almost like they put the LCD backwards... What a mean is, if I hold my old GW9400 right in front of me (not on wrist) and turn it to the right the LCD gets clearer. If a turn it to the left, the digits almost disappear. On the GW9500 it's the exact opposite. I guess I could start wearing the GW9500 on my right arm...
I found your channel a few videos ago and digging it
Yea! It doesn’t make sense. There’s like a sweet spot to read the Mudman and it’s not straight on.
Great video, thank you 🙏
I know theyre pretty different but whoch would you choose? The ae1500 or the dw291 ?
I’d take the ae1500. The buttons on the dw291 are too easy to accidentally press.
@@JimKinkade I saw your comment about the springbars are they actually that bad?
I have that mud man got it the month it came out I had a gwg-1000 that somebody stole from me in Phoenix , I need reading glasses but I can see the time in the day . I wish I could take off the compass I think that’s the problem? I could be wrong but it’s my go to watch for now that is . And it’s always accurate thanks to it being automatically set every night, but I wish it was more clear as well.
As cool as the compass is, I think you’re right, it causes the visibility issues.
@@JimKinkade yeah me too lol and it’s not like we are Indiana Jones when will we ever use a compass?
It is a cool feature, but I would rather be able to see the time more clearly
i returned mine, and range man. ordered a mudmaster. still think my gbd-h1000 is a better option
The GDB-H1000 relies on the app. These are good options for stand alone usage.
Yea I want to like madman’s and mudmasters and all but they always get something really wrong on them with the display. I don’t know how this keeps happening I just get Ironmans cuz those I can actually read. But this cheap Casio might fit the bill for me Ironman display at night isn’t the best and kinda cheap
Yea. Another thing is that the numbers on the Ironman are big but also thin. I think the AE1500 is easier to read because the digits are thick. The AE1500 is cheaper too.
Yea they are thin. I’ve had this thing for like an hour and I like it so much I’m never getting rid of it. Lol way easier to read and more comfortable than my Ironman
And the indiglo on the timex doesn’t work all that great. I work a lot at night and this Casio is way better
Digital Protreks have large numbers
True. At 18:42 my ProTrek makes a cameo appearance.
@@JimKinkade yes, I commented before I got to that part in the video.
I thought most guys love legs. But it's links now.
Aw yea. Links are where it’s at.
I have that AE1500 and wouldn't have even looked at getting the GW9500 had it not been so damn cheaply made. The screen scratches easily and the bezel guard keeps popping off. I don't have those problems....
Wow just as I was writing this I hear you mention my previous comment 😆 I'm done 😂
I knew what you’d say. You’re the rain on the AE1500 parade.
@@JimKinkade it pays to watch the whole video before commenting 😳
shake the watches more. helps me puke