Casio is slowly killing one of their best features
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
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I read an article last year: the EL has a use life of 70 hours vs the LED of 3000 hours. Also the EL is powered by AC current which requires a converter to be added, which is also delicate. 👍
Correct, plus EL gets darker over time until it has reached its lifespan and gets completely dark whereas an LED is pretty much either working or not working, meaning, it keeps its maximum brightness for pretty much its full lifetime.
EL is one of my favorite features and I am enjoying my older 5610 with EL.
i hope casio uses a white or blue leds on all of their watches if they gonna stop using EL
I understand your point but the led bulb doesn't uniformly illuminate the dial. 😢😢
Let's say I use the EL for 3 seconds 10 times a night. It would still go for a long time according to your quoted limit of 70 hours
@@aniketsawant4266 I've never used up an EL light on one of my watches, including a Timex Weekender that I've had for over ten years.
As a few have pointed out here, while EL offers a perfectly uniform backlight, it also lowers the contrast of the display in daylight, which is decidedly *not* a good thing. Shortly after buying my first G-Shock late last year, a GW-7900-1CR, I reflexively bought a second G-Shock (I was warned that might happen), a Rangeman GW-9400, which I ended up preferring for several reasons, one of them being the display, which was LED backlit, and noticeably crisper than the 7900. Topping things off, the LED backlighting was reasonably even and highly legible.
The *best* use-case for EL backlighting is in a Casio next to no one seems to talk about: the Tonneau-shaped Edifice EFA120D-1AV, which is about the only hybrid ana-digi watch I actually like, with the entire dial essentially a negative EL display fronted with analog hour and minute hands. Since the dial doesn't overpower the hands during the day (a rare advantageof a negativedisplay), the watch is highly readable during the day, but the digital info is there when you need it, and the EL function works well in the dark.
While I agree the EL backlight looks cooler, if we are talking about the difference of 2 years vs 5 years battery life, it’s no contest. I’m also a fan of the orange LED light used in models like the AE-1200 that gives a kinda of tactical glow at night without being too bright.
I have had several EL backlit G-Shocks through the years, and recently got a 5610U with an LED. EL is much easier on the eyes at 3:30 in the morning than the LEDs are! The LEDs are so bright!
It is. It is really Pleasing to the Eyes.
Agreed. The EL is just a nice light that's very easy on the eyes. My new DW5000R has a pretty purpleish LED backlight but man, it's bright enough to make you squint when you're eyes are adjusted to the dark and you blast that thing.
I have the og dw6600 from 1994, and the el still works for me.
The resin case / strap will give up before the EL backlight does.. guaranteed
@tailsneon556 yep, i replaced the case and strap. I was so surprised they were still available after over 2 decades.
@@joejh42 We talking about Casio i am not surprised there are still aftermarket parts available
EL backlit watches have a shorter battery life, but that's because we press the light button more often to see its beautiful glow...
My Casio PAG 40 which is 25 years old has been great with its EL and it’s one of the best EL backlights that Casio has ever produced.
I just got my first a168! I always liked the a158 from what I saw, and it being thinner. The a168 is different to me in person. It's a 20 dollar watch with a million dollar design! The light is great.
Can't stop wearing it despite having more expensive watches. Loving the watch!
I call BS on Casio about the life of an Illuminator light... I have a 24 year old F-105 I bought in 2001, the light still works perfect.
HAHAHAHAHA you must be joking or be really bad at math.
You don't use the light 24/7, let's say you use it 3 seconds every day for 24 years. That's a total of 6 HOURS!
So of course it still works
You must be fun at parties
@@maxemerick8107 He's bad, but using that tired insult makes you worse.
I don't mind a LED backlight for the amount they get used, I just wish they were mounted either on the top or bottom. On the side just looks off, like an afterthought.
You should have your pseudo-OCD checked out.
@AutieTortieThey are 100% correct though. The light from the side instantly turns me off the watch.
@AutieTortie Wanting good design isn't OCD.
OCD is a debilitating mental disorder that's very difficult to live with. It's not comparable to being mildly annoyed with poor design choices.
@AutieTortiesir, we’re talking about watches
I hope they keep offering both!
I agree with you that the EL light is both functionally & aesthetically more pleasing as a light. I have Casio's from last century with EL that are still fine. Lots of enthusiasts will likely never wear out either light and don't mind either changing batteries themselves or going to their watch maker to do the battery (who doesn't like going to their local watch shop?). But I can see that if you want a Casio because it is cheap & reliable, then an LED wins hands down & I suspect that a lot of their cheaper watches are sold to just these sort of people as their only watch.
Of course the battery question will be sorted by the solar models which are becoming more common.
Great video for someone like me as a casual Casio enthusiast who doesn't hang out in forums.
For short, LED is better than EL because:
- Better lifespan
- More efficient battery use
- Easier to service or replace if broken / doesn't work
- Cheaper
I honestly respect the nostalgic EL lovers but the jump to LED feels like the jump from mechanical to quartz. Yeah, less cool; but better in every way.
I ordered a DW-5600E from Amazon last year, and what I received was was a 5600UE led in the 5600E packaging. I don’t mind the led and if it extends the battery life all the better. I still love my A168 electroluminescent though.
E.L. definitely looks cool but, the new orange L.E.D. is just fine for visibility. I have a couple of current gen Casio's with the orange and, it works. I'm satisfied with it.
Agreed. The orange LED actually looks pretty cool too
The first square I bought 30 years ago had an incandescent side light, which lights up the dial similar to the F-91W.
That was when Timex Ironman with Indiglo was somewhat a viable alternatve in the night time visibility. Also, that was when DW-6900 (or its then counterpart) with EL backlight was quite new. It took me long time to decide which one to buy because back then, EL backlight's "short life" was expressed in the manual and package of almost all watches equipped with it to make the user to be aware of it. They were also priced similarly while DW-6900 was slightly more expensive.
A good option is getting one of the square G-Shock GLX5600 G-Lide's. They are basically a square 5600 with the added features of tide, moonphase, world time, and of course, EL backlight. They also come in a variety of colors, and i think it has a sturdyer strap than other similar models. And with a 7 year battery life!!!. Talking about EL and battery longevity.
best comment
The newer ice white led is very legible and bright but I'm still all for the EL backlight over any
Real problem lately is the screen. It's not as sharp and black is sort of gray depending on the angle, in comparison with older models.
MIP is the way to go now...............
To my knowledge the EL layer dims the contrast a little bit. Apparently, non-EL displays look more clear.
@@larx4074mip?
On Amazon I ordered the EL Casio G-Shock DW5600E-1V & got the newer LED version instead. The LED version was listed as more expensive
I definately prefer el backlight over led one. However, I must say the newly released undefeated collab, where the screen is greenish and turning the led on brights it in red colour, is pretty cool. I wouod love to see more colours being utilized with led technology. The ice blue reminds me the screen of my washing mashine, which sets me off 😂. Great videa, as always. Thank you!
Function over form. I'll take the LED for reliability.
Pretty good insight, I do like the EL backlight but the new improvements to the LED lights are really good.
Def prefer EL. I hope they don't stop using it.
Much prefer the Led...sorry😅. Own both GWM5610 and U version....and the LED is brighter and last 3 seconds.
I agree, when camping and you wake up in pitch black, a very bright backlight is difficult to see properly.
I think the LED on the W-59 is totally adequate. It also use much less battery power than the EL, but the EL looks so good, it is a shame that they decide to discontinue this.
The EL backlight is beautiful. Thank you for sharing all your Casio knowledge! (And very cool that you live in Japan.)
I rarely use the backlight, but I love the look of the electroluminescent when I do use it.
I too have noticed this. I recently sourced a preowned 5610 with the older module so as to have the el over the led. I love it. I hope they become ever so more collectible.
LED are superior and I think you missed the reason why. How they look when you're not using the backlight. The display on the LED models is much more crisp, legible, and easier to read at multiple angles. And it's not just the new LED models. This has always been the case and is the main trade-off with the EL displays. For the very small lifetime of the watch where you're going to use the backlight sure, the EL is better. But you are going to have a better experience overall with the LED models.
I personally prefer the new LED backlights.
same, El is cool but not as functional, and uses more energy
Totally agree with you. I hate LED backlights because the illumination is unequal and very cheap looking. Don't cheapen yourself like this, Casio. What a stupid decision.
There is already the DW5600E version with LED, the DW5600EU.
I have one of each. The EL display is more even, but the single white LED is also very good. But since we now know that the EL film can degrade over time, I wonder if those watches can be retrofitted with a white LED when the time comes.
I love my A158 I wear it everyday. I find the led really useful in dark conditions
I of course like the EL, but I also understand why Casio is moving to LED. This is why I have a SKXMOD all metal version of an A168 and a F105 and plan on buying about another half a dozen modules that go into the those watches. Thanks Dave!
LED is more efficient, less power consuming, it last much longer than electroluminescence.
Timex has had this with their indigo for decades. Get yourself an ironman instead.
Yeah, Timex isn't giving up on EL anytime soon. Indiglo is a part of their brand identity.
Until this video, I didn't even realize my GBX100 has an LED! The white one you showed. I have to say, it looks so good that I thought it was EL. But watching this, I checked it and can see the LEDs. 😅 Idk how that got past me, probably because it's a newer model and I tend to stick to classics. But I love a long battery life... but i like EL...
I prefer the EL but I have the 5610 which is LED. It works well enough.
Picked up the gw-5000u from the post office this morning, fookin class 😎
I would love a red led, it's by far the easiest on the eyes at night, green or white leds are terrible if you wake up often at night and just need a quick glance at the time.
Red light and even the amber light like on the Royale are great. This is what they should use. A red light doesn't "wake you up" when you check the time half asleep.
Red would be fantastic. It's the most tactical, and easy for the eyes. I've never seen a Casio with red LEDs. Even tho, my GW-B5600 has a little red LED, used only for reminders, which can be set on only via the phone app.
Not to my eyes. With night adapted eyes I can't focus red. Never had that problem with green.
I'm in Japan right now looking forward to buy some JDM fox fire. The sales guy told me that they were discontinued a year ago because of this running change.
I don't agree with you on this one. A well implemented LED light is better than EL, both for the display and battery durability.
The LED on the GAB 2100 perfectly illuminates the already impossible to read digital part of the watch, while letting you see the analog hands just good enough…if the hands had better lume, it’d be the best of both worlds…Timex indiglo probably does it all better, all things being equal.
Thanks Dave, feel the same as you. Prefer the EL on my GW-56BB with solar, but am about to order the brandnew GD010 with a white LED. Seems we have to stay open-minded to new things (which gets harder with age) 😉 Cheers from Bremen/Germany 🧡
Timex has an EL option on some watches and I love it. So much easier to read.
In my experience, the watches with el are a bit worse to read in the daytime when it comes to viewing angles.
But maybe that's just me. I do also prefer the cleaner illumination of the (modern) led backlights.
Agreed. My A168 and F105 are both far less sharp than some of the others that do not have EL.
LED is better. I've had so many TIMEX watches' EL die on me. I bought Casio specifically because the LED lasts so long.
I like the EL-backlight but it's not a deal breaker. I agree the white LED is on the bright side although it does a good job for me. I'm a big fan of the amber colored light though, as in the AE-1200 where two LED:s lights up the bottom corners and gives a more even background. Eventhough the EL might look better, if the LED keeps the power consumption down AND has a longer life span, then it's a no brainer for me to choose the later.
Both my square MR-G and my Casiotron have perfectly even, white LED lighting and look great.
My favorite DW-291H with two orange LED are pretty good.
As a long-term owner of a classic DW5600E-1V I prefer the EL backlight, too over the LED.
100% won't buy a Casio without electroluminescence! After 40 years of Casio it's Bye Bye Casio for me!
Awesome video! Love this kind of watch talk. Who would have ever thought your EL DW5600 would become a discontinued collectable 😂
If LED uses less power and costs less to produce.. why not include more?
Some models do have two LEDs, one each side.
My 5600 from boot camp is on the the second battery from 9 years ago. I used the hell out of the backlight too.
I think they'll phase out electroluminescent (EL) backlights and then do a few high-end "retro" specials with EL backlights for big money. Pick them up while you can.
What I always wanted from Casio was the A168 but with a stainless case and solid-link bracelet.
Hopefully it would also be made with the accuracy of the Marlins from the early '80s.
I just do not understand why Casio (and others no doubt) cannot, or will, not produce digital watches with the accuracy of those they made 40 years ago.
I wonder why late model dont have Illuminator at all, it’s give beautiful illumination…
Better than just light up 😮
I’ve seen this going on for a few years now.
I’ve had the same Casio daily for about 15 years. SGW100. Still one of the best watches I have.
EL light is still strong! I’d say like new and it’s used all the time.
I see no reason to change.
EL lights are cooler.
Come on Casio!!!!
Casio launched mother of pearl dial for MTP1302PSC-7A. This is very likely to be discontinued as it is not easy to make pearl dial. MTP1302PSC-7A
I have a casio with a super illuminator. Great for everything except reading it in complete darkness while half asleep. It is quite blinding. Meanwhile a lovely EL backlit Casio gently informs you if the current time.
You know what Casio product that I wish came back? The Casio shirt/sweatshirt that was in your shop :(
Anadigi can be excellent illuminated by LED, check B2100.
岩手にお住いなんですね。畳と襖が落ち着いた雰囲気で素敵です。
The A168 and W94 were already on my list; all the more reason to pick them up soon! Domo, domo, Dave!
This is something I didn't know I needed to keep an eye out for on my upcoming G-Shock purchase. I much prefer EL. The LED versions I have tend to look pretty bad when I need them most.
Prior to purchase, I made very sure my latest G-Shock, had EL. There was no compromise as far as I am concerned. Let's be honest, it's simply cooler.
I firmly believe that back peddling from EL back lights is not a good call. The iconic EL blue glow is too good to drop :/ 🤔 ⌚️ 🔦
One other reason for dropping EL, or so I thought, was legibility. EL digi displays tend to be fainter than LED with reduced clear viewing angles.
Thanks for the info, brotherman Dave. My A-168 was my go-to daily watch so many years and I had gone with it specifically for the EL when I was on nightshift for years. I don’t need a flashlight on my wrist - the cool but full color temp is more than enough to see everything in a tenth of a second without shocking my optics in the dark with too many lumens. I was sad when the A-1000 and ABL-100WE favored the LED (you can plug and play the A-168 internals into the ABL-100WE pretty easily though).
I wonder if there’s a way to deep-store some fresh A-168s so that the screen won’t degrade as quickly to stock up for a few replacements in my lifetime should they go away completely.
True. The EL is better in terms of aesthetics. LED is probably cheaper. Video could have been a tad shorter since you're saying basically you love the EL an not the LED. Hope Casio listens.
I got my 5610 Tough Solar with EL right before they started switching them to LED. But I kinda see them resurfacing now. Unless they're using old stock photos with the EL marking on them
LED's make sense for non-rechargeable modules. The case gets a lot weaker for premium offerings with solar charging. I've owned two GW-5000's, the original with EL and the updated U model with LED. Battery life on the EL version was a non-issue; over two years of regular wrist time it never once fell below full charge. The newer module is an improvement in many ways, but the LED, well implemented though it is, just can't match the EL's charm. If Casio had only left that feature alone on the U module they'd have produced a perfect square G, but such is life.
I prefer the EL in use. But I think they have to add a little thickness to the case to accommodate EL vs LED, which can be a negative for me
Great comparison - But as for me , bring on the LEDs! The power consumption is a noticeable improvement and I'm much more willing to use features like flash alert which flash the backlight for alarms and chimes. I also find that the EL backlight watches have an additional layer over the LCD and the LED watches seem to lack that, making their displays clearer and crisper in general. So I'm willing to take a less appealing backlight for better readability and feature usability.
I prefer the LED when it's mounted correctly
Question, anyone know if there's a list of discontinued Casio watches ? Or a list of next to be discontinued also?
I wouldn't complain too much, the LED option is much better than the lighting used in digital watches from the 70s.
It’s like the graphic pie slices that switch on and off as the seconds tick down. Back in the day the slices were tiny. Now when they rerelease some of these watches with these graphics the slices are huge and clumsy and not as elegant as they were on the tri graph watches.
How many of you used your iluminator as a flashlight back in the day? Rad.
I've also noticed their latest releases are using the slanted font/numbers and dot matrix date. I find it's harder to read. The old style was perfect.
Sometimes the LED on the GA100 or GA110 does not line up with the aperture on the dial. No measly light at all on the hands.
Is the Casio EL same as Timex Indigo feature?
I believe I'm not only one who loves G-shock because of it's oldschoolness, so for me EL-backlight gives more retro vibes. LED is practical but not so beautiful
I definitely prefer EL backlighting. That said, if Casio is going to improve LED backlights to make them more attractive and efficient, it isn't a deal breaker.
I really don't mind the switch to the LED backlight. If it's truly less power-hungry and longer-lasting, it's a straight upgrade. As long as they use the icy blue LEDs and not those ugly orange ones... and bring back the W86 with an LED instead of just not making it entirely.
When a company has a near monopoly it knows it can improve profits by compromising quality.
I thought I liked EL best until I met LED, whiter, brighter, could be used as a dim flashlight in a pinch.
EL is the best and Casio is Screwing the pooch.
99% od buyers don't give a damn if it's EL or LED. If it's 1 cent cheaper to make, it would be super effective for their business
I bought the F-105 to see whether I could wear a digital watch. It's basic, very basic, but the light is sweet. I don't understand why so many people prefer the F-91W, besides the colour options and the icon of a basic colour option. But still, there are so many more ones that are better...
This is why I bought 2 dw6900 watches with 3230 module last year.
Wow the EL looks much better than the new LED they are doing.
EL is so much richer and easier on the eyes
its a shame tbh. timex and their indiglo might be the only ones left with watches with a cool blue light. i have noticed a technology they have with some LED backlights, where the normally positive display becomes negative when the LED is used, thus preventing the issue of the LED being too bright.
The modern LEDS are fine though. My A700 has a lovely orange glow that illuminates the whole dial. No Electroluminescence necessary. Casio should go with the orange rather than the more blinding white one.
Have to agree with you. I have several Casios, and the LED backlighting on my Gulfmaster is very bright but looks awful compared to the EL on my square G.