atomic solar watches
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: @ the beach, NC
Posts: 609
Bikes: Surly Cross Check, Thorn Sherpa
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
atomic solar watches
JUst curious if anyone has used Atomic Solar watches while on an extended tour. I'm looking for a new watch and overstock has some good deals on these. From what I've read, they work within the US and Western Europe, but have not heard anything else.
And speaking of good deals, I just picked up a new (out of the box) set of Ortlieb Front Roller Classics for $40 @ the REI store in Raleigh. Yay for me.
And speaking of good deals, I just picked up a new (out of the box) set of Ortlieb Front Roller Classics for $40 @ the REI store in Raleigh. Yay for me.
![Big Grin](https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: @ the beach, NC
Posts: 609
Bikes: Surly Cross Check, Thorn Sherpa
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bikepacker67
Why in the world would you need something so precise while on tour?
Part of the reason for being on tour (for me) is to throw schedules and deadlines out the window.
Part of the reason for being on tour (for me) is to throw schedules and deadlines out the window.
![Embarrassment](https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/redface.gif)
![Smilie](https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/smile.gif)
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Houston, TX 77095
Posts: 1,470
Bikes: Specialized Sequoia Elite, Schwinn Frontier FS MTB, Centurion LeMans (1986)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If you carry a radio on tour, get a little one that has shortwave... like the little Grundig radios. If you listen in to WWV at 5, 10, 15, or 20 MHz, you get the exact world time, you can keep your watch set to the exact second.
The "atomic" watches rely on a sister station to WWV called WWVB, it's longwave, not shortwave, and I don't think it reaches out past North America.
But why? Having an accurate watch doesn't make you on time for appointments or allow you to meet deadline. Being organized does. Take a time management course.
The "atomic" watches rely on a sister station to WWV called WWVB, it's longwave, not shortwave, and I don't think it reaches out past North America.
But why? Having an accurate watch doesn't make you on time for appointments or allow you to meet deadline. Being organized does. Take a time management course.
#6
Different countries transmit time code signals at different frequencies and with different formats. If you plan to tour worldwide, you may have trouble syncing to a time signal in many places. The watch also needs to be able to be set for the time zone you are in. A watch made for use in the US may not be settable for a European time zone.
If you are touring in the US or Europe, you should have little trouble so long as you buy a watch designed for the region. I have a Casio solar powered watch that sets itself using the signals in the US. It works fine.
If you are touring in the US or Europe, you should have little trouble so long as you buy a watch designed for the region. I have a Casio solar powered watch that sets itself using the signals in the US. It works fine.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Leandro
Posts: 2,900
Bikes: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Basso Loto, Pinarello Stelvio, Redline Cyclocross
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
The Casio watch can only set itself when WWV is available between 12 and 4 am local time I believe.
Most of the world isn't covered by WWV.
I have one and will never have another watch. You have to be careful in the winter to make sure that it gets enough sunlight. Also you have to make sure that the "look light" isn't turned on since if you wear this in the night and move your arm around alot the backlight keeps turning on and runs the power down significantly and then the display blanks until you charge it up again.
Too bad they didn't make it so that it used GPS time signals. Those are available worldwide.
Most of the world isn't covered by WWV.
I have one and will never have another watch. You have to be careful in the winter to make sure that it gets enough sunlight. Also you have to make sure that the "look light" isn't turned on since if you wear this in the night and move your arm around alot the backlight keeps turning on and runs the power down significantly and then the display blanks until you charge it up again.
Too bad they didn't make it so that it used GPS time signals. Those are available worldwide.
#10
A friends of mine gave me a solar casio g-shock and I really like it. It's well built, keeps good time, and is comfortable. I did some searching online re: the atomic solar g-shock variety and read the solar charging system doesn't work that well. Though that probably applies to my watch as well, I haven't had any problems with it since I've had it (only a few months).
#11
BF Risk Manager
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Snohomish County, Washington USA
Posts: 906
Bikes: Road, mountain and folding
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I have one of the CASIO atomic solar G-shock watches that I got for $ 40 USD at my local Costco. The ruggedness, accuracy and no maintenance required are my favorite features. Really a nice watch, and since I also have several atomic clocks in the house, I like the precision timekeeping, which, although, of no practical purpose, fits my personality.
#12
Banned.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 4,761
Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I don't like atomic watch's; if you crash and break the watch it may either espose you to radiation, or ignite you into a mushroom cloud.
But seriously, are you taking a cell phone? T-Mobile works in a a lot of countries that others don't and that will give you accurate time for whatever time zone your in. Actually my T-Mobile had better reception in Iraq then I do here in Indiana!!!!
But seriously, are you taking a cell phone? T-Mobile works in a a lot of countries that others don't and that will give you accurate time for whatever time zone your in. Actually my T-Mobile had better reception in Iraq then I do here in Indiana!!!!
#13
GATC
Originally Posted by MillCreek
I have one of the CASIO atomic solar G-shock watches that I got for $ 40 USD at my local Costco. The ruggedness, accuracy and no maintenance required are my favorite features. Really a nice watch, and since I also have several atomic clocks in the house, I like the precision timekeeping, which, although, of no practical purpose, fits my personality.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: @ the beach, NC
Posts: 609
Bikes: Surly Cross Check, Thorn Sherpa
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by froze
I don't like atomic watch's; if you crash and break the watch it may either espose you to radiation, or ignite you into a mushroom cloud.
But seriously, are you taking a cell phone? T-Mobile works in a a lot of countries that others don't and that will give you accurate time for whatever time zone your in. Actually my T-Mobile had better reception in Iraq then I do here in Indiana!!!!
But seriously, are you taking a cell phone? T-Mobile works in a a lot of countries that others don't and that will give you accurate time for whatever time zone your in. Actually my T-Mobile had better reception in Iraq then I do here in Indiana!!!!
Thanks for the imput. And like I said before, I like having a watch and need a new one, just trying to figure out which one and was wondering about the atomic ones while outside of the US and Western Europe.
#15
Originally Posted by hopperja
A friends of mine gave me a solar casio g-shock and I really like it. It's well built, keeps good time, and is comfortable. I did some searching online re: the atomic solar g-shock variety and read the solar charging system doesn't work that well. Though that probably applies to my watch as well, I haven't had any problems with it since I've had it (only a few months).
![Wink](https://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/wink.gif)
#16
Originally Posted by cyclintom
The Casio watch can only set itself when WWV is available between 12 and 4 am local time I believe.
Most of the world isn't covered by WWV.
I have one and will never have another watch. You have to be careful in the winter to make sure that it gets enough sunlight. Also you have to make sure that the "look light" isn't turned on since if you wear this in the night and move your arm around alot the backlight keeps turning on and runs the power down significantly and then the display blanks until you charge it up again.
Too bad they didn't make it so that it used GPS time signals. Those are available worldwide.
Most of the world isn't covered by WWV.
I have one and will never have another watch. You have to be careful in the winter to make sure that it gets enough sunlight. Also you have to make sure that the "look light" isn't turned on since if you wear this in the night and move your arm around alot the backlight keeps turning on and runs the power down significantly and then the display blanks until you charge it up again.
Too bad they didn't make it so that it used GPS time signals. Those are available worldwide.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Leandro
Posts: 2,900
Bikes: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Basso Loto, Pinarello Stelvio, Redline Cyclocross
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
It charges fine. But you have to put it into direct sunlight every couple of months. The solar cell is TINY and requires direct sunlight to put a full charge into the battery. However you only need it in direct sunlight - say like on your wrist while you're riding your bike - for about an hour.
When the cell charge gets low enough the display shuts down though it continues to keep time. Putting it into sunlight long enough to put a charge back in the battery will bring it back to life with no loss of time.
Great watch though the display and the number of buttons (5) and a gazillion modes certainly were a bad idea.
When the cell charge gets low enough the display shuts down though it continues to keep time. Putting it into sunlight long enough to put a charge back in the battery will bring it back to life with no loss of time.
Great watch though the display and the number of buttons (5) and a gazillion modes certainly were a bad idea.
#18
Banned.
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 4,761
Bikes: 84 Trek 660 Suntour Superbe; 87 Giant Rincon Shimano XT; 07 Mercian Vincitore Campy Veloce
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by eric von zipper
No, not taking a phone. Is the T-moble phone a global one? Do you have a link? I'm planning a trip, year or longer, starting in Western Europe and plan on heading East. India, SE Asia are in the plans and from there I'm not sure where. Depends on the money.
Thanks for the imput. And like I said before, I like having a watch and need a new one, just trying to figure out which one and was wondering about the atomic ones while outside of the US and Western Europe.
Thanks for the imput. And like I said before, I like having a watch and need a new one, just trying to figure out which one and was wondering about the atomic ones while outside of the US and Western Europe.
There are a couple of different sim cards that are NOT T-Mobile sim cards but work in their phones that you can get depending on your needs like PrePaid sim cards and Roaming sim cards which are best for someone going to several countries on one visit; see: https://www.telestial.com/sim_cards.php
If your solder let me know I can clue into several different plans that will keep you cost down to nothing most of the time.
#19
I'm made of earth!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 2,025
Bikes: KTM Macina 5 e-bike, Babboe Curve-E cargobike, Raleigh Aspen touring/off-road hybrid.
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know about the model the OP asked about, but I do have a solar watch by casio. The one with a thermometer, compass, altimeter and all the bells and whistles. It's great, never runs out of power.
#20
Formerly Known as Newbie
Originally Posted by cyclintom
Too bad they didn't make it so that it used GPS time signals. Those are available worldwide.
--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: San Leandro
Posts: 2,900
Bikes: Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Basso Loto, Pinarello Stelvio, Redline Cyclocross
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by eubi
Sun up? Ride
Hungry? Eat
Sun down? Sleep.
Hungry? Eat
Sun down? Sleep.