G-Shock & Pro Trek / The rankings
The best G-Shock with a compass: five triple-sensor models, ranked on Casio's own accuracy figures
Casio publishes the compass accuracy, pressure accuracy and altitude range for every sensor module. Here they are, with the power system and case that decide which one you will still be wearing in ten years.
By Mike M.Updated Spec-sheet researched, not worn by us
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Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 Compass within ±10°, pressure within ±3 hPa, altitude to 10,000 m, bearing memory, 40 records, solar, atomic. Casio's own figures. | Best G-Shock with compass overallSolar, no charger | 8.7 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 2 | G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000 Same sensor accuracy figures with a sapphire crystal and forged carbon. Double LED for reading the compass at night. | Best with sapphireSolar, no charger | 8.7 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 3 | G-Shock Mudman GW-9500 The duplex LCD draws a compass pointer over the digits; same accuracy, thinner case. | Best compass displaySolar, no charger | 8.2 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 4 | G-Shock Mudmaster GG-B100 Quad sensor plus step counter and Bluetooth; coin cell, mineral crystal. | Best with phone loggingReplaceable cell | 7.5 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 5 | G-Shock Rangeman GPR-H1000 Compass, barometer and thermometer plus multi-band GNSS and heart rate; days of battery, not months. | Best with GPS behind the compassRechargeable GPS | 6.9 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
#ad · Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Scores are ours, built from the makers' manuals, battery tables and spec pages, not field tests. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
Casio's accuracy figures
Every figure below is from the operation guide for the module, linked on each product card.
| Watch (module) | Compass | Pressure | Altitude range | Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rangeman GW-9400 (3410) | Within ±10°; 16 directions; 0–359° | Within ±3 hPa; 260–1,100 hPa | -700 to 10,000 m | -10 to 60°C, ±2°C |
| Mudmaster GWG-2000 (5678) | Within ±10°; 16 directions | Within ±3 hPa | Altimeter with 30-record memory | Within ±2°C |
| Mudman GW-9500 (3553) | 0–359° | 260–1,100 hPa | -700 to 10,000 m | -10 to 60°C |
| Mudmaster GG-B100 (5594) | Compass (quad sensor) | Altimeter/barometer | Per G-Central spec sheet | Thermometer |
| Rangeman GPR-H1000 (3554) | Compass | Barometric pressure sensor | GPS-assisted | Temperature sensor |
Casio also states that direction accuracy is guaranteed only within 10°C to 40°C on the PRW-61 and GWG-2000 guides we read, and that strong impact and temperature extremes lessen precision. That is the honest fine print: a wrist compass is for a bearing to walk, not a survey.
Using the compass: calibration and declination
Casio's guides describe a two-point calibration and a magnetic declination correction on the sensor modules. Do both: calibrate after any magnet exposure (a phone case, a truck door) and set declination for your area so the bearing matches the map. Bearing memory on the GW-9400 lets you store a heading and follow it; the duplex LCD on the GW-9500 draws the pointer over the digits so you can read it without switching modes. The ABC watch explainer walks through the procedure.
Altimeter and barometer: one sensor, two readings
The pressure sensor gives you altitude when you tell it the weather is stable and weather when you tell it the altitude is fixed. Casio's guides list a reference-altitude setting for exactly this: set it at a known elevation and the altimeter reads true until the pressure changes. The barometer graph (readings every two hours on the GW-9400) is the weather side. Both are on every triple-sensor model here.
Solar or coin cell behind the sensors
Sensors cost power. Casio's operating-time figures assume 20 compass operations a month and one climb; use them more and a coin-cell watch shortens its two years, while a solar watch simply recharges. That is why the three Tough Solar models lead this list and the GG-B100 sits fourth with the same sensors on a CR2025. The GPR-H1000's rechargeable cell is a different category, covered on G-Shock with GPS.
The mistake buyers make
Trusting the compass without setting declination, then blaming the watch when the bearing is 15° off the map. Casio's guides list the correction; use it. And treating the altimeter as absolute: without a reference altitude, it is a barometer wearing an altitude costume.
The decade pick
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 1
Stock photoBest G-Shock with compass overall
G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400
Compass within ±10°, pressure within ±3 hPa, altitude to 10,000 m, bearing memory, 40 records, solar, atomic. Casio's own figures.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Power class | Solar, no charger. A solar cell that recharges from any light and never meets a charger. The rechargeable cell is a watchmaker-replaceable part. |
|---|---|
| Battery (cell) | Approximately 8 months from full charge to Level 4 with no light (Casio's stated usage conditions) |
| Power | Solar panel and one rechargeable battery (Tough Solar) |
| Glass | Mineral crystal |
| Water rating | 200 meters |
| Sensors | Digital compass, barometer, altimeter, thermometer; sunrise/sunset; Multi-Band 6 time calibration (WWVB, DCF77, MSF, JJY, BPC) |
| Weight | 93 g |
| Size | 55.2 × 53.5 × 18.2 mm |
| Operating temp | Low-temperature resistance -10°C (14°F) |
How the 8.7 score breaks down
- Battery & power independence (25%)
- 10
- Durability of materials (25%)
- 7
- Serviceability & lifespan (20%)
- 10
- Field usability (15%)
- 7
- Value per decade (10%)
- 10
- Mission fit (5%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Solar and atomic: it sets itself from a radio signal and never sees a cable.
- A module that has been in production for over a decade; parts, straps and bezels are everywhere.
- Sunrise/sunset on the watch, the one hunting feature the Garmin Instinct does without a phone.
Where it falls short
- Mineral crystal, not sapphire; the Rangeman lives behind a raised bezel for a reason.
- No GPS, no maps, no heart rate. It tells you where north is, not where you are.
- Big and thick at 18.2 mm.
Skip this if…
…you want a track of where you walked; an ABC watch measures the world, it does not map it.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400
Rank 2
Stock photoBest with sapphire
G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000
Same sensor accuracy figures with a sapphire crystal and forged carbon. Double LED for reading the compass at night.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Power class | Solar, no charger. A solar cell that recharges from any light and never meets a charger. The rechargeable cell is a watchmaker-replaceable part. |
|---|---|
| Battery (cell) | Approximately 6 months with no light (Casio's stated usage conditions) |
| Power | Solar panel and one rechargeable battery |
| Glass | Sapphire with anti-glare coating |
| Bezel & case | Carbon Core Guard case; forged carbon, resin and stainless steel bezel |
| Water rating | 200 meters; shock resistant; mud resistant |
| Sensors | Digital compass, altimeter, barometer, thermometer; radio time calibration (JJY, WWVB, MSF, DCF77, BPC) |
| Weight | 106 g |
| Size | 61.2 × 54.4 × 16.1 mm |
How the 8.7 score breaks down
- Battery & power independence (25%)
- 9
- Durability of materials (25%)
- 10
- Serviceability & lifespan (20%)
- 9
- Field usability (15%)
- 7
- Value per decade (10%)
- 7
- Mission fit (5%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Sapphire on a G-Shock: the glass that stops the usual first failure.
- Forged carbon bezel and a carbon monocoque case.
- Solar and atomic like the Rangeman.
Where it falls short
- At 106 g and 61 mm wide it is the heaviest watch on this site.
- Analog-digital display: harder to read at a glance than a pure digital.
Skip this if…
…you have a small wrist or wear a cuff over your watch.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to G-Shock Mudmaster GWG-2000
Rank 3
Stock photoBest compass display
G-Shock Mudman GW-9500
The duplex LCD draws a compass pointer over the digits; same accuracy, thinner case.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Power class | Solar, no charger. A solar cell that recharges from any light and never meets a charger. The rechargeable cell is a watchmaker-replaceable part. |
|---|---|
| Battery (cell) | Approximately 6 months with no light (Casio's stated usage conditions) |
| Power | Solar panel and one rechargeable battery |
| Glass | Mineral |
| Bezel & case | Carbon, resin and bio-based resin |
| Water rating | 200 meters; shock resistant; mud resistant |
| Sensors | Digital compass, altimeter, barometer, thermometer; sunrise/sunset times |
| Weight | 81 g |
| Size | 56.7 × 52.7 × 14.8 mm |
How the 8.2 score breaks down
- Battery & power independence (25%)
- 9
- Durability of materials (25%)
- 7
- Serviceability & lifespan (20%)
- 9
- Field usability (15%)
- 7
- Value per decade (10%)
- 9
- Mission fit (5%)
- 9
What the spec sheet supports
- 3.4 mm thinner and 12 g lighter than the Rangeman GW-9400 by the published figures.
- Mud-resistant buttons and a carbon-reinforced case.
- Sunrise/sunset and a barometer graph for reading weather in a stand.
Where it falls short
- Six months of stated dark-running versus the Rangeman's eight.
- Mineral crystal.
Skip this if…
…you want the longest-proven G-Shock module; the Rangeman has a decade more history behind it.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to G-Shock Mudman GW-9500
Rank 4
Stock photoBest with phone logging
G-Shock Mudmaster GG-B100
Quad sensor plus step counter and Bluetooth; coin cell, mineral crystal.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Power class | Replaceable cell. A replaceable coin cell measured in years. No charging, no electronics to update, and the cheapest thing on the watch to service. |
|---|---|
| Battery (cell) | CR2025, approx. 2 years |
| Glass | Mineral (spherical) |
| Bezel & case | Carbon Core Guard structure; carbon and resin |
| Water rating | 200 meters; shock resistant; mud resistant |
| Sensors | Quad sensor: compass, altimeter/barometer, thermometer, step counter; Bluetooth Mobile Link |
| Weight | 92 g |
| Size | 55.4 × 51.3 × 19.4 mm |
How the 7.5 score breaks down
- Battery & power independence (25%)
- 7
- Durability of materials (25%)
- 7
- Serviceability & lifespan (20%)
- 9
- Field usability (15%)
- 7
- Value per decade (10%)
- 8
- Mission fit (5%)
- 7
What the spec sheet supports
- A coin cell any watchmaker can swap; nothing to charge and nothing to update.
- Phone sync sets the time and pulls sensor logs into the app.
Where it falls short
- No solar and no radio time; the phone does the time-setting instead.
- 19.4 mm thick.
Skip this if…
…you never want a phone involved; the Rangeman sets itself from the air.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to G-Shock Mudmaster GG-B100
Rank 5
Stock photoBest with GPS behind the compass
G-Shock Rangeman GPR-H1000
Compass, barometer and thermometer plus multi-band GNSS and heart rate; days of battery, not months.
EvidenceResearched · not worn by us
| Power class | Rechargeable GPS. A rechargeable lithium cell charged from a cable. Days to a few weeks per charge; the cell ages with every cycle. |
|---|---|
| Battery (smartwatch) | About 14 days with heart rate and sleep monitoring worn during sleep; about 2 months with heart rate monitoring off |
| Battery (GPS) | Running/walking/trekking: about 14 hours (HIGH GPS), 16 hours (NORMAL), 19 hours (LONG) |
| Power | Lithium-ion battery; wired USB charging with solar-assisted charging |
| Glass | Mineral |
| Water rating | 200 meters; shock resistant; mud resistant |
| Display | MIP LCD |
| Maps & GPS | GPS, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou, GLONASS on L1/L5 |
| Sensors | Heart rate (30-220 bpm), accelerometer, barometric pressure, temperature |
| Weight | 92 g |
| Size | 60.6 × 53.2 × 20.3 mm |
How the 6.9 score breaks down
- Battery & power independence (25%)
- 6
- Durability of materials (25%)
- 7
- Serviceability & lifespan (20%)
- 7
- Field usability (15%)
- 8
- Value per decade (10%)
- 6
- Mission fit (5%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Dual-frequency GNSS in a G-Shock case with 200 m and mud resistance.
- Two months of watch-mode battery with heart rate off, per Casio's manual.
Where it falls short
- 14 to 19 GPS hours is a third of a Garmin Instinct 3 Solar's GPS-only figure.
- 20.3 mm thick and 92 g.
- Solar 'assist' tops up; it does not replace the USB cable the way Tough Solar does.
Skip this if…
…you want GPS tracking for more than a day out; the Instinct 3 Solar triples the hours.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to G-Shock Rangeman GPR-H1000
How we scored this
Watches we claim to have worn or tested: 0
Plenty of sites say they took every watch up a mountain. We didn't, and we say so. What we do instead: read the maker's own battery table mode by mode, check what the lens and case are actually made of, note the water rating and whether a MIL-STD-810 claim exists, ask how long the maker keeps updating the line, and score every pick on a public rubric weighted for a decade of ownership. Every figure links to where it came from.
Scores are editorial judgments from that documented research, not test results. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Questions
Frequently asked
Which G-Shock has a compass and altimeter?
The Master of G triple-sensor models: Rangeman GW-9400 and GPR-H1000, Mudman GW-9500, Mudmaster GWG-2000 and GG-B100. Casio's operation guides list the sensors for each module.
How accurate is the G-Shock compass?
Casio states direction accuracy within ±10° for the GW-9400, GWG-2000 and PRW-61 modules we read, with precision guaranteed only in a stated temperature range and reduced by strong impact.
Does the G-Shock GA-100 have a compass?
No. The GA-100 is an analog-digital watch with world time, alarms and a stopwatch; no sensors.
Keep reading
Related on Bezel & Bearing
Receipts
Sources
- Casio — Operation Guide, module 3410 (GW-9400 Rangeman), Specifications (checked 2026-09-20)
- Casio — Operation Guide, module 5678 (GWG-2000 Mudmaster), Specifications (checked 2026-09-20)
- G-Central — G-Shock GWG-2000 Mudmaster spec sheet (checked 2026-09-20)
- Casio — Operation Guide, module 3553 (GW-9500 Mudman), Specifications (checked 2026-09-20)
- G-Central — G-Shock GW-9500 Mudman spec sheet (checked 2026-09-20)
- G-Central — G-Shock GG-B100 Mudmaster spec sheet (checked 2026-09-20)
- Casio — Operation Guide, module 3554 (GPR-H1000 Rangeman), Specifications (checked 2026-09-20)
- Casio — Operation Guide, module 5673 (Pro Trek PRW-61), Specifications (checked 2026-09-20)
- G-Central — G-Shock GA-100 spec sheet (checked 2026-09-20)
We don't own or wear-test these watches and we don't pretend to. Battery, glass, case and water figures come from the maker's own owner's manuals, spec pages and press releases (linked on every product), and where a figure isn't published we say so. Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Read the full method.