Don't Buy Another Casio Till You’ve Seen This

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[LucianoCapocci]

I read somewhere there are 3 main consumer-oriented reasons why Casio decided to sunset EL-backlight watches:
- LEDs lasts for far longer than EL panels (I call BS on this one, I haven't experienced a single burnt out EL panel on over 25 years of owning Casios in all forms)
- LEDs are far more efficient than EL battery wise (the only one that seems true)
- Not having an EL panel improves visibility+viewing angles (super BS on this one, even more so with watches like the LF-20 (which I own and love, but come on))

The real reason, of course, appears to be cost- and complexity-related: EL requires voltage step-up circuitry where LEDs operate on battery voltage.

Regarding low-visibility when reading head-on, I am with you -- it's frankly unacceptable even at a low price point. Press photos (which are 100% real even though they don't look like it!) mostly use a fixed-screen prototype, so legibility is always gonna be perfect no matter the viewing angle.

[BrittPearceWatches]

I loved this video. Completely agree. And if I may: I hope the studio door breaks again ;) I loved this break from the regular format! You still perfectly captured the energy of Russell. Also, for anyone who hasn't had the pleasure of meeting Russell: This is exactly what he is like in person! He's this bundle of energy that floats around to different groups of people and just generally makes people smile. Loved this video! You're so fab! Big hugs from rainy Bristol

[FrankR_]

I’m with 100%, I haven’t bought any new Casio that has the faded screen. It’s why I appreciate channels like yours that call this stuff out.

[tomroeder]

Spot on. Digital displays should be perfect, its a very mature technology, there's no excuse for it.

[Stanjara]

My F91w after 5 years is as crisp as a brand new one. I love it so much that I bought another strap, cause original one fell apart. Great content as always you MAd man!

[stevenschoenfeld]

I always love your videos, today I especially love the scenery during your walk. I lived in Beaconsfield, in Buckinghamshire, from 2000-2005 as an expat American on assignment in UK. Your video made me miss my time in England very much; living there was a highlight of my career!

[Bluborder]

It's probably already commented on but the "fading LCD" is caused by polarization of light. This is a common problem for LCD displays that are not designed and/or manufactured properly. Ambient light enters the display, passes through a polarized liquid crystal, and is then reflected back through the crystal and out of the watch for viewing. Because the light was polarized the viewing angle becomes important as it reflects black through the crystal especially if viewed from a cross polarized angle. Think polarized sunglasses and how they work.

[Zotrax]

I’m with you on this, completely.
I can’t think of a good reason for doing that.
And I won’t be buying the new ones with this problem- legibility is a must for me🤷🏼‍♂️

[garethsigrist]

Great topic for a show MWC.

These faded screens on recent Casio releases is something that has put me off buying a Casio for a while. I was all aboard the hype train for the LF20 for example but when I saw that screen fading head on I put my chequebook away 😂

Given they aren’t advertising the faded screens as extending battery life I think it’s pretty reasonable to assume it’s a cost cutting exercise. And while I completely understand why a business would decide to cut costs, it’s still a bit disappointing.

[philippXcarnifex]

Totally agree! Never seen your channel before and suspected it to be clickbait but you're just right. It's annoying to look at your watch early in the morning and you have to tilt it to read it properly. I thought it could be an issue with the battery but soon realized that it's not. Still one of my favorite watch brands but would be awesome if the fix this

[joseholguin]

i buy that Casio LF-20w before looking at your review and i was mildly dissapointed by how faded it looked, i still like how it looks but man, it didnt have that punch that the pictures showed, it was a bittersweet way to start my collection of watches. anyway thanks for your videos my man, keep the good work!

[anthonystevens]

I have to agree Russ, I prefer to look at my watches head on to tell the time, it's more than a slight annoyance that the screen fades at just the angle where you want to have the greatest contrast. At a glance they are still super readable but for me that isn't the point. If I want to look at and admire the watch and the contrast washes out it's something I just can't ignore, you can't un-notice it. Well I can't anyway. It's unlikely to stop me getting more though.

[MovementninjaYT]

I will say with the latest models I’ve brought, they definitely fade at the same angle you’ve showed, but even my older models still fade. But I see the older ones not fade out as much as the newer ones

[BrokenClockU]

Full transparency: I love this video a lot with you walking around your beautiful neighborhood! ❤

[Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

Really like this out-of-studio vid… should do more!!! 👍👍👍

[macro_by_rory]

Could be worse, I've got a negative screen CA, and it's only legible for a few minutes around high noon on a clear day.

[CarlMac]

Totally agree! The OG displays from the 80/90’s were as clear as an STN display at any angle side or front on. The first EL displays suffered from the ol 88:88:88 at side angles. The new LEDs are much clearer at side, but terrible front on. It has to be cost cutting as with the LED, saving the STN for premium. The original 240 & 901 modules were built like an absolute tank, with additional soft rubber surrounding the whole module & spring loaded against front crystal. Even the 5600E had a metal frame and soft rubber surround over the internal module despite being housed in a resin case. I’ve taken apart the 5200c, 5600c, 5600E (1545 and 3229 modules) as well as the more recent anniversary 5040pg and 5735d (both module 3421 )and am surprised how they now just pack the module in a solid, inflexible white plastic and back plate. I’m not saying it’s still not shock resistant or anything, and this is probably how they kept the price relatively similar for the basic Gshocks over the years, but it does seem there is less internal protection in the new models. Same thing happened with the DW6900 vs DW6900u. Internal soft rubber shroud over entire module now replaced with solid plastic, other than the back plate which remains the same softer rubber. Your reissue 5900 also has that faded display head on, but the display is so small it’s not as obvious. Ok time for a lie down 😂

[Esalandy]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and perspectives MWC!

[ShabbyFox]

This problem matters to me too! I remember back when I was at school (80s kid too) I could always tell if someone was wearing a fake Casio because the screen would be faded when you looked at it face on! So are Casio now using the same cheaper displays that the knock off ones were using all those years ago?!
Love the video and the channel! ☺️

[rogertrout]

Thanks Russ, I really needed a good laugh today and your "I'm still going to buy Casio watches aren't I" and your trademark "Click it!!!" at the end both did the trick and got a chuckle out of me. Thanks!!! 😄