Casio's new Pro Trek watches have an uneven texture - because they're made with bioplastics
Casio's latest adventure watches may not have the most catchy names, but they are striving to make a positive impact. The Pro Trek PRG-340SC-5 and PRG-340SC-2 are new additions to the Climber line, offering a semi-analog alternative to the top running and Garmin watches that are focused on running trails. These rugged watches are designed to perform well in challenging terrain.
When you first touch these watches, you may notice they feel a bit uneven. It's not a manufacturing error, though. The use of recycled materials is the reason behind this. The cases and straps of both watches are made from bioplastics, which are sourced from renewable organic substances like castor oil. This sets them apart from most competitors' watches, which use virgin petrochemicals. It's an innovative and eco-friendly approach.
Despite their sustainable materials, these watches still maintain their water resistance up to 100m. They also feature solar charging, giving them a potentially infinite battery life as long as they're exposed to three hours of sunlight a day. Additionally, they offer a range of useful semi-smart features. One notable feature is the Trek Log, which records waypoints based on your current coordinates during a run or hike. This navigation feature is not even available on some other outdoors-focused watches. However, it may require a map to understand the breadcrumbs it provides.
Both the PRG-340SC-5 in tan and the PRG-340SC-2 in navy blue can now be preordered on Amazon.
Reducing the carbon footprint in tech product development is not a new concept. Many large companies have been striving to achieve carbon neutrality for years. However, Apple's claim that the Apple Watch Series 9 is a "carbon neutral" product has been criticized. According to the New Climate Institute, Apple's products are far from having no climate footprint. Casio's efforts to achieve true neutrality may result in some minor imperfections on their new Pro Trek models. If they can go further in pursuing net zero than the world's largest tech company, we should support their efforts. Let's see more of this "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints" mindset in smartwatch production.
When you first touch these watches, you may notice they feel a bit uneven. It's not a manufacturing error, though. The use of recycled materials is the reason behind this. The cases and straps of both watches are made from bioplastics, which are sourced from renewable organic substances like castor oil. This sets them apart from most competitors' watches, which use virgin petrochemicals. It's an innovative and eco-friendly approach.
Despite their sustainable materials, these watches still maintain their water resistance up to 100m. They also feature solar charging, giving them a potentially infinite battery life as long as they're exposed to three hours of sunlight a day. Additionally, they offer a range of useful semi-smart features. One notable feature is the Trek Log, which records waypoints based on your current coordinates during a run or hike. This navigation feature is not even available on some other outdoors-focused watches. However, it may require a map to understand the breadcrumbs it provides.
Both the PRG-340SC-5 in tan and the PRG-340SC-2 in navy blue can now be preordered on Amazon.
Reducing the carbon footprint in tech product development is not a new concept. Many large companies have been striving to achieve carbon neutrality for years. However, Apple's claim that the Apple Watch Series 9 is a "carbon neutral" product has been criticized. According to the New Climate Institute, Apple's products are far from having no climate footprint. Casio's efforts to achieve true neutrality may result in some minor imperfections on their new Pro Trek models. If they can go further in pursuing net zero than the world's largest tech company, we should support their efforts. Let's see more of this "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints" mindset in smartwatch production.