Just how dim is the display? I read reviews of this model and most complain about the dim display. But when I look at pictures, it looks o.k. to me. I need the price to come down before I purchase it. I’m not interested in the new Rangeman so this one is my next logical step.

 

Well, here are two pictures comparing the GW-9400 and the GW-9500 at roughly the same angle:

• The GW-9400 has a single layer display vs GW-9500's dual layer
• Yes, the GW-9500's is noticeable dimmer, no doubt about it, but the time is still very legible

 

Thanks for the photos. I believe that Casio knew that the duplex lcd would reduce clarity but considered it a trade off for the "floating" compass ring. It looks o.k. to me.

 

I really hope Casio will make a GW-9500Y-1 with the bright yellow rescue accents like the GW-9400Y-1!

 

Too much for me, i like more the standard "clasic" digital g shock watch ( sensors optional)

 

Looks great!

 

I had both the GW9400Y and GW9500–1 - sold the 9500
Really liked the 9500 except for 2 things - the display contrast was terrible for my 66 year old eyes but that’s just me and my eyes and I also was disappointed that there was no ”bump” on end of strap so keeper won’t slide off
Liked that the 9500 was thinner than the 9400 - fit my 7.5 inch wrist perfectly - so does the 9400 just thicker
The instant access to stopwatch on the 9400 is also a nice option
Change the display to stn or mip and I would buy the 9500 in a flash - and yellow accents on a 9500 would be a bonus
My 2 cents worth

 

I had both the GW9400Y and GW9500–1 - sold the 9500
Really liked the 9500 except for 2 things - the display contrast was terrible for my 66 year old eyes but that’s just me and my eyes and I also was disappointed that there was no ”bump” on end of strap so keeper won’t slide off
Liked that the 9500 was thinner than the 9400 - fit my 7.5 inch wrist perfectly - so does the 9400 just thicker
The instant access to stopwatch on the 9400 is also a nice option
Change the display to stn or mip and I would buy the 9500 in a flash - and yellow accents on a 9500 would be a bonus
My 2 cents worth

Good to read your experience! The display looks indeed not very sharp, because of the duplex LCD...
The GW-9400Y-1ER looks very sharp! The yellow accents are making that possible IMO. So if they make a GW-9500Y-1, I will go for it...My eyes are still very good. I'm almost 57 and have never had problems...luckily!!! Thanks for your story!

 

Another visual comparison:

GW-M5610-1CJF; GW-9500-1JF; GW-B5600MG-1JF:

Depending on the angle,the GW-9500 will look a little darker:

* Nevertheless, the watch has an excellent feature set. So, even though its display could be better, I think this variant is still useful as an outdoor watch (MB6 works very well, BTW)

 

Another visual comparison:

GW-M5610-1CJF; GW-9500-1JF; GW-B5600MG-1JF:
View attachment 18149926

Depending on the angle, the GW-9500 will look a little darker:
View attachment 18149927

* Nevertheless, the watch has an excellent feature set. So, even though its display could be better, I think this variant is still useful as an outdoor watch (MB6 works very well, BTW)

Update:

I replaced my GW-9500-1JF with the GW-9500MEC-1JF (Mudman in Emergency Colors):

• This is the same picture as above, with the new watch
• I think CASIO, definitely, improved the display on the MEC Mudman

 

I've seen some of the newer high-visibility negative displays on some of the models like the GBD-100. This positive display doesn't even come close...

Being a long-time fan of the Mudman series, I must say I'm staying away from this. The lines on the display, poor quality of the display and the general design make it look like a cheap Protrek (nothing wrong with the Protrek series). I've also seen quite a lot of G-shock knock-offs (even before this was released!) that look similar to this one. Casio gets an F for effort this time.

I'm all about the features/functionality, but this isn't the only model or brand with such a feature set. Therefore I'm unmotivated to own this one 🤷‍♀️

 

The mips displays are very hard to beat for legibility, but they come at a cost. Their slow refresh rate does allow for some features. Also I don’t think you can do double layers on a mips display. Or at least we have not seen one yet.
so it’s an exercise in compromise either way.

 

The mips displays are very hard to beat for legibility, but they come at a cost. Their slow refresh rate does allow for some features. Also I don’t think you can do double layers on a mips display. Or at least we have not seen one yet.
so it’s an exercise in compromise either way.

Ok, I still don't quite get the big deal about the double layer LCD but that's a fair statement.

The double layer LCD does not have a huge advantage over a compass properly represented on a MIP display which is visible from all angles.

Agreed.

it was indeed a bestseller if they had made the GW-9500 with a MIP display!!! The GPR-H1000 wasn't necessary then....

And they removed GPS navigation from the GPR-H1000, which was (in my opinion) the main selling point of the GPR series.

 

Tony, is there any difference between the 1JF and the 1ER?

 

Normally, the only differences between a JDM watch and another sold on any other market (ER, CR, etc), would be:

• Manual (in Japanese but you can get it in any languague at CASIO. COM)
• Warranty (Local vs International; probably, the most important factor but, so far, I've never had to use a G-Shock warranty)
• Packaging

The watches themselves are identical.

If you buy a JDM version of a watch that is made in multiple locations (i.e. GWG-1000; uncommon) you should get the "Made in Japan" version (but even that is not 100% guaranteed as a dealer may replace the watch)

For me, I prefer to buy the JDM version of a G-Shock, if possible, mostly for the packaging. And if they're priced reasonably (this has been the case for the last two years since the Yen / $ exchange rate has favored the $)

 

I got mine from a Japanese vendor for about $270 it is being bundled with other stuff so the shipping is combined but if i was going to get it shipped alone then that added an extra $30 and it is still cheaper then the other I have seen. The whole reason for going JDM is because it was cheaper then the ones sold in the USA. I also ended up getting a spare new OEM GW-9500 strap and new spare OEM strap screws from a Japanese casio vendor on Rakuten for $30 shipped that is coming along with the GW-9500

As i have not seen one in person, how does the GW-9500 compare wear wise with the GWF-1000 Frogman? A lot of folks said that the GWF-1000 Frogman was a unwieldy beast that you could not wear all day. I myself have not had any issues with the wearing of the GWF-1000. In fact I have slept with it on and most times I don't notice it until I whack something with it and then I remember I am wearing it.

 

If that’s the case with the frogman, then the mudman will feel tiny. I am used to the huge gshocks but this one is relatively slim (I think it’s slightly thinner than my Tudor Black Bay) and while the lug to lug isn’t thin, I think it looks good on a 7”+ wrist and gets better and better looking as the wrist size increases. It’s also very comfortable and just feels very well-built.

 

I think the only think I would add to this watch is a moonphase indicator. It is pretty useless but i like them