Name the watches on which you've noticed this change. Have you seen specific models go from TS to SP from one model year to the next?

 

The first watches I have seen undergoing this change were Edifice models which came at the mid-range price level, such as the EQS-920, the EFS-S610, the EFS-S570 etc. In G-Shocks, the first watch to have this change was the GBD-H1000. The H2000 and the H5600 followed suit.

 

My analogue Frogman has a 'tough solar' movement and they were released in mid-2020.

 

All my G-Shocks are 'Tough Solar' - as far as I know it's just different terminology for the same tech.

 

I guess it is only for marketing purpose. The GBD-H1000 and 2000 were more aiming at the masses than, let's say a square. Solar powered is more explicit than Tough solar. Just my two cents. I don't think it is inferior at all. Especially not at the price they are selling these.

I use mine mainly for hiking and running, first one I have with built in GPS (no need for cell phone). HR monitor is a gimmick that doesn't work well on the wrist, even on Garmins. But I like it nonetheless. I am wearing it while typing this.

 

I guess it is only for marketing purpose. The GBD-H1000 and 2000 were more aiming at the masses than, let's say a square. Solar powered is more explicit than Tough solar. Just my two cents. I don't think it is inferior at all. Especially not at the price they are selling these.

I use mine mainly for hiking and running, first one I have with built in GPS (no need for cell phone). HR monitor is a gimmick that doesn't work well on the wrist, even on Garmins. But I like it nonetheless. I am wearing it while typing this.
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I don't think thats the main reason for switching to this as Casio was very adamant in its marketing about the "Tough Solar" technology towards the masses.

 

As the technology matures they tend to ditch the fancy marketing name cuz it does nothing for them when all of your competitors have the same matured tech. Same with their calculators of the past ("high powered solar cell" to later on just plain "solar").

The original marketing material for tough solar actually reads solar powered right beneath it. They used the word tough because the watch is shock protected.

 

I always thought tough was a reference for hard or resistant there are synonymous words ( source: google translate) , instead hard solar, tough solar.🤔

 

Maybe too many ppl were intimidated by Tough Solar. In an effort to be more virtuous, Casio has released some models with non-threatening verbiage.😏

 

That made me remember the vibrator days.

 

Marketing is the only difference.

 

I've never heard any reason why "Tough Solar" was "tough" or why it needed to be. Kinda implies other solar tech was not tough, prone to shock or something? That doesn't sound plausible to me, no moving parts in solar cells, etc. But I don't know anything.

I think it's all marketing whatever, kinda like the "HD" line I recently explored.

 

HD line is even older than the G-Shock itself and had some digital models rated to 300m WR which is impressive for a digital watch.

I suppose the "Tough" refers to the robustness of the solar cell, duration of the charge stored in the rechargeable battery and the watch's ability to function using light as a source.

 

Marketing....

 

It's like asking what's the difference between Wave Ceptor and Multi-Band 5/6.

 

Technology - Solar-powered (Tough Solar) | CASIO

gshock.casio.com

Solar powered (Tough solar).
From Casio official sources....

 

Purely my speculation: Tough Solar are those models that can be FULLY powered by solar. "Solar Powered" are those that can be partially charged by solar, but still need for example a wall charger to fully function, i.e. "solar powered" are only on those smartwatch-esque models.

I don't expect solar charging tech to be different or one inferior than other, just different marketing label to differentiate the above mentioned, that would be my guess.

 

That speculation is negated by the edifice models I mentioned. They run solely on a solar rechargeable battery.

 

G shocks that are solar powered but main method of charging is via a cable are "Solar powered".

"Tough Solar" are watches that rely solely on solar recharging.

 

G shocks that are solar powered but main method of charging is via a cable are "Solar powered".

"Tough Solar" are watches that rely solely on solar recharging.

See the edifice models and the standard Casio models discussed above, they run on solar charging too.

 

Just advertising copy. There are some cheap watches that are “solar lithium” in which the solar cell takes over from the button battery, similar to those solar powered LCD display calculators with a battery backup. The solar cell does not charge anything in those watches which unless outdoors and exposed to the Sun run on their non-rechargeable battery.

 

There is actually no difference between Tough Solar and Solar Powered.
Both convert light wavelengths into electricity.
Incredible.

 

Wow two pages and nobody mentioned Chuck Solar (Chuck Norris Solar Powered) yet like the last thread.

 

To my understanding, the main difference between Tough Solar and Solar Powered is the fact, that the Tough Solar models use solar energy as the only external energy source, while the Solar Powered models have electrical charging option as well. SP models have more power drain functions and features.

 

That makes sense to me. A Tough Solar’s soul is solely solar.

 

A couple discussions related to the topic from years ago..

Solar vs. Tough Solar

What is the difference between Solar and Tough Solar. I noticed on a few sites that I have been browsing (looking for a Mud Man) that there seems to be a different "strength" of solar.

www.watchuseek.com

"Tough Solar"... not G-Shock; what makes it tough?

Just wondering. I see these listed as if they're part of the G-Shock line. They're not, as far as I can tell, G-Shock units. What's "Tough Solar" ?? What makes it "tough"? thanks, Andrew

www.watchuseek.com

 

The gist of these threads was the fact that what makes Tough Solar tough. I am asking about the branding Casio uses.

 

Some Oceanus models also have ‘Tough Solar’ on the dial too.

 

Yes, just debunking his theory with some examples above.

 

I feel like we discussing how organic organic salt is.
Solar tech is solar tech. There are some modifications but for all given purposes they act as same. They even use same rechargeable batteries.
they only difference with time "dumb" digital watches got more fuel efficient and switched to smaller batteries in some models.
When it comes to "smart" or "fitness" watches these utilize different battery because capacity and output of coin cells is insufficient. But that has nothing to do with charging part rather with internals requiring more energy.
It's like petrol car engine. For all given purposes they have cylinders and burn fuel. Just one company brands them Move-0-matic and other Magic Chariot.
Like ford brands them ecoboost while it de facto just turbo. While GM saying it turbo. Mazda is Skyactive while Toyota. Nissan and bunch of others using same technology decided not to brand it.

 

I don't think there are any techincal differences between the two: we've seen SOLAR POWERED watches that really needs a cable to be maintained in working order as watches that are not compatible at all with an external charging device; consequently, I think that the TOUGH SOLAR is pretty much the same tech with a residual fancy name originating in the '90s at least to better suit the tough nature of the GS (see RAYSMAN serie).

 

I believe that Tough Solar watches always have the power saving function (that disables operations in the dark), and watches designated as only "Solar Powered" do not. For example, a GWG-2000 with full charge will last for 25 months in total darkness with power saving on, whereas the Edifice models you mentioned don't have power saving and will last 5-6 months.

I also believe that in order to be designated as Tough Solar, the watch needs to be completely powered by solar (to use all functions), unlike those G-SQUAD models that also need wired charging.

 

That was very helpful.

 

@L&W link explains it a bit. This link offers an official Casio definition as well.

Technology - Solar-powered (Tough Solar) | CASIO

gshock.casio.com

.

Essentially it seems like "tough solar" is the name-brand for a solar power technology specifically developed and used by Casio

*edit: As to the "tough solar" v. "solar powered," might just be tough solar is more expensive to incorporate so may be reserved for "flagship" models.

Reading between the lines, it also seems like the difference has to do with (as mentioned previously in the thread) how many functions are powered only by the solar charging system.

 

@L&W link explains it a bit. This link offers an official Casio definition as well.

Technology - Solar-powered (Tough Solar) | CASIO

gshock.casio.com

.

Essentially it seems like "tough solar" is the name-brand for a solar power technology specifically developed and used by Casio

The solar powered technology is also developed and used by Casio in the G-Squad's case.

 

Tough Solar caption here off the GWF-1000 Frogman Promo Video:

Basically it's saying even with miniscule amount of light it can generate energy with this solar panel. So "Tough" in this sense is referring to under tough environments where there ain't a lot of light. It's just marketing imo. Or if you don't believe me go take a Semiotics course or something. (BTW from experience it makes more sense when translating Japanese into another Asian language such as Chinese instead of English).