I like EL and amber LEDs both look good in dark and easy on eyes adapted to darkness.
White led not always gentle.
EL generally better because it uniform unlike LEDs.
LEDs are often worst offenders especially on analog digitals where single led on the bottom hardly giving any light to fill all dial and digital part is not illuminated.

I still remember incandescent bulbs and yes anything else compared to them is blessing.
My first Casios (databank and analog digital LCD) had no illumination whatsoever because Casio was still selling no illumination variants and often they been cheaper. So first Casio with illumination was thermometer TS100

Old school incandescent. Later i had F91 (green led) and later DW290 with EL and that made gold standard!

That said you don't choose type of EL apart from squares and may be some 6900 derivatives. You get what is given and Casio is clearly going LED.

 

I remember the old incandescents. I feel like mine was a casio marlin w24, or similar. I upgraded to a ts1200, also thermometer!

Do they still sell any retro models with the incandescents? Be interesting to see a side-by-side with some other light techniques like the old f91 led, EL illuminator, and the modern LEDs like a700

 

Here are four of mine. I think each lighting configuration has its right application. On mine, I really like the LEDs on the analogue display. But the backlight is sure the way to go on my digital only positive display.

ECB-10D-2A
Double LED light LED light for the face (Auto LED light, Super illuminator, selectable illumination duration (1.5 seconds or 3 seconds), afterglow) LED backlight for the digital display (Auto LED light, Super illuminator, selectable illumination duration (1.5 seconds or 3 seconds), afterglow)

GA-2100SKE-7ACR
Double LED light
LED light for the face (Super illuminator, selectable illumination duration (1.5 seconds or 3 seconds), afterglow)
LED backlight for the digital display (Super illuminator, selectable illumination duration (1.5 seconds or 3 seconds), afterglow)

AWGM100B-1A
Full Auto LED Light with Afterglow

G-7000D 8V
Full auto EL Light with afterglow

 

EL "make the G" looks better than LED for sure
but it is a feature that I hardly use, even as I am a night owl
and I (and most of the "reasonable" Gshockaholic crowd) don't buy a Gshock because it is el or led

 

LED. I need something to make my watch readable while camping. The EL feature is quaint but in my experience is inadequate.

 

All other things being equal on a watch I'll take EL over LED any day. Evenly lit, looks better, brightness is more than adequate, and I'm not concerned with power usage. I just can't get past the feeling that LED is a step backwards in some respects. But they both are a big step up from the early micro bulbs and those are in about half my collection.

 

Well done LED

 

When done well, like on the metal squares, I really don't mind LED. That said, the uneven implementation on the GW-5000U is not my favorite and I prefer EL. I also prefer the fact that EL isn't quite so blinding as LED when activated at night. Gave me an excuse to rebuy a GW-5000 just the other day, so now I can wear the GW-5000U by day and GW-5000 by night .

 

i vote for "does the light make it so that you can see the time in the dark? if yes, then its doing its job" 👍

 

I do prefer EL. But, it isn't like we have much choice in the matter with the newer g-shocks. And I certainly won't let the use of an LED light prevent me from buying a watch of interest. Ultimately I'm okay with either one, but given a choice, I would choose EL probably every time.

 

All my EL backlights on my older watches ended up getting significantly dimmer and battery changes did not help. And I feel like I didn't really use the lights that much, but I'm talking about watches that were over 10 years old. DW-5600 manual says the EL light "loses illuminating power after very long use."

 

To be fair, we have no idea how LED will last as bright as it will since it's just newly implemented by Casio. I think it's too early to compare it to EL regarding how long it becomes dim.

 

As long as I can see the time when I use it that's all I care about, hardly ever use the light anyway so to me it's not important really which type

 

On the squares, the LED in the BT models seem to be better (more even) than the LED in the new U models.

 

I prefer how EL looks despite it using more battery power. I find it aesthetically pleasing.

 

I prefer the appearance of EL because it is very even and has a pleasing, retro look.

However when LED backlight is well done - such as in the B5000 module - then it's very close.

The main problem is that EL is very good even on the cheapest model. Whereas with LED you have to pay more to get a good implementation. For example the new GW-5000U leaves something to be desired - it is not even and does not have the fade in/out effect. It gives me the suspicion that Casio decided to "hold back" a little bit of quality. That's something that annoys me in a €300 watch.

 

I think the green hue is charming. But considering I’m more likely to play with it, probably not good for my battery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

LED 🔦 😄
GR-B200RAF

 

I think I'm in the extreme minority but I prefer the microlight found in vintage LCD watches. The clarity of the display in normal conditions is amazing! The 5600c and Timex Atlantis that I own have bulbs that can illuminate the display enough to make out the time in a pitch dark room.

 

In terms of which looks nicer, definitely the EL backlights. As to which is better, for me it doesn't matter as long as the watch is solar powered...

 

I only have LED models: 3 'Bluetooth' 3459/3461 models: GMW-B5000D-1, GW-B5600MG (Midnight Green) and GW-B5600AR-1 (Adrenaline Red) and 3 'Battery Level Indicator' 3495 models:GW-M5610U-1B ('Stealthmaster CSS'), GW-M5610U-1 ('Über Classic') and the GW-S5600U-1JF ('Carbon Fibre Titanium').

💡 The 3459/3461 models are nicer IMO: they have fade in/fade out effect, so last a bit longer and have a more even lighting. The 3495 models seem harsher and the bulb is more visible (left side).

PS: if I ever go to Japan I'll make it a crusade to track down the guy who thought up the naming scheme for the G-Shock models...and punch him in the face. I always have to triple check them (especially after a few beers lol )

 

EL is somewhat easier on the eyes at night. For pure watch readability, that is my preference.

There are some watches that serve as configurable makeshift flashlight, like the Garmin Instinct, there the LED is mighty effective.

 

I don't have a new model. But does someone have a comparison shot?

 

See the first post for comparison between EL and LED (GW-5000 old vs new).

 

The second option is definitely more preferable for me as I have been using this light for more than four years. The LED light looks great on my watch and in the car. I installed it at the same time when I saw this device (https://www.amazon.com/car-lights-car-led-lights/dp/B09L86JRRM) on Amazon. It looks great on Instagram videos, especially when I adjust certain colors from my smartphone. It even sounds too chic to be true.
(P.s. When I find the add files feature, I'll show you my pride)
For now, I can say that this one still appeals to me because of the richness of the colors and the ease of control via smartphone.

 

EL looks better to me, and reminds me of my old Timex "Indiglo", while the LED lit versions seem to be a modern take on a "lightbulb in a watch" that were the old way to illuminate digital watches. EL is also easier on the eyes in lowlight, imho.

 

Timex Command 47: EL, Casio W-737: LED, Casio AE-1500: LED

All powered by Glow in the Dark Tape here, my FAVOURITE means of watch illumination. All are still capable of wasting using electricity for momentary lighting needs. But GITD lasts longer.