^ Its behavior doesn't appear to be a defect. If it was, it would be persistent. I'm betting it's something simple, like cleaning off some residue from the contacts, but I'll have to do that with the module removed. If this is the case, I'd rather fix it myself rather than dealing with the hassle of shipping it out. Otherwise... the watch will have to go back to CASIO for servicing (it's well within the warranty period).

 

I'm suspecting it might be the button getting stuck on the surrounding bezel - what do you think? Maybe if you remove the bezel and use the button you could eliminate that cause.

cheers, Sedi

 

I'm suspecting it might be the button getting stuck on the surrounding bezel - what do you think? Maybe if you remove the bezel and use the button you could eliminate that cause.

Good suggestion, but I'd checked that and it doesn't seem to be the case. The button moves freely in both directions (in/out).

I have both the pos. and neg. display GD-350's and both react in the manner you're describing.

That pusher at 4:00 is fussy about how it's pushed. I've found that a quick light push works the best. If I push it strongly all the way in then it gives a start/stop result. Just a quick light touch on it works fine.

It's a little reassuring to hear that I'm not alone on this, so thanks for sharing that. Yes, there's something about a "full press" that seems to trigger it. Like the button moving back out manages to "snag" the contact again and re-trigger the press. So I'm starting to think that there could be something on the module slightly bent that is catching it to make contact.

For what it is worth, I have three models and have not encountered this problem.

Good to know. I'm thinking there is a minor aberration in assembly that can cause this problem. Definitely not the norm.

Maybe you should try to operate the buttons with the caseback removed, it wouldn't take more than 15 minutes to see if there is a problem.

I'll try doing that as well. I don't want to extract the module, so I'll see if I can examine it more closely to determine what might be going on while the button is being pressed.

Open the caseback? Removing the bezel? Are you serious?

Yes. I do realize that no QC is perfect and sometimes mistakes make it through CASIO's final checks. This kind of issue has a good chance of sneaking through QC, because it takes a while to crop up. It took a month or two of usage before I started to notice this issue. Part of what makes it easy not to see it is when activating the CDT from the main mode, as once the start button is pressed it becomes inert (you have to go to the CDT mode to change anything).

CASIO has a warranty program and I could certainly exercise it. In my case, I bought the watch from a Japanese seller so I have a "tourist" warranty. I'd rather not chance any delays in sending it back to CASIO, so if there's something I can handle myself I'm going to do it. It'll save me time and money, as well as avoid random chance things to happen at CASIO servicing, like full replacement -- something I do not want, because of the "vibrator" label.

 

I have both the pos. and neg. display GD-350's and both react in the manner you're describing.

That pusher at 4:00 is fussy about how it's pushed. I've found that a quick light push works the best. If I push it strongly all the way in then it gives a start/stop result. Just a quick light touch on it works fine.


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I have both the pos. and neg. display GD-350's and both react in the manner you're describing.

That pusher at 4:00 is fussy about how it's pushed. I've found that a quick light push works the best. If I push it strongly all the way in then it gives a start/stop result. Just a quick light touch on it works fine.

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I think this is the key.

I noticed it happening a few times, but didn't investigate it. Thinking back, it occurred when I was wearing gloves, and I was probably applying more pressure on the button than normal.

As said in the OP, the mushy button feedback on the GD-350 is disappointing... as is the intermittent double-press glitch.

 

For what it is worth, I have three models and have not encountered this problem.

 

Maybe you should try to operate the buttons with the caseback removed, it wouldn't take more than 15 minutes to see if there is a problem.

 

Open the caseback? Removing the bezel? Are you serious?

While this certainly for most of the experienced users here is not a big deal, it is still a bad recommandation because it can not be up to the customer to take care of blowzy work. How about Casio doing it right in the first place? I wrote it before and I write it again, the GD-350 has many flaws, the poor tactile feeling while operating the buttons (especially the "D" button) is just one of them. After my debacle with the GD-350-8 I've tried a GD-350-1B because I was simply curious about the whole "one of the best negative displays ever fanboy-thing". While contrast is indeed really good, I didn't like the appearance of the display colours, but that is a personal taste matter and not the point. The point is that on this model the "D" button was even more bad and I mean really bad. Out of five push attempts it reacted once, maybe twice. Such a behaviour can happen once on a lemon, twice is too close for comfort and coincidence. Needless to say that I flipped this one even faster than my first.

So no: open up the case and/or remove the bezel can't be the solution, but getting back to drawing-board making a GD-350 V2 or a GD-360 is.


cheers

 

It happens sometimes when I am using the count down timer. However, if I am using the countdown timer while the watch is in the main time mode, it doesn't happen. Only negative with that is you can't stop the timer in that mode. I have it in 30 second increments so that doesn't bother me.

 

Hm, removing the bezel is no big deal and won't violate the warranty I guess. It might at least be interesting to know if that's the cause. I have the GD-350-8 and it doesn't happen on mine - had the "1B" too for a short while but sold it - that one also worked flawlessly. Hm, still a lot of reports about that issue. So maybe cal..45 is right about a GD-360.

cheers, Sedi

 

How should the GD-360 look like ?

 

I'd just change the button design and leave the rest as it is. I quite like the design of the GD-350.

Cheers, Sedi

 

Last night, I took off the backing and looked at the contact points with a magnifying lens. I really couldn't see anything that might be causing this problem. I assembled it back together and did a "rapid fire" pressing of the start button for about 5 minutes straight. I then knocked the watch hard a few times against a firm padded surface. After this, I operated the watch. Not one misfire of the button. I did long presses and short presses, and multiple presses in a row. No problems.

So it seems whatever was interfering with the button operation was eliminated. However, I will be checking on the operation frequently to see if it comes back. I certainly don't want to be in a situation where it comes back and my warranty has expired!

About your concerns, Cal..45:

- making the buttons textured and with the exact same, great tactile feeling and precise pressure points as a G(W)-7900
--> I agree. The smooth surface is not what I'd expect for a watch like this. It should be pyramid textured like the G(W)-7900.

- a countdown shortcut is all good and fine but at least it should be also possible to stop it without the need to scroll through the menus
--> I don't agree. If you're going to stop the CDT, then you'll most likely want to clear it and start over. For that you really need to be on the CDT page. The start button is just a convenience for quick launching the CDT at a moment's notice without having to be on the CDT page. HOWEVER, what I'd have liked to see CASIO do is make it configurable, so that you could start the CDT or STW. Some people tend to use one or the other most, so why not let them configure it? Not hard to program at all.

- a "repeat at end" option for the CDT should be mandatory (most cheap 10 bucks digital watches can do it) it is a major flaw on the GD-350 it can not
--> I agree. This was a mistake and I can't figure why CASIO left this off. I mean seriously... the functionality has been around for years!

- getting rid of the LED illumination and bring back the good old el-backlight
--> I like the illumination, because I'm not using this watch in a tactical environment. And I don't find that it ruins my night vision. Most of the time when I'm check it at night, I'm not spying on things in the dark. HOWEVER, it would have been cool if CASIO provided a settable brightness--low, medium, and high. Something that could have been hitched onto the duration setting.

- fixing the LCD and getting rid of those awful ghostings
--> Honestly, I hardly notice it. My eyes are looking at the actual digits, not noticing the surroundings. I don't think it's a big deal. HOWEVER, other models with LED illumination like this do not have the ghosting, so it's curious as to why this side effect came up.

- making the vibe alarm stronger and for 20 seconds lasting
--> I agree. This should be user settable. The user should have the discrimination to decide on how fast they want to use up the battery. Why should CASIO care?

 

Funny, I wouldn't call them "mushy", but just not as firm as other models. Just a tad easier to press, a little more than I'd like. But I don't find an operational reliability difference, with the only exception of that flaky start button.

But I'm happy to report that I've been using the GD-350 every day and double-checking that button--it's working flawlessly now, after my little "clearing" technique. My next test will be to let it sit for a week or two and then see if it returns (suggesting that frequent use was averting the problem from recurring). If it doesn't happen after that, I'll consider it cured.

Just to reiterate I did 2 sessions of repeatedly pressing the button for 5 minutes straight. I then knocked the watch against a firm but non-abrasive surface (so that it wouldn't mar the resin). Months ago when I first came across this problem, I'd pressed the button repeatedly for only a dozen or so seconds, which appeared to have cleared it but then the flaky behavior returned. Hopefully I got it worked out this time.

 

That is one thing I kind of miss, which was on the GL-7500--that being the ability to toggle vibration mode from the time keeping screen. You'd just click and hold the "C" button to arm/disarm the vibration. Of course, you can't do that with the GD-350 because the CDT start function is there. What they should have done is allow you to toggle it when in the alarm mode by holding down the "C" button. A quick press of "C" just scrolls the alarm menu. Click-and-hold is not assigned to anything. THAT is how it should have been implemented on the GD-350.

Only a small fraction of people have reported button issues on the GD-350, so there's a good chance you won't have it. Speaking as someone who had it but may have cured it, I'm confident it's not a major problem.

 

Thanks for the comment.
Or they could allow people to quickly switch the modes by holding the reset button. I don't quite see the point of the current "vibration test" by holding the reset button. Instead, intuitively, when holding the reset button, the watch should be able to vibrate or beep to indicate entering the vibration or beep mode respectively.

Best

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Have any of you removed the buttons from this watch? I have removed the "wings", straps and back for cleaning and I would like to remove the buttons. Any advice as to how they come off/on would be helpful. Thank you.

 

I think one obvious aesthetic feature for the GD350-1B is to make it all black. They market this as a "blacked-out" watch, but there are silver screws all over it, a big silver button, silver back plate and silver clasp. Make it all black, are a dark gun metal gray! As far as features go, I can't complain. I find this module very useful. Probably the best Casio I have owned.

 

The buttons are secured to the case with an "E" clip. I would not recommend you do this. There's no good reason to do so. When you remove the bezel, you've got plenty of access to anywhere dirt/grime may have accumulated.

 

If anyone still has problems with that, press the metal key for a few seconds and repeat if necessary. Has helped with my GD-350-8.

Only the GD-350-8 did not have this problem, my two GD-350-1B did not.