The protected cylindrical button structure seen on the Mudmaster line and Mudman GW-9500 started with the Rangeman GW-9400.
The G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 made its debut in 2013 and was the first G-Shock watch with the Triple Sensor. Like the Mudman line, it has protected buttons and was designated as mud-resistant. The GW-9400 was the first G-Shock watch with the cylindrical button shaft structure. The same type of button structure would later be used in the Mudmaster line.
In researching and comparing the upcoming and similarly equipped G-Shock Mudman GW-9500, we noticed that there are no references to the Rangeman GW-9400 being mud-resistant in the official Casio product database. Casio also appears to have removed the low temperature specification for the GW-9400. Although I don’t have proof, I am fairly certain that it was previously listed as mud-resistant and low temp resistant in the Casio database. It makes sense that Casio might want to encourage sales of the new Mudman GW-9500 by disassociating the Rangeman from being mud-resistant, but the Mudman GW-9500 has enough advantages and unique characteristics to make that unnecessary. We still believe that the Rangeman GW-9400 is mud-resistant. (Update: Upon further research, I now believe that the mud-resistant and low temp specifications were not on casio.com like I originally thought, and I apologize for implying that Casio may have removed the spec. The mud-resistant spec was probably added by Casio America and I was probably remembering it from the old gshock.com site. See the full update below.)
While older fans will remember the GW-9400 as being mud-resistant, newer fans might believe that it’s not. When there is confusion about G-Shock facts, it is usually settled by referring to the official Casio website (casio.com), but it is not mud-resistant according to Casio. There is still evidence of the mud-resistant specification from regional Casio subsidiaries and other sites.
The full specs at G-Shock Canada list the GW9400-1 as being mud-resistant. (gshock.ca)
The Casio Europe site also shows the mud-resistant specification for the GW-9400-1ER. casio-europe.com
In a 2020 press release for the GW9400-1B, Casio America stated that it is mud-resistant. (prnewswire.com)
Although it doesn’t mention mud, this excerpt from the English-language G-SHOCK WATCHNAVI book (based on the G-Shock Perfect Bible 30th Anniversary edition), states that the button structure was developed for “complete resistance against sand and dirt.”
The GW-9400 is listed as mud-resistant at the ShockBase G-Shock Database.
G-Shock expert Watch Geek states that it is mud-resistant in his GW-9400 review and detailed tutorial. (youtube.com)
This GW-9400 review by Ariel Adams from 2014 at ablogtowatch.com lists the mud-resistant specification (on page 2).
The cylindrical button structure was also used with the now-discontinued Rangeman GPR-B1000, which is still listed as being mud-resistant at casio.com/jp, giving credence to the Rangeman being a mud-resistant line.
Conclusion
We feel that that there is sufficient evidence of the Rangman GW-9400 being mud-resistant to justify calling it “mud-resistant.”
Even though the Mudman GW-9500 has a larger duplex display and is positioned above the Rangeman GW-9400 in the Master of G hierarchy, the Rangeman has some advantages such as the dedicated Time Stamp button for the 40-record sensor log memory (to record altitude, barometric pressure, temperature, bearing, and time). The stopwatch measures in more precise increments (1/100-second) and has a dedicated one-touch start button. Some Japanese and limited GW-9400 models have a stronger band with a carbon fiber insert.
The Rangeman line celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and the GW-9400 has been one of the most popular series in the past decade. In our opinion, the GW-9400 still holds up well compared to other advanced G-Shock series.
Update: After doing more research on the Wayback Machine, the situation becomes a bit murkier as the original listings on gshock.com, casio-intl.com, g-shock.jp actually did not mention mud resistance at all. The Casio Europe site did not mention mud resistance until around 2019. Adding mud resistance to the specifications may have been started by Casio America, as you can see in this listing at gshock.com (web.archive.org) from 2017. The aBlogtoWatch review from 2014 is the earliest instance we can find of it, and it appears that the specs were probably provided by Casio America in that case (based on the way they were written).
If the original listings and the main Casio site do not mention mud resistance, can we still consider the Rangeman GW-9400 to be mud-resistant if only subsidiary sites say so? We usually defer to the main casio.com site, but Casio America was promoting it as mud-resistant for years and it seems to be accepted that it is.
Shop: G-Central on Amazon | New Releases (USA Sellers) | Best G-Shock Watches | Specs Catalog
Related Posts:
G-Shock Mudman GW-9500 has a Pro Trek-style duplex LCD display, Triple Sensor, Solar-Radio Timekeeping
G-Shock Mudman GW-9500 Versus Pro Trek PRW-3400
What we know about the G-Shock Mudman GW-9500
Casio G-Shock “Master of G” Buyer’s Guide
The Toughest G-Shock Watches
G-Shock Rangeman GPR-B1000 with GPS Navigation
G-Shock Watches for Military Personnel and First Responders
Chris Hemsworth wears G-Shock Rangeman watch in Extraction
G-Shock GW-9400J-1BJF Rangeman Black Out
G-Shock Master In Desert Camouflage Collection
Great, detailed analysis and research as always.
This prompted me to look through my primary materials to see what I could find.
In a G-Shock Catalog from 2014, labeled with the 30th Anniversary logo, there is a two-page spread on the GW-9400. I also went to my Japanese copy of the 30th Anniversary Perfect Bible. In neither place is there any use of the term “mud” or “low temperature.” I have checked also the Casio and G-Shock line brochures from 2015-2016 and there seems to be no mention of either of these features.
This doesn’t mean that the Rangeman doesn’t have these features or capabilities. It does show that this model was not marketed as such, I think to maintain differentiation. For example, from the G-9300 contemporary which is definitely described as mud resistant in these documents.
There are some cutaway diagrams of the Rangeman button and stem structure. A close look at those relative to diagrams of the Mudman and Mudmaster designs should give some insight as to whether the GW-9400 could be expected to be mud-resist capable.
Thanks, I did more research on the Wayback Machine and the original listings from Japan, Asia, and the U.S. did not mention mud resistance at all. (Not sure why I didn’t think of doing that earlier.) Also, I was mistaken about the current casio.com listing previously having that specification. I think Casio America was the one who added the mud-resistant spec. I added an update to the article.
Lots of interesting info. Thanks for compiling it all!
What would “mud resistant” even mean for a Gshock that’s already 200M+ water resistant? You throw it in a bucket of water and the mud comes out. Like the screen is scratch resistant to sandy mud? What would a non-mud resistant Gshock do in mud?
Yeah that’s a good point. When it comes to the designation, it’s mainly about keeping mud out of the button areas and not about the case. It’s just another level of protection and doesn’t necessarily mean that non-mud-resistant watches are going to get damaged by mud. All the mud-resistant models have covered and protected buttons. That’s the defining characteristic you’ll see on officially designated mud-resistant series like the DW-5500, GX/GXW-56, Mudman, and Mudmaster.
The main aspect of “mud resistance” is to have a self-wiping/cleaning-clearing action to any moving or gasketed parts. it’s a very different requirement than simply sealing against liquid. It’s much more demanding.
It helps to understand what “mud” is: various sized solids of different shapes, textures, hardness, abrasiveness, and sharpness dispersed in water. It’s also relevant to think of mud resistance not just as being able to survive a dunk in mud followed by a thorough cleaning. Mud resistance means reliable use of functions and buttons *while* the watch is in a state of being soiled with mud.
So, when Casio make a claim of “Mud Resist” it means two things: That they have designed it for use under “muddy” conditions and that they back up that performance claim by warranty. It’s not just a marketing term.
Thanks for the great explanation. I should have defined “mud-resistant” in the article as clearly as you did and explained that there is a practical application for such watches like you said.
What you’re pointing out to me is that the Casio spec for “muddy” could have changed. Old Rangeman no longer in spec.
It’s just a possibility, but highly improbable with the sloppy marketing literature that we see.
It looks like marketing decided to change it and either the memo didn’t get out to the rest of the organization, or they could even have some logistics-related issues causing rollout issues for matching documentation.
But guys, we know it’s the same watch, and worst case scenario is that the mud resistant spec got more stringent. Otherwise it’s an organizational deliverable error and pointless to examine further. Although, I would like to see if changes are made; fixes.
I didn’t read the article, because I am not interested in this question, I’ve been using my Rangeman in different conditions since 2016, and I have no problems at all. I am interested in when its successor will be released, which will retain the function of fixing the current time and date by a direct long press on the upper right button.
I revisited this. Here is my take, played as a Casio executive, after reading this page presented by G-Central.
“Looks like multiple parties not paying attention to the needs of the others. People are not only confused by our marketing, the are also confused by the engineering basis of confusing claims. It’s ridiculous and fixing this and how it happened is the first in a series of steps we need to take. Send out the first invite.”
And then a bunch a of peoples’ jobs gets uncomfortable one would think.
These things are a lack of organization and nothing more. Some nerd probably told multiple people this was coming, and that could’ve been many years ago. Very typical corporate story even in movies and books. And there are likely a lot of problems to deal with now that we don’t see, like all of the levels of project work due to language and law differences alone. It’s complicated, but reactionary at this point.
The watch is the same watch it always was, regardless of what Stu in Casio America marketing says. I appreciate that the effort was put into even observing the different marketing, much less getting enough info to G-Central readers to form individual opinions. Good stuff. -Rob