Analog Face, Outdoor Build: Wenger 'Commando' Watch

Lame dude. Way to sell out for a watch that has no place in the backcountry. But, you say, it keeps time AND it’s waterproof?!? Wow. Groundbreaking. rolling eyes

How is wearing a watch selling out? Do you prefer a watch that has GPS tracking, chronograph and other kinds of other useless features? Talk about selling out and lame.

I honestly like this watch and it keeps time – exactly what I need it to do every day. The only thing I wish it did more was tell me elevation. What features are paramount in the backcountry anyway?

I like the look of the Wenger as well, but a watch that only tells time is not exactly revolutionary. A $10 Casio is going to give you the same data and leave you with $440 in your pocket to spend on ‘real gear’.

Joey – Wenger is not only the title sponsor of the race, they’re also a Gearjunkie sponsor and they give the products free of charge. Quid pro quo? I certainly hope not.

T.C. – Besides time of day, features I seek in a watch include barometric altimeter, current elevation, rate of ascent/descent, cumulative ascent/descent, elevation profile, heart rate, etc. I’m a big fan of using the gear right tool for the job. For cubicle life, or a casual stroll down a maintained path, the Wenger or most other watches will suffice. If you’re trail running, adventure racing, mtb’ing, backcountry skiing, etc, then a more advanced feature set becomes critical.

GPS watches have been less-than-inspiring for off-trail use due to limited satellite reception from minuscule internal antennas, and also because most require recharging after each use, making multi-day outings problematic. The myriad data they provide however can be inimitable when it comes to training purposes.

Companies give reviewers all kinds of free stuff. Do you think that the blogger standing to make 10 or 20 bucks on a post is spending $400 on a watch or ski jacket to test it? Or do you think the multi-million-dollar company is sending it for free.

I don’t see T.C. claiming it’s anything revolutionary. In fact, he described it as a “simple, solid timekeeper”

I’ve had two sports watches in my time—a basic Wenger (much more entry level than this one) and a High Gear stuffed with a barometer, altimeter, chronogaph, weather alert, etc. etc. I used them both to tell time, and the Wenger looked a lot better and was a tougher design. I’ll never understand what people do with all that other crap half the time, but if you want it, there are plenty of other watches for it.

I do agree that this watch is way overpriced, though.

To clear the air a bit: I work as a photographer as well as a reporter for the WPER. They get me there, but pay me not a red cent to shoot and share images with them. The “experience” is the payment. This watch was a VERY small token of appreciation from Wenger for the total 5 weeks of my life I give to this race for free. I was never olbigated to write about it, I actually recently volunteered to do so because it’s the best watch I’ve had in years. It’s the truth that I’ve worn it since the race, on dozens of adventures and races. I stand behind all my comments as forthright.

It might be just me, but plinko sounds like a troll. Any self proclaimed “outdoorsman” can scan obscure gear reviews and try to appear knowledgeable by touting paranoid sounding conspiracy theories and unfounded accusations of corporate backscratching. I have been reading gearjunkie’s reviews and have always found them to be objective and useful. So If anyone wants to listen to plinko, champion of the gear review, go ahead. I prefer to listen to the opinions of a seasoned outdoorsman/photographer/writer. Plinko, where are your expedition photos? Where are your gear reviews? My guess is that they are non existent, but we all know where we can find TC’s. My advice for you, Plinko, is to go to Office Depot, pick out a new stapler, and write a “gear review” of your own about something you are more familiar with. And maybe, just maybe, next month you can review a wireless scanner/printer combo. I’m sure we will all be interested.

You guys wear watches in the backcountry? I usually just tear off my sleeves and go.