The watch can synchronize with an atomic clock using its built-in radio receiver and time decoder. It can receive five different signals, depending on its location: one in the US (Fort Collins, Colorado), two in Japan, one in Germany, and one in the UK. Daylight savings time and Leap Years are also automatically adjusted for. If a radio signal is not available, then the watch reverts to its own internal timekeeping (like any other normal quartz watch).
Casio claims you'll never have to change batteries or charge the watch, as it uses the "Tough Solar" power system. The batteries are charged either from sunlight, or electrical lighting, with the light entering the watch through the face and dial hitting the solar cell underneath.
Compass functionality lets you determine your heading at any moment. When the compass is activated the main directions of North, South, East and West are indicated by markers. You can then record a particular direction, letting you store and display up to 5, to keep track of your relative direction.
Barometric (atmospheric pressure change) readings are recorded every two hours with the last 13 readings being stored. You can then graph the barometer readings over time to determine if any trends are emerging.
The altimeter checks and displays any changes in height every two minutes. Every 15 minutes the current altitude and temperature are stored. You can set target marks for altitudes, and the watch will alert you when your current altitude is reaching the target. The watch can record 40 sets of altitude/temperature/date information as an archive.
In hiking situations the lighting conditions can vary wildly including near total dark. Casio has included an electro-luminescent (EL) back light solution for the Pathfinder that increases brightness while not consuming too much power. The watch detects the lighting conditions, and can automatically turn on the back light when you tilt the watch to your face. This "auto light" functionality can be turned off.
The watch emits a beep whenever a button is pressed. However, this button alert tone can be deactivated.
The PAW1300 Pathfinder is available in three variations that contain all the same specifications and differ only in look.
1300-1V is silver and black with a resin band
1300-3V is black on black with a resin band
1300T-7V is metal with a metal band
