PM4 owners

[BoB/335]

Was the upgrade worth the difference? (assuming Model D owners)

I'm considering buying a new Model D by Christmas and wondering if the PM4 is "REALLY" necessary. Are there those who wish they had upgrade or wish they could and are there any that don't think they effectively use the extra pluses and wish they had saved the money.

[Carl Watts]

In my opinion the PM4 is not a must but it depends on what you currently have.

If you already have a Polar HR setup then you don't need the Suunto HR

If you keep you monitor plugged into a PC via USB becuase you run Rowpro then you don't need the rechargable battery

Unless you have TWO Ergs then you don't need the wireless racing

Essentially the PM3 is the same as the PM4 with a little less memory for possible future firmware addions and no wireless ANT.

[BoB/335]

I do not currently have a rower. I use a Model C at my gym and wish to buy one for my home.

I do not have a heart rate monitor. (Do most here use a HR monitor???)

RowPro sounds like something that would interest me in the future. It "may" be difficult to run a wire to a USB port from the rower and a good reason to upgrade to the PM4.

Will not have 2 ergs racing.

What possible future downloads might be available for the PM4 in the future that would aid in making the decision to upgrade at the purchase???

Ay others?

[Carl Watts]

The PM3 and PM4 are still wired to the PC via a USB cable

The wireless is for PM4 to PM4 racing and the Suunto HR system and uses a technology similar to Bluetooth but it is different. Bluetooth would be good but then you loose the power via USB for the monitor. Essentially the batteries in my PM3 serve as memory backup for the Date & Time so they will last 2 to 3 years anyway.

Even the PM2 on the model c can take a Polar HR receiver and yes it is very usefull for training in the right HR bands and tracking your performance improvement.

[carlb]

Was the upgrade worth the difference? (assuming Model D owners)

I have a D with a PM3, when I got a Skierg I got the PM4 and am happy. PM4 feels like it is a little more responsive. It has more memory so they can add new features. Recently they added ANT+ output of workout data, I have not used it since I don't have the watch. I don't want to spend time analyzing workouts, I need to spend time working out. The PM3 is mostly dead end. I don't use any of the games, but I should remember to try them

For extra $ you get a Garmin HR belt, it picks up my HR really well, a nice belt. On the downside the ANT+ watches tend to be much more expensive ($200 vs $60) and have stuff you don't need like GPS. Wish C2 sold a package so you don't end up with 2 belts. I bought the Polar fob for $25 so I can go either way but I mostly use the Garmin ANT belt, so I don't get the data my watch records. I think the PM4 is worth the extra $ for its future. If you don't do anything with HR then the PM3 is just fine.