Oartec Slider

[billyg]

Hello All,
I am new to the forum. I have been lurking around here for about a year reading all of your posts and decided to pull the plug on a new oartec slider. This is my first erg, only to have used the ones in the gym (c2). After all of the reviews and posts I decided to give it a whirl without ever having been on an oartec, never mind a dynamic erg. I didn't buy this thing for competition, but just for exercise. I am far from an expert and don't know much about this sport. All I can say that this machine is awesome!!!!!!!!! After assembly on Monday, I have used it twice and the workout is amazing and quite relaxing in a weird way. The oartec is build like a tank and the attention to detail is quite amazing for such a relatively inexpensive piece of cardio equipment (compared to a stepper or treadmill etc...). The movement is silky smooth. I am still getting used to the dynamic rowing technique after watching numerous you tube videos. I'm trying to keep my strokes about 30-40 per minute while concentrating on good technique. To anyone who was on the fence about the Oartec, I can't say enough good things about it. It is really that awesome. I have no affiliation with the company but thought I would post a rather vague review to anyone who might be interested. Thanks to all of you who post great info. I learned a lot from this forum.

regards,
Bill

[Atorrante]

Hi. Isn't 30 to 40 SPM too high? Today I sold my D Model and until monday will take a decision beetwen a new black D or an Oartec. Oartec looks good and is my favorite dynamic. How compare the seat of the Oartec with the one in C2? My decision will be ultimately based on the price, because shipping charges on the Oartec may be too high. Enjoy.

[billyg]

Where are you located? I think shipping was only 60.00. I think the seat is great. Yes, I realize that 30-40 SPM is too high. My last 2 sessions on the machine I was averaging 20-23.

[Atorrante]

Well, I think that my shipping will be more because i am in PR, but I will wait until tomorrow that they will give me a quote for the shipping. If it is something like the shipping for a D Model (120.00) then the Oartec will be the choice. I have been reading some reviews of it and seems a great piece of equipment for the price. I will not have the oportunity to try it, so I'm trying to read a lot before buy. My Dmodel last me for over 8 years without any problem and it hold its value very well. Do you feel the Oartec will hold its value as well? Thanks, Manuel

[billyg]

I absolutely feel it will hold its value. The build quality is really awesome and feels much sturdier than any of the concept 2's I've used. Even if shipping is a little more I would buy it over the model D!

[jamesg]

I'm planning to use both a Concept2 C and an Oartec slider. Do they measure Watts the same way and give identical readings?

[billyg]

I believe so. Having used both I much prefer the oartec in all aspects. They are both equally priced but the oartec is of much higher quality!!!!!!

[Carl Watts]

I believe so. Having used both I much prefer the oartec in all aspects. They are both equally priced but the oartec is of much higher quality!!!!!!

Having an engineering background I can say the Concept 2 Model D is very well made. There is only one thing I have had to make myself on it and that is the PN1314 Chain swivel, the factory one cannot handle the stress.

The machine is rugged and the biggest advantage is the PM3/PM4 monitor and the ability to connect it to RowPro. Without this, the Oartec is not even a starter for me.

[billyg]

Most of us don't have an engineering background so my point was that the oartec is definitely a better built machine and they are upgrading the software to be able to use rowpro. THe fact that the the factory chain swivel can't handle the stress alone would be a deal breaker for me. I row on an erg to get in shape not to compete. If I or anyone else what that serious about rowing they would be on the water more and not in an erg. Nothing like the real thing!

[Carl Watts]

The Oartec looks okay, kind of reminds me of a Model C on slides. The monitor will be no where near as good as the PM3 and just looking at it I can tell you it is back where the PM2 was in 2003.

Yes it will be a whole lot better if it can connect to RowPro, which was what the PM2+ could do years ago anyway. The more people on RowPro the better, it is stunning if you can get 16 people online and rowing together at once.

The PN1314 Chain swivel is hardly a deal breaker and unless your doing high milage and/or rowing everything at sub 2:00 pace on a low rating, then many people will not have a problem with it.

The advantage of the Concept 2 Model D is that it is the culmination of 30 years of evolution.

The Erg is a sport in it's own right, some of us just don't have the time and/or want to front the cost of rowing on the water. Fourty minutes a day and being able to row online with your mates no matter what the weather is doing outside is great.

RowPro has no limits in terms of what the software could potentilally deliver in terms of graphics, you could row at venues all over the world at rivers and lakes as well as choose 2Km race venues.

[pmacaula]

Did Pam or Pete from Digital Rowing say they are developing a version of RowPro for the Oartec or are committing to support
it in some kind of compatibility mode ?
I would love to move to a dynamic machine (from my Mod C - which remains solid as the day I bought it - over 10 years later)
& like Carl, being able to use the machine with RP is a non-negotiable requirement on my end.

Thanks. Patrick.

[Carl Watts]

Did Pam or Pete from Digital Rowing say they are developing a version of RowPro for the Oartec or are committing to support
it in some kind of compatibility mode ?
I would love to move to a dynamic machine (from my Mod C - which remains solid as the day I bought it - over 10 years later)
& like Carl, being able to use the machine with RP is a non-negotiable requirement on my end.

Thanks. Patrick.

Pete's primary objective at the moment is to get the naive MAC version of RowPro out into the market with V4.

It's just a numbers game and he has limited time for development so the time is spent on changes where the most number of people can use the software.

Not sure how many Oartec sliders have been sold, but the numbers are going to be very low in comparison to Concept 2 rowers so would have thought it cannot be that high on the list of priorities.

[Bob S.]

I would love to move to a dynamic machine (from my Mod C - which remains solid as the day I bought it - over 10 years later)
& like Carl, being able to use the machine with RP is a non-negotiable requirement on my end.

The C2 dynamic works with RP just like any other model with a PM3 or PM4. And, of course, a C or D on slides is dynamic (if you have the space for it).

I have used RP with both a D on slides and a C2 dynamic. I have no interest whatsoever in the social aspects of RP, but it is handy to have a better pace boat and previous row system than what is available on the C2 monitors. I also like the fact that there is more data available from RP than from the logcard.

Bob S.

[pmacaula]

The C2 dynamic works with RP just like any other model with a PM3 or PM4. And, of course, a C or D on slides is dynamic (if you have the space for it)...

Bob - Thanks.
I have tried all of the dynamic erg options (at HOCR) & agree that the Oartec feels very smooth, but it is enormous.
Given space limitations in our house, my only option is the C2 dynamic or a RowPerfect. Add the RP pre-req &
my decision is made. It is now down to timing and budget. Maybe a Christmas present.

Cheers. Patrick.

[Atorrante]

Trigger pulled. I will going to seat now on a black D for the next 8 years at least. The shipping of an Oartec to my country was over 5 hundreds, so i pull the trigger for a new black D with the PM3 (most cost-effective option). Hope to have it in a couple of days to retake my training.