In-Home Review of Rowperfect Indoor Sculler (Australian)

[JRBJR]

In my ongoing quest for the best dynamic rowing erg, I purchased and began using a new Concept2 Dynamic daily in early November 2015. In December 2015, I ordered and received a new Rowperfect indoor sculler (Australian model) from the Vancouver, Canada distributor and have since used it repeatedly for sessions up to 30 minutes. I paid $1250 plus tax for the Dynamic and $3475 (US)for the Rowperfect indoor sculler, including a rather hefty shipping fee even though I live in the south SF bay area. Here are my honest opinions and comments about the Rowperfect thus far:

Packaging: The Rowperfect is shipped in two pieces, a well-wrapped and protected stainless steel rail bar and a 3'x5' box that contains the flywheel asssembly, seat assembly, handle,front and rear legs for the steel bar, assorted screws and bolts, monitor, and user manual.

Dimensions: The stainless steel rail is about 6'6" in length. The fully assembled unit is about 20" wide. To provide sufficient room for the moving flywheel assembly and your own rowing motion, Rowperfect recommends you provide at least 8 feet in lengthwise clearance. This is a lot smaller footprint than Concept2 ergs on slides require, but about a foot or two longer than required for the Dynamic.

Assembly: Extremely simple and quick. Slide the seat assembly onto the back the steel rail, insert a bolt that limits its forward movement, install the rear leg with a single screw and bolt, lift the front of the steel rail and carefully insert it into the slide the flywheel assembly, then lift the front of the steel rail and install the front legs with wheels with a screw and bolt. Then sit down on the seat, pull the handle into your lap, remove the circular pin from its central pin lock, pull the flywheel chain back, insert the handle and pin into the chain chain connector, then lock the circular pin back in place. Finally, snap the monitor into its mounting bracket on the top of the flywheel assembly, and insert the jack from the monitor cable wire that is taped to the top of the flywheel assembly to a connector at the bottom of the monitor. Short of setting up the monitor, you are now ready to row. Far easier than assembling the Concept2 Dynamic indoor rower.

Cons: As a long-time user of Concept2 ergs (statics only, statics on slides, and the Dynamic), I have become very used to and fond of their seats, the plastic/rubberized handles, and their monitors. If you keep the rollers and I-beam surfaces clean, the seats slide smoothly along the strong I-beams. You might have to swap out a roller or two once every few years, but that's about it.

By comparison, the Rowperfect seat surface area is smaller and uncomfortable for me. The seat's steel mounting assembly provides two rollers immediately below the seat only, with none below the stainless steel rail. All you see are cut openings in the front and back of the seat mounting assembly through which you mount it on the rail. The seat tilts about 7 degrees on both sides, ostensibly to force you to improve your balance and build your core muscles. After a few minutes of rowing, I was able to keep the seat steady and upright without much trouble. But when the seat does wobble to the side while it's moving (which it is bound to to once in awhile), the sharp steel edges of the mounting box grind directly on the long steel rail, leaving visible scrapes along the side of the rail. Then there's the issue of the monitor. On the Dynamic, you've got that large, well backlit, easy to set up, and easy to read PM5 mounted on a long arm just less than two feet from your face. By contrast, the Rowperfect monitor is a 3.5" x 3.5" unit with a 2"x2.75" display screen. Unlike the PM5, it does not have an automatic and basic "just start rowing" option that kicks in when you first pull the handle. Instead, set up is anything but user friendly.

The Australian designer has released a number of Youtube videos that attempt to explain how to program the Rowperfect monitor, but they're difficult to follow and understand (and I'm a software designer by trade). Finally, the rubberized grips on the nicely stained wood handle are covered with a multitude of small sharply-pointed bumps. I'm sure they're provided to improve grip, but I've never needed a textured grip on my smooth Concept2 handles and the effect of these pointed bumps is to make the handle (and you hands) far less comfortable after a 20 or 30 minute session.

The rowing experience: This is where the Rowperfect distinguishes itself. The flywheel assembly moves smoothly along the stainless steel rail, providing a very nice sensation akin to what I imagine rowing a boat or scull is like. The chain that attaches to the handle almost yanks you back to the flywheel at the end the catch, much like it did on the Concept2 Model B.

Instead of using the Rowperfect-supplied foot stretchers, I had them install the Concept2 footstretchers instead, and am glad I did. The moving flywheel doesn't generate too much noise, particularly with the damper almost closed. My wife, who has never rowed, tried the Dynamic and could not learn now to pull her feet back under before the start of the catch and ended up just sitting upright and pulling back and forth on the Dyneema corded handle. When she hopped on the Rowperfect, her form was actully quite good after just a few minutes of practice. To the complete novice, the Rowperfect is much easier to use and master than the Dynamic.

Summary: I'll probably spend the next month or two switching back and forth between the Dynamic and Rowperfect before I decide which one to keep and which one to sell (I don't have room for both of them). Each dynamic erg offers its own advantages and disadvantages. And both provide excellent workouts. I still wish Concept2 had implemented Rowperfect's sliding flywheel assembly, but that's water under the bridge. And I still don't think the $3475 pricetag for the Rowperfect is justified, almost three times the cost of the Dynamic and Oartec.

[Carl Watts]

One of the biggest strengths of the Concept 2 is the monitor, not only what it can provide directly but the whole interface to RowPro. Without this any other Erg is not even an option for me, doesn't matter how "Good" it is,

[PaulH]

ADMIN NOTE: We don't generally have discussion of other companies' equipment on this site, for the obvious reason that it's a C2 site. This seems a fair discussion so far, and as long as it remains polite and substantive the thread will remain. So play nice everyone!

[Balkan boy]

Thanks for another great review, JRBJR.
Your impressions pretty align with some others I've read.
Post some pictures if you can. It's a rare bird.

ADMIN NOTE: We don't generally have discussion of other companies' equipment on this site, for the obvious reason that it's a C2 site. This seems a fair discussion so far, and as long as it remains polite and substantive the thread will remain. So play nice everyone!

How about if Concept2 buys the patent and improves the RowPerfect?
I'd buy two.

[Edward4492]

As usual, C2 showing their class to even allow this thread. Some things to consider. All competition, rankings, comparisons, bragging rights etc require rowing on a C2 (which everyone obviously knows). For me and my needs, well that's the end of the conversation. Price point seems prohibitive. C2's at $900 are a bargain. You'd need to be a very serious rower to consider dropping $3500 on a machine. I can't speak for other brands, but I have a lot of recent experience with C2 and their customer service is impeccable. Had a recent experience with two PM3's that I could not get to work. Went through all of the usual checks, re-boots, etc. Emailed tech services with the serial numbers and (with-out me asking) informed me they were still under warranty and they (Nathan in customer service) shipped out two that day. I was stunned. None of the usual BS I have to deal with on a day to day basis in my for-real job. Need less to say the owner of the crossfit box (who has 24 C2 ergs) was also thrilled.

I could go on all day with examples of quality service (and zero bad expereinces). With that said....it was a nice and thorough review; there may be a place for this type of machine for someone chasing a more "on the water" feel. Thanks for the over view.