PM5 and FitBit Charge HR

[Carl Watts]

Using an ANT+ Garmin chest strap, the hard version and IMO you cannot beat it for connectivity range and reliability while rowing with the PM4.

The Polar gear was quite good but the Garmin takes it to another level.

As far as I can tell from other posts on this forum and feedback, the Fitbit is highly unreliable in terms of accuracy.

If you want accuracy your stuck with a chest strap.

[RJLynn67]

Yeah I am very happy with the Garmin VivoSmart HR for my watch alternative, but I am purchasing the Gamin chest strap now for use when rowing.

[Kirk]

The PM5 does not recognize the Fitbit Charge HR. It's too bad and I wonder why it doesn't since the HR is Bluetooth 4.0 compatible (or so it says). Maybe Fitbit wants it to remain a proprietary device to keep it from being intergraded into something somewhat more robust than it is.

The PM5 doesn't work with heart rate monitors which are not Bluetooth Smart devices. That's in the brochure and on the website. Why this should be, I have no idea, because if the the thing is using Bluetooth to talk to my phone or tablet, any Bluetooth device ought to be usable for picking up heart rate data... But, they are not. Maybe it is something about not being able to be paired to more than one device, but the fact I can pair my PM5 with my phone, and then have the Bluetooth Smart heart rate belt happily paired to the phone as well makes me kind of wonder what kind of benighted, non-standard Bluetooth setup the PM5 is using.

Something is wonky with Concept 2 and their implementation of Bluetooth, across the board; you cannot use a Bluetooth heart rate belt, but it will happily link to your phone using the high-power Bluetooth standard. The PM5 supposedly will work with any low-power Bluetooth Smart heart rate monitor, but I'm here to tell you that it does not, and will not work reliably with at least the Zephyr HxM Smart. There are some issues likely to be found with a battery-powered device like the PM5 and using it for Bluetooth devices, but I'll be damned if I can understand why the thing can't talk to the various Zephyr HxM products I own, but can happily communicate data across Bluetooth with my phone with zero issues.

I've had nothing but lousy luck with the Polar products that are supposedly Bluetooth-enabled, and Zephyr's products have been rock-solid with my Android cell phone. But, for some reason, the PM5 will not connect reliably to them, at all. After reading all the various issues that people report with basic heart rate devices like the Polar belts, and the older PM monitors, like having to put the sensor on the rail in order for the things to read reliably, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to conclude that Concept 2 needs to start hiring engineers that know how to make these things work. Seriously, folks--This is not rocket science, these days. Back when I was working out at the gym, my Polar belts talked just fine to any of the Precor or LifeFitness elliptical trainers I worked out on, and never skipped a beat. I've had solid performance from a myriad of Bluetooth heart rate devices on my cell phones for years, and now it is like we're going back to the dawn of wireless technology with the PM5? Seriously?

Color me not impressed. I've been dealing with trying to get my Zephyr HxM Smart working properly with the PM5 now for about a week and a half, and despite a warranty replacement of the PM5, I'm still unable to get any kind of consistent or reliable connection with the PM5 and the belt. Phone and the belt? No problem. Phone halfway across the house? Still maintains connection via Bluetooth. PM5, within 18 inches? Can't make the connection reliably, and constantly loses it when it does manage to make one. Usually once per every ten-fifteen attempts make it, and then once you start moving, the signal is apparently lost. Hell, I can't even figure out why the thing connects when it does--The whole thing seems to be wildly random. Meanwhile, the same conditions cause no problems when linked to the phone... Figure that one out.

I've tried every variable I can think of, to make this setup work, and I'm about at the point where I resort to sprinkling chicken blood from a voodoo sacrifice over the PM5. They are advertising this thing as being capable of doing this, but this feature is definitely not ready for prime time, and they need to quit telling people it will work. Because, it clearly does not...

As a work around, I'm using the BoatCoach Android app, and the Zephyr HxM Smart to get the heartrate data integrated with the workout data. But, that's a ridiculous thing to have to do, when the PM5 is advertised as being Bluetooth and Bluetooth Smart compatible. Not to mention, the app is another $40.00, but it does work. It's rather annoying that the $900.00 machine advertised as doing so can't manage that apparently simple feat.

[Carl Watts]

I'm about at the point where I resort to sprinkling chicken blood from a voodoo sacrifice over the PM5.

Put the PM5 in a bag and hit the bag with a hammer several times and sprinkle the bits over a PM4.

No issues with ANT+ connectivity and the Garmin chest straps with a PM4. The more I hear about the PM5 the less I want one.

To be fair however, I have always found Bluetooth to be "Challenging" in terms of connectivity. Connection between my phone and my GPS in the car is totally random. I think the problem is not everyone is sticking to the standards close enough and they sure are not doing enough product testing in terms of compatibility and connectivity.

The problem can be a massive frustration. When it doesn't work there is nothing you can do but try a work around and buy something else.

[lcantey]

The PM5 does not recognize the Fitbit Charge HR. It's too bad and I wonder why it doesn't since the HR is Bluetooth 4.0 compatible (or so it says). Maybe Fitbit wants it to remain a proprietary device to keep it from being intergraded into something somewhat more robust than it is.

The PM5 doesn't work with heart rate monitors which are not Bluetooth Smart devices. That's in the brochure and on the website. Why this should be, I have no idea, because if the the thing is using Bluetooth to talk to my phone or tablet, any Bluetooth device ought to be usable for picking up heart rate data... But, they are not. Maybe it is something about not being able to be paired to more than one device, but the fact I can pair my PM5 with my phone, and then have the Bluetooth Smart heart rate belt happily paired to the phone as well makes me kind of wonder what kind of benighted, non-standard Bluetooth setup the PM5 is using.

Something is wonky with Concept 2 and their implementation of Bluetooth, across the board; you cannot use a Bluetooth heart rate belt, but it will happily link to your phone using the high-power Bluetooth standard.

Are you sure it's connecting to non Bluetooth Smart? It certainly makes sense for battery life to restrict it and they indicate it is supposed to be a restriction.

The PM5 supposedly will work with any low-power Bluetooth Smart heart rate monitor, but I'm here to tell you that it does not, and will not work reliably with at least the Zephyr HxM Smart. There are some issues likely to be found with a battery-powered device like the PM5 and using it for Bluetooth devices, but I'll be damned if I can understand why the thing can't talk to the various Zephyr HxM products I own, but can happily communicate data across Bluetooth with my phone with zero issues.

I also have issues with the Zephyr HxM. My Polar H7 and Scosche Rhythm+ (in either ANT or BTLE) work fine.

Color me not impressed. I've been dealing with trying to get my Zephyr HxM Smart working properly with the PM5 now for about a week and a half, and despite a warranty replacement of the PM5, I'm still unable to get any kind of consistent or reliable connection with the PM5 and the belt. Phone and the belt? No problem. Phone halfway across the house? Still maintains connection via Bluetooth. PM5, within 18 inches? Can't make the connection reliably, and constantly loses it when it does manage to make one. Usually once per every ten-fifteen attempts make it, and then once you start moving, the signal is apparently lost. Hell, I can't even figure out why the thing connects when it does--The whole thing seems to be wildly random. Meanwhile, the same conditions cause no problems when linked to the phone... Figure that one out.

I've tried every variable I can think of, to make this setup work, and I'm about at the point where I resort to sprinkling chicken blood from a voodoo sacrifice over the PM5. They are advertising this thing as being capable of doing this, but this feature is definitely not ready for prime time, and they need to quit telling people it will work. Because, it clearly does not...

It is in general Bluetooth Smart compatible. There is obviously an issue working with the Zephyr HxM. There could be an issue in the PM5 or possibly there is a common workaround the other applications have baked in. The best thing to to is send email asking about it.

[drachma]

i had terrible luck with fitbit charge HR... it was always 20-40bpm lower than my chest strap monitor when rowing. i tried many spots on my wrist, but never halfway up my arm. maybe i will try that, since right now its just collecting dust. don't think it will fit though... i'll need to extend the strap with... tape?

also, i got a zephyr hxm chest strap. sounds like that wont work with the rowers either!

Face, meet Palm

[Kirk]

i had terrible luck with fitbit charge HR... it was always 20-40bpm lower than my chest strap monitor when rowing. i tried many spots on my wrist, but never halfway up my arm. maybe i will try that, since right now its just collecting dust. don't think it will fit though... i'll need to extend the strap with... tape?

also, i got a zephyr hxm chest strap. sounds like that wont work with the rowers either!

Face, meet Palm

If you own an Android smartphone, the Zephyr HxM Smart will work quite well with BoatCoach. Add in the Concept2 Smartphone bracket, and you've got a decent workaround. My Samsung Galaxy S4 never loses the signal, and that's how I've finally gotten a rock-solid heart rate monitor solution to work.

If you've got the plain Bluetooth HxM, which is the older model that has the recharging station, you can use that with several other apps to get your heart rate data. Runtastic, for example--The problem is, of course, that the data won't be integrated in with things like your strokes per minute, or anything else from the PM5.

I think Concept 2 would be performing a great service if they specified which heart rate belts are tested and actually work with the PM5. Just going off of the Bluetooth Smart specification is obviously not an accurate way to go about doing it.

[drachma]

If you own an Android smartphone, the Zephyr HxM Smart will work quite well with BoatCoach. Add in the Concept2 Smartphone bracket, and you've got a decent workaround. My Samsung Galaxy S4 never loses the signal, and that's how I've finally gotten a rock-solid heart rate monitor solution to work.

If you've got the plain Bluetooth HxM, which is the older model that has the recharging station, you can use that with several other apps to get your heart rate data. Runtastic, for example--The problem is, of course, that the data won't be integrated in with things like your strokes per minute, or anything else from the PM5.

I think I have the older version.

I just use it with the HxM app which simply records heart rate over time into a CSV file. which is plenty for my purposes right now.

I have a PM2 but the fact that BoatCoach exists might just convince me to upgrade my PM! Thanks for bringing that to my attention. It looks like BoatCoach can even export Power Curves for every stroke... so I can do statistics on them... my spidey sense is tingling!

[Kirk]

If you own an Android smartphone, the Zephyr HxM Smart will work quite well with BoatCoach. Add in the Concept2 Smartphone bracket, and you've got a decent workaround. My Samsung Galaxy S4 never loses the signal, and that's how I've finally gotten a rock-solid heart rate monitor solution to work.

If you've got the plain Bluetooth HxM, which is the older model that has the recharging station, you can use that with several other apps to get your heart rate data. Runtastic, for example--The problem is, of course, that the data won't be integrated in with things like your strokes per minute, or anything else from the PM5.

I think I have the older version.

I just use it with the HxM app which simply records heart rate over time into a CSV file. which is plenty for my purposes right now.

I have a PM2 but the fact that BoatCoach exists might just convince me to upgrade my PM! Thanks for bringing that to my attention. It looks like BoatCoach can even export Power Curves for every stroke... so I can do statistics on them... my spidey sense is tingling!

Do beware that for some weird reason, you still need the Zephyr HxM Smart to work with the ergometer side of BoatCoach--for some reason I don't quite understand, the older version of the HxM only works with the on-the-water side of the app. Something to do with the way stuff pairs, I presume--You would think, intuitively, that if the HxM Smart is paired with your phone to work with the app, then it could do the same thing with the older, plain Bluetooth model. But, apparently, not--That "channel" is apparently filled by the Bluetooth connection to the PM5.

I hit up Zephyr tech support with this, and they could only shake their heads at the whole thing--Zephyr is a company whose primary focus is biomonitoring for defense applications, and they build all their stuff to be rock-solid and with standard implementations of all protocols. This thing with the PM5 just has them shaking their heads, because it simply shouldn't be happening with their gear--It's all bog-standard drivers and protocols. Absolutely nothing proprietary, or unusual. The problems I've had with the PM5 took them by surprise, because it's the first time someone has reported an issue of this nature with them.

[DB4IP]

Hello -
Has anyone had luck attaching FitBit Charge HR with PM5 (firmware V17)?
On PM5, pressing 'More Options' and 'Connect Heart Rate' with FitBit in range, the display reads 'No Belts Found'.
FitBit is connecting to iPhone 6 without issue.
In the event FitBit is not an option, suggestions for a watch based HRM which will work with PM5 are welcome (trying to avoid chest belt solution).
Thanks in advance,
Mitch

I have an Apple Watch. That also will not connect to the PM5. This is because the HR feature of the watch does not send out a Bluetooth Smart signal. The BTS signal is sent out by the Apple Watch (or Fitbit in your case) to communicate with the iPhone in order to transmit the collected data from the watch to the Apple app or Fitbit app on the phone. The HR monitoring on the Apple Watch or Fitbit only sends the heart rate info to the Apple Watch or Fitbit device. Currently, neither the Apple Watch or Fitbit broadcasts the heart rate by Bluetooth Smart or any other means to the PM5. In order to transmit a HR signal to the PM5, you need to wear a HR monitor chest strap that is capable of transmitting a Bluetooth Smart signal to the PM5. I use a Polar H7 Chest Strap for that. Incidentally, the Apple Watch (but not Fitbit) is able to receive the Bluetooth Smart signal from the Polar H7 as well. This is a feature Apple added to their watch for those who wanted the greater HR monitoring accuracy of a chest strap.

[jag]

The PM5 supposedly will work with any low-power Bluetooth Smart heart rate monitor, but I'm here to tell you that it does not, and will not work reliably with at least the Zephyr HxM Smart. There are some issues likely to be found with a battery-powered device like the PM5 and using it for Bluetooth devices, but I'll be damned if I can understand why the thing can't talk to the various Zephyr HxM products I own, but can happily communicate data across Bluetooth with my phone with zero issues.

I've had nothing but lousy luck with the Polar products that are supposedly Bluetooth-enabled, and Zephyr's products have been rock-solid with my Android cell phone. But, for some reason, the PM5 will not connect reliably to them, at all. After reading all the various issues that people report with basic heart rate devices like the Polar belts, and the older PM monitors, like having to put the sensor on the rail in order for the things to read reliably, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to conclude that Concept 2 needs to start hiring engineers that know how to make these things work. Seriously, folks--This is not rocket science, these days. Back when I was working out at the gym, my Polar belts talked just fine to any of the Precor or LifeFitness elliptical trainers I worked out on, and never skipped a beat. I've had solid performance from a myriad of Bluetooth heart rate devices on my cell phones for years, and now it is like we're going back to the dawn of wireless technology with the PM5? Seriously?

Color me not impressed. I've been dealing with trying to get my Zephyr HxM Smart working properly with the PM5 now for about a week and a half, and despite a warranty replacement of the PM5, I'm still unable to get any kind of consistent or reliable connection with the PM5 and the belt. Phone and the belt? No problem. Phone halfway across the house? Still maintains connection via Bluetooth. PM5, within 18 inches? Can't make the connection reliably, and constantly loses it when it does manage to make one. Usually once per every ten-fifteen attempts make it, and then once you start moving, the signal is apparently lost. Hell, I can't even figure out why the thing connects when it does--The whole thing seems to be wildly random. Meanwhile, the same conditions cause no problems when linked to the phone... Figure that one out.

I've tried every variable I can think of, to make this setup work, and I'm about at the point where I resort to sprinkling chicken blood from a voodoo sacrifice over the PM5. They are advertising this thing as being capable of doing this, but this feature is definitely not ready for prime time, and they need to quit telling people it will work. Because, it clearly does not...

As a work around, I'm using the BoatCoach Android app, and the Zephyr HxM Smart to get the heartrate data integrated with the workout data. But, that's a ridiculous thing to have to do, when the PM5 is advertised as being Bluetooth and Bluetooth Smart compatible. Not to mention, the app is another $40.00, but it does work. It's rather annoying that the $900.00 machine advertised as doing so can't manage that apparently simple feat.

You need to take some deep breaths and calm down. Don't murder any more chickens. The PM5 works perfectly with the Polar H7, as reported by other users. I can personally attest to it working perfectly with the Sigma R1 Blue comfortex, and with the SportLine Sync HR; both are Bluetooth Smart and I own both of them. If it doesn't work with the Zephyr HxM, then you should file a bug with the excellent C2 support people. But you should first make sure that your Zephyr is a Bluetooth 4.0, and NOT a Bluetooth 2.0 device. Zephyr apparently used the same name for both devices, and this is most likely the cause of your problem.

So in other words, C2 has already replaced your monitor for free, even though the first one was working perfectly well. And you are still publicly complaining about it. Even though the most likely cause of the problem you are having, is that you are trying to use a HRM that is a previous generation and therefore unsupported. If you actually do have the correct device, and if there really is a problem interfacing the Zephyr 4.0 with the PM5, then report it to the people at C2 who are interested in fixing the problem.

[alanmushnick]

The Fitbit doesn't broadcast heart rate. Scosche Rhythm plus and Mio fuse will send heart rate via Bluetooth smart to phones or PM5 if they are paired but only one device can receive it at a time.
Alan