Couple of questions/possible gripes about PM5

[Rowan McSheen]

Can the PM5 be made to remember the hr strap, or do I have to pair each time?

And if it times out and turns itself off, does it automatically save to memory or does it discard metres not manually saved by pressing Menu? (I could find out the hard way but I'd rather not.)

[Tsnor]

Can the PM5 be made to remember the hr strap, or do I have to pair each time?

PM5 will remember the HR strap if (1) you use ergdata (or a usb drive, but ergdata is much better because it feeds the C2 log) (2) you have the strap active when you connect the PM5 to ergdata (3) you give it enough time to find the strap before you start rowing. "On the ErgData app, select Yes to, "Remember Heart Rate Belt?"
This saves your chest belt’s ID to your ErgData application so that the PM automatically detects your chest belt in the future." https://www.concept2.com/service/heart- ... pm4-or-pm5 (FWIW it took many times doing this before ergdata finally asked the "remember" question, or before I finally noticed it, not sure which)

I put on and start my belt when i put on my rowing clothes, I start ergdata and pm5 when I get to the rower. I get my handle on the rest and my feet in the stretchers. HR is connected when I start my warmup.

And if it times out and turns itself off, does it automatically save to memory or does it discard metres not manually saved by pressing Menu? (I could find out the hard way but I'd rather not.)

Just Row workouts less than a minute get discarded, the rest gets remembered.

[Carl Watts]

The problem is that it only remembers 1 strap and I have 3 in use.

Its a bit of a pain but my whole setup time is quite long anyway and probably 3 times longer than most people are doing. The main thing now is that it only needs to be done once now even if there is a problem with RowPro its faster to recover.

If you use ErgData the PM5 doesn't switch off to save power. Sometimes I setup the PM5 and ErgData 15-20 minutes early before the row and it stays on.

[Rowan McSheen]

Thank you guys. I'm not using any apps yet so I guess I'll just have to pair manually each time. Not enabling the PM5 to remember a strap seems a rather odd omission on C2's part. And an option for a longer or no timeout would be nice. But these are first world problems.

[Carl Watts]

Thank you guys. I'm not using any apps yet so I guess I'll just have to pair manually each time. Not enabling the PM5 to remember a strap seems a rather odd omission on C2's part. And an option for a longer or no timeout would be nice. But these are first world problems.

Really there should be menu that shows all the saved straps and you can simply delete as required. All 3 of mine could then be saved once and the pairing would be automatic when it saw one of them in the list during the search. This is like it is with my ANT+ USB dongle plugged into into a PC running Zwift, at least it remembers one and simply connects automatically.

[edward.jamer]

.. And an option for a longer or no timeout would be nice. But these are first world problems.

Do you mean like this?
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=203816

[Rowan McSheen]

Ah, thank you Sir. I guess that's the nearest we'll get for the time being.

C'mon C2, shouldn't be too hard to add a configurable timeout.

I enjoy this guy's workouts but he is somewhat, erm, loquacious.

To set 12 hour timeout: Menu -- more options -- utilities -- battery -- press units 3 times -- press display 3 times. Screen says "12 hour timeout". Press continue and do workout. Screen will show "12h" in corner as reminder. Repeat key sequence to revert (or suffer rapid battery drain).

[Citroen]

C'mon C2, shouldn't be too hard to add a configurable timeout.

They'll never add it if they don't know you want it. Send an email to info@concept2.com to ask for your design change.

[Carl Watts]

C'mon C2, shouldn't be too hard to add a configurable timeout.

They'll never add it if they don't know you want it. Send an email to info@concept2.com to ask for your design change.

Already done that requesting the most basic of changes and nothing happens its like someone set the firmware in stone.

Some of the changes are really really simple as well it can be quite frustrating.

[Rick]

My guess, and it is just that, is that they aren’t looking for conflict with the thousands of ergs used in gyms, schools, and other multi-use scenarios. As is, anyone can put ErgData on their phone, walk up to any erg in the world, connect and have their HRM recognized immediately. Creating the capability in app form is a far wider reaching solution for all users than putting it on the PM5 where it could only remember a few. Everyone has a cell phone or computer these days, and most use them during workouts for music or other services (tabata timers, etc).

I totally understand what your asking, and it would be a nice function to have for in-home use. I’m just tossing out the consideration that C2 did address the issue in a more global solution that can serve all of their users, even the ones who don’t own the ergs they work out on. It was certainly a more expensive solution for them, involving a higher up front and ongoing cost in app development, updating, and in-house server and maintenance expenses . I view that as a smarter, albeit imperfect, solution. They’re not slacking or behind the times with this; exactly the opposite!

[Carl Watts]

My guess, and it is just that, is that they aren’t looking for conflict with the thousands of ergs used in gyms, schools, and other multi-use scenarios.

Actually I suggested that Concept 2 should actually have 2 versions of the PM5 Firmware. One for the Gyms etc and all PM5's would be shipped with this version and another PRO versions for those that are serious. The PM5 is under utilized there are several features that could be added to make it far more useful. Pretty much the Gym's never update their firmware and don't even know new firmware exists, let alone discover there is a different version available.

You could actually just have one version of firmware and "Unlock" the expanded version via a hidden menu to turn it on.

I tried to start a thread on improvements and suggestions for the PM5 years ago but it got locked.

[JaapvanE]

Actually I suggested that Concept 2 should actually have 2 versions of the PM5 Firmware. One for the Gyms etc and all PM5's would be shipped with this version and another PRO versions for those that are serious. The PM5 is under utilized there are several features that could be added to make it far more useful.

From a software engineering perspective, that makes a lot of sense. The gym users typically are "fire and forget": most don't care about metrics etc., they just warm up on the machine.

Then you have the group which buy one for personal or family use. It would make much sense to store user profiles (using a USB stick with specs from a decade ago isn't much of an approach imho), including weight, age, height, etc. on the device itself. These metrics could be much more usefull in calculating some metrics than current guesswork. And to be honest, why not directly upload to your C2 profile then. It makes setting up a rowing session much less cumbersome.

Somehow, the rower in the boathouse seems to fall in between these categories, but that is the scenario where apps come in.

[Rick]

Oh, yes, I agree it would be great to add to the PM5 capability. I don’t know how much memory and processing ability is there. My wife and I use ErgData to store our workout info, and since discovering the app early on, it’s met our basic needs. The monitor capability list is basic and seems in line with the spartan nature of the machine. Hopefully some of the suggestions you guys have submitted will see action. It certainly wouldn’t hurt!

[Carl Watts]

Ultimately the whole PM5 monitor will be able to be replaced by your phone.

The PM5 has a load of flash memory and could have loads more functionality. For starters you can dump all the "Games" in it, not needed.

It needs more fitness tools in the PM5 for those that use a HR strap. The monitor could get to know your HR and do a HR recovery test at the end of the row for 2 minutes while both you and the monitor are sitting there doing nothing.