Utility not working with PM5.

[Citroen]

You've clearly never worked in the software industry. It has been that way for 30 years and more. Or in other words for all the time that software support was paying my mortgage.

At the moment 6.73 is available on request and will be generally available when the beta testers have confirmed it doesn't introduce any errors for PM3, PM4 & LogCard users and works for the PM5 and USB stick users.

[raotor]

You've clearly never worked in the software industry. It has been that way for 30 years and more. Or in other words for all the time that software support was paying my mortgage.

At the moment 6.73 is available on request and will be generally available when the beta testers have confirmed it doesn't introduce any errors for PM3, PM4 & LogCard users and works for the PM5 and USB stick users.

Well, as someone who has worked as a sopftware developer for some 24 years I can say that I think all this testing you mention should've been done prior to releasing the PM5. If the software was not ready then I would have delayed the release of the new PM until it was in a satisfactory state. THere was no rush to launch the PM5 as far as I am aware and so why not wait until both software and hardware are ready.

[Citroen]

It's the risk of breaking the Utility for the PM3 & PM4 users that overrides getting the new software out for everyone. Else you have to have two generally available versions. It's always hardware first if the two things can't be synchronised.

[Hollywood_Kuma]

The utility 6.73 beta is available for download here (you don't have to request it):

Software.concept2.com/p5/Concept2UtilitySetup.exe

From testing, I've established that the 6.73 beta doesn't work with the old-style log-cards (C2 are aware of this problem), but it will upload files from a PM5 usb stick.

The officially released 6.55 is stable and works fine with the logcards, but not with the PM5 usb sticks.

For people like me, before a new bug-free version of the utility is released that will handle both the old-style log-cards and the new usb sticks, it means having to use two versions of the utility. But that is not such a big deal.

The nice people at C2 say that there should be a new official release of the utility within a month or so.

What is cool on the 6.73 beta is that it can be set up to automatically download new versions of the PM5 firmware to a usb stick. This means that when a usb stick is inserted into a PM5 monitor, new firmware is readily available for upload. This seems to me like a small, but nevertheless meaningful contribution, and should prevent PM5 monitors running ancient firmware as time goes by. On gym machines, it seems nobody ever updates the firmware, which is unsurprising, and this innovation should help in that regard.

[raotor]

Does anyone know whether the new PM5 is shipped with an ANT+ HR belt like the PM4 was?

[Citroen]

Does anyone know whether the new PM5 is shipped with an ANT+ HR belt like the PM4 was?

You'd need to ask Concept2 UK or Indoor Sport Services Ltd. what deals they have now that the PM5 is out.

[Hollywood_Kuma]

@raotor

No, unlike the PM4 monitor, the PM5 ships without a chest belt and without a watch. I think C2 wisely decided not to include these items to keep costs down, and the added cost would probably antagonize those of us who already have heart belts and watches and who don't have need of any more, as well as those who have no interest in heart rate monitoring. So, I think this is a wise decision. You do, however, get a rather cool looking USB stick for storing your workouts.

Of course, as Citroen says, local distributors may offer a bargain bundle, but if you order the erg from the good people in Vermont, you don't get the heart rate gear.

I use a Suunto "Dual" belt, which is quite neat as it pushes out a Polar-type signal that my ten year old Polar watch can understand, and an ANT signal which the PM5 can read. The belts are not particularly expensive - under 50 bucks on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Suunto-Dual-Comfo ... mfort+belt

My old Model D, ordered four years ago, was $1,050. My new Model D, which arrived today, was $950. So, the guys at C2 are today delivering a better machine and, by cutting out items which some of us might not want, doing so at a better price.

In terms of the utility, I'm using the 6.73 beta software, and it works fine, happily uploading data from the USB stick to my online logbook.

[Benno1uk]

Hi everyone. I too have received my C2 Model D with PM5 (in the UK) and am trying to get to grips with setting everything up. Does anyone have a link to the Mac version of Utility 6.73 please? I find it strange that they would release a new PM before officially releasing the Utility software for it. Anyhow, the rower looks cool in black and seems sturdy (although I am a little annoyed that it arrived with a dent in the metal mesh around the fan housing... Not what I would expect after paying £860...).

[TheInsideMan]

Got my PM5 last week and have had nothing but issues since it arrived. Bluetooth connection issues, utility issues and I'm having issues recording my workouts using the PM5 monitor onto the USB logcard. I have read all available documentation (printed and website) yet recording rarely works and I am beginning to think their may be a fault with my monitor.

From the home screen I select "Just Row" and continue my workout (with USB key securely in PM5), after my workout I have tried...

- do nothing (let the monitor go to sleep).
- after 6 seconds click the menu button once to go to home screen.
- double clicking the menu button immediately to go to home screen.

None of these options seem to work most of the time, only perhaps 10% of the time do my workouts get recorded.

I'm finding this very frustrating as I cannot find detailed instructions for the PM5 on how to record sessions. Not really acceptible considering the cost of this machine.

[Hollywood_Kuma]

@Benno1uk,

The dent in the mesh in unacceptable, but the heavy weight of the machines (compared to normal deliveries), and the fact that delivery guys don't always care as much about your machine as you do, means that this is not uncommon.

Fortunately the mesh is easy to replace - you just unscrew the fan housing and you can easily put a new mesh piece in place.

Concept 2 service is normally exemplary, so I think if you contact them they will simply send you a new piece of mesh out. It's a ten minute job to swap out the damaged piece.

6.73 of the utility is beta, and while it seems to work fine for me, I'm using Windows. I don't know if there is a Mac beta - you should ask the Concept 2 guys. If your local distributor doesn't have an answer or a copy, I would contact Concept 2 in the US, where they actually develop the software.

[Citroen]

From the home screen I select "Just Row" and continue my workout (with USB key securely in PM5), after my workout I have tried...

- do nothing (let the monitor go to sleep).
- after 6 seconds click the menu button once to go to home screen.
- double clicking the menu button immediately to go to home screen.

None of these options seem to work most of the time, only perhaps 10% of the time do my workouts get recorded.

How long are you just rowing? Extremely short workouts were never recorded back with logcards. Try the fish game (4 minutes of fun).

Is it a brand new USB stick? Is it genuine or a cheap Chinese fake? Have you tried getting Windows to reformat it?

[TheInsideMan]

How long are you just rowing? Extremely short workouts were never recorded back with logcards. Try the fish game (4 minutes of fun).

Is it a brand new USB stick? Is it genuine or a cheap Chinese fake? Have you tried getting Windows to reformat it?

- rowing for 5 min stretches
- brand new, supplied by concept2 with new model d
- have not reformatted yet, want this to be a last resort. dont see how it could be corrupted though with so little usage.

[Hollywood_Kuma]

@TheInsideMan

I've had my machine a few days and have played around with it, and haven't come across any major issues, but I'll try to help.

I haven't tried doing anything with Bluetooth - not sure what is supported yet, if anything. I believe the Bluetooth is a version called BTLE, but I haven't tried this.

I haven't had any problems recording workouts, but I have a few suggestions for you to try:

- Check if you have problems with workouts other than "just row". My recollection is that short rows are not recorded under "just row". You should see if you have the problem with "single time" or "single distance" workouts.

- Check if the USB stick is making a good contact with the monitor port. The USB stick supplied by C2 is quite flexible, and although I haven't had any problems with mine, I can see this could potentially be an issue.

- Try a different USB stick (the one you have might be faulty). You should be able to pick up a stick for $5 or so. It needs to be formatted for FAT or FAT 32 (not NTFS). See if this solves the problem.

- Try loading new monitor firmware using the 6.73 beta version of the utility. You can download 6.73 beta from http://Software.concept2.com/p5/Concept ... ySetup.exe (earlier versions of the utility will not work with the PM5). In the utility select the checkboxes to download beta versions of the utility and firmware. Then try loading the latest beta version of the PM5 firmware (version 15). The firmware will first download from C2, via the utility, to the USB stick, and then when you put the stick into the monitor, the PM5 will ask if you wish to upload new firmware.

- Check the batteries are properly inserted (I'm sure they are, but it's worth a look).

- Check the cables between the monitor and the erg are properly inserted.

If none of this works, I suspect you have a faulty monitor.

It's a great machine, and C2 customer service is normally extremely helpful, so if none of these suggestions work, I'd give C2 a call and ask them to send you out a replacement monitor.

[TheInsideMan]

@TheInsideMan

I've had my machine a few days and have played around with it, and haven't come across any major issues, but I'll try to help.

I haven't tried doing anything with Bluetooth - not sure what is supported yet, if anything. I believe the Bluetooth is a version called BTLE, but I haven't tried this.

I haven't had any problems recording workouts, but I have a few suggestions for you to try:

- Check if you have problems with workouts other than "just row". My recollection is that short rows are not recorded under "just row". You should see if you have the problem with "single time" or "single distance" workouts.

- Check if the USB stick is making a good contact with the monitor port. The USB stick supplied by C2 is quite flexible, and although I haven't had any problems with mine, I can see this could potentially be an issue.

- Try a different USB stick (the one you have might be faulty). You should be able to pick up a stick for $5 or so. It needs to be formatted for FAT or FAT 32 (not NTFS). See if this solves the problem.

- Try loading new monitor firmware using the 6.73 beta version of the utility. You can download 6.73 beta from http://Software.concept2.com/p5/Concept ... ySetup.exe (earlier versions of the utility will not work with the PM5). In the utility select the checkboxes to download beta versions of the utility and firmware. Then try loading the latest beta version of the PM5 firmware (version 15). The firmware will first download from C2, via the utility, to the USB stick, and then when you put the stick into the monitor, the PM5 will ask if you wish to upload new firmware.

- Check the batteries are properly inserted (I'm sure they are, but it's worth a look).

- Check the cables between the monitor and the erg are properly inserted.

If none of this works, I suspect you have a faulty monitor.

It's a great machine, and C2 customer service is normally extremely helpful, so if none of these suggestions work, I'd give C2 a call and ask them to send you out a replacement monitor.

Thanks Hollywood I'll try your suggestions tonight.

[Citroen]

How long are you just rowing? Extremely short workouts were never recorded back with logcards. Try the fish game (4 minutes of fun).

Is it a brand new USB stick? Is it genuine or a cheap Chinese fake? Have you tried getting Windows to reformat it?

- rowing for 5 min stretches
- brand new, supplied by concept2 with new model d
- have not reformatted yet, want this to be a last resort. dont see how it could be corrupted though with so little usage.

If Hollywood's suggestions don't work. Send an email to rowing@concept2.com you need to get tech support help from them.

I've already found an amusing bug in V6.73.

BTLE is NOT Bluetooth, it is Bluetooth low energy also known as Bluetooth Smart.