PM5 is here ...

[Citroen]

How hard is it to set-up a register as a "stroke counter" and then work out a really accurate average SPM at the end of the row and stick it in the top row of the results where the horribly rounded result is currently ? you can have it down to 1/100ths of an SPM easy but rounded to 1/10ths is more than sufficient. You cannot average all the splits, it doesn't work as well.

Have you written to them recently, rather than ranting on here?

With a new monitor just out, now is the best time to request new functions.

[Carl Watts]

Already e-mailed Scott at C2 ages ago, he said the only reason it couldn't be done was because of the format and limitations of the LogCard, well thats no longer a problem !

I will stop ranting and it would be great for those who get their hands on a PM5 to post their feedback on it here because chances are its going to be ages before I see one.

[sunship]

This is a pretty flat release, I must say.

So much more could have been done --

[raotor]

One of my concerns about the release of the new PM5 is that C2 may haltl any outstanding bug fixes on the existing PM3 and PM4. As someone who has only had my new Model D with PM4 for some 10 weeks and have discovered a likely bug in the firmware, I would be very disappointed if there was going to be no further work done to correct such issues.

[Citroen]

The original PM3 (not the PM3A) and original PM4 (not the PM4A) are still supported with firmware fixes retrofitted (when needed). Just because Concept2 stop developing or manufacturing their hardware doesn't mean they stop supporting the firmware. I can't see any indication that they are changing that policy with any end of support announcements.

They were still supplying spare parts for PM2s in 2009.

[Carl Watts]

What looks interesting if you look at some C2 websites is that the PM3 appears to be continuing but the PM4 has been replaced by the PM5.

C2 have not done a great job in the release of it to highlight any major jumps forward in terms of all the stuff that they have been told needs fixing for years. The highlights for example are posted up as the games, which are totally useless to the serious rower. The back of the PM5 looks distinctly like a PM2+.

From the information I can find its really hard to make the decision if its even an "Upgrade" for me from a PM4. Cannot find any screen shots of the results as they are stored in the USB memory for example.

Really waiting here for someone who has purchased a PM5 to answer some questions and place some feedback.

[raotor]

What looks interesting if you look at some C2 websites is that the PM3 appears to be continuing but the PM4 has been replaced by the PM5.

C2 have not done a great job in the release of it to highlight any major jumps forward in terms of all the stuff that they have been told needs fixing for years. The highlights for example are posted up as the games, which are totally useless to the serious rower. The back of the PM5 looks distinctly like a PM2+.

From the information I can find its really hard to make the decision if its even an "Upgrade" for me from a PM4. Cannot find any screen shots of the results as they are stored in the USB memory for example.

Really waiting here for someone who has purchased a PM5 to answer some questions and place some feedback.

What does surprise me a little Carl is that as a Concept 2 monitor service engineer that C2 have not sent samples out to all their teams in order for you to familiarize yourself with the new units. It seems odd that you might only get your hands on one in your line of work if one comes in for repair.

[Citroen]

I'd suspect Carl's job title is self-styled and not officially sanctioned.

The PM5 isn't out until the end of this month so Concept2 won't yet have delivered spares to their distributors.

[Bob S.]

The PM5 isn't out until the end of this month so Concept2 won't yet have delivered spares to their distributors.

According to a later thread - to which you responded, at one one person already has one and has a major problem with it. Whatinhell is going on here?

Bob S.

[Citroen]

The PM5 isn't out until the end of this month so Concept2 won't yet have delivered spares to their distributors.

According to a later thread - to which you responded, at one one person already has one and has a major problem with it. Whatinhell is going on here?

Bob S.

It's already on the new Y-shaped Skierg.

[Hollywood_Kuma]

I ordered my new Model D with PM5 monitor yesterday, and I received an email today saying it will be with me in the next five days, so it looks as though C2 will beat the promise of October 1st availability. Once I have the machine in hand, I can play around with it, and check out the functionality with the C2 utility.

@Bob S.

I use the C2 utility with a card reader, and I think it is set up to look for either a performance monitor or a card reader connected to a PC. My guess is that the C2 utility will probably work if connected to the PM5 via USB, but probably not if one just sticks the USB stick into the computer, because I think the existing software isn't looking for a USB stick as a data source. So, I don't think this is a major problem - just an inconvenience to live with until the C2 utility software is updated to feed off the USB data directly. It's a minor annoyance for me in that I'll have to connect my laptop to the PM5 to upload data, but it's not really a big deal for the short term.

@raotor

I would be astonished if C2 stop bug fixes for the PM3 and PM4 monitors, although they have stated that there will be no further development for the PM3, due to hardware limitations on the board of that monitor. C2 are still supporting the Model A erg of 1981, so I don't think they will leave you high and dry.

Also, maybe you can describe the firmware problem that you're having. The PM4s have been around for almost a decade, and I've found them to be very stable, but if you let us know what the issue is, perhaps I or someone else here can help.

@Carl

Please see my post regarding the PM5 manuals, available here: http://www.concept2.com/service/monitors/pm5/manuals. When my new erg arrives next week I will give you more PM5 feedback.

Also, I think the PM3 is, in fact, being discontinued. I think they are currently just unloading their inventory. It probably makes sense in terms of economies of scale to just have one monitor in production.

@

[Carl Watts]

The PM3 and PM4 were capable of so much more but their potential was never fully developed. What they are however is very very stable monitor now and with a connection to a PC the smarts should be being developed in the PC that has the grunt and not in the monitor anyway.Its inevitable the need for a monitor will fizzle out, arguably its already dead in this country.Pretty sure Concept 2 could have made a retrofit wireless board in the back that was Bluetooth capable and changed the Firmware and just run with that for a few more years.

Yes I would have liked to get involved in the design process and the testing of the monitor, however I'm only just the one monitor repair guy for the whole of New Zealand. Somehow I don't think they would have addopted many of my ideas however, that said I would't have the job of repairing them in the first place if they did.

[akadaedalus]

Just got an email about this. It makes me sad because about five months ago I finally talked myself into forking over the money for a PM3 retrofit (model C rower). I wanted to explore the Android connectivity to see if I could simplify my logging process, and also possibly develop an app. Now I've found that I'm not all that impressed with the Android apps, and I couldn't get Concept2 support to give me a SDK to develop an app of my own. The USB feature would have been more suitable to my needs (I don't want to get a card reader!).

Anyone have insight on potential trade-in price reductions? I'm aware that retrofit PM5s are not yet available.

OTOH, I did discover the gym at my favorite Vegas hotel has a Model D rower, and told myself to take the log card next time to boost those lifetime meters. It feels a little bit more cool to have it represent all my rowing efforts (which admittedly are few, I'm a noob). Schlepping around an interchangeable USB key isn't as cool, though it is more convenient.

[FHAREN]

I had a PM2 kick the bucket on my Model C.

If anyone is selling a PM3 or PM4 I'd like to purchase.

[Hollywood_Kuma]

@akadaedalus

In case it's of any help, I can tell you that I found the card reader (Omnikey 3121) to be quite helpful, and it set my back less than $17 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Cardman-CM-3121-O ... =card+3121

I appreciate this isn't really what you want, but I found it to be a useful purchase.