PM5 - cable needed?

[thrope]

Hello,

I have just joined a new gym which has brand new rowers with PM5 monitor - so I didn't have anywhere to put my smart card in!

I understand I can either use a USB key to log the workouts, or connect an android smartphone and use ErgData. From what I understand the PM5 should allow a smartphone with ErgData to connect wirelessly using bluetooth, so I thought I'd just buy the cradle - but I am a bit confused by the text on this page:
http://www.concept2.co.uk/indoor-rowers ... one-cradle

"If you're a PM5 user and have an Android device that you want to use with ErgData, you will also need the Android Cable (part number 2424, or consider purchasing the Android Connection Kit—part number 2781—which contains both the cradle and the cable)."

Why is this? On the Connection Kit page it says if you have a bluetooth phone you can just buy the cradle. So can I use a PM5 + Android ErgData wirelessly, or do I need a cable?

Thanks for any help!

PS Is bluetooth likely to work in a gym where there are 6-8 rowers in a line or will it be a pain to find the correct one to sync the phone to? Perhaps a cable would be easier after all?

[thrope]

One more question... I know the Concept2 Utility doesn't handle uploading intervals properly to the online log (although they were stored on the smart card).

I definitely want to log intervals properly (not just average time over the whole row) - can ErgData do this or is the same as the online logbook? If so I would just use a usb key.

[thrope]

Yet more questions...

If I buy an ANT compatible chest strap I can have heart rate monitoring in the PM5.

But I see there are two ways to do it - if I log with a USB key I sync the chest strap with the PM5 directly. If I am using ergdata I understand I need to connect the heart rate monitor to the phone and not the PM5 - so the PM5 won't log any heart rate but the phone will. Is this right? Is there any difference between these two approaches?

Is there any way to get average heart rate and peak heart rate logged against each split? Thats what I really want but I'm not sure if it can give average and peak?

[bisqeet]

...I understand I can either use a USB key to log the workouts, or connect an android smartphone and use ErgData. From what I understand the PM5 should allow a smartphone with ErgData to connect wirelessly using bluetooth, so I thought I'd just buy the cradle - but I am a bit confused by the text on this page:
http://www.concept2.co.uk/indoor-rowers ... one-cradle

"If you're a PM5 user and have an Android device that you want to use with ErgData, you will also need the Android Cable (part number 2424, or consider purchasing the Android Connection Kit—part number 2781—which contains both the cradle and the cable)."

Why is this? On the Connection Kit page it says if you have a bluetooth phone you can just buy the cradle. So can I use a PM5 + Android ErgData wirelessly, or do I need a cable?

no idea. I use(d) the erg app without on my pm5 - bluetooth is enabled.
I also don't have a cradele (why?) i had the phone either on the floor (lets be honest, the phone display is a tadge smaller than that of the pm5 and you cant really see more data) or balanced just before the foot rests.

One more question... I know the Concept2 Utility doesn't handle uploading intervals properly to the online log (although they were stored on the smart card).

I definitely want to log intervals properly (not just average time over the whole row) - can ErgData do this or is the same as the online logbook? If so I would just use a usb key.

define properly ?
the meters are all there, but you couldn't rank a piece...

If I buy an ANT compatible chest strap I can have heart rate monitoring in the PM5.

But I see there are two ways to do it - if I log with a USB key I sync the chest strap with the PM5 directly. If I am using ergdata I understand I need to connect the heart rate monitor to the phone and not the PM5 - so the PM5 won't log any heart rate but the phone will. Is this right? Is there any difference between these two approaches?

Is there any way to get average heart rate and peak heart rate logged against each split? Thats what I really want but I'm not sure if it can give average and peak?

i use a bluetooth hrm (polar) - this allows both the pm5 and ergdata to connect simultaneously.
if you are using the usb stick, you can always import the sesion in an jet based DB (Access, Excel or any SQL) and get the data you want.
It wont (at least not as default) show a split average on either monitor.
row pro (I use this mostly after buying it in september) shows a graph for the BPM

[thrope]

define properly ?
the meters are all there, but you couldn't rank a piece...

Thanks very much. I mean keeping the interval and rest period separate (showing the speed/heart rate of each interval ignoring the rest times and not the average over the whole session including the rest times).

I'll take my phone next time and see how it works! Haven't bought a compatible HRM yet so thats why I had those questions. For me having average + max HR for each split/interval would be quite useful when looking back over the week. Its fine to have it logged for later. I guess I will try both the USB and ergdata when I have a chest strap.

Thanks again

[c2scott]

If you have a PM5 and a Bluetooth Smart enabled Android or iPhone (4S and above), then you don't need the cable. Without Bluetooth Smart (older iPhones, older Android, or PM3 or PM4), use the appropriate cable.

Storage of splits/intervals is coming...

[bisqeet]

Just using a USB-stick is definitely the easiest. Plug & play in a couple of seconds. And upload to the Logbook via Concept2 Utility.

well, the "cheapest" solution is the usb. I have tried several before using one that was stable. i suspect the PM5 couldn't deliver a stable voltage/current required (5V/0,5A) by some of the strage devices in use. USB3 needs even more, so I'm guessing the older the betrter are your chances of success.

TBH - i feel RowPrp should have been bundled with the machine.
Simply add 50 whatever $ on top of every machine purchase...

[hanssonrickard]

If you have a PM5 and a Bluetooth Smart enabled Android or iPhone (4S and above), then you don't need the cable. Without Bluetooth Smart (older iPhones, older Android, or PM3 or PM4), use the appropriate cable.

Storage of splits/intervals is coming...

That sounds really good (saving split data).
I am a new user also, got my Model D delivered today, i just rowed a 2000m session using argData on my iPhone connected to the PM5 using Bluetooth and also an Garmin ant+ HR. Worked good.
But i find the data that is saved in ergData and uploaded to your online portal containing very little data compared what is seen on the display during the workout.

Would be nice to get more data logged in ergData and uploaded such as s/m, watts, avg force, peak force, drag factor and so on.

Although, always nice to hear that improvements and features are on the way

(I like the rowing machine)

[AlexMarsden]

I use (and really like) Ergdata connected to my PM5 via bluetooth.
I connect my ANT+ heart rate monitor to the PM5 and then connect the PM5 to Ergdata on my (android) mobile phone. This has the advantage that the HR appears on your rowing data.
I found I needed Android 4.3 or later to have Bluetooth Smart- which is necessary to connect to PM5.
I am not sure about the challenge of connecting to your phone to the right PM5 if you do it at a gym - but I think this is managed.

The splits stored on ergdata work well (for me) and are similar to the splits stored on the PM5 (and more than the data shown on the logbook).
I have (hopefully) attached an image showing the splits of a 2000m row from ergdata on my phone. Note the image has been squashed to fit in the requirements of the forum.
The data shown for each split is the average - except for the heart rate - which shows the last valid data (likely to be the peak, unless you have tapered off) are the a

My heart rate monitor (Scosche RHYTHM+) has both bluetooth and ANT+ which means I can connect it to both the PM5 and to my mobile - this gives more data (like average and peak).
The RHYTHM+ has the disadvantage that it sits on your arm - which is not ideal for a rowing machine (as you are using your arms) this means I get good reading some days and patchy data other days.

[mwalsh]

Hello,

I understand I can either use a USB key to log the workouts, or connect an android smartphone and use ErgData. From what I understand the PM5 should allow a smartphone with ErgData to connect wirelessly using bluetooth, so I thought I'd just buy the cradle - but I am a bit confused by the text on this page:
http://www.concept2.co.uk/indoor-rowers ... one-cradle

"If you're a PM5 user and have an Android device that you want to use with ErgData, you will also need the Android Cable (part number 2424, or consider purchasing the Android Connection Kit—part number 2781—which contains both the cradle and the cable)."

Why is this? On the Connection Kit page it says if you have a bluetooth phone you can just buy the cradle. So can I use a PM5 + Android ErgData wirelessly, or do I need a cable?

I fell into this trap and only ordered the cradle. Turns out that it's not Bluetooth the phones need, but SMART Bluetooth, AKA Blueooth 4.0.

Since neither of my phones have that, it looks like I need the cable for either iPhone or Android, both of which appear to be proprietary. Ho, hum...back to the web site I go for another order.

[PaulaB7]

I don't understand how to connect my iPhone to the PM5 via Bluetooth. I installed ergdata on my iPhone, and got a message about pressing Menu/More Options/Turn Wireless On (on PM5). I can't find anything about wireless or bluetooth on the PM5. I also tried to sync my phone to the PM5 bluetooth, and phone couldn't find it. Am I just confused?

[mwalsh]

I don't understand how to connect my iPhone to the PM5 via Bluetooth. I installed ergdata on my iPhone, and got a message about pressing Menu/More Options/Turn Wireless On (on PM5). I can't find anything about wireless or bluetooth on the PM5. I also tried to sync my phone to the PM5 bluetooth, and phone couldn't find it. Am I just confused?

iPhone 4S or newer? If so, the answer is probably "Yes, you're confused". Menu button (large marked button bottom right); More Options (bottom most of the smaller buttons); Turn Wireless On (third smaller button down from top); follow directions on your PM5 screen.

[keke_eo]

and got a message about pressing Menu/More Options/Turn Wireless On (on PM5). I can't find anything about wireless or bluetooth on the PM5.

Sounds like you may have old firmware. Check what version you have and update it if required using a USB stick.

http://www.concept2.com/service/monitors/pm5/firmware

[KevinConcept2]

i use a bluetooth hrm (polar) - this allows both the pm5 and ergdata to connect simultaneously.

My heart rate monitor (Scosche RHYTHM+) has both bluetooth and ANT+ which means I can connect it to both the PM5 and to my mobile - this gives more data (like average and peak).

Why would you connect the HRM to both the PM5 and the phone? The phone isn't going to magically "make" Ergdata store "more" HRM data than it already gets from the PM5. Are you running some other app in the background to collect the phone's HRM data?

[KevinConcept2]

Storage of splits/intervals is coming...

the average - except for the heart rate - which shows the last valid data (likely to be the peak, unless you have tapered off)...

I assume this is refering to the Ergdata iOS update that we saw in February. Scott, can you confirm the HRM number for each split is the average and not the peak? And, in the future, will we be getting HRM data added to the graph and/or CSV export for each stroke?

It should also be said that if you want HRM data for each stroke now, you can get it by connecting a Garmin ANT+ FE device. However, Garmin dropped ANT+ FE from the new watches, so we have to wait for someone to write a ANT+ FE-C Connect IQ app. What a mess.