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PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: June 1st, 2010, 8:04 pm
by pelesl
I'm looking into getting a C2 machine. The online ranking and the data logging are both attracting me. I have a few questions:
1. Is transfer of log data to a computer via USB on both units? Does it just show up as a "mass storage device"? Are the units powered by USB when plugged in?
2. What is the format of the log file? In other words, can I dump it into a spreadsheet and do my own math on it?
3. What data is logged, and how often? How is the log data arranged - each session gets a file, or is it just one giant lump?
A sample file would be nice if anyone is willing.
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: June 1st, 2010, 8:53 pm
by Carl Watts
The USB cable also powers the PM3 and PM4 when it is turned on and in use. All the rear USB ports on a PC usually power down when the PC is turned off so your PM still requires batteries for the backup. Even on USB power in the event the batteries go flat the PM will throw an error code. You could use a front USB socket that always has power, in which case your batteries will last a very long time. A rechargable battery pack is an option on the Model D with a PM4.
Data on the Log Card stores the information at the split interval and no it doesn't appear as a mass storage device.
Others here can help you with processing the data, I use RowPro and it does this for me if I want to analyse one row with another. Heartrate is also stored at the split intervals along with pace, SPM, distance etc.
Each row is logged as separate data and there are various options on how to look at it on the PM like monthly totals of time and distance etc. very usefull stuff.
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: June 1st, 2010, 9:05 pm
by pelesl
Carl Watts wrote:Data on the Log Card stores the information at the split interval and no it doesn't appear as a mass storage device.
Sorry, not having used a machine---how long is a split interval?
Carl Watts wrote:Others here can help you with processing the data, I use RowPro and it does this for me if I want to analyse one row with another. Heartrate is also stored at the split intervals along with pace, SPM, distance etc.
Each row is logged as separate data and there are various options on how to look at it on the PM like monthly totals of time and distance etc. very usefull stuff.
Is any software included with the machine?
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: June 2nd, 2010, 2:58 am
by Citroen
pelesl wrote:
1. Is transfer of log data to a computer via USB on both units? Does it just show up as a "mass storage device"? Are the units powered by USB when plugged in?
It appears as a HID (human input device)
pelesl wrote:
2. What is the format of the log file? In other words, can I dump it into a spreadsheet and do my own math on it?
The format of the data on the logcard isn't published.
The Concept2 Utility program will a) upload it to
http://www.concept2.com/sranking03/log.asp b) create a comma seperated variables (CSV) file from the card c) maintain it (delete old workouts, etc.) and d) creates *.LCB backup image copy files from your logcard.
pelesl wrote:
3. What data is logged, and how often? How is the log data arranged - each session gets a file, or is it just one giant lump?
For each workout you get the following: timestamp (date/time columns), workout name, distance, elapsed time, stroke rate, avgHR (if your PM3/4 has an interface or zero), pace (time for 500m), calories/hour (calculated), watts and the same for each split (default five splits/workout) and for interval workouts you get records for the rest time.
I wrote a Perl program that reads the C2 CSV file and stuffs the data in a MySQL database. You can have a copy of that if you want along with a sample *.LCB and sample *.CSV file. Send me a private message with an email address.
Code: Select all
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `C2_log_row` (
`date_time` datetime NOT NULL,
`workout_name` varchar(20) CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci NOT NULL,
`distance` int(11) NOT NULL,
`elapsed` decimal(7,2) NOT NULL,
`stroke_rate` int(11) NOT NULL,
`avg_HR` int(11) NOT NULL,
`pace` decimal(5,2) NOT NULL,
`cal_per_hour` int(11) NOT NULL,
`watts` int(11) NOT NULL,
UNIQUE KEY `date_time_dist` (`date_time`,`workout_name`,`distance`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=latin1;
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `C2_log_split` (
`date_time` datetime NOT NULL,
`workout_name` varchar(20) CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci NOT NULL,
`distance` int(11) NOT NULL,
`elapsed` decimal(7,2) NOT NULL,
`stroke_rate` int(11) NOT NULL,
`avg_HR` int(11) NOT NULL,
`pace` decimal(5,2) NOT NULL,
`cal_per_hour` int(11) NOT NULL,
`watts` int(11) NOT NULL,
UNIQUE KEY `date_time_dist` (`date_time`,`workout_name`,`distance`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=latin1;
CREATE TABLE IF NOT EXISTS `C2_log_rest` (
`date_time` datetime NOT NULL,
`workout_name` varchar(20) CHARACTER SET utf8 COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci NOT NULL,
`distance` int(11) NOT NULL,
`elapsed` decimal(7,2) NOT NULL,
UNIQUE KEY `date_time` (`date_time`,`workout_name`,`distance`)
) ENGINE=MyISAM DEFAULT CHARSET=latin1;
pelesl wrote:A sample file would be nice if anyone is willing.
pelesl wrote:Is any software included with the machine?
Download the C2 Utility program from
http://www.concept2.com/us/service/software/c2u/ and create your own.
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: June 2nd, 2010, 9:58 am
by Bob S.
Citroen wrote:
The Concept2 Utility program will a) upload it to
http://www.concept2.com/sranking03/log.asp b) create a comma seperated variables (CSV) file from the card c) maintain it (delete old workouts, etc.) and d) creates *.LCB backup image copy files from your logcard.
It can also be used to create a spreadsheet directly. I always store the data from my cards in Excel, which is one of the options offered. I use a card reader, because the desktop where I keep the data is not in the same room as the ergometer.
Bob S.
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: June 2nd, 2010, 11:07 am
by pelesl
Thank you all for the detailed responses. It's exactly what I wanted to know!
Anyone know if the utility works in Windows 7 x64? (At least the driver is standard.)
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: June 2nd, 2010, 11:35 am
by Citroen
pelesl wrote:Thank you all for the detailed responses. It's exactly what I wanted to know!
Anyone know if the utility works in Windows 7 x64? (At least the driver is standard.)
It is documented as working on Win 7.
I use it on WinXP with an OmniKey 3121 card reader (as the nearest PM3 is 5Km from home).
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: July 21st, 2010, 12:33 pm
by rlddikeman
I have an old omnikey 3121 and windows 7 x64 at work. I got the omnikey to install (according to windows device mgr), but the Concept2 Utility doesn't see it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: July 21st, 2010, 12:51 pm
by Citroen
rlddikeman wrote:I have an old omnikey 3121 and windows 7 x64 at work. I got the omnikey to install (according to windows device mgr), but the Concept2 Utility doesn't see it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Have you installed the OmniKey diagnostics program? It adds a control panel widget on my WinXP system. When the C2 card is inserted I see:
Have you tried re-installing the C2 utility after you've got the OmniKey drivers installed and working?
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: July 21st, 2010, 1:08 pm
by rlddikeman
I installed the 64 bit util, but I get only the general page. I'm wondering if I have to restart my computer. That's not usually the case for USB devices.

- 2010-07-21_1005.png (27.91 KiB) Viewed 8939 times
I have no errors in the Device Mgr and it's the same driver version as I got from the HID (OmniKey) website 1.2.2.8
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: July 21st, 2010, 1:15 pm
by rlddikeman
hmm, I found the windows services that should be starting for the smart card, but it won't start. I will have to check to see why not.
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: July 21st, 2010, 1:32 pm
by rlddikeman
needed a reboot. Works now. Thanks
Re: PM3/PM4 log data
Posted: August 15th, 2010, 5:33 pm
by bluesky
Nice thread-very informative. Are there any Linux folks using the C2 utility under Wine? Any success there or is Win/Mac a must to get at the data on the card?
I will say that the current version of Wine does allow for the installation and running the software. As I do not yet own a PM4 yet (shipping) I cannot know if the USB interface under Wine works or not.
