Latest PM3 Firmware

[Atorrante]

Hi. I have read in the concept2 site that the latest PM3 Firmware is the 311, but my new D model with PM3 came with firmware version 313. I don't see any description of this firmware in the site. Is it a beta version of a new firmware? Any information about this firmware? Thanks

[Citroen]

There's nothing about V313 for PM3 at: http://www.concept2.com/service/monitor ... e/timeline
Are you sure it's a PM3. The PM4 has V313 - see http://www.concept2.com/service/monitors/pm4/firmware

[Atorrante]

I doublecheck it and it is a PM3 with firmware v313 and hardware v330 and datecode 1832012.

[Atorrante]

Hope they put a PM4 hardware into a PM3 shell in my new D. Maybe to celebrate the mid day of the year .

[jodycwilliams]

My PM4 showed up today with Firmware 316 on it. It also will not work with the Wahoo key.

[c2scott]

Folks,

I understand the confusion, let me try to explain.

Due to some planned and some unplanned changes in materials used in the PM3 and PM4 a minor firmware update was needed for the best experience. Mainly these things relate to the "contrast" (dark vs. light) on the LCD display. Other than this, there is no difference between the version listed on the web site (PM3 311 vs 313, PM4 313 vs 316). Concept2 decided not to 'publish' the newer versions for download by customers as this would cause thousands of people to upgrade their monitors and get no benefit at all. As it was not published for download, I also did not want to make potentially confusing additions to the web site with little benefit. I can see now that not posting it was a mistake. Our web team is in the process of updating the page.

What does all this mean?

If you have a higher version than the Web site says, don't worry about it. You have either been given an appropriate version for your monitor or you have updated to an "optional" or "beta" version of firmware.

If you try to 'force' an update using the Concept2 Utility and it warns you about 'downgrading', don't do it unless instructed by a Concept2 Tech staff. It'll may work OK, but best not to. You could end up with an LCD that wants to be 'too light' especially in cold climates.

There will be a new update that is recommended for all PM3 and PM4 customers coming very soon. You can actually get a preview of the new firmware (PM3 version 314, PM4 versoin 317) right now from the Concept2 Utility by choosing the "Gear" icon, then selecting "Beta", and then "Check Now". The PM3 version 314 provides additional USB connection functions, the Slovak language, and fixes a few minor bugs. The PM4 version 317 adds ANT Wireless stuff (for ErgBuddy, Kinomap trainer, and Garmin ANT+ enabled watches).

Whenever there are questions about what version is approprate for your monitor, please always feel free to contact Concept2 via rowing (at) concept2.com or directly to me (you should find my email address in the picture to the right).

- Scott

[Atorrante]

Folks,

I understand the confusion, let me try to explain.

Due to some planned and some unplanned changes in materials used in the PM3 and PM4 a minor firmware update was needed for the best experience. Mainly these things relate to the "contrast" (dark vs. light) on the LCD display. Other than this, there is no difference between the version listed on the web site (PM3 311 vs 313, PM4 313 vs 316). Concept2 decided not to 'publish' the newer versions for download by customers as this would cause thousands of people to upgrade their monitors and get no benefit at all. As it was not published for download, I also did not want to make potentially confusing additions to the web site with little benefit. I can see now that not posting it was a mistake. Our web team is in the process of updating the page.

What does all this mean?

If you have a higher version than the Web site says, don't worry about it. You have either been given an appropriate version for your monitor or you have updated to an "optional" or "beta" version of firmware.

If you try to 'force' an update using the Concept2 Utility and it warns you about 'downgrading', don't do it unless instructed by a Concept2 Tech staff. It'll may work OK, but best not to. You could end up with an LCD that wants to be 'too light' especially in cold climates.

There will be a new update that is recommended for all PM3 and PM4 customers coming very soon. You can actually get a preview of the new firmware (PM3 version 314, PM4 versoin 317) right now from the Concept2 Utility by choosing the "Gear" icon, then selecting "Beta", and then "Check Now". The PM3 version 314 provides additional USB connection functions, the Slovak language, and fixes a few minor bugs. The PM4 version 317 adds ANT Wireless stuff (for ErgBuddy, Kinomap trainer, and Garmin ANT+ enabled watches).

Whenever there are questions about what version is approprate for your monitor, please always feel free to contact Concept2 via rowing (at) concept2.com or directly to me (you should find my email address in the picture to the right).

- Scott

Hi Scott. Can you explain me why the saved workouts at a given cal/hour pace are saved at another cal/hour pace. For example, when I make a new workout of 6K at 1060 cal/h, it is saved at 1054 cal/h.

[c2scott]

Atorrante:

Are you speaking of the results of a prior workout? Or setting a paceboat at 1060 Calories?

Paceboats:
With respect to setting a PaceBoat, any calories entered are converted to a "Pace" for use internally during the workout. Based on the calorie-to-pace conversion, there is some inherent loss of resolution when stored as a "favorite" or "custom" workout. As there is a 'cube' (or conversely a cube root) conversion, not every caloric setting can be stored.

Logged workouts in Memory or LogCard:
The Watts and Calories are not directly stored in memory or on the Concept2 LogCard - they each only store meters, time, stroke rate, and heart-rate. The Watts are calculated from velocity (meters/time); and Calories are approximated from Watts based on a 175lb person. Since we are only storing meters to 1m resolution and time to 0.1s and the formulas involve multiplication and cubes, there is an inherent loss of some accuracy when re-calculating Calories.

For more intersting reading on Calories and Watts on the Concept2 Indoor Rower I can refer you to:
http://www.atm.ox.ac.uk/rowing/physics/ ... #section11

-- Scott

[OarConsequences]

@c2scott
I am working on some rowers at a gym and had some questions about upgrading the firmware.

* Should the firmware be upgraded without exception? In general on my computers I tend to not do software updates unless it addresses something that I know I would benefit from. I found this page: http://www.concept2.com/service/monitor ... e/timeline of release notes and all rowers are basically used standalone (not connected to computers) with English as the only language. I don't mind going through the process of updating but the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" part of me just wants to avoid any complications that might happen during the upgrade. Have people ever reported a PM getting bricked while upgrading? What is worst case scenario? Does the warranty cover a PM that becomes non-functional while upgrading? Don't mean to be paranoid or anything but the last thing anyone wants is a broken PM.
* Based on your other comment in this thread it sounds like it at this point (Oct 1 2012) I should just wait until 317 is out and bring everything up to the latest? Any ETA on the release?

Thanks!

[Citroen]

Get the C2 Utility installed on a Laptop.

Run it while connected to the Internet and it will download the latest firmware (if you check the options behind the little cog wheel icon to do that). Don't choose the "beta" options, go with the current production "gold" version.

Check the PM3/PM4 has good batteries (better than 40% charged).

Connect laptop (can be offline now) to your PM3 (or PM4) with the USB-A to USB-B (printer) cable (make sure the USB-B end is a) fully home in the PM3 and b) in the right way). Run the utility and follow the prompts. Six and a half minutes later smile, disconnect the cord and move to the next machine after the last grab a cup of coffee as a reward for a job well done.

The way I do it is I row a series of six minute intervals sitting on the machine next to the one I'm upgrading (so I can dissuade anyone from trying to row on it) while the upgrade runs (watching a PM3 upgrade run has less interest for me than watching paint dry). Nine machines to upgrade makes for a really good workout.

I've never bricked one and I've run upgrades on plenty.

[c2scott]

@OarConsequences:

Each firmware release either fixes a problem (bug) that was discovered; enhances performance; or adds new features. Sometimes these 'features' are behind-the-scenes in the USB or ANT Wireless interface to support Venue Racing or "Apps". Many times there are corrections to foreign languages or other inconsequential clean-ups done as well. Most of the time, it is a roll up of a combination of all of these things.

If you are only a few versions back and it is a standalone monitor and there is not some new feature that is desired then it is reasonable to not bother updating. Unforutnately, we sometimes skip a version number, usually because we found something obscure and 'pulled' the version, fixed, and had to increment again.

If you have a bunch of units to do, I would wait a few weeks (Mid October) and then update. I am in the middle of testing to approve PM3 v108 & 315; PM4 v 29 and 318 for release.

As far as bricking a unit... it is certainly possible and occasionally happens but is relatively unlikely. We've gone to great pains to ensure that this does not happen. Most of the time, a failed update is recoverable by rebooting your PC and trying again. I am here to help anyone via phone/im/email with any update problems.

[Carl Watts]

@c2scott
I am working on some rowers at a gym and had some questions about upgrading the firmware.

* Should the firmware be upgraded without exception? In general on my computers I tend to not do software updates unless it addresses something that I know I would benefit from. I found this page: http://www.concept2.com/service/monitor ... e/timeline of release notes and all rowers are basically used standalone (not connected to computers) with English as the only language. I don't mind going through the process of updating but the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" part of me just wants to avoid any complications that might happen during the upgrade. Have people ever reported a PM getting bricked while upgrading? What is worst case scenario? Does the warranty cover a PM that becomes non-functional while upgrading? Don't mean to be paranoid or anything but the last thing anyone wants is a broken PM.
* Based on your other comment in this thread it sounds like it at this point (Oct 1 2012) I should just wait until 317 is out and bring everything up to the latest? Any ETA on the release?

Thanks!

It's quite possible to brick a PM3 when upgrading an older firmware version prior to V82 for the PM3 for example. Had four of them that someone had obviously pulled the USB connection on during the process thinking it was done or there is also a message that can apear saying reboot your PC that you have to ignore on the older utility. The earlier versions are harder to update but once you have them to V101 your fine after this. The earlier update utility is not easy to use and throws all sorts of dialogue boxes like unable to clear the USB buffer etc and even getting it to recognise the monitor is connected has a trick associated with it. The newer PM loader is far better and the 6.50 utility is better, although the "Do not disconnect the PM3" should be in much larger print. Also I prefer to use a laptop with a good battery or a PC with a UPS as the unlikely even of a power failure during the update could stuff your monitor.

Have updated to the latest version of the firmware and everything seems to be fine so far. It has been a couple of years since the last version so it's worth updating.

[c2scott]

If you have an ancient PM3 with firmware version 99 or below I would advise using the "older" style update to get to version 101. This MUST be done on a Windows PC. This might take 2 tries as sometimes MS Windows gets 'confused' when the USB VID number changes during the update. Then, after success use the Concept2 Utility to get fully up to date. Certainly you should use the most recent version of the Concept2 Utility (currently 6.50 or 6.51); and definately don't pull the plug until it's done.

[Citroen]

Certainly you should use the most recent version of the Concept2 Utility (currently 6.50 or 6.51)

650 can be downloaded from http://software.concept2.com/logcard/Co ... tup650.exe
651 isn't available out there yet.

[c2scott]

Concept2 Utility 6.51 was posted without notice for Mac OS X only; the only difference is it is signed with a developer certificate so it can actually be installed on Mountain Lion...

I should note that if you are NOT using English on your MAC computer, Concept2 Utility version 6.42-6.51 on the Mac may give you a problem when updating. However, it IS recoverable and we are working on the problem. If you are in English there is no problem. If you are on Windows, there is also no problem regardless of what language you are using.

If anyone has problems with an update, please write or call Concept2 USA for help.