Concept2 Forum

I'd be interested in observations from any Model C ergers who have traded their PM2 or PM2+ up for a PM3. I'm considering making the investment and need some anecdotal support to help sell my Chancellor of the Exchequer. Model D user comments on the PM3 are welcome too.<br><br>Thanks.<br><br>Terry

I've not tried the pm3, but from all the comments it's the primary reason I'd not invest in a model D at this time.<br><br>I called C2 to see if the pm2+ would work on the model D, and they said it would not, and didn't have any "black boxes" available so it would work.<br><br>They were also not aware of any problems with the pm3, so there's not much hope of the problems being rectified.<br><br>I don't know of any reason you'd want to get a pm3, instead of using the pm2+, with the exception the pm3 will be more adaptable to newer computer and online programs.<br><br>

You will enjoy the meaningful feedback from the PM3 and be able to row more structured workouts. I used to "just row" with the PM2, but now I can easily program in the Wolverine Plan with all its different levels each day, and it is all displayed in full sequence on the PM3, complete with pace boat display. <br><br>Only just now a rower cut his time for 500m down from 1:52 on a model C to 1:37.5 on the model D within the space of 1 hour. He had seen from the force/time curve that his pulls had been decaying too fast, & remedied that immediately. The pace boat display might also have helped him to maintain his pace insead of staring at the av pace figures as displayed before on the PM2.<br>There are a host of features in the user-friendly PM3 not found in the PM2. It is much easier to log & recall workouts as these are stored in the logcard, & you just have to download them when you need to apply for your Million Meter Club memberships. <br>But you will not find the online racing feature in the PM3, nor the venue racing connection found in the PM2+. The battery life will also be a minor irritaiton on the PM3. <br>Balance out the pluses and minuses before you decide.<br>KC61

I've got a PM3 on my C<br><br>No problems at all, and software can be patched easily, just dl the patch from internet and installit over the usb cable. I already installed 1 patch and it was dead easy.<br><br>display is more detailed, and you get the log card.<br><br>Problem is I do most of my rowing at the gym with pm2 monitors, but the PM3 is fine.

If I recall correctly, the pm3 has at least 3 or 4 glitches and problems that were absent on the pm2+.<br><br>One of these is that:<br><br>#1- On the pm2, the time doesn't start till the rower does.<br><br>On the pm3, the time starts on it's own, before the rower does anything.<br><br>

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->On the pm3, the time starts on it's own, before the rower does anything.<br> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br>In other words, it acts just like it does at a race! This is a bad thing? Keeps you honest about those interval rest periods.<br><br>I wish the display showed every meter as it went by instead of skipping along, but that's the only PM3 quirk I have seen that hasn't gotten a promise of an eventual fix. Uh, that and online racing, although perhaps someone else will provide online racing support.

<!--QuoteBegin-John Rupp+May 27 2004, 09:49 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> (John Rupp @ May 27 2004, 09:49 AM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--> On the pm3, the time starts on it's own, before the rower does anything. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br> This is only when entering interval pieces set up on the PM3. On all other workouts either set time pieces, i.e. 30 minutes, set distance pieces, i.e 2K, or the just row option, nothing starts until the user pulls the handle.

#2- The pm2 has a even countdown of meters. Excellent.<br><br>The pm3 skips and jumps. There is no even countdown of meters.<br><br><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br>In other words, it acts just like it does at a race!  This is a bad thing?  Keeps you honest about those interval rest periods.<br><br><!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br>Yes, that's a bad thing. In the venue races, you can either (1) get a running start, (2) start exactly when the clock does, (3) lose time by not starting right when the clock does, or (4) start when the clock does but the computer doesn't pick up your monitor for a second or two. <br><br>There have been quite a few cases of this happening, hence the difference between rowers can be 2 to 3 seconds just from the start.<br><br>When training, and preferably if I ever do a venue race (hopefully it will be sorted out by then but I'm not counting on it), I'd prefer the clock AND METERS to start when I do.<br><br>I usually set the pm2 for 5 or 10 seconds less than the interval, then start when the second hand on a clock reaches zero. Very easy. There is no running start and no time lost either.<br><br>On the pm3, you're going to have to get a running start or else have time lost to the monitor. That's not consistent, not accurate, and not as useful as the pm2 which starts when the rower does.

<table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'><span class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></span> </td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->In the venue races, you can either (1) get a running start<!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><br>You can't get a running start since the erow software does a status check as it sends the start command to check that the flywheels are still stationary.<br><br>You can only lose time at the start with e-row, having the 5-4-3-2-1 countdown reduces this, and going when the pm2 display shows 0 rather than waiting for the screen or the commentator will minimise the loss, but you will lose time whatever you do.<br><br>Having more ergs connected also increases the loss due to the way the commands are sent down the wire with a slow serial connection.<br><br>This should all improve now with point to point wireless connections replacing the slow serial setup.