Model D or Model E for home use?

dgkimpton · Post by **dgkimpton** » June 3rd, 2007, 9:15 am

I'm looking to buy myself a Concept2 for home use but can't decide between the D and E models.

Clearly the E is newer, but it is also nearly 1/3 as much again in cost.

It seems like the E is clearly the better model for use in team situations, but does it really offer much advantage for the single machine home user?

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Storm Petrel · Post by **Storm Petrel** » June 3rd, 2007, 11:29 am

I think the E was designed for health clubs who wanted a higher profile, and people who wanted a higher seat.
I love my new model D.
One thing to note if you plan to take it apart and store it alot or between use, the arm which hold the PM does not fold down on the E like it does with the D.

dgkimpton · Post by **dgkimpton** » June 3rd, 2007, 11:40 am

Hmm, that was the impression I was getting. I'm thinking the D is better for me.

Now just to conclude on the PM3/4.

(oh and then merge 2 bedrooms to make room for it)

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » June 4th, 2007, 3:32 pm

I got the modelD/pm3 in December and am fine with it.

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » June 4th, 2007, 4:57 pm

dgkimpton wrote:Now just to conclude on the PM3/4.

The PM3 is cheaper. What you save will pay for a copy of RowPro ($99).

The PM4 has two features you'll never use at home: 1. wireless racing, 2. wired venue racing (without needing an extension module).

The PM4 and PM3 will interface to a Polar heart rate monitor with a receiver dongle on a long cable. The PM4 will interface to a Suunto HRM wirelessly.

The PM4 also has a rechargeable battery or can run on D cells like a PM3.

Storm Petrel · Post by **Storm Petrel** » June 4th, 2007, 6:41 pm

Citroen wrote: The PM4 also has a rechargeable battery....

I like this feature and one goal is to row enough to keep it fully charged.

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » June 5th, 2007, 9:48 am

I think the pm3 battery is also rechargeable.

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » June 5th, 2007, 10:51 am

John Rupp wrote:I think the pm3 battery is also rechargeable.

Nope, the PM3 does not have that capacity (which requires both the PM4 capabilities and slightly different magnetics on the flywheel). But a pair of D cells in the PM3/Mod D will last a very long time and that may give the impression that they are being charged. Especially if you don't spend much time with the monitor on while not rowing, even slow rowing provides enough power generation to run the PM3, so battery power is only really required for the initial "boot".

As for the Mod E and Home use, I selected it for a couple reasons. I figured the PM4, having more memory, will likely have more updates for features in the future. The more durable paint job was also of interest as well as the improved chain. The battery recharging was not a big concern, but it's a nice addition to the other features. I also have two machines so have used the wireless racing feature a few times, works quite nicely.

dgkimpton · Post by **dgkimpton** » June 5th, 2007, 1:29 pm

Thanks folks, great info.

I'm very tempted by the PM4 just for the wireless heart rate capability.

I'd love to know what model I used to use at my rowing club (back in 94 (I think)) because the chain on that was always causing my bother, but I guess it would have been a pretty early model.

rtmmtl · Post by **rtmmtl** » June 5th, 2007, 2:01 pm

Storm Petrel wrote:
Citroen wrote: The PM4 also has a rechargeable battery....
I like this feature and one goal is to row enough to keep it fully charged.

=============================
Duracell Alkaline D Batteries, 2-Pack
Price:$3.99
=============================

PM 3: turn it off
you have 5 (five) minutes after you pull the old batts before the memory is lost.
if you cannot get the new batteries in the PM3 in 20 seconds then maybe you should buy a PM4, for what an extra 100 bucks?

The rechargeable feature is BS.....batts should last maybe 2 years or better? At 2 bucks/year plus tax!

Of course if you like/need all the additional bells/whistles that come with the PM4 then go ahead.

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » June 5th, 2007, 7:30 pm

John Rupp wrote:I think the pm3 battery is also rechargeable.

The model D with PM3 has the "power generation feature", that's not enough to charge the batteries but is enough to stop them draining.

PM4 needs the V16 firmware upgrade to avoid the rechargeable batteries going prematurely flat.

If you connect a USB then both PM3 and PM4 will draw 100mA from that; that's one way to avoid losing memory when changing the batteries.

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » June 5th, 2007, 11:50 pm

It seems the pm3 recharges the battery as I have noticed a few times the level has gone from 82 to 100 percent charged.
I have a feeling that leaving the pm3 plugged into the computer while the computer is off drains the battery but haven't checked this yet to confirm.
If so, then I'll need to unplug the cord from the computer when it's off.
There does seem to be some charging going on there though, when the erg is in use.

Rtmmtl,
I agree with you.

And just as soon not have all that wireless stuff buzzing around, already too many waves in the air.
That's another reason I did not want the pm4.

Storm Petrel · Post by **Storm Petrel** » June 6th, 2007, 12:26 am

rtmmtl wrote:
Storm Petrel wrote:
Citroen wrote: The PM4 also has a rechargeable battery....
I like this feature and one goal is to row enough to keep it fully charged.
=============================
Duracell Alkaline D Batteries, 2-Pack
Price:$3.99
=============================

The rechargeable feature is BS.....batts should last maybe 2 years or better? At 2 bucks/year plus tax!

Of course if you like/need all the additional bells/whistles that come with the PM4 then go ahead.

I agree it's really quite a minor thing.
Athough I didn't choose the PM4 over the PM3 just for that feature, I do like it.
I'm off the grid, and after decades of generators and alternative power sources including various sizes and types of batteries for different tools, gadgets and the like, I enjoy knowing I'm recharging it as I erg, while using a couple less disposable batteries that in my area must be taken to toxic waste sites.

The features which did make me choose the PM4 are the fact that the PM4 has the potential for future upgrades (only time will tell if that was wise reasoning) and the heart rate monitor w/ chest belt. I admit I don't know what the heart rate monitor/chest belt would have cost had it been purchased separately, so that may not constitute a monetary savings, but rather only a convienience.

I also purchased the cover. (One could easily make their own, if they have time.) I don't know how much cleaner it will keep the inside of the flywheel case and chain over time than without one.

PaulS · Post by **PaulS** » June 6th, 2007, 10:46 am

John Rupp wrote:It seems the pm3 recharges the battery as I have noticed a few times the level has gone from 82 to 100 percent charged.
I have a feeling that leaving the pm3 plugged into the computer while the computer is off drains the battery but haven't checked this yet to confirm.
If so, then I'll need to unplug the cord from the computer when it's off.
There does seem to be some charging going on there though, when the erg is in use.

Rtmmtl,
I agree with you.
And just as soon not have all that wireless stuff buzzing around, already too many waves in the air.
That's another reason I did not want the pm4.

Well, before this degrades to a discussion of chem trails, I can explain why you see the occasional reading of 100%. That's just for a short period after you get done rowing, there is likely a regulating capacitor that has not discharged completely that is giving the indication of 100%, it will drop to whatever the battery truly is after a few minutes. So no, the PM3 does not recharge it's batteries.

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » June 6th, 2007, 11:37 am

Regarding the heart rate monitor, I've duct taped a short piece of pvc pipe sticking up a couple inches from the middle of the handle. When I want to check my heart rate, I wrap the wrist receiver around that.

This works very well.

I've used the same $50 heart rate monitor for more than 15 years, with running, on the model B, model C, and now model D.