Fitness Watch/Tracker

[nick rockliff]

That's a feature of the USB stick.

My PM5 remembers the HR monitor and I don't use a USB stick

ERGDATA remembers the HRM. PM5 does not.

If you do not have ERGDATA connected to your PM5 then the PM5 does not connect to your HRM. Ergdata tells the PM5 to connect to the HRM.

This is why you need to connect Ergdata first if you want to get your belt automatically connected.

I never mentioned anything about auto connect. I connect through PM5 before connecting ergdata. It gives me a list of the three devices previously used. Thus remembers.

[Tsnor]

I never mentioned anything about auto connect. I connect through PM5 before connecting ergdata. It gives me a list of the three devices previously used. Thus remembers.

The PM5 gives you a list of devices previously used?

Neat.

Mine only shows me which devices are currently broadcasting in range and does not appear to remember anything.

[Jrummel83]

I never mentioned anything about auto connect. I connect through PM5 before connecting ergdata. It gives me a list of the three devices previously used. Thus remembers.

The PM5 gives you a list of devices previously used?

Neat.

Mine only shows me which devices are currently broadcasting in range and does not appear to remember anything.

Mine only gives currently broadcasting monitors too.


Nick, could you share how you accomplished that?

[nick rockliff]

I never mentioned anything about auto connect. I connect through PM5 before connecting ergdata. It gives me a list of the three devices previously used. Thus remembers.

The PM5 gives you a list of devices previously used?

Neat.

Mine only shows me which devices are currently broadcasting in range and does not appear to remember anything.

Mine only gives currently broadcasting monitors too.


Nick, could you share how you accomplished that?

Haven't accomplished anything. Just do as I have normally done but have just tried something. I tried to connect HR monitor without wearing one and the PM couldn't find any. As soon as I put on my new HR monitor and press connect it finds all three.

I assumed it remembered all three but I can only think the HR monitor I'm wearing wakes up the other two which actually don't work anymore as monitors but maybe the ant+ nodes are still functioning??

It is a very early PM5, I bought a PM4 when the PM3 packed up. Then a week later the PM5 came out. C2 kindly swapped it for me under the distance buying rules.

[Jrummel83]

The PM5 gives you a list of devices previously used?

Neat.

Mine only shows me which devices are currently broadcasting in range and does not appear to remember anything.

Mine only gives currently broadcasting monitors too.


Nick, could you share how you accomplished that?

Haven't accomplished anything. Just do as I have normally done but have just tried something. I tried to connect HR monitor without wearing one and the PM couldn't find any. As soon as I put on my new HR monitor and press connect it finds all three.

I assumed it remembered all three but I can only think the HR monitor I'm wearing wakes up the other two which actually don't work anymore as monitors but maybe the ant+ nodes are still functioning??

It is a very early PM5, I bought a PM4 when the PM3 packed up. Then a week later the PM5 came out. C2 kindly swapped it for me under the distance buying rules.

Oh ok, so no remembering, just finding active HRMs.

Interesting that one HRM would activate the others that are dormant? Perhaps your HRM is a dual HRM and is broadcasting BLTE and Ant+ signals? Not sure how that accounts for the third hrm but who knows what technological mischief is being wielded.

Now I don’t feel left out and rather justified in leaving my USB stick in lol

[Joebasscat]

I let ErgData do it’s thing this morning and it connected my HRM just fine. I guess I’ll give that a go for awhile. If it doesn’t it’s really not that taxing to connect it through the PM5. Just always a little antsy to get it all going when it’s time to go.

[Jrummel83]

I let ErgData do it’s thing this morning and it connected my HRM just fine. I guess I’ll give that a go for awhile. If it doesn’t it’s really not that taxing to connect it through the PM5. Just always a little antsy to get it all going when it’s time to go.

I’ll give it a go tonight without my usb stick and see if it connects automatically.

[nick rockliff]

Mine only gives currently broadcasting monitors too.


Nick, could you share how you accomplished that?

Haven't accomplished anything. Just do as I have normally done but have just tried something. I tried to connect HR monitor without wearing one and the PM couldn't find any. As soon as I put on my new HR monitor and press connect it finds all three.

I assumed it remembered all three but I can only think the HR monitor I'm wearing wakes up the other two which actually don't work anymore as monitors but maybe the ant+ nodes are still functioning??

It is a very early PM5, I bought a PM4 when the PM3 packed up. Then a week later the PM5 came out. C2 kindly swapped it for me under the distance buying rules.

Oh ok, so no remembering, just finding active HRMs.

Interesting that one HRM would activate the others that are dormant? Perhaps your HRM is a dual HRM and is broadcasting BLTE and Ant+ signals? Not sure how that accounts for the third hrm but who knows what technological mischief is being wielded.

Now I don’t feel left out and rather justified in leaving my USB stick in lol

No idea what it's doing and to be honest, I don't really care. If I can see live HR on my PM5 when I'm rowing then records it in Ergdata, that does it for me.

[walterpump]

Hello all, first time poster, long time…reader/browser.

As a previous Fitbit owner and a current garmin watch owner(VivoActive 4, I’d recommend the Garmin HANDS DOWN over Fitbit.

- HR Chest straps can vary, some being dual connection some singular. I have a garmin hrm dual which allows me to connect to the PM5 seemlessly and my watch. The only reason for this is I like to track my workouts and activity time through Garmin and in order to do that, the heart rate zone must be recorded by a garmin device…one the row session is over, I discard it without saving it. The logbook sends the workout data to garmin automatically with heart rate data too.

- As far as sleep tracking, it seems pretty accurate, but I do know that if you are sitting still for too long, let’s say watching a movie before bed, your stillness can register as being asleep…especially if your heart rate is in the lower range.

- Battery life is about 7-10 days even if I’m rowing for 30min-1hr per day.

- There a bunch of different models of watches, but if you like data, they all have it and the app is free. If you want MORE data, for instance VO2 Max for multiple sports, I’d recommend the fenix. BUT, it’s pricey. The VivoActive and Venu are mid range and there is another entry level model that I can’t recall the name of. The VivoActive is more geared towards folks who lead an active lifestyle and don’t focus on just one type of activity or sport. (Rowing, cycling, running, walking, hiking, mountain biking, strength training, and yoga etc.)

If I didn’t cover something that was mentioned, I’m happy to answer more questions about Garmin products. No, I don’t work for them or get any perks for you buying one, other than the satisfaction of someone else using a great watch. I can send a few quick snapshot of my most recent rowing session from today so you can see the data recorded by the PM5 and sent to Garmin connect. I tried to attach them here but the attachment quota has already been reached…apparently.

Hi Jrummel83: I am considering getting a Garmin Forerunner 235. Do you have any comments on its use for rowing? Thanks Man.

[Jrummel83]

Hi Jrummel83: I am considering getting a Garmin Forerunner 235. Do you have any comments on its use for rowing? Thanks Man.
[/quote]

Hey Walter,

I don’t have a Forerunner, but depending on what you are attempting to accomplish I would recommend it.

Things to think about:
- Are you planning on running (inside, outside, track, combination of all of these)? If yes, the go for it! If no, still might be worth it. If maybe, go for it.
- Are you interested in using it for rowing(separate from PM5/logbook)? If yes(for detailed and accurate HR data it would require a heart rate monitor chest strap). Go for it. If maybe, go for it. If no, then….HRM strap anyways for activities.
- Do you do multiple sports or gym workouts? Garmin has some pretty great resources for running(outside) and dumbbell workouts. But if this is the case look at something closer to a VivoActive 4, it’s more geared toward multi-sport.
- Are you just interested in tracking steps/activity level/walking? Skip the forerunner and go with VivoActive or vivomove. They provide basic info but also could be cheaper.

If you have more questions, please let me know. I do believe that there are some newer forerunners that might provide better user support and workload tracking(Training load, recovery time, etc) but the last question to ask yourself is this, what can I afford?…Garmin(while not as expensive as Apple usually) can run $500-$800 depending on what you are looking at. The VivoActive 4 is currently about $250-325 I believe(maybe cheaper…).

Good luck!!! Let me know what you decide if nothing else!

[winniewinser]

Hi Jrummel83: I am considering getting a Garmin Forerunner 235. Do you have any comments on its use for rowing? Thanks Man.

The ForeRunner 255 has just come out so you may get some deals on the 245 now as they look to shift the stock.

[Jrummel83]

Hi Jrummel83: I am considering getting a Garmin Forerunner 235. Do you have any comments on its use for rowing? Thanks Man.

The ForeRunner 255 has just come out so you may get some deals on the 245 now as they look to shift the stock.

It looks like the difference between the 235 and the 245 is only $50 now. So, I’d definitely say the upside of the 245 would be the training effect and recovery time. I’m not sure if it shows based on any activity or if it’s just for running/cycling. Before making a purchase, I’d verify if it was for any activity or just running. Especially if your not planning on running as your main function.

[walterpump]

Hi Jrummel83: I am considering getting a Garmin Forerunner 235. Do you have any comments on its use for rowing? Thanks Man.

Hey Walter,

I don’t have a Forerunner, but depending on what you are attempting to accomplish I would recommend it.

Things to think about:
- Are you planning on running (inside, outside, track, combination of all of these)? If yes, the go for it! If no, still might be worth it. If maybe, go for it.
- Are you interested in using it for rowing(separate from PM5/logbook)? If yes(for detailed and accurate HR data it would require a heart rate monitor chest strap). Go for it. If maybe, go for it. If no, then….HRM strap anyways for activities.
- Do you do multiple sports or gym workouts? Garmin has some pretty great resources for running(outside) and dumbbell workouts. But if this is the case look at something closer to a VivoActive 4, it’s more geared toward multi-sport.
- Are you just interested in tracking steps/activity level/walking? Skip the forerunner and go with VivoActive or vivomove. They provide basic info but also could be cheaper.

If you have more questions, please let me know. I do believe that there are some newer forerunners that might provide better user support and workload tracking(Training load, recovery time, etc) but the last question to ask yourself is this, what can I afford?…Garmin(while not as expensive as Apple usually) can run $500-$800 depending on what you are looking at. The VivoActive 4 is currently about $250-325 I believe(maybe cheaper…).

Good luck!!! Let me know what you decide if nothing else!

Thanks for all the info Jrummel83, much appreciated. Two of the main features I am interested in are heart rate and VO2 Max, which all the watches discussed can do. In fact the Forerunner 35 also can. The 235 appears to be able to use third party apps and I have seen a couple of those apps designed for indoor rowing. Cheers mate.

[kini62]

Probably a little or a lot late but this guy https://www.youtube.com/c/TheQuantifiedScientist has tested nearly all the smart watches and other wearables. Only the Apple watches and a couple of Hauwei watches have good HR accuracy for all types of exercises. The Apple watches in particular excel where the other fail- strength training.

[JaapvanE]

The Apple watches in particular excel where the other fail- strength training.

But can Apple watches connect to a PM5?