C2 model D

[sillbeer]

Hey all,

I'm new to forum and new to rowing. I've been running on and off for a few years ranging from 20-40 miles per week dependent on motivation which really goes downhill in the winter months. I've dabbled in crossfit a little but didn't really get into it much. I really think I would enjoy the low impact rowing and especially with the row pro software which is a selling point. We have our basement mostly finished and I have plenty of room for an erg. I was set on a waterrower but I'm driven on competition and the want to review and post data. I currently have a Garmin 610 watch and HR monitor that I use when I run. The Garmin watch utilizes the Ant agent which I believe the Concept 2 with the SM4 monitor uses correct? I'm pretty set on picking up a Concept 2 model D and am up in the air about the SM3 vs SM4. I was considering an Oartec Roarer but I think it's not necessary for me at this point in time. With that being said, where's the best deals on the C2 Model D? The cheapest I've found is $889 shipped with the SM3 but I'm leaning towards the SM4 right now which is $1014 shipped. Craigslist isn't big in my area and the local classifieds don't have what I'm looking for.

Thoughts?

- Destin

[Cikan Vuz]

I would play it safe and order directly from here at C2. They have the best "Honest" prices. Trust me, I shopped around and went with the best deal and it turned out to be a scam... Luckily, I am noticed the problem right away after I paid, but I SHOULD have noticed it BEFORE I paid. If I had, I would have my rower at home now and saved myself a lot of heartache and stress ( which is a great motivator while rowing though...)


PLZ read this topic here at the forums before you decide.... http://www.c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=14260

[sillbeer]

Thanks Cikan Vuz for the info. The website I was looking at is reputable. I've done business through them before and it's a large supplier of crossfit equipment. I haven't checked out the pricing on the C2 website. I'll do that here shortly. Thanks for the heads up on the bogus/scam websites.

- Destin

[Cikan Vuz]

The D with PM3 is 900 here, 45 shipping. comes with the computer cable and card too. D with PM4 is 1050 + 45 shipping. I was not charged sale tax and I am in CA.

It takes up to 5 days for them to ship. I read somewhere this is because they do not have a back stock of them and put them togther as they are ordered. The shipping is for ground. I ask about expidited and was told it was in the hundreds so I passed and am toughing it out at the gym while I wait... LOL

[sillbeer]

I finally pulled the trigger. I purchased a new black model D with PM4 computer. It should be here by the end of the week. I really want to get the row pro software but we only have Mac computers. I'm not really interested in putting windows on my macs. I'll probably just get a dedicated windows laptop for downstairs and use it the rower. For now I'll just get the cable and the holder for my android phone and track everything through that for now.

[Hollywood_Kuma]

Paying the extra for a PM4 monitor makes good sense - it bundles a couple more games, works with Garmin, Ant and Suunto belts out of the box, and will do racing next to other PM4 rowers. More importantly C2 aren't developing for the PM3 any more as there isn't a lot of memory on the PM3 circuit board to allow them to do so. Finally, the PM4 comes with a rechargeable battery pack, which I think is preferable to having to buy and replace batteries.

I bought my machine direct from Concept 2. Amazon sell a lot, but there are many complaints about shippers damaging the boxes (and the rowers inside), as well as delays. I decided to deal directly with C2 to avoid any problems and, fortunately, I had no issues.

For logging, I tried Ergdata, but I actually prefer just to use the log card and the online logbook, together with an Omnicard 3121 card reader ($17 on Amazon). Bill Gates got to me when I was young (I was brought up on DOS) so I'm not a Mac guy, but you can connect a card reader to a Mac and then update online (just double check that the reader will work with a Mac). In the absence of a reader you can instead simply plug your PM4 into your Mac.

Sadly the sexy black Model D wasn't available when I bought my machine. Mine is just plain gray

[sillbeer]

Thanks Hollywood,

I picked up the android cable and holder from digital rowing.com and I believe it will automatically update the logbook through my phone. I may be wrong though. 2 more days.

[Hollywood_Kuma]

Yes, with the cable the PM4 speaks to the Android app on the phone, and this updates to your C2 logbook account. If Ergdata doesn't work for you, try the supplied logcard + $20 reader.

I found Ergdata to be OK, with two complaints:

==> It doesn't show "projected time" in the way that the PM4 does (I like to row at night, so this would have been a helpful addition).

==> The phone holder solution isn't very good, and you may need to add some rubber foam to get a firm fit.

Other than that, Ergdata is fine.