one USB stick for two PM5?

[shu246]

Can one USB stick, one user, be used to accumulate sessions on more than one PM5? It seems not, but I would like to confirm.

Just looking for a convenient, reliable, way to move session records from PM5 to PC (thence to online log). Thanks.

[Sakly]

No possibility to use ergdata? Seems much easier to me.

[gvcormac]

Yes you can. I carry a USB with me when travelling and plug in to the hotel equipment. Also I have a Row Erg, Bike Erg, and Ski Erg. Same USB stick with all.

Recently I've started using ErgData and I'm not sure it is a major improvement. It is less reliable; I sometimes need to revert to a cable and Concept 2 Utility to retrieve sessions that Erg Data failed to record.

[Sakly]

Recently I've started using ErgData and I'm not sure it is a major improvement. It is less reliable; I sometimes need to revert to a cable and Concept 2 Utility to retrieve sessions that Erg Data failed to record.

Less reliable as something cabled/plugged - absolutely sure.
But I never had a failed workout record since using ergdata (old and new version) over a year now.
Old version I used to connect the device with USB cable, but since update this is not possible anymore.
New version had two BT dropouts during different workouts, but it reconnected automatically when starting ergdata on the device again and logged the workout as usual (second time was yesterday during my 30min).

[MPx]

Ditto....I've not experienced a lost workout using the new Ergdata since soon after its launch last July - and the one I did have was due to an early update being pushed out before they sorted doing that cleanly. By contrast I have experienced issues using a USB stick where the PM5 refuses to read/acknowledge it. Usually if I'm patient...or try again the next day... then it will read it on the nth insertion, but sometimes it just doesn't want to know.

[shu246]

Thanks all for the replies. Appears to be working now.

Changed to another 16GB stick and plugged the USB cable for power into the ski-erg. (Batteries, showing 100% when installed three days ago, now showed 88% with a "Low Battery" warning.)

The first 16GB stick had been working great plugged full time into the ski-erg, but when I brought the Model B rower out of retirement and fitted a new PM5, has been a frustrating and fruitless few days. Several iterations of re-formatting and re-programming but the second PM5 not recognizing the stick, if not poisoning it as well.

I had put ErgData on the phone for a look, but took it off. Mostly I grew up with a big screen and big keyboard. Can do a lot with the phone when necessary, but is an "emergency procedure." Then there is the Bluetooth thing - can be dicey getting two devices to dance, and gotta be an extra drain on the PM5 batteries.

Anyhoo, thanks again - shu

[shu246]

Spoke too soon. Stick was plugged into, and recognized by, PM5 on the Ski-Erg. PM5 failed to record session on either USB stick or internal memory. Reliability being primary criterion, over Convenience, pen+paper may be solution.

[Tsnor]

Spoke too soon. Stick was plugged into, and recognized by, PM5 on the Ski-Erg. PM5 failed to record session on either USB stick or internal memory. Reliability being primary criterion, over Convenience, pen+paper may be solution.

Do you have an old kindle fire? If so it makes a great ergdata device. Can be hardwired into the PM5 usb port or connected via bluetooth. Gives you a big screen (7", 8", 10"). Not all kindles work, but if the amazon ap store shows ergdata then it will run on your kindle. Double check ergdata works on the kindle before buying a new one, but if you already have a kindle this is free. A chromebook laptop also works for ergdata, and will give you access to new ergdata. The kindle only gives you the old version. Both versions upload to the C2 log including per-stroke data.

Back to your actual question. Flash memory is really trashy. It starts bad and wears out quickly. SSDs have a ton of error recovery and wear leveling technology to delay the inevitable failure, usb thumb drives typically don't. Try reformatting the stick. Make sure the "quick" option is NOT selected so it will try every cell and get rid of the bad ones. Buying a few more sticks and trying to find one that works also also not a bad strategy -- they cost under $20 for a 5 pack of 8gb usb 2 drives at amazon.

If you go the pen/paper route consider using your phone to photograph the pm3 history - its easier than writing it down. But ergdata is much easier.

[JaapvanE]

The first 16GB stick had been working great plugged full time into the ski-erg, but when I brought the Model B rower out of retirement and fitted a new PM5, has been a frustrating and fruitless few days. Several iterations of re-formatting and re-programming but the second PM5 not recognizing the stick, if not poisoning it as well.

Could be that the USB stick draws too much energy from the PM5. If it draws too much current, it drops out. I had to look for antique sticks to make it work on the PM5.

[gvcormac]

Now that you mention it, I did bave trouble with a USB and my Ski Erg when I first got it. Flakey. Copying to another USB solved the problem. You might try a 4GB if you can find one.

[shu246]

Good idea, that - snap the screen with a cell phone camera before it fades. Both machines are in a long USB cable length of a surge supressor/battery pack, so I will hook them up.

My needs are simple. Just an easy 4-10K cruise around the recreation room evenings, when time permits, watching 20-40 year old movies on YouTube.

Thanks. Shu

[shu246]

Yep. Works like a champ!
..Keep USB power on the PM5s. Do workouts, let them accumulate in PM5 memory.
..When ready, plug in thumb drive. (May have to fine-tune optimum sequence of button pushing and inserting thumb drive.)
..Transfer workouts from PM5 internal memory to thumb drive.
..Repeat in next machine.
..Thumb drive properly keeps the list, noting those on the SkiErg.
..When ready, plug thumb drive into computer and load records to C2 internet Log with Concept2 Utility.

No problems yet of lost workouts, PM5 or computer unable to read thumb drive, or computer reporting data file "corrupted" and wanting to re-write it.

PM5 wont work (I think) without batteries, by USB cable power alone. But USB power do seem to really stretch the battery life.

- Shu