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Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 10:36 am
by mikegally
Hi,

I find rowing sessions a bit boring at home so decided to explore a big screen 'Peloton style' mod.
I was fed up with the limited size of my iPad/mobile phone set up.
So I mounted a 32" smart TV and now I have access to row along vids on YouTube, Zwift and Netflix etc

Its taken me about 6 weeks from design to finish and I'm really pleased.
It required fabrication of new longer aluminium brackets to replace the stock ones, a TV bracket and a mount (to attach the two together) I also needed an extension for the PM5 cable.
Now I've done the hard work I was wandering whether there was a market for the Mod.

Id really welcome your thoughts.

Cheers Mike
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Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 1:47 pm
by MiddleAgeCRISIS
My tv is mounted on the wall to be honest so it wont get hit by the handle or chain. Have you earthed the rower as I'd be concerned about getting a shock?

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 2:59 pm
by mikegally
MiddleAgeCRISIS wrote:
March 17th, 2021, 1:47 pm
My tv is mounted on the wall to be honest so it wont get hit by the handle or chain. Have you earthed the rower as I'd be concerned about getting a shock?
Thanks for your thoughts.
I tried the rower near my tv but it felt a bit far away and disconnected from the machine. I found the ipad better than my wall mounted TV.
The handle could be a problem if it was launched towards the screen but with normal use its not a problem, the screen is mounted above the chain portal/guide.
Modern appliances are well insulated and very safe, we all touch ovens, toasters and and power tools etc without issue, so earthing the rower wouldn't be necessary.

Thanks again,
Mike

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 3:18 pm
by Dangerscouse
I only ever row to music, so a TV would be no use to me, but the possibility of breaking it with the handle would be my biggest concern.

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 5:20 pm
by Carl Watts
Also have a 32inch but its sitting in front of the rower on an old glass entertainment unit.

As others have already pointed out, if you let go of the handle for any reason, that TV is toast.

Probably to close to you as well, viewing distance wise, is it 4K or just full HD 1080p ?

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 5:52 pm
by mikegally
Dangerscouse wrote:
March 17th, 2021, 3:18 pm
I only ever row to music, so a TV would be no use to me, but the possibility of breaking it with the handle would be my biggest concern.
Thanks
Screen damage is a concern but you really would have to be reckless with the handle release.
A 28" monitor or TV might be a better option to mount it slightly higher.
The screen is clear of the chain guide, see pic.
BTW, im the other side of the tunnel from liverpool...spooky
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Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 5:58 pm
by mikegally
Carl Watts wrote:
March 17th, 2021, 5:20 pm
Probably to close to you as well, viewing distance wise, is it 4K or just full HD 1080p ?
Hi,
its 1080.
You might think its too close but it actually works really well.
Its only as close as the PM5 or mounted iPads.

cheers.
Mike

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 8:00 pm
by mitchel674
I think that looks great. Will probably work well for the Peloton app.

Sounds like you needed a lot of modification to raise the rower arm along with a longer PM5 cable. How much did the cost of those modifications set you back? Do you find the PM5 is too high for you at that level?

Personally, I row to music. I find TV shows and movies oddly demotivating. The only thing I do watch are weekly live rowing workouts with Eric Murray every sunday on youtube. These seem fine for me with my TV mounted on the wall as they run less than 1 hour.

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 17th, 2021, 10:33 pm
by mict450
Nice!

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 18th, 2021, 1:53 am
by Dangerscouse
mikegally wrote:
March 17th, 2021, 5:52 pm
Thanks
Screen damage is a concern but you really would have to be reckless with the handle release.
A 28" monitor or TV might be a better option to mount it slightly higher.
The screen is clear of the chain guide, see pic.
BTW, im the other side of the tunnel from liverpool...spooky
Image
Yeah, fair point about the screen height. Another good Northern lad 👍

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 18th, 2021, 5:17 am
by mikegally
mitchel674 wrote:
March 17th, 2021, 8:00 pm
I think that looks great. Will probably work well for the Peloton app.

Sounds like you needed a lot of modification to raise the rower arm along with a longer PM5 cable. How much did the cost of those modifications set you back? Do you find the PM5 is too high for you at that level?
Hi,
Im not sure on price but I was thinking of providing the whole kit -
2 x Longer Aluminium brackets, the VESA TV bracket, the mounting bracket, cable extension, cable clips, nuts bolts and spanners.
The longer brackets are predrilled to allow different size screens to be hung at different heights etc.
Image

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 18th, 2021, 3:14 pm
by faach1
Nice setup you’ve got there Mike!

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 19th, 2021, 2:10 am
by Slothful1
Looks good! A sheet of clear polycarbonate cut to size could be attached to the frame of the screen, which would sort out the breakage risk. I would probably be lazy and not bother though, and trust my control. I think I've only had a handle slip out of my hands once in 17 years of using my D, so would gamble on those odds :).

Dave

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 19th, 2021, 4:40 am
by MiddleAgeCRISIS
mikegally wrote:
March 18th, 2021, 5:17 am
mitchel674 wrote:
March 17th, 2021, 8:00 pm
I think that looks great. Will probably work well for the Peloton app.

Sounds like you needed a lot of modification to raise the rower arm along with a longer PM5 cable. How much did the cost of those modifications set you back? Do you find the PM5 is too high for you at that level?
Hi,
Im not sure on price but I was thinking of providing the whole kit -
2 x Longer Aluminium brackets, the VESA TV bracket, the mounting bracket, cable extension, cable clips, nuts bolts and spanners.
The longer brackets are predrilled to allow different size screens to be hung at different heights etc.
Image
All I'd say is that if you do supply the kit, then you are going to need a really good set of terms and conditions so you aren't liable if someone is electrocuted.

Re: Big screen Upgrade - What do you think ?

Posted: March 19th, 2021, 5:39 am
by foreverfreedom
I use one of these to mount a 32 in screen above the PM5 - fits perfectly.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08 ... UTF8&psc=1