Buying my first erg…Model C or D?

swoz · Post by **swoz** » March 24th, 2006, 4:36 pm

I’m a former college rower, been inactive from the sport about 8 years now. I’m ready to get back into shape and am looking to buy my own erg. I think the old ergs I used to row were Model C with PM2 monitors. Prices on e-bay seem to reflect a lightly used Model C goes for about $500-$600. I’m not familiar with the newer Model D with PM3 monitor. The rower looks the same but monitor seems to have some significant upgrades. Any suggestions on whether to go with the old tried and true “C” or is it worth the extra money to purchase a new Model D with PM3? Thanks for the help. I’m looking forward to joining this community.

michaelb · Post by **michaelb** » March 24th, 2006, 4:42 pm

I have a model C upgraded with the PM3 and the D handle. I think if you can get a model C with the PM2+ (with the serial computer hookup) for less, and have access to computer you could use for rowing, a model C with rowpro ($100) is much, much, much, better than a model D with a PM3.

Rowpro offers online racing, 3d graphics, download and row against other people, etc, so that makes a huge difference in the experience. Otherwise, I think either a C or D would be fine, and I would choose based on price. The D makes less noise, so that may make a difference to you. I just crank up the stereo.

chgoss · Post by **chgoss** » March 25th, 2006, 1:47 pm

I just upgraded from a model B to a model D by buying one of the erg's left over from the CRASH-B directly from C2 ($650 + tax).
The only gotcha is that you have to pick it up directly at the factory (Morrisville VT), and the supply is limited.. If you are able to do that, get a D!

Another option is craigslist http://www.craigslist.org/
erg's go very quick, but if you keep a close eye on it for a month, you can grab one pretty cheap.

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » March 25th, 2006, 2:14 pm

Another point is that if you buy a new model D, then C2 will come out with the model E about 30 days later,

though they told you at the time they had no plans to do so.

JimR · Post by **JimR** » March 25th, 2006, 3:10 pm

John Rupp wrote:Another point is that if you buy a new model D, then C2 will come out with the model E about 30 days later,

though they told you at the time they had no plans to do so.

Groan ... John, John, John ...

Did it ever occur to you to not post just once with a snotty slam against anything related to C2 or erging or the times of others or the info others provide or [fill-in the blank here]?

If every post has to add value to the forum do you realize you would never get to post?!

JimR

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » March 25th, 2006, 3:47 pm

It is not a slam but simply what has happened in the past.

On the old forum there were others who'd had the same thing happen to them, i.e. they asked c2 if any new models were in the works and were told there were no plans. So they bought a new erg, and in some cases less than 30 days later a new model came out. Well that is not right.

In the computer and auto industries, new models are announced well in advance. This helps to generate more interest for them, doesn't cut into current sales and it happens as a matter of course. Personally I think C2 would generate more interest by announcing plans for new models of ergs and monitors well in advance, even a year in advance. Can you imagine an entire year of people talking about new features coming out? It would certainly generate more interest in the concept2 rowing machines.

And overall people would be more satisfied with their purchases.

However, I am fine with the concept2 models that I've used, including a model B, model C, and now model D. They are all very nice rowing machines. And I like the pm3 monitor too.

eyespliced · Post by **eyespliced** » March 27th, 2006, 5:13 pm

John Rupp wrote:JimR,

Yes, that's why my messages are useful and helpful.

By the way, have you figured out your times and PERathlon scores yet.

Have you found any value yet in your training, or is that down the line a few years.

stop being a fricking jerk. no need to bash someone else based upon your own deficiency's
it is called being a bully. so stop!!

Ducatista · Post by **Ducatista** » March 27th, 2006, 9:13 pm

John Rupp wrote:Another point is that if you buy a new model D, then C2 will come out with the model E about 30 days later,

though they told you at the time they had no plans to do so.

I wouldn't worry too much about that, swoz. I had my Model C for nine years before the Model D came out. I like my C so much I have no plans to trade it in, though I did upgrade to a PM2 a few years ago. C2s have awesome longevity.

Two big advantages to the C, for me:
1. It's louder. More gratifying.
2. It's Medieval-torture-device black.

But I'd say you really can't go wrong either way.

dgivnish · Post by **dgivnish** » March 28th, 2006, 3:12 pm

Did we lose the ability to ignore postings from specific members with the new forum?

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » March 28th, 2006, 3:31 pm

dgivnish wrote:Did we lose the ability to ignore postings from specific members with the new forum?

Unfortunately we did. The UK C2 Forum (http://www.concept2.co.uk/forum) just got that mod added to it. I have one well known protagonist in my ignore list over there.

Ducatista · Post by **Ducatista** » March 28th, 2006, 3:44 pm

dgivnish wrote:Did we lose the ability to ignore postings from specific members with the new forum?

Dang, I hope you mean my quotee and not me.

swoz · Post by **swoz** » March 28th, 2006, 7:10 pm

Thanks for all the help. I was out-bid on the three erg’s I was watching on e-bay over the weekend. All went for $650+ not including shipping costs which were up to $100. Impressive how they hold their value, speaks well for the longevity of the rower, but still hard for me to justify spending $750 on a used erg rather then going with a new model D. I have to agree with Ducatista that the traditional black is better looking (don’t know about the “medieval torture” part,) but color seems like a lame parameter to base my decision on. I’ve been trying to learn about the PM3 and think I’d enjoy the added features anyway so am leaning toward buying new. Thanks again.

swoz · Post by **swoz** » March 28th, 2006, 7:13 pm

Just wanted to clarify that I wasn’t calling you lame, Ducatista, please don’t add me to the “ignore postings” list.
-Swoz

Sasha · Post by **Sasha** » March 28th, 2006, 7:18 pm

Same decision I just made. I also figured that a cheap can of wrought iron paint would rectify any color issues that I may have. Of course I'm more inclined to do a Kandinsky scheme, but I'm odd like that.

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » March 28th, 2006, 7:55 pm

The concept2's have great resale value.

I purchased a used model C from Ebay in 2004, used it for 2 years then sold it on Ebay for $122 more than the purchase.

And there was a lot of competition for the price.