Performance Monitor update-refresh?

[Tallahassee]

I've got an older Concept 2; I think I got it in 1996. Still going strong. I've got a PM 2 on it- not even a PM2+. I am thinking about an upgrade to a PM4, but I'm wondering if there are any plans in the works to update the hardware or software anytime in the future. It seems like the hardware has sort of frozen in place, which I find a bit surprising given color screens, better resolution displays, larger displays, Bluetooth etc. and the advent of smartphones and tablets.

I know ErgData is out there, and I haven't used it yet, so maybe that's the way to go, after an upgrade of my PM, but it even seems to be clumsy to connect (requiring a cable, and then an adapter if you have a new iPhone with the lightning connector?) and it seems only set up to use the mount if you are using an iPhone or iPod touch.

RowPro also is out there, but I'm Mac-based. The RowPro folks have told me they are working on Mac and iOS versions, but haven't said what their timeline is, and I'm sure those will need to connect to a PM in order to work.

I've seen various topics in the forum about what folks would want in a "PM5" but those are all stale threads, at least the ones I found.

So, does anyone have any info about whether, and if so, when, there might be a new PM; or, alternatively, if there has been some decision that the PM4 is all there will ever be, forever?

[Citroen]

Just go with the PM4 it's the current best that's available.

[Carl Watts]

PM3 or PM4 doesn't really matter, both are now a 10 year old design and as you pointed out, lack colour and Bluetooth. I don't see the PM5 getting a colour display, its too expensive for the volumes its sold in and now a display isn't really required at all with cheap tablets arround. The Google Chromebook also looks great and with the camera there is a chance you could have live video chat in RowPro rather than just the current old school MSN messenger. The graphics are probably good enough to run a version of RowPro as an App.

RowPro is the best solution, especially with the cost of colour LCD's falling and falling. You can now get a new 50" LED LCD full HD panel over here with digital freeview tuner built in for like NZD$700, 32" and 42" are now at give away prices. Just get an old PC with some halfway decent graphics and bang a flat panel on the wall and your away.

I would really still like Bluetooth as you can then just roll the rower outside without cables on a nice day and still row online.

[Tallahassee]

Anyone out there at concept 2 want to weigh in here? Any plans? Timeline?

[Citroen]

I'd suspect Concept2, Inc's product plans are "confidential until announced". That's to avoid the Osborne Effect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_effect

[Carl Watts]

If Concept 2 was a mobile phone company they would be working on the next version as soon as the new one was released, probably sooner in fact as the technology is moving so fast and its massive volume and consumer driven compeditive market.

When the next version of monitor comes out (they probably need two versions, one with and without a display) I hope they take a giant leap for the rowing kind.

[Citroen]

http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/p ... e-monitors

The PM5 is announced today.

It has all the features of a PM4 (except for a couple that are removed)
1. Backlight
2. USB memory stick replaces the logcard
3. Wireless HR no more support for the Polar dongle
4. BTLE (so no more wires for Android/iPhones)

[jackarabit]

The news don't hafta bee new to bee good, right Doug? Jack

[Carl Watts]

Well it finally has a form of Bluetooth but potentially a non compatible version with some existing devices ? but otherwise no changes really and now no Polar so thats a step backwards. Will be interesting if it has a more accurate average SPM for the row now there is a USB memory stick to hold a huge amount of data, may be an advantage.

Will be great if people now start designing Apps to run and the likes of RowPro can finally take off in big numbers worldwide at the gyms. Sadly its going to take years more for the numbers of these monitors to filter into the market.

[Tallahassee]

http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/p ... e-monitors

The PM5 is announced today.

It has all the features of a PM4 (except for a couple that are removed)
1. Backlight
2. USB memory stick replaces the logcard
3. Wireless HR no more support for the Polar dongle
4. BTLE (so no more wires for Android/iPhones)

Anyone know what the timeline is for when the new PM 5 will be available, and what the pricing will be?

[jackarabit]

I believe the website states that model D w/ PM5 is available from C2 beginning 1 Oct. @ 900USD. Nothing about retrofit exchanges for current owners. Maybe after they've "seeded" the market and figured out their deal with their downstream crossfit distributor, Rogue, they'll get around to the old customers.

Jack

[Bob S.]

I believe the website states that model D w/ PM5 is available from C2 beginning 1 Oct. @ 900USD. Nothing about retrofit exchanges for current owners. Maybe after they've "seeded" the market and figured out their deal with their downstream crossfit distributor, Rogue, they'll get around to the old customers.

Jack

That same site quotes a price of 850USD for the model D with the PM3, only a 50USD difference. I don't remember the difference between the PM3 and PM4, but I thought that it was more than 50 USD.

Bob S.

[jackarabit]

My memory from shopping around early last May Is that the very best buy on the D/PM4 combo was Rogue Fitness. I believe Bob is correct that C2 price was north of $1K. Relatively a favorable moment to buy perhaps. I'm happy with a book light hanging over my PM3, ErgData running (still without sound) on my iPad, and my HR watch wrapped around a handlebar mount in the centre of the handle.

Jack

[rakserv]

i am pretty sure it was around $150 difference between PM3/PM4 for new purchases of Model D rowers

[Hollywood_Kuma]

A "D" with PM5 (pre-order) is only $50 more than a "D" with PM3. So, a "D" with PM5 will be cheaper than a "D" with PM4 was previously.

The UK site states that a retrofit option will be available in due course.

It seems C2 are running down their stocks of PM3 to zero, and they will ultimately offer just one monitor, which seems to make sense.

PM5 doesn't seem to have rechargeable batteries, which is a bit of a pain, and Polar support is gone. But we get Bluetooth and, finally, a backlight.

I wonder if the time before the monitor powers down has been lengthened. This is a major pain, and would be enough reason for me personally to do the retrofit.