model A on drag factor

[Robmay]

I read on concept 2 website that even if you retrofit pm4 on the modele A it won't be able to register a drag factor. I clearly understand that since there is no damping control on model A you can't adjust the drag factor, but I don't understand why the pm cannot at least register a fixed drag factor for that machine, making it then possible to row with another rower who can adjust his drag to this fixed drag value? Is it possible to do this in anyway?

Thanks for the help!
Rob

[Carl Watts]

I don't see why if it wouldn't and you could just fit a Model B/C pickup and add 3 magnets to the flywheel and then it must display the drag factor if you program the PM3 to a model C.

Possibly the A was very crude in the pickup but reality is the A is a museum piece and if your doing some serious meters just get a new Erg, things really have moved on and the Model C and Model D are a giant leap forward.

[jamesg]

The A/PM retrofit kit http://www.concept2.com/files/pdf/us/mo ... ModelA.pdf seems to have a different type of sensor system. Maybe it gives just one impulse per turn, not enough for drag calculations, or some other catch, such as that's enough with archaeology, what about a new D/PM5?

[Robmay]

Unfortunately, new and used concept 2 rower are simply too expensive for me. UHere, used model C are selling in the 900$-1100$ range, new one are 1500$-1600$ including sales tax!

[Bob S.]

The DF on an A can be altered by removing or adding vanes. A cage could also be jury-rigged, bu if the monitor won't show it, it is no use to do it.

Bob S.

[Robmay]

........ and then it must display the drag factor if you program the PM3 to a model C.

Possibly the A was very crude in the pickup but reality is the A is a museum piece and if your doing some serious meters just get a new Erg, things really have moved on and the Model C and Model D are a giant leap forward.

Can you reprogram yourself the pm yo fit on anymachine or is it something that come preprogrammed from the factory?

I must say that i'm a bit surprised about the comment on the A model. As a matter of fact I don't think those rower have evolved as much as we are led to believe. The principle is still the same, a chain pulling on a weighted weel wich offer a resistance. As a matter of fact the only improvment other then the easinest of the damping, is the electronic and since the only thing that the A model cannot do when upgreaded with a pm5 is to calibrate to other rower, it's pretty minimal to me. I'm quite confident that many user blindfolded would'nt see the difference between earlier and later model, as the mechanic is still pretty crude even today!

Rob

[Citroen]

You can configure the PM3/4/5 for the model it is mounted on, on the hidden menu.

Main menu --> More options --> Utilities --> LCD Contrast

once on that page press [CHANGE UNITS] three times, then press [CHANGE DISPLAY] three times.

[jamesg]

as the mechanic is still pretty crude even today!

What would you like to see? The point about a braked flywheel is that it can't get any simpler, and what's not there can't go wrong. It's enough to do the job of calculating power just by knowing the inertia and observing speeds and times, so we don't need anything more.

High tech mechanical engineering is expensive, for the price of a big rocket engine or an F35 you could probably build a million C2s. Even a road bike, with a few Titanium bits and pieces, carbon fiber and so on, can cost ten times a C2, as can a 1x carbon shell.

[Robmay]

as the mechanic is still pretty crude even today!

What would you like to see? The point about a braked flywheel is that it can't get any simpler, and what's not there can't go wrong.

I think you misunderstood my comment, I meant that I like that everythins is crude and basic, that's a big plus for me! And that is certainly why concept 2 machine keep on rowing, rowing.....and rowing! My only point was that apart from the electronics, there is no big differene between a model A and a newer Model. But when you build something good the first time, improving is tough and proceed in baby steps.

But since you asked, I must say that the biggest improvment I would like to see, is to have a direct connection for an ipad or an iphone. I don't mean connecting to a pm, but directly to the device with a concept 2 app that would give you regular readings but also cool races games graphics. Because I must admit that the pm computer is pretty reminiscent of the 80's, just missing the green writhing on black background.

Thanks!
Robert

[Citroen]

The PM3/4/5 is not a micro computer. It is an embedded micro controller and still state of the art in that arena.

[Robmay]

The PM3/4/5 is not a micro computer. It is an embedded micro controller and still state of the art in that arena.

The device still only decode the electric signal from the pick up, and process this information, something that a micro computer (iphone and ipad) could do with a lot more interesting option, even with a bluetooth sensor. But the app would have to be developped by concept 2 to use the same excellent data computing they did on the pm and not rely on 3rd party developper. It's not the way pm compute the information that I criticized, this is great, it's the dated display and limited possibility of the device.....have you watch the game they announced on the pm5......it looks like game on a 1980 atari! I Know this device is nor intended for great graphic but since it would be easy to use more powerful device, and have a ton of new possibilities I think they should jump on it! Would'nt be great to have an interesting race in front of you on an ipad, that you could stream wirelessly to your computer or your T.V. Shure you can plug the pm on an iphone even wirelessly but you don't get the full possibility of the device it's only the same data and some more saving data option and training charts, but it could be so much more. It could do a lot like rowpro. And imagine instead of upgrading the pm you would just have to upgrade the app.

Well just food for tought!

[Citroen]

The graphics look perfectly normal to me and it does the exact function it is designed for without needing any funky cellphone.

[Robmay]

The graphics look perfectly normal to me and it does the exact function it is designed for without needing any funky cellphone.

If that's enough for you and your satisfied, that's what count! I can't argue with that!