Difference between PM3 and PM5

[bend3333]

Hey everyone,

A Concept 2 popped up on my local Craigslist for a pretty good price. It has next to no meters rowed on it. Only thing is that it has a PM3.

Am I going to wish I had a PM4 or PM5? Is there anything you would be missing on the PM3 that would be a deal breaker for you?

It's not out of this world cheap but it can save me a few hundred bucks over getting a new one.

[bags]

Hey everyone,

A Concept 2 popped up on my local Craigslist for a pretty good price. It has next to no meters rowed on it. Only thing is that it has a PM3.

Am I going to wish I had a PM4 or PM5? Is there anything you would be missing on the PM3 that would be a deal breaker for you?

It's not out of this world cheap but it can save me a few hundred bucks over getting a new one.

I use a PM3 in the house and a PM5 in the gym. Can't say I've noticed any difference other than the menu set-up. Maybe some software differences when connecting to a pc etc but for the casual 'do your workouts, record your workouts, rinse + repeat' I can't decide either way, the PM5 is nicely backlit but that alone isn't worth a few hundred

[lwtguy]

The PM5 also burns through batteries very quickly. The only other difference is that you can connect a heart rate monitor to the PM5 and it has other bluetooth and ANT+ capabilities.

[sander]

PM3 is pretty good. You can always upgrade later, when you're ready to invest in your rower.

[Cyclist2]

You can hook a heart rate monitor to the PM3. I have a wired version, with a pickup that I got from C2 (current price $25, part #1862). I wear a Polar chest strap.

The only other difference is that you can connect a heart rate monitor to the PM5 and it has other bluetooth and ANT+ capabilities.

I don't know about the other HR systems right off hand.

[Citroen]

You can hook a heart rate monitor to the PM3. I have a wired version, with a pickup that I got from C2 (current price $25, part #1862). I wear a Polar chest strap.

The only other difference is that you can connect a heart rate monitor to the PM5 and it has other bluetooth and ANT+ capabilities.

I don't know about the other HR systems right off hand.

PM3 only supports old fashioned analog HR straps with the receiver dongle.
PM5 only supports ANT, ANT+ and BLE digital HR straps with the integral wireless receiver.

[Carl Watts]

Depends on how old the PM3 is in terms of reliability now. Most people also NEVER update the monitor firmware so if you bring it up to date it will look very much like a PM5.

The only thing I would miss now after moving from a PM3 is the Wireless ANT+ that allows me to connect to the Garmin heartrate Chest strap that the PM4 and PM5 has, apart from that I like the old LogCard system and the PM5 has no real advantage to me at the moment. Most people don't measure their heartrate either so the PM5 may have no advantages to you.

[aussieluke]

Best difference with the PM5 is the backlit screen tbh

Log card was much more reliable. USB stick can cause problems on PM5s

Easy HR strap connection is useful if you want to use that. Think you could use just about any hr strap on the market with the PM5.

Connecting to ErgData via Bluetooth is nice but not essential - I never bother anymore.

If the machine is good and much cheaper than new you could always buy it and a PM5 if you really wanted on and still be paying less than new.

[Citroen]

Easy HR strap connection is useful if you want to use that. Think you could use just about any hr strap on the market with the PM5.

Any DIGITAL HR Strap, there's no support for the ancient analog ones.

[Anth_F]

Wouldn't be a deal breaker for me!!! PM3 is still fine, and has all the display info you would want for your rowing sessions. I don't even bother with HR monitors, i see them as a distraction.

Sure the backlit screen on PM5 is nice, and handy if you want to workout in total darkness. But if you can save a bundle buying this machine with PM3 just go for it.

[jackarabit]

PM3: Polar standard analog HR monitor and remote wired pickup (as described by Cyclist 2); logcard external memory

PM4: ANT+ wireless connectivity to ANT+ digital HR monitors; logcard external memory

PM5: ANT+ or Bluetooth connectivity to digital HR monitors (and current apps and digitoys); USB external memory; illuminated screen when handle is being pulled

[James_Chelt_UK]

The PM3 is excellent for personal use

The PM5 connects to your phone and so the Concept 2 logbook. Useful.

The latter does not have a card slot so when you do a session at a gym it can't be transferred that I have found. The new one also I couldn't work out how to custom the custom list without using a USB stick. When I used the USB stick I lost a few workouts and so gave up and reverted back to connecting the iPhone which gives MORE information. Drag factor etc.

I have a model B with original screen so it was a no brainier for me to upgrade as mine was broken too. For you it's a waste of money. I'd get a newer tower with the difference.

[Citroen]

The latter [PM5] does not have a card slot so when you do a session at a gym it can't be transferred that I have found.

Yes it can. You need a USB2.0 memory stick. There's a USB-A socket in the back of the PM5.

Or take your phone (with Ergdata installed) and pair that with the monitor.

[Thorn]

The PM5 also burns through batteries very quickly. The only other difference is that you can connect a heart rate monitor to the PM5 and it has other bluetooth and ANT+ capabilities.

Did not noticed such.
Ofc it depends if PM connected either to mod D/E or retrofitted into C. AFAIK latter will only run monitor on batteries whilst on D/E monitor will be powered by erg while rowing (so it uses batteries only while idles and actually fall asleep very fast if none actions taken).