Least expensive way to get SPM info while rowing

[bisqeet]

Dean, are you saying the Garmin Vivoactive HR it gives you SPM too?

Edit: looked it up and it seems like it does

of course...
not much point without it :p

you can either use the default apps:
rowing; gps, distance, amount strokes, stroke length, fastest pace, average pace, HR
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1887784732

indoor rowing: NO DISTANCE (can be entered manually) time, strokes, average spm, HR
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1890630555

custom apps indoor: everything that is displayed on the PM5 (can you say ANT+)
- havent used this app in a while but..
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1416434042

you can also do swimming, cycling .. quite the neat device if you ask me...

[G-dub]

That surely is a neat device! Everything I do in one spot for a change.

Forgive my lack of tech savvy, but to have the info on the "custom apps indoor" you showed that appears like the PM5 (the last link you posted) would require a PM5 I would assume.

[lwtguy]

Honestly every single one of those ideas mentioned works very well. I've used all of them except Sweetzpot, which wasn't available at the time.

Speedcoach is obviously the best and most expensive.

The Garmin works well enough also. The stroke rate is usually pretty spot on although it tends to lag behind a few strokes due to the smoothing function they use.

With regards to Ritmo and Sweetzpot, I used Ritmo because it was very cheap. It is very customizable and tells you everything you need to know. People get nervous about bringing a phone out on the water and rightly so. I actually used my old iPhone 4 that had been deactivated. The cool thing about them is that everything still works except for the data. All you need for Ritmo at least was a GPS. It worked just fine and I never really worried about it all that much.

[Edward4492]

Greg, I'm with ya totally. I row in an area that is very visible. I'm never more than a 100m from shore. It's surrounded by a park, tons of people, very high profile. In your situation zero doubt I would carry my cell....in a waterproof case and secure as you mentioned.

[bisqeet]

That surely is a neat device! Everything I do in one spot for a change.

Forgive my lack of tech savvy, but to have the info on the "custom apps indoor" you showed that appears like the PM5 (the last link you posted) would require a PM5 I would assume.

yes - pm5 needed. but i just use the "standard" already installed rowing app. I had some problems with th app syncing, but this was related to my setup.
The USB connection to my PC is one that is always on (supplied with 5V). I have been meaning to change it, but.. i keep forgetting. As such the C2 never turns off - I was having to disconnect the cable, remove the batteries and reset the pm5 before it would sync. imo the apps are good, some vg work gone into them, but you can live without them. Admittedly it would be great if the distance field would be populated.

Its nice at the end of the day/week/month and have all your activities in one place:

for me it made the most sense - tracks cycling, mountainbiking, swimming on and off water rowing, hiking...

[G-dub]

Dean, I purchased a refurbished one last night. My only regret is I had purchased a lesser model refurbished Garmin a couple of months ago so am out the $60 US I paid for it. But such is life these days in the pursuit of technology and information that we probably really don't need! But what sold me was having everything in one place since I run and bike and do other stuff too. If nothing else it can show me I need to work harder!