PM5 Ergdata and Samsung S8

[Mcgyver]

I'm having trouble having PM5 and egrdata connect consistently. Have chatted with support, installed the lastest firmware, followed connection sequence exactly, have NO other bluetooth devices connected to the S8, have removed batteries from the PM5 (PIA as have to add all info back in) and about 1 out 4 times it will connect. Super frustrating and not what I expect from a well engineered piece of equipment. Did a PB 2000m yesterday and can't log it with ergdata online log I'm not sure where to go from here as I want to also connect my HRM and have wireless earbuds connected. Suggestions?

[Citroen]

Send an email to rowing@concept2.com with details of your phone, your android version, your Ergdata version and the firmware version on your PM5.

If you haven't already done so, start by upgrading the PM5 firmware to V168 (or V30 on older PM5s) by following the process at https://www.concept2.com/service/monitors/pm5/firmware

[Mcgyver]

Thanks, but I have already contacted them AND updated the firmware....just getting frustrated having to wait for replies from them....this has been happening since I got my C2 over 2 weeks ago.....

[Carl Watts]

Sounds strange have got the older version of the PM5 now on V30 Firmware and an old Samsung A3 (2017) phone and its faultless.

The new PM5 V30 firmware has totally changed the way you connect the ANT+ Garmin heartrate monitor and the phone but still no trouble at all.

I have to admit however that in years gone by, Bluetooth has been a nightmare with connectivity with some devices that I have tried to get paired up and working reliably. For this reason, if a USB cable is an option I will always use this and wireless is the second choice.

[CJOttawa]

I've encountered similar issues with a Galaxy S7. Some suggestions...

Find the "App Power Monitor" in settings. Add ErgData to the list of "Unmonitored Apps." You could attempt to disable all forms of power-management temporarily to see if that correlates but I've never had to go that far to get ErgData to work.

Ensure you don't have any type of ad-blocking or VPN installed on your device. (IME, Blokada Slim seems to interfere with a lot of real-time/fitness apps)

Terminate all other running apps, maybe even set your phone to do-not-disturb to prevent pop-ups while you're using ErgData.

For HR data, I use a Polar H10 HRM connected to the PM5 via ANT+ as it seems more stable than a BTLE connection between the two. (ANT+ "transmits in the blind" where the receiver just listens for a signal with the device ID - reconnects better after a dropout too)

[Mcgyver]

Appreciate the replies, will try a few of the suggestions. I'm just confused why I can have a flawless very quick connection "sometime" and other times, despite anything I do, I cannot connect. I understand if i were not able to "ever" connect.........

[Mcgyver]

Well, have tried new PM5 (thank you C2) uninstalled/reinstalled everything, S8 can "see" and connect to PM5 via bluetooth, but ergdata just will not connect. I'm at a loss, (and have sent "another" email to C2) I have "zero" problems connecting anything else to bluetooth with this phone, seems to just be ergdata at this point..... Read the reviews on GooglePlay (where i downloaded) and seems that there are many 1/5 stars d/t to connectivity. Suggestions? Is there another app that will work with the C2?

[Citroen]

Make sure you don't try to pair the PM5. If it has been paired get the phone to forget it.

BT needs to be activated on the phone's control panel.
BT needs to be active on the PM5.

Ergdata uses BTLE and will establish the connection from the menu you get by pressing the BT icon on task bar.

Press the BT icon and it should scan for the PM5. The PM5 serial number appears when it's found it.

If you have any WiFi (or other wireless like a baby alarm) equipment near your ergo, turn it off and see if that makes a difference. Or remove the PM5 and try it out in your back garden (where there'll be less local interference).

[Mcgyver]

Ok, solution! For anyone else experiencing a problem with connectivity. Installing the app Ergdata and pressing the confirmation for "location services" does not always work. My solution was to manually go into settings / Biometrics and security/Location and turn this on. Works as it is suppose to now...... thanks C2 - Ben / Mike/ Nathan

[billybags]

I'm having trouble having PM5 and egrdata connect consistently. Have chatted with support, installed the lastest firmware, followed connection sequence exactly, have NO other bluetooth devices connected to the S8, have removed batteries from the PM5 (PIA as have to add all info back in) and about 1 out 4 times it will connect. Super frustrating and not what I expect from a well engineered piece of equipment. Did a PB 2000m yesterday and can't log it with ergdata online log I'm not sure where to go from here as I want to also connect my HRM and have wireless earbuds connected. Suggestions?

I have the same problem with my iPhone 6s+ iOS 13.3.1 using PM5. Only one of my ergdata results recorded since feb03 including pb for my age (ancient) for 1k sprint yesterday . Have heart rate monitor attached by blue tooth as usual. No probs with both prior to feb03 stretching back over 5 years with various PMs
Awaiting response from concept 2 but weekend
Have to check PM5 version however, since this is at gym club

[letti001]

I had the same exact problem. I have a Samsung S8 and Model D with PM5 (at the gym).
My solution was to use a USB cable. I dis not need much as I used an old printer cable with USB Type B plugging into the back of the PM5 and then a USB Type A end with an A to B adapter.
Once connected, the PM5 starts and there is a pop up screen on the phone asking to use the Erg App and also whether I want to turn on Bluetooth.
I also have a Garmin watch with the HR and ANT+ connection. That works very well. (Except the HR is wrong half the time, movement I suppose)

I had issue with the Bluetooth working or dropping and could not figure it out, even with customer support.

While this may not answer the question, it provides an alternative.