Which cell phone for pm5 / ergdata ?

[johnlvs2run]

I've never used a cell phone and don't know much about them. However, using ergdata to transfer
info into my notebook and log should be easier than writing it from the pm5 directly into my notebook.
So I'm looking for an inexpensive cell phone that would do this and what cable will be needed (no wireless).

For starters, would a Samsung Galaxy S8 active 64GB unlocked be able to do this?
The ad states: "check the IMEI/ESN if you intend to activate this unit. The unit does not
include SIM Cards, wall charger, SIM card trays or stylus pens." I have a wall charger already.

[Citroen]

Samsung Galaxy S8 is a perfect phone for it.

It doesn't need to know the IMEI, it doesn't need a SIM as it's not using the cell service. It's just a Bluetooth connection (strictly BTLE). The phone doesn't even need to be paired with the PM5 (doing that breaks Ergdata).

Upgrade the PM5 to V30/V168 firmware. (Skierg to 730/868, Bikeerg to 326).
Install Ergdata from https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... t2.ergdata get it running.
For "An app is asking to turn on Bluetooth" touch "ALLOW".
It should present the "PM Connection Required" pop-up. On that touch "OK".
Then touch the "Bluetooth" icon on the bottom task bar in the Ergdata app.

That will bring up the "Scanning for PM5 Devices" menu.


Get the PM5 turned on.

Press the middle grey button labelled "Connect".
It will display the PM5 ID.

That same ID will appear on your phone. Touch the "CONNECT" button on the phone.
The PM5 will now show "Connected" and a "Disconnect Bluetooth" button appears.

There may be a pop-up if the PM5 date/time is wrong "PM Time is out of date". Choose "YES" on that one.

Then press the [MENU] button and program your PM5 for your workout as usual.

[CJOttawa]

First, are you going to use this as a cell phone or are you just looking for a basic Android device to use with ErgData?

If the latter, I would strongly suggest an older phone like a Galaxy S5 or S6 to save money - those can be had for a song. The S8 is overkill.

Citroen is of course correct you can use BTLE to wirelessly connect. The connection kit from C2 with the cradle and cable is so cheap though you could just use a wired connection: https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... ection-kit

[johnlvs2run]

Citroen, thank you for all the detailed information!
Since I use Linux, I'll need to figure out how to update the firmware.

First, are you going to use this as a cell phone or are you just looking for a basic Android device to use with ErgData?
If the latter, I would strongly suggest an older phone like a Galaxy S5 or S6 to save money - those can be had for a song. The S8 is overkill.

Great. I will only be using the phone with Ergdata, so that's what I'll do.
I want to use the wired connection. I have the cradle, and might have the cable already. Thank you!

[CJOttawa]

Citroen, thank you for all the detailed information!
Since I use Linux, I'll need to figure out how to update the firmware.

First, are you going to use this as a cell phone or are you just looking for a basic Android device to use with ErgData?
If the latter, I would strongly suggest an older phone like a Galaxy S5 or S6 to save money - those can be had for a song. The S8 is overkill.

Great. I will only be using the phone with Ergdata, so that's what I'll do.
I want to use the wired connection. I have the cradle, and might have the cable already. Thank you!

I did a little more digging and found Concept2's ErgData Compatibility page, here: https://www.concept2.com/service/softwa ... quirements

Looks like you could go as far back as a Samsung Galaxy S4, which is a phone dating to 2013 and available for a pittance. If you see one of those (especially the "Active" variant which is ruggedized), I wouldn't turn that down as a dedicated ErgData screen, provided cost is lower than an S5 or S6.

[johnlvs2run]

What would be a good price for an S4 or S5, and does locked or unlocked make any difference?

[CJOttawa]

What would be a good price for an S4 or S5, and does locked or unlocked make any difference?

Morning John!

If you never intend to use it as a telephone, you can buy a "locked" version because you'll never be connecting it to a cellular phone service. Locked phones should come at a discount versus unlocked, though I'm not sure how much of one.

I'm looking at my local wants ads and seeing S4s for as much as $100CAD ($71USD) which I find a bit much. Others are going for half that, which I find more reasonable. I think if you spend $50USD or less for one in good shape, you wouldn't be getting taken for a ride.

[johnlvs2run]

CJ, thank you! That information helps a lot.
Do you happen to know if the HTC One is comparable to the Galaxy S4?

[johnlvs2run]

The HTC One cell phone came last week, and the microUSB cable came today.
I attached the phone to the Pm5 with the USB 2.0 / microUSB cable but it wouldn't connect.
I tried this both with and without having a USB 2.0 A to B printer cable attached to the Pm5 and a charger.
Ergdata saw the Pm5, but the Pm5 wouldn't make a connection and kept going to a hard fault message on the screen.
The firmware is up to date. What else can I try?

[Citroen]

Is your cable a genuine OTG cable? Is the phone OTG capable?

Since you have a BT ready phone and a BT enabled PM5 then I don't know why you're trying to use a cable.

[johnlvs2run]

The cable is a microUSB. I don't know if the phone is OTG capable.
Shouldn't it work with a microUSB cable?

[Citroen]

The cable is a microUSB. I don't know if the phone is OTG capable.
Shouldn't it work with a microUSB cable?

No it needs to be an on-the-go cable (which basically forces the phone into being a USB host rather than a USB slave).

[FRiC]

OTG is a function of the phone not the cable. An "OTG cable" is just a size adapter that converts larger USB plugs into smaller USB plugs on the phone. All this has become easier with USB-C since computers and phones have the same port now.

This said HTC One is OTG capable. Try plugging something else (flash drive, mouse, etc.) into the OTG cable and see if they work.

[Citroen]

OTG is a function of the phone not the cable. An "OTG cable" is just a size adapter that converts larger USB plugs into smaller USB plugs on the phone.

Er ... no. The OTG cable is wired differently as it doesn't pull the OTG pin down to ground (which disables the OTG function on the processor and USB interface chip).
https://electronics.stackexchange.com/q ... only-has-4

[johnlvs2run]

No it needs to be an on-the-go cable (which basically forces the phone into being a USB host rather than a USB slave).

A micro USB with a USB A to B adapter didn't work. C2 Ben says the adapter was the problem, that it needs to be a regular micro to USB B cable and that an OTG cable won't work. C2's wiring instructions indicate either of them can work but that appears to be on a trial and error basis. I sent a message to HTC to find out if the M7 will work with an OTG cable and hope that will help.

Also, apparently neither the pm5 nor the cell phone can be charged when using a wired connection.

Meanwhile I'm using Bluetooth, and there haven't been any graphs.
How can I get the graphs to show up, and how can I stop Ergdata from importing 50 workouts?