PM4 with Android app?

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gg1234
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PM4 with Android app?

Post by gg1234 » December 5th, 2023, 7:41 am

Hello, I'm just getting back into rowing on the concept2 for many years and see things have changed a little technology wise.

My machine has a PM4 monitor and I'd like it to talk to a phone app - is this possible with some kind of RJ45 to USB connector, or do I really need an upgrade to PM5?

Thanks!

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Citroen
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by Citroen » December 5th, 2023, 2:13 pm

The RJ45 connectors on a PM4/PM5 are for wiring them as a RS485 loop for racing. They are NOT ethernet, just the connector is the same.

The only ways a PM4 can connect to the outside world are with radio (ANT+ and BTLE) or with a USB-A to USB-B printer cable inserted in the base of the monitor. (PM5 is the same.)

Sakly
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by Sakly » December 5th, 2023, 4:37 pm

Citroen wrote:
December 5th, 2023, 2:13 pm
with a USB-A to USB-B printer cable inserted in the base of the monitor.
...and OTG adapter for your android device, which is running the "old" ergdata version.
Male - '80 - 82kg - 177cm - Start rowErg Jan 2022
1': 358m
4': 1217m
30'r20: 8068m
30': 8,283m
60': 16,222m
100m: 0:15.9
500m: 1:26.0
1k: 3:07.8
2k: 6:37.1
5k: 17:39.6
6k: 21:03.5
10k: 36:01.5
HM: 1:18:40.1
FM: 2:52:32.6
My log

gvcormac
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by gvcormac » December 5th, 2023, 5:25 pm

I think that if you downgrade to the previous version of ErgData and get a suitable USB-B to whatever your phone is, you can make it work. I have never done this; I'm just passing on hearsay. I used RowPro with my PM3 and a laptop.

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Carl Watts
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by Carl Watts » December 5th, 2023, 5:38 pm

Take my advice, get a brand new PM5 if you want to start using ErgData.

Sell the PM4 and upgrade. The last PM4 I saw sold went for NZD$200 and a new PM5 is NZD$350.

If its a 1st Gen PM4 its toast now anyway, too old it cannot even run the new ANT+ Garmin HR monitors the firmware is way out of date.
Carl Watts.
Age:56 Weight: 108kg Height:183cm
Concept 2 Monitor Service Technician & indoor rower.
http://log.concept2.com/profile/863525/log

gvcormac
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by gvcormac » December 5th, 2023, 6:54 pm

Carl: What can I get for the PM3 that I have sitting in a box? I always figured it wasn't worth the postage. It worked perfectly but it didn't play well with the PM5s on my BikeErg and SkiErg.

Funny how Amazon can mail you something for a total cost of $5.00 including shipping, but to ship anything yourself costs at least $15.00.

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Carl Watts
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by Carl Watts » December 5th, 2023, 7:22 pm

The PM3 and the PM4 both had 2 hardware generations.

To the user the screen looks the same but the board inside was a total redesign with a different micro and the 2nd Gen was a much better monitor. The first gen stuff now is old and pretty much toast. I still fully refurb them but the board must be spotless, corrosion over time depending on where they are used and battery leaks has killed them.

The PM5 is now onto its 4th Hardware version and has improved a lot since 2015.

As a buyer you need to be aware of the differences.

If its old its almost worthless, I would probably just hold onto it as a spare in case your latest monitor has an issues, I pretty much kept a 2nd rower as a spare, sooner or later it will get used like mine that went over to my partners place for her to use last week.
Carl Watts.
Age:56 Weight: 108kg Height:183cm
Concept 2 Monitor Service Technician & indoor rower.
http://log.concept2.com/profile/863525/log

WayHand
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by WayHand » December 6th, 2023, 7:17 am

I use Ergdata and a PM5 at the gym but at home I use Boatcoach with my PM4 in conjunction with a USB-B to USB-C cable to an Android phone. Boatcoach was developed by the same people that developed Ergdata. Just be sure to remove the logcard from the PM4. I also connect an old Garmin to the PM4 to log rows on Garmin connect along with HR data. This set up takes a little time and no doubt I will upgrade in time if the PM4 starts giving me issues.
Wayne Handley
Derbyshire UK
53; 6'-2"; 196lbs
2k 6:58.9 (2021)

gg1234
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by gg1234 » December 6th, 2023, 1:07 pm

Thanks everyone for all that. A lot to take on board - but it's looking like I'll be asking Santa for a PM5.

marillo
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Re: PM4 with Android app?

Post by marillo » August 9th, 2024, 11:44 am

Hi, csn someone tell me what app i csn use on my android phone for the PM4 monitor? Icant find anything in the appstore. the app ergdata seems only to support pm5. is that correct?

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