Staying interested (upgrade to pm5/apps, or bike smart trainer?)

[adccl8z]

Further questions re PM5,as I look into this in more detail

I export all pm3 workouts periodically to CSV,and I have them organised(and sometimes graphed) in Excel

Could I do the same with PM5? I notice that select workouts I've uploaded from pm3 (via concept 2 utility) to online log book can be downloaded, but the data is not structured in the same way as the pm3 CSV exports. In short, could I carry on using pm5 like I do pm3,and periodically exporting to CSV in the same data structure/layout?

Also, I notice from c2 website,the pm5 changes recently and the usb port has changed to usb C.
https://www.concept2.com/support/monitors/pm5/firmware
Presumably an older usb flash drive could still be used with a physical adaptor so fits the socket?

[MPx]

Not sure about your questions...but I would suggest that your use may change once you have PM5/Ergdata/C2 Log. Once set up properly at the end of each piece the workout will be uploaded as a verified session to your log. Ergdata records much more data than the PM (3or5). Once its uploaded you are presented with graphs (Rate/Pace/HR). For my session tonight, I programmed it in to Ergdata on my phone. When I clicked Ready it appeared on my PM5. When I'd finished I hit the menu key on the PM5. Everything else happened automatically in the background. Here's some of what's presented in the C2 log from my session tonight:



There's obviously also all of the data numbers available to view. You can see that there is a facility to download a CSV but I have no idea if the format is exactly as you'd want it for your current spreadsheet - unlikely I'd have thought. And what's the flash drive copy for again?

[Carl Watts]

Used the Concept 2 Erg starting with a Model C purchased new in 2002 that I just sold last week and have had a new Model D as well for the last 12 years or so that's still in the garage.

Clocked up a recorded 20 million meters on the C2 Logbook and used RowPro the whole time but eventually needed a change.

Moved 3 years ago to a WattBike and Zwift for pretty much the same reasons, needed a change of scenery and something different.

[adccl8z]

Thank you @MPx very helpful to see the graph. I think my data collection habits may indeed have to change, but such is the price of progress

@Carl Watts, I think I'm heading towards zwift/rouvy etc at some point too, looks like a PM5 will help my interest in the meantime

Cheers

[adccl8z]

I have some uncertainty about the pm5 / online log book,maybe those with more experience can advise

I decided the other day to upload my current workouts recorded on my PM3 log card,into the online log

When viewing in the online log, it had not recorded the workouts as LWT (lightweight). I subsequently learnt you have to flag them manually (?). So rather than edit each one to be LWT, I deleted the workouts from the online log.
When I attempted to upload via the C2 utility again, the upload selection tickbox is missing next to these workouts as it knows they have already been uploaded (but does not recognise I have since deleted them online). Apparently they can't be re uploaded; if I want them in the online log then I would have to create manually.

I was able to upload my handful of workouts since, into the online log as LWT,asthis time I noticed the checkbox on the utility upload screen to flag each one as LWT

All sounds a bit clunky to me.. Does the PM5 operate/interface to the online log in a similar way,and have the same constraints?

[nick rockliff]

You need to add your weight in the log user profile

[adccl8z]

Should have mentioned Nick that my weight (70kg) was already there in my online profile, part of the reason for my confusion/disappointment

[nick rockliff]

Should have mentioned Nick that my weight (70kg) was already there in my online profile, part of the reason for my confusion/disappointment

I've no idea then I've never used the utility to upload to the logbook, always use Ergdata and before that when I had PM3 I used to add manually.

[adccl8z]

Ahh..not being a user of ergdata (pm3) I had not realised it could be used to upload. That's reassured me that ergdata + pm5 is probably a more reliable experience with the online log book.
Cheers.

[Sakly]

Ahh..not being a user of ergdata (pm3) I had not realised it could be used to upload. That's reassured me that ergdata + pm5 is probably a more reliable experience with the online log book.
Cheers.

Absolutely. You configure your weight class and login in ergdata, that's it. All sync stuff is performed automatically.

[Joebasscat]

Advice I've had from C2 tech in the past is not to use both a USB stick and Ergdata (or other app) at the same time. It works sometimes, but the app can get confused about what its saving where and the odd session can get lost.

I always have a USB stick plugged in, as that stores the HR belt connection. Haven't had an issue in 3 years.

Yep, I used to do the same thing. Never an issue. When they updated ErgData, I remember seeing the recommendation not to use the USB stick along with ErgData. I stopped.

[Ombrax]

I'm finding rowing against the numbers is a bit tedious at times, and would like something with more engagement and competition

It sounds like the OP's already made up his/her mind, but I'll throw this out there just the same:

IME a 30 minute (or less) row is no big deal as far as boredom goes.
45 minutes, well, at that point both my body and my brain are happy that it's over.
60 minutes, that's about the limit of my endurance. On the other hand, I can't even remember the last time I rowed that long.

I recognize this is highly personal, but I'd say if most, if not all of your erg workouts are less than 45 minutes there are enough things to track on the PM display and think about rowing wise, that it's doable without too much effort.

Above 45 minutes - if you find yourself doing lots of these, and you really want to do more without your brain turning to mush, then by means, move up to a more sophisticated and engaging display.

A final comment: I do just about all of my erging at a gym at work that happens to have a TV on a wall about 10 feet away, directly in front of me, just a bit higher than the upper edge of the PM in my line of sight. Before starting I always turn it off because I find it to be a distraction - unless I happen to be doing a really easy row, I can't maintain my desired pace unless I'm tracking it nearly all of the time. If I watch the TV my body will take the easy way out, and I'll slow down.

[iain]

...that happens to have a TV on a wall about 10 feet away, directly in front of me, just a bit higher than the upper edge of the PM in my line of sight. Before starting I always turn it off because I find it to be a distraction - unless I happen to be doing a really easy row, I can't maintain my desired pace unless I'm tracking it nearly all of the time. If I watch the TV my body will take the easy way out, and I'll slow down.

Me 2, but for me the pace reverts to a mid-pace depending on the state of my muscles, but generally too fast for a proper recovery but too slow to challenge me.

[JaapvanE]

a 30 minute (or less) row is no big deal as far as boredom goes.
45 minutes, well, at that point both my body and my brain are happy that it's over.
60 minutes, that's about the limit of my endurance. On the other hand, I can't even remember the last time I rowed that long.

I'm partially the same, partially not. First off, I hate time based rows as I get the feeling that regardless of pace, I still have to row equally long. Distance based training is totally different, mentally. 30 (6K) and 45 minutes (10K) I agree, but EXR helps a lot as you encounter people. I hate my 15K's (roughly 70 minutes), but I love HM's (100 minutes). I don't know why, but it did change my achedule to completely avoid 15K's.

[Ombrax]

First off, I hate time based rows as I get the feeling that regardless of pace, I still have to row equally long. Distance based training is totally different, mentally.

Agree 100%. The best thing for me about rowing a given distance is that the harder you go the sooner the pain will end, so I have motivation to work harder.