Mod C Upgrades

[Cheesehead Dave]

I am interested in comments from more experienced C2 rowers on some upgrades I am considering making to my C2 Mod C PM2 rower. I have used the rower for a few years and it works good for me. I admit that I have never used any C2 rower other than this one. I use the rower for general fitness. It is also used by our 12 year old son. He typically rows 2K per day.

Here are the upgrades I am considering:

1.) Silencing Kit - I row early in the morning and the current rower is a little noisy. I am hoping this kit cuts the noise some from the chain.

2.) Change out PM2 for PM4 - It appears the PM4 offers more functionality and a small item is that it has the fish game on it that my son would like.

3.) I currently have the Polar accessory cord on my PM2 Mod C. I assume this just plugs into the PM4 - That way I can continue using my current Polar HRM.

4.) I would add Row Pro.

5.) Eventually would like to add slides as I want to begin onwater rowing next spring.

My Mod C works fine so I can't see selling it and getting a D or E. Any mistakes in the items I list as additions to a basic mod C? Tnx!

[Citroen]

1.) Silencing Kit - I row early in the morning and the current rower is a little noisy. I am hoping this kit cuts the noise some from the chain.

Probably a good idea if you can't upgrade to a model D.

2.) Change out PM2 for PM4 - It appears the PM4 offers more functionality and a small item is that it has the fish game on it that my son would like.

Why PM4? Why not PM3?

3.) I currently have the Polar accessory cord on my PM2 Mod C. I assume this just plugs into the PM4 - That way I can continue using my current Polar HRM.

Correct, it's compatible with PM2, PM2+, PM3 and PM4
PM4 has support for ANT wireless HR belts (Suunto and Garmin 305) without needing a HR interface dongle.

4.) I would add Row Pro.

PM3 and PM4s both work with RowPro.

5.) Eventually would like to add slides as I want to begin onwater rowing next spring.

See http://c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6812 (I've only ever rowed on a grounded ergo.)

[ancho]

...

4.) I would add Row Pro.

PM3 and PM4s both work with RowPro.
...

And PM2+, as far as I know.

[tbartman]

We have a model C that we have significantly upgraded. Here are our thoughts:

1) We did the silencer kit. It made a huge difference. But, it's not like the machine is silent now (fan noise obviously still loud - or it should be if you're rowing hard enough and still some chain noise). I found it benefits the person rowing (less annoying, can keep the music a little quieter) than it benefits others (no one is going to be sleeping nearby even with the silencer kit).

2) We got the PM4 because we wanted the integrated HR. Since you already have the Polar (which is probably better than the Suunto anyway), you could get the PM3 and save some bucks.

3) I didn't find Row Pro all that useful, but others do. You can get some kind of a 30-day trial I think.

4) I'm not sure how much slides will help you to train for on the water. It will feel more realistic, but I don't know if that matters. What I would invest in instead is a Core Perform seat - getting balance will make a bigger difference than feeling like you're floating (and the CP seat is cheaper than slides). Doing the CP seat footstrapless will really teach you good body handling at the release (otherwise you'll be on the carpet while erging or in the lake when rowing).

[peteyddotcom]

I've done #3 (heart rate upgrade), #5 (slides) and a Core Perform seat to my Model C. I've also upgraded the handle to a Model D handle, which is a cheap upgrade and I think well worth it.

I like the heart rate monitor on the PM2 screen as I don't have to look down at the F11 watch all the time to monitor heart rate. However, I do upload my heartrate info and calorie info to polarpersonaltrainer.com, which I find great.

I love the slides, as I feel that it gives me the feeling of a scull. I don't use the Core Perform seat much, though. Don't know why.

I've been thinking about a silencer kit and an upgrade to a PM3 or PM4, for next year, but I may pick up a lightly used Model D off of craigslist.com if the price is right. I could probably get $500 or $550 for my upgraded Model C, and I've seen Model Ds for $650, so it seems crazy to do the silencer kit and monitor upgrade myself.

Just my opinions.

[johnlvs2run]

I installed part of the silencing kit and didn't find much difference. However, the D is more quiet than the C.

The pm2 is a much better monitor than the pm4, more functional, easier to use, and has far more accuracy. The advantage of the pm3/4 is the force curve, which mostly helps at the beginning of it's use. I had thought of using the fish game a lot but haven't used it at all.

I've taped a piece of pvc to the mid-top of the handle and wrap my $49 Nashbar heart rate monitor wrist band around that. This works great and I've used it many times, on the B, C, and now D. I had a polar HRM > 15 years ago and gave it away.

I tried RowPro and didn't find any use to it. However it appears to have use for online racing. If I get into that then I'll try RP again. However it otherwise doesn't have any additional functionality and is only useful for online racing. At that I feel it is overpriced at $99 and they charge you again for upgrades. The program ErgMonitor has more functionality for training and you don't need to upgrade your monitor.

The model C with pm2 monitor works well with the slides.

[DavidA]

...I found it benefits the person rowing (less annoying, can keep the music a little quieter) than it benefits others (no one is going to be sleeping nearby even with the silencer kit)...

Not 'no one' - I found that when our kids were babies the sound of the fan whirring actually put them to sleep.

David

[johnlvs2run]

Here are the upgrades I am considering:

1.) Silencing Kit

2.) Change out PM2 for PM4

4.) I would add Row Pro.

If you seriously want all these things then I'd definitely sell the C and get a D with pm3/4. Otherwise don't bother with them and keep the C as it is.

It's like spending $500 to upgrade an old computer, that's going to have more and more problems anyway, or spend the same amount for a new computer that is up to date and four times as fast. It's not quite that drastic but makes the point.

I sold a used model C on Ebay for $677 a year ago. The silencing kit is $55? Not sure what the pm4 is but let's say $150. So you're right at $882 for a model C with the upgrades plus your time. How much is a new model D/pm3?

[Cheesehead Dave]

Thanks for all of the great information! How difficult is the Core Perform Seat to use? Also- If you were to sell a Mod C in very good condition how much would you have as a starting price and where would you sell it? I may consider getting a new Mod D with PM3.

[johnlvs2run]

I'd give it a good write up and post it on Ebay with 12 photos.

I listed mine for 99 cents.

[freewheeling]

I'm considering similar upgrades, although I already have the slides which is the main thing. $160 for the PM3 monitor isn't too bad, but the battery won't charge and it uses D cells rather than AAs. I have a charger for the AAs but would have to buy a new charger for the Ds, so figure I'll wait until I can just get a Model D or E at some point. Have about 12 million meters on the Model C. The noise isn't much of a problem since I'm in the basement and my housemate is on the second floor. It'd be really great to have bluetooth since I could dispense with cables, but the PM3/4 doesn't have that anyway, and I don't like the idea of going with something that's nonstandard, especially since I've got a MacBook. Bluetooth would work fine. Can't understand why they didn't go with that. Maybe in the Model F, I guess.

The slides are your best upgrade option, and the expense is the same whether you keep the Model C or upgrade to a D or E.

Oh, I also have some sort of nylon tube thing that directs the airflow from the fan onto my upper body. That's really nice, but can't recall what it costs or where I bought it. Probably through someone I met on alt.rec.rowing. Lots of folks know about it, so shouldn't be too hard to find.