Calling All Model D and E Owners.

[jhwalker77]

I realize that this may be a tired subject, and I apologize for that. I am planning on getting my first Erg. I am 49 years old, 5"9 inches tall and weigh way too much at over 350 lbs, so I need a great tool to help me get myself back into shape. My wife will be also be using the rower, and her features are similar to myself. So, the Erg will be used by us both. I believe I am leaning towards getting a black Model D with a PM3, but I would hate to buy a Model D thinking I should I have bought a Model E.
I would love to hear from all you guys that own both the Model D and the Model E, or from anyone that has extensively used both models. I try to make the most of my money that I can( not much extra to go around these days), but I do not mind spending a little more if it is truly worth it. I have reviewed as many posts here as I could find, and I have talked to several C2 reps as well. Yet, I still cannot seem to pull the trigger on one or the other.
I worry that with my weight and somewhat unsteady gait, it might be better to get the more beefier Model E, but I have seen several posters mention that they have had issues with the Model E's frame stressing at the top of the rear leg to base attachment. I like the height concept of the Model E, but the wife( always the voice of reason and saving money) inputs that you will likely will not be able to tell difference between the two rowers once you are actually rowing. Being a newbie, I really think I could be happy with a black Model D with a PM3, but it seems that many opt for at least the PM4 upgrade. As I am not the most tech savvy person there is, I see myself being content with a PM3. So in the end, I would love to hear from as many of you guys as possible as to which Model Erg you would buy, if you are only going to have one rower, which Model would it be, and if a Model D is your pick, should I opt for the PM4 upgrade or would a PM3 be fine. Many Thanks for your input.

[DuffyF56]

I bought my Model D with PM4 from Rogue Fitness for less than a Model D with a PM3 would have cost from Concept2. No brainer for me. In my mind when I was deciding between a Model D and E.....given it appears to me there is really little difference between the two other than the height of the machines I saw no reason to spend the extra money. I have no issue with the height of the Model D. I read here that recently they (Concept2) started installing the nickel plated chains on both Models so that was the only "performance" difference I could discern.

[Carl Watts]

The only difference between the D and E is the height in terms of making it easlier to get on and off. Personally I have seen some messy frame failures in the E's if the screws come loose as the leverage on those longer legs is a problem. For racing or if your heavy I would go the D but not before loosing some weight by walking. The rower is not a miracle cure for weight loss and excess weight will interfere with the correct technique. You will burn more calories by walking fast to start with.

[Ergmeister]

Model E's are designed to meet a certain market segment. I'm not a fan of the E largely because of the fixed monitor arm. The monitor is too much in my face and for taller rowers or rowers with good compression at the catch. The E also takes a little more room in storage and all of these small things add up for me. We have one E and 35 D's in our boathouse and the E is the least used Erg in the boathouse. Seat height is good for anyone who has squat limitations getting on and off an Erg, but other than that the fixed arm is a deal breaker for me.

To my knowledge, the nickle plated chains are applied to ALL new C2 Ergs; Ds and Es at this time.

[fishbust1]

Get the D.

[rowbike]

I say get the D also. The black model D will likely have the best resale value, if you are concerned about investing all this money upfront, and model E's don't seem to have the same resale interest or return that model D's of either color have.

Get the PM3 unless you plan to monitor heart rate, in which case I would recommend the PM4. The integrated heart rate feature is nice. I'm not sure how you plan to workout, but sounds like you are interested in getting back into shape and probably some weight loss. Heart rate monitoring can be very valuable for that and for someone beginning a fitness routine, providing better feedback for that purpose initially than speed and distance.

You can also upgrade the PM3 to monitor heart rate, but once you buy those additional items you are getting close to the cost of a PM4. If the PM4 is a similar price to the PM3, I would also spring for it in that case regardless since you get more features.