Erg data vs Rowpro which is best?

[Harry Hellam]

I've being using Erg data with a PM4 for a while now and like the way it integrates with Concept2 logbook. I am considering moving on to Rowpro and have trial version, and haven't used the on line part yet as I have limited time. Found that it only puts overall figures into Concept2 logbook. My aim is to improve my fitness. Which is best considering Erg data is free and Rowpro is $99 for one off payment. Are any additional benefits really worth the price?

[gregsmith01748]

If you want to row with other folks online, then rowpro is the way to go. If not, ergdata is more stable, simpler and better integrated with the log book.

[bisqeet]

If you want to row with other folks online, then rowpro is the way to go. If not, ergdata is more stable, simpler and better integrated with the log book.

And free....

That said, I use rowpro, I get to store my rows per pdf, and can compare rows better. Plus the online possibility

[Carl Watts]

From the looks of things ErgData has the edge if its only data your interested in. I have been trying to get Digital Rowing to come up to speed with the new Concept 2 Logbook as when you "Export to C2" or upload a rowfile and you MUST save all the stroke data it has all the information to fill in the current blanks but its not yet going into the new spaces provided for it that Ergdata is now utilizing. Apparently Digital Rowing has all the information from C2 to be able to do this but they have yet to implement it. Also I have been informed that V5 for the PC is not far away now and many of the required changes are likely to happen in V5.0.

You don't really buy RowPro for the data or analysis however you buy it for the Online rowing with others from all over the world. Yes I think $99 for a lifetime licence is worth it, I would pay $299 for it as I almost use it daily to row with my mates here in NZ and others in the UK as they are in an opposite time zone.

If you want to maintain your fitness long term its motivation that is the real problem. Data is only good to a point and as you get older your only getting slower so you kind of reach a point where your not that interested in tons of data. You can look at your result and just your average heart rate, stand on a set of scales and look at your body fat percentage and you KNOW your doing well.

The Concept 2 Logbook provides a permanent record of your results and on the 1st May of each year you just set yourself a goal for the season, which for most oldies is just a total meters target but also set yourself an average pace target to go with it if your not yet over the age of 50 .

[Rowan McSheen]

I didn't really buy RowPro for the data or analysis however I bought it for the Online rowing with others from all over the world.

That's better

Online rowing is a great idea and it's touted as one of the selling points but seems to have low take-up. More or less agreed with the rest though, esp about motivation. The poor data upload to the logbook is a drag, but the pace boat and custom workout features are good. I like to race or pace myself against a previous session, like a dog chasing its own tail.

The whole thing is a bit clunky and the graphics resemble the Sony Playstation from 10 years ago, but if I only had the PM3 to stare at I'd find it harder to keep going. And there isn't a competitor programme that I've yet found. I keep a separate log on my pc of my workouts anyway - if data is online it's owned by someone else.