Model F / PM5 - Customer Requirements

[pedalnpaddle]

So here is what I want out of the next Concept 2.

PM5 replaced by ipad - RowPro App, PM App, Logbook App so I can easily update it with docking station on the rower. My rowing energy recharges the ipad. No add-on stands for tvs, computers, no more wires for syncing and fully integrated with mac. Rowing machine is always online.

Ipad has internet access for online logbook and can play music, video and online rows.
Skype app on ipad used for online coaching/rowing classes via skype videoconferencing.
Ipad app upgrading is really easy and reliable.

Rower - footplates are comfortable and have straps that enable barefoot rowing.

Calorie tracker with weight compensation

[Carl Watts]

The PM5 probably needs to be just a black box data aquisition system with various wireless options like the existing one plus Bluetooth and a USB 2.0 connection. The Grunt work and Colour display can now be done by your phone or ipad or the like and on the monitor arm just put a docking station to slip in your ipad and phone.

Stroke per minute data should be down to one decimal place in the results and it should also record the ambient temperature.

Gyms can continue to use the PM4 that also needs the Bluetooth protocol so you can connect your phone.

[Citroen]

The PM5 probably needs to be just a black box data aquisition system with various wireless options like the existing one plus Bluetooth and a USB 2.0 connection. The Grunt work and Colour display can now be done by your phone or ipad or the like and on the monitor arm just put a docking station to slip in your ipad and phone.

That would have to be optional for home users. You can't assume that the whole population owns a smartphone (I don't, I believe it's less than 15% of cell phone users in the United States). You can't assume that folks will want to use a laptop (with cable, ad-hoc WiFi or Bluetooth). You need a monitor that has a display for machines in public gyms.

You get a lot of the offboard stuff done with Windows and RowPro, what you need is RowPro for Mac, RowPro for iOS, RowPro for Linux and RowPro for Android. It would also be useful to have a ANT (http://www.thisisant.com/) dongle that can pair with the Performance Monitor (ANT is already available on the main board on a PM4).

[sander]

If you look at the Concept2 site for the PM2, it distinguishes between different levels of use. I like this concept. A monitor which doesn't confuse "level I" or "Just Row" users with things they don't need to know, but has easily accessible advanced features for higher level users.

Personally, even though I have a notebook and a smartphone, I am not interested in messing around with cables and connections. For me the Concept2 is a training instrument. So I would probably never buy a PM5. However, I can see how it can be very interesting for coaches and athletes who do want access to the data.

So either optional or have at least "Level I, II and III" use available through an intuitive display and user interface.

[kdahlhaus]

Just a blue-tooth interface is all I am asking for. The ipad idea, while fun, is not practical as the only interface.

The ant interface may require a $1000 license for development. Still running that out.

[Tinus]

A device which only does blue tooth shouldn't be a difficult task as a project for any electronics student. I bet there must be some who are reading this forum.

[kdahlhaus]

A USB host to bluetooth adapter would do the trick. Hard to google that and get the desired result though.

[FletcherFregoe]

Just a blue-tooth interface is all I am asking for. The ipad idea, while fun, is not practical as the only interface. ipad 2 smart cover
iPad 2 case
leather ipad 2 covers

The ant interface may require a $1000 license for development. Still running that out.

Gyms can continue to use the PM4 that also needs the Bluetooth protocol so you can connect your phone.

[Jentje]

I am also new to the Indoor rower.
I am very happy with the Dynamic indoor rower.
But I am disappointed with the on line tools.
As the new indoor rower came with a monitor PM4 registering all the data and a Garmin heart rate monitor, I had assumed that the on line tools would be comparable with the online Garmin tools. (maybe they are, but I can't find it on the site)
I use an Garmin GPS watch with heart rate monitor for my on water rowing.
So please check the Garmin site: of course the mapping tool is of no use for an indoor rower, but the detailed data about elapsed time, speed and heartrate produce very neat graphs.
For the indoor rower there should also be the data about the strokes.
This information is of much more use than the interval-times that don't coincide with your workout.
The newer Garmin watches send their data wireless.

[Citroen]

I had assumed that the on line tools would be comparable with the online Garmin tools.

Spend $99, get yourself a copy of RowPro. (There is an option to try it for free for 20 days).
http://digitalrowing.com

[jamesheaven]

I use Concept 2 for fitness and like to watch tv, films and listen to music while working out. To do this I use my Ipad. Row pro is great but hate having a bulky laptop next to the wheel - on a wire.

Being able to use my phone or ipad to use rowpro wopuld be great...and it shouldnt need to be hardwired, it should be bluetooth. The current PM4 is fine - but add bluetooth and people can customise the information to their hearts content on ipad or iphone.

My ideal is to have my ipad where the current monitor is - I'd like an App that mirrors the PM4 screen if need be - I'd like an App for Row pro...and with my ipad or iphone there I can watch tv or listen to music at same time. After workouts have happened they link automatically with online database - such as endomondo.

There really is no point in "improving" PM4. Just create a link to smartphones tablets and let the software companies do the rest using the existing technology that everyone has anyway.....oh, and please hurry up! I go running these days and log my runs via gps using my bluetooth heartrate monitor (bluetooth link for heart rate also good idea!) - and it gets automatically logged at Endomondo.....when on earth is Concept 2 going to join the 21st century and use smartphones/networking blah to automatically log rowing sessions too? Its a no brainer, but get a move on!

Just to make my point a little bit stronger, whoever is in charge of technology development at Concept 2 should be fired...even my bathroom scales are hooked to my network and tracked online now....sort it out! PMs have been around forever...

[Citroen]

Being able to use my phone or ipad to use rowpro wopuld be great...and it shouldnt need to be hardwired, it should be bluetooth. The current PM4 is fine - but add bluetooth and people can customise the information to their hearts content on ipad or iphone.

The current PM4 has ANT that's more versatile than BlueTooth. You just need to get your iPad talking ANT+ to it.
http://www.concept2.com/us/support/manu ... CES-C2.pdf

There's support for that in the current V313.008 beta firmware for PM4A monitors.

[Jentje]

Spend $99, get yourself a copy of RowPro. (There is an option to try it for free for 20 days).
http://digitalrowing.com

=> Thanks for the tip. I have now used Rowpro for over 2 months; I have been rowing for 5 weeks on a training program. It really transforms the registrated data to information.
I think this program should come standard with a Concept2 indoorrower.

Kind regards,
Jentje

[Bob S.]

Spend $99, get yourself a copy of RowPro. (There is an option to try it for free for 20 days).
http://digitalrowing.com

=> Thanks for the tip. I have now used Rowpro for over 2 months; I have been rowing for 5 weeks on a training program. It really transforms the registrated data to information.
I think this program should come standard with a Concept2 indoorrower.

Kind regards,
Jentje

It does - as a trial (20 day?) program. This gives you a chance to check it out without including the cost in the price of the indoor rower. It is not for everyone. As a Mac user, I had serious problems with it. Much of that was due to my own lack of expertise with computers, but there are a lot of us with that problem.

Bob S.

[jeremymc7]

I had assumed that the on line tools would be comparable with the online Garmin tools.

Spend $99, get yourself a copy of RowPro. (There is an option to try it for free for 20 days).
http://digitalrowing.com

I've got input similar to others. I've got a iPhone, iPad, & Desktop Mac. I love the "concept" of RowPro however:

I don't have a window machine
I don't have a laptop
I don't want a huge piece of hardware with all kind of wire on the Concept2
I don't want wires strung across the room (the PM works without a power cord b it batteries or exercise charging)

Being able to have a Bluetooth feed and a iOS native app (like RowPro) that works natively on iPhone or Ipad seems to offer exceptional flexibility with the least development time and development cost.

Just my two cents.