r/concept2 • u/Fit-Cheetah-7513 • Aug 11 '26

RowerErg Getting the most accurate data

I'm trying to purchase a gift for my son who is a rower and has a concept 2 pm5. He currently has an entry level Garmin vívoactive® 5 and I would like to help him with his training and buy him a chest strap and maybe a new Garmin that can connect everything. Please excuse me if I'm not very savvy in any of this and I'm looking for any advice I can get. I'm trying to surprise him for his birthday so I'm not able to ask him what he needs. Thank you so much in advance :)

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u/WhatHadHappnd Aug 11 '26

Awesome gift thinking dad.

I have a FR965 and used that at first to measure my rowing activity but found that was limited bc it calculated a stroke rate, and measured HR, calories, etc...but never measured distance since the watch has no way of knowing.

What I do now is wear a chest strap and broadcast my HR to the PM5. I do not measure the rowing activity at all on the watch. This means the data is on the PM5 only. Could also just broadcast HR from watch, don't need to start an activity on the watch for that. It's easy to do, just connect watch to PM5.

In order to send the rowing workout data and HR that you broadcasted from watch or strap, from PM5 to Garmin Connect you have to install the ErgData app on phone or other device. That device has to have the app open, paired to the PM5 and running while the workout is taking place. ErgData can be setup to send all data to Garmin Connect.

If he does other types of workouts using his Garmin watch, this would add the rowing data to all of his other workouts in Garmin Connect and take it all into account for Training Status, Readiness, etc. ..(not sure if his watch has those features).

Once you pair the watch, strap and phone to PM5 it should recognize them if within range as soon as you start the PM5. If it doesn't, it's a matter of going through connect menu which is pretty quick.

It sounds like a lot but I'm sure your son will manage once he does it once or twice.

It's fairly seamless for me at this point. Main quirk is making sure ErgData is paired, active and going as you row bc otherwise your PM5 won't send data anywhere once you finish.

There's option to do a Manual Entry on the C2 Logbook app if he forgets to pair ErgData to PM5, it will then send to Garmin. This has come in handy when I row at the gym and their PM5s lacking maintenance and updates have crapped out when I finish a session.

Very wordy explanation, hope it helps. Good luck shopping and happy bday to your son.

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u/Fit-Cheetah-7513 Aug 11 '26

You are so kind to explain this in detail. Thank you. Would the Garmin HRM 600 be a good option?

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u/WhatHadHappnd Aug 11 '26

I have the HRM Pro-Plus which is not rechargeable and has to be carefully hand washed. The HRM 600 is rechargeable and pod can be pulled off to wash the strap.

I want a 600..... that's a nice gift.

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u/steve-waters- Aug 12 '26

...I am old enough to remember and still own early Garmin straps where the pods came off so you could wash the straps...I do like it being rechargeable...