Rowers

Row with your Concept2 in a rowing game

The Concept2 PM5 monitor has Bluetooth built in, with its own protocol, and RowingBuddy speaks it. Distance, pace, power, stroke rate and drive length come straight from the PM5, so the numbers in the game match the monitor.

What you need

  • A Concept2 RowErg (Model D or Model E) with the PM5 monitor. The older PM3 and PM4 have no Bluetooth.
  • A computer, or an Android phone or tablet, with Chrome or Edge.

How to connect

  1. Open RowingBuddy in Chrome or Edge and choose Rower.
  2. Choose Concept2 PM5.
  3. Wake the PM5 with a stroke or any button, and stay on its main menu or start Just Row.
  4. Pick your PM5 in the browser’s Bluetooth window: its name starts with PM5 and its serial number.
  5. Row a few strokes. The live numbers should match the PM5’s own display.

Then pick a world and a workout, and row. To put it on the big screen, see how to row on your TV.

If it won’t connect

  • Not in the Bluetooth list? Wake the PM5 again: it sleeps after a few minutes without rowing.
  • Close ErgData or any other app that may be connected: the PM5 only talks to one app at a time.
  • Still not there? Update the PM5’s firmware with the Concept2 Utility or ErgData.
  • Pressing Menu or starting a new workout on the PM5 resets its numbers. RowingBuddy carries on counting from where you were.

Still stuck? The questions and answers may help.

Other rowers

  • SmartRow: Connects straight to the sensor.
  • WaterRower S4: With the WaterRower Bluetooth ComModule.
  • Other Bluetooth rowers: Any rowing machine with standard fitness Bluetooth (FTMS), or the SmartRow app’s broadcast mode.