Why don't you just get a cheap old garmin watch?
That is what I do.. I have an old FR610 and an even older FR70 that I have to change batteries for every year. I can use either of them to connect to my PM5. Works just perfect! And goes straight into Garmin Connect. Power, speed, HR, --- everything is displayed, except for cadence that does not show, I dont know why....
You can get an FR70 for 50 bucks on ebay for sure....
Having said this, I can t wait until this would also work on the Fenix 3 and/or any of the more recent watches that have CIQ...
That's what I've just done. I've purchased an older watch via eBay just for use with the Concept 2. It seemed the simplest solution and I've spent more on heart straps than it cost.
I live in hope, but without the 'patience of Job' :D, so I will probably end up doing that. 2nd hand ones are not easy to come by here, and buying on ebay with shipping costs and exchange rates, I may as well just buy a new one out the store.
I have an EDGE 520 for its primary use .. cycling.
I will have soon a C2 with PM5 (next week:rolleyes:) for its primary use .. rowing
However The EDGE 520 has (apart of the standard ANT+) a Bluetooth smart interface with ANT + FE-C protocol the same as the PM5!
The current EDGE 520 firmware does not yet incorporate Connect IQ App (but some EDGE 520 beta firmware shows that Garmin is working around Connect IQ App implementation; see http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/09/connect-iq-on-edge.html) and it is said to be released on EDGE in Q1-2016.
EDGE 520 already records HRM data
Then I will try next week if the Edge 520 and the PM5 at least see each other via BLE: this could pave the way to a nice indoor biking/rowing CIQ App!
Then I will try next week if the Edge 520 and the PM5 at least see each other via BLE: this could pave the way to a nice indoor biking/rowing CIQ App!
I am not sure that the Edge 520 and the PM5 will be able to talk over BLE. I am sure that a PM and a CIQ based application will work together without issue. The major roadblock at this point is there is no way to do anything with the data collected, limitation of the CIQ framework currently. Changes to address those limitations were announced as planned (no timeline) through DCRainmaker I believe. The last piece which was will Garmin Connect recognize the indoor rowing sport sub type and display appropriate information was recently answered with the addition of rowing apps in the Fenix 3 BETA firmware. The indoor rowing app in its current state isn't very compelling but indicates either Garmin will get there first or with CIQ updates for modifying FIT files a developer could as well.
Why don't you just get a cheap old garmin watch?
That is what I do.. I have an old FR610 and an even older FR70 that I have to change batteries for every year. I can use either of them to connect to my PM5. Works just perfect! And goes straight into Garmin Connect. Power, speed, HR, --- everything is displayed, except for cadence that does not show, I dont know why....
You can get an FR70 for 50 bucks on ebay for sure....
Having said this, I can t wait until this would also work on the Fenix 3 and/or any of the more recent watches that have CIQ...
Has there been any progress in that front?
Been sick the last week and not been able to row, so frustration got the better of me and I went and bought a new FR70 ($105) to link with the C2.
Fenix 3 still looks pretty though. Will try and forget the $660 spent on it till it speaks with the C2 properly.
