Which rowing machines work with Row Smarter?
Row Smarter connects over Bluetooth to a WaterRower with SmartRow, a Concept2 PM5, or any rowing machine that follows the FTMS standard. The measurements differ because the machines do not send the same data.
Does Row Smarter work with a WaterRower and SmartRow?
A SmartRow sensor measures the WaterRower at the pulley. Row Smarter reads distance, elapsed time, current and average pace, current and average power, stroke rate, stroke count, work per stroke and stroke length. It also records the 24 force samples that make up each stroke.
SmartRow firmware that reports drive time supplies it directly. On older firmware, Row Smarter derives drive time from the measured force samples and labels the timing as derived. Recovery time follows from the gap between strokes. SmartRow does not report heart rate, so that reading comes from an optional Bluetooth heart rate strap.
This is the connection tested on real rowing hardware.
Does Row Smarter work with a Concept2 PM5?
A Concept2 PM5 reports distance, elapsed time, current and average pace, power, stroke rate, stroke count, calories and drag factor. Its stroke data adds drive length, drive time, recovery time, work per stroke, peak force, average force and the force curve. Row Smarter can also read heart rate when the PM5 reports it.
Important. This support is implemented from Concept2's published Bluetooth specification and covered by decoder tests. It has not yet met a real PM5. Treat it as software-complete, not hardware-verified.
Does Row Smarter work with an FTMS rowing machine?
FTMS is the Bluetooth Fitness Machine Service. Its Rower Data message can contain stroke rate, stroke count, distance, pace, power, energy, heart rate and elapsed or remaining time. Each field is optional. Row Smarter uses distance, pace, power, stroke rate, stroke count and heart rate when the machine actually sends them.
Can an FTMS rowing machine send a force curve?
A plain FTMS rower does not send a force curve, drive and recovery timing, stroke length or per-stroke force through that standard message. Row Smarter cannot reconstruct measurements that never crossed the Bluetooth link.
Missing is not zero
Every live machine reading is optional inside Row Smarter. If a rower omits power or heart rate, the screen shows that reading as absent. It does not turn the missing value into 0 W or 0 bpm. Zero means the machine measured zero. A blank means it did not provide a measurement.
What should you choose?
Choose SmartRow or a PM5 when the shape of each stroke matters. Choose any FTMS rower when the core live numbers are enough. A standard Bluetooth heart rate strap can add heart rate on every path.
For workouts, history and racing beyond the hardware connection, see what Row Smarter does and the honest comparison with other rowing apps.