WATERROWER Connect Reviews

by Matsie

WATERROWERConnect is bad and the “com module” doesn’t even work. It’s bulky and cumbersome to use and charge. Not worth $20 let alone $65.

Waterrower should be shipping the machines with Bluetooth capabilities and not doing this hackneyed thing. Beautiful rower, great experience rowing. Terrible technology. I’m a hobbyist and rowing for exercise so it doesn’t matter. I’ll turn my Apple Watch on and use that. But it’s just really bull crap they didn’t bother to do this even remotely right.

by Applehastoomanyusernames

They have not taken any suggestions from
feedback and reviews and implemented them.
1. Need ability to delete, sort, edit workouts
2. Connectivity is spotty at best, only works if I manually connect in WATERROWERConnect and in Bluetooth
3. There’s actually more functionality on the old school S4 monitor than the iPhone powered app! Frankly this is a glorified color version of the digital LCD stopwatch screen but far more frustrating because of the connectivity problems.

by Cmt014

I like the idea but it’s just missing so many basic features and basic calculations are wrong. For example, if I set up a 8x 500M intervals with 1:00 rest, shouldn’t the average pace metrics tell me how fast I rowed each of the 8x intervals?

Seems like common sense, however WATERROWERConnect calculates the average pace for the intervals PLUS THE REST TIME. I rowed each interval at ~1:45 pace, yet WATERROWERConnect says my average pace was 2:51 because it includes the rest periods in the calcs...

by One Commuter

I wanted to like WATERROWERConnect. The problems are, however, numerous. First of all it is not tested enough. The connectivity is not very stable ( it often takes multiple cycle of restarting the Bluetooth module, the application, etc to connect). Quite often the connection seems established, but WATERROWERConnect is not reading the module and The numbers are frozen and not changing (it starts reading abc then stops). WATERROWERConnect is not reading the heart rate from the phone. After my 40 min workout the average heart rate (is 50) which makes absolutely no sense. The calories are also not recorded properly. The averages are generally useless if the workout involves power strokes and periods of rest. Basically WATERROWERConnect needs some significant improvements and bug fixes to be useful.

by PinballGeek

I couldn’t get it launch at all on an iPad mini 2, just hangs at start showing the logo but no UI. This kills my main use case, but I tried it from another device to see if I could still make it work.

I get it to work sometimes, but I’ve seen it connect to the Commodule and then drop the connection. WATERROWERConnect just stops getting data and the only option is to force close and start over. Which leads to the other major problem, there is no way to delete bad workout records so you end up with a bunch of no-data workouts.

I’ll end up trying the Commodule with Cityrow Go so hopefully it won’t be a waste of money assuming the issues are with WATERROWERConnect and not the module.

If you just want data you might just want the more expensive SmartRow upgrade, but that doesn’t work with CityRow and is a lot more expensive.

by Sib828

I really want to like WATERROWERConnect, but it just doesn’t get the job done. The intervals aren’t truly intervals, meaning you can’t see separate splits for each interval, everything is averaged over the total duration of the workout, including the planned rests. Sometimes WATERROWERConnect doesn’t start the workout. When it does, and my watch is connected to track HR, Apple records two separate workouts from WaterRower Connect - one with HR and one without. Further, there will often be a dozen 0 minute workouts recorded that I have to manually delete.

by GH12042

When I got my rower was excited to use WATERROWERConnect . It only connected to my rower for a couple weeks and though my phone shows I am connected, it has not worked since. And no amount of troubleshooting has worked. Now I enter my data manually and it disappears immediately after. Very disappointed in the experience.

by Dger2937

This is WATERROWERConnect made by the company that makes the water rower. You would think it would be maintained and a solid offering. As it is, I can’t even get it to connect to my iPhone since the most recent apple update. I checked their website and now it looks like water rower has jumped into the subscription market with smart row, but that different and far more expensive add ons. It seems they’ve forgotten to keep up with their existing customers.

by Party Crasher 10

First off you need to purchase the Bluetooth ComModule $60 in order to use WATERROWERConnect. When I paired the module to WATERROWERConnect , I couldn’t get it to track my rowing. I tried to restart the module like the instructions said but it will not turn off no matter how long I hold the power button. I’ll be returning the module and deleting WATERROWERConnect . I read all the other negative reviews stating that WATERROWERConnect didn’t many features but I just wanted it to track what I had done. It couldn’t even do that.

by Arob1000

I picked up a Bluetooth module for my WaterRower with the hopes of connecting to my iPhone and Apple Watch. In theory it works but a lot of the metrics (heart rate, etc) are incorrect. Also WATERROWERConnect shuts off when not on your phone, this is easily fixable by the developers but hasn’t been done for some reason.

WATERROWERConnect needs a lot of work, I’ll continue to use it but it is not enjoyable...

by Tykx

WATERROWERConnect looks sleek. And when I first set it up it seemed to work nice and easily with my Bluetooth Comm. I connected it to Strava and it uploaded my first two workouts. I also found it connected quickly to my TickrX HRM.

However, today it wouldn’t upload my workout to Strava. Then I found that I could add manual activities, but not delete them. And when I looked for a help section or a way to contact app support I haven’t found a thing or a way to contact support.

So when WATERROWERConnect works it works great. Doesn’t have bells and whistles, but it looks nice and does what it needs to do. However, when it doesn’t work there doesn’t seem to be any way to get any help or support which is very frustrating.

by Farmersdaughter01

I read reviews of Apple Watch causing rowing to be double counted so I don’t use the watch when I row. I’ve turn on sharing with the apple health app and it’s supposed to integrate the data automatically, but after several days, it has not.

I like being able to track my rowing, so I won’t delete WATERROWERConnect , but not having it integrate the activity into apple health is a big downside considering it’s supposed to.

by Thailand Hot

I’m a bit baffled by the redundancy between the S4 and WATERROWERConnect. It counts your strokes? That’s what I spent $60 on? I already log my rows manually. The workout record is trapped in WATERROWERConnect as far as I can tell. It seems to play nicely with Strava and Apple Health if that’s important to you. You are also blocked from plugging in the cable for “we-row” which apparently has no Bluetooth support. I feel like I’ve been taking crazy pills. WR and hi tech don’t mix.

by Game Reporter Dude

For what it is, it’s not bad at all. Once you order and plug in the Com Module from WaterRower, it connects easily to the iPhone app via Bluetooth. The only addition data point it provides is stroke count for your workout.
The only thing it really does is store your workouts by date which is more the the S4 on the WaterRower can do on it’s own, and so for free, that’s worth 3 stars for sure.
If the developers could prioritize the necessary enhancement of coordination with the Apple Health app they’d have winner. For the vast majority of folks who can afford a WaterRower in their home or apartment, this is really all anyone wants. Let people connect two devices they really love and let them feel good about that. That would get four stars.

by Rick G

Requires extra hardware - about $60 total to add Bluetooth on standard S4 Monitor (with USB). App is free - thank you.

Allows very basic workouts - you to set simple time, distance or interval. Sync’s with Apple Health.

Doesn’t include continuous heart rate monitoring via Apple Watch which is a major omission. This makes WATERROWERConnect much less useful. Good first offering, but please add AppleWatch HRM.

by Cbrandty

Overall works great to track workouts, nothing flashy, but works well. Would be nice if workout history could sync between devices.

by RowRowRowSlow

Training programs are good/fun but it would be helpful to see what the program is before I start. The screen during the exercise isn’t specific so I don’t know where to be. It would be nice to see the exercise plan/splits before beginning.

by Apple836291674896

Good news: connects immediately to phone or tablet

Bad news: does absolutely nothing, doesn’t connect to display readings, timer or anything.

Going to try another 3rd party ap otherwise I’m contacting WaterRower for refund attempt.

by Wat Row

Thanks to the developers for fixing the software that it was intended for. In my case I have a Waterrower Club S4 so just being able to keep record of my workouts is great !

by Barkdust

Progress is easy to monitor as the display is bright and well laid out. I do wish for one feature: How about a beep when distance/time is reached

by Tim Ry

Thought I would use the shelter at home requirement to take my rowing to the next interactive level. Spent $60 on a device to use WATERROWERConnect. App doesn’t connect and is a waste.

Water Rower is a fine machine, but they don’t have a viable interactive module Can easily see other fine indoor rower manufacturers, who have a tech edge, push Water Rower to the sideline.

by Micker310

So, finally have Bluetooth connectivity (kind of, at a cost and buggy), and this is the best they could do? Wait, to really get useful feedback you need to spend another $275 for the SmartRow add on. If compatibility and technology are important to you, go with the Concept2 erg.

by NHDan2014

WATERROWERConnect does little except track your current row and your lifetime rows with WATERROWERConnect . There’s no option to export. It’s not integrated with Apple Watch or any other apps. Let’s hope this is a stop along the way to more integration. What was this supposed to accomplish?

by Kgersh

The com module Bluetooth device simply doesn’t work. I called the company and they asked me to open the device up and unplug the circuitry and replug it in. Still didn’t work. They’re going to send me a new device. If it ends up working, I’m glad to change my review.

by Sbaily4

The water rower requires a $60 add on to do what other rowers do for far less money and still cannot get anything even limited functions to work with WATERROWERConnect. Save your money, no idea why WATERROWERConnect or Bluetooth interface were released, second rate product enhancement.

by Disappinted Rower

Why did WaterRower build a quality machine and get a crappy app developer? At first I could not connect the Comm module to WATERROWERConnect . WaterRower sent me a new Bluetooth comm module and I was able to connect. But still WATERROWERConnect is not tracking my rowing output.

They are sending me a new S4 board but I have a feeling it is WATERROWERConnect . The S4 monitor has been working perfectly.

by Danvdb

WATERROWERConnect is so buggy and poorly developed, it’s almost insulting to us Waterrower customers. I tried really hard to work with the bugs and find the right sequence of tasks to enable the phone to connect correctly, and then push the workout to Strava. It bugs at every corner. Whoever built this did zero QA or UAT before pushing into production. I’m sending the Bluetooth dongle back and giving up on this.

by Birdboy99

Would like to see more features added. Needs to be able to program a workout. Not really beneficial if the monitor does more than WATERROWERConnect , and WATERROWERConnect needs a $60 Bluetooth adapter to work.

by Peptidedt

Update notes mention that version 1.7.4 allows users to input their workouts manually without the need of the Bluetooth module. How can this be done?

by ---be

WaterRower: thanks for making an app replacement for the antiquated, non-backlit built-in performance monitor. But I hope you’ll consider adding:

- Apple Watch and Activity app integration
- font size customization
- workouts, any simple text prompts will do
- user interface profiles that remember my settings.

by M. Marc 99

Easy to use. Doesn’t send data to Apple Health app which was the reason I upgraded to the Bluetooth adapter.