Proteus PAR-5500 Commercial Club Series Rowing Machine

EDIT: I''m editing my original review up to 5 stars. The machine is great, and I found my error on how to get customer service. Looking again at the product page, I saw an "other products from HCI Fitness" link. HCI Fitness is in Seattle, and looks like who I''d contact to resolve any further service problems. It certainly isn''t obvious from what''s inside the box, but now I know and feel much more confident about the machine. Below is my original review:

There is only one reason I''m not giving this product five stars. On my first workout on this machine, I got about 2/3 through when suddenly the computer displayed an "E-2" error. I tried power cycling the machine, but "E-2" came back. That''s when I went to the manual to look for customer service.

The only contact info of any kind that I found was the company website. The website URL is shared with "Zeta & Co" auto parts, and clicking through to Proteus Fitness revealed a pretty basic and Taiwan-based website. I could either call or email Taiwan. I chose email. To the company''s credit, I received a response in 24 hours, with a Word doc with pictures on what I might look for to troubleshoot the E-2 error. As it turns out, in that time my husband unplugged and plugged the machine back in several times and the error cleared itself. We think it isn''t a computer problem, but rather perhaps something with the magnetic resistance getting stuck that aborted the workout program. But what if it hadn''t worked out? What if it''s flawed in some way still? How would I get this machine fixed? They really need a U.S. customer service line or something that instills a little more confidence.

We''ve had a couple error-free workouts on the machine since. The machine itself is fantastic... smooth mechanical operation, well-constructed. The workout programs are great. We especially like that they aren''t fixed length... you can choose the workout profile and separately the workout time and one will scale to the other. So far, we''re keeping the machine, but I''m checking Amazon''s return policy so I know what I''m dealing with. If it remains error free before a return period is up, we''ll probably roll the dice and keep it. We love it that much. If it craps out again, sadly it will have to go back to Amazon rather than have some reasonable repair path available.

Almost pulled the trigger on the Concept 2 but was convinced by a friend to check out the Proteus Rower (we each ended up buying one). This rower is definitely commercial quality as advertised from head to toe. I am very impressed with the fit and form of all components, the European manufacturing influence is very noticeable. Display panel provides more than I will ever need but it is great to have all of the options. Extremely smooth workout, so far so good. I will keep you posted.

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UPS delivered this a few hours ago and my son and I have been assembling it. The instructions are a 3 out of 10 missing a lot of detail but doable. We got two left foot-peddles (this matters because of the foot tensioner). The big problem is that I can not find out where to put the computer wall-power adapter into the computer!! I have looked all through the instructions and it doesn''t say it and doesn''t show it. It does mention 3 times that there is a 9-volt adapter; just doesn''t tell you where to plug into the machine at. I thought that maybe it was behind the mounting bracket, and I disassembled it to find out; but no. What a pain I can''t work out until I figure this out. Can''t say if I would recommend it because it won''t work without power. Also, a key reason that I purchased this unit was that the computer included a heart-rate or pulse meter. But deep in the instructions it says that you have to "wear the chest belt correctly". What chest belt?? It says "NOTE: Chest belt is required in order to use this function". It wasn''t in the box. It wasn''t a listed accessory. That misrepresents the product.

UPDATE: I went on the website and found a support email and asked them about my 2 problems where to plug power in, and how to get the pulse-monitoring strap. They replied with the power location only. I remailed about the pulse/heartrate monitoring strap. The power-connector is underneath the power-wheel (on the front-bottom). After plugging in it powered right up and my 14-y/o jock-son took test ride using a beginner program. He came upstairs about 30-mins later all sweaty and pumped saying it was an awesome workout. I am upping my stars to three, but that is as far as I go until I get the heartrate monitor working.

UPDATE: I contacted the manufacturer again about the heart-rate monitoring strap. They replied "Dear Joe,The chest belt is the optional product for PAR-5500. Please let us know the country you live. I will have our distributor to contact you. Thank you!" To me, that is deceptive marketing. Even if they send me the strap free, it is a core feature of the product description, and their was no option to purchase this accessory. That being said, we are enjoying using the product and it provides a great workout. My 14-y/o son has been doing a 20-minute run on it after his lacrosse practice to round out his conditioning.

UPDATE: I hear back from Proteus: "We are regret that we have no distributor in USA now, so please provide the following information for us, then I will let you know the cost of chest belt and air freight asap. Thank you and have a nice day！". I thought that Amazon was the distributor.

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If yu are serious about your health and fitness, then you should consider one of these. I have back and knee problems but am able to get a great IMPACT-FREE workout with this machine. it has an excellent seat design that moves like you are sitting on a cushion of air-very smooth--

The set up was very simple and easy to understand.

The item arrived 4 days earlier than Amazon said the estimated date of delivery, and i used the super saver shipping. (Oh yeah, it also arrived within a week of Christmas)

Overall I an very happy with the machine.

Would recommend to anyone

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We really want this rower, have only heard good things about it, but through Amazon.com we received a defective unit. We opted to exchange it for another one in hopes that it was just a fluke. The second rower had the exact same defect problem. The slide rail was not manufactured to fit properly making it impossible to safely or easily use the vertical storage when the rower is not in use.

Both of the units were refunded to us and a call tag for shipping was provided. That said, it took us hours to put these together and then take them apart and figure out how to get them back into the boxes just right for shipment. After all those hours and our effort, we *still* don''t have a rower.

NOT happy! But maybe someone else that has unlimited space and never has to put the slide rail upright will be.

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