10 Tips for Perfect Concept2 Photo Scans Every Time
ErgManiac's photo scan feature reads your Concept2 PM5 display and extracts workout data automatically. It works well out of the box, but a few small adjustments can make the difference between a perfect scan and one that needs manual correction. Here are 10 tips to get clean scans every time.
1. Get the Distance Right
Hold your phone 15-20cm (about 6-8 inches) from the PM5 screen. Too close and the camera cannot focus. Too far and the numbers become too small for the AI to read reliably. You want the PM5 display to fill roughly 60-70% of the photo frame.
2. Photograph the Right Screen
After finishing a workout, the PM5 shows a summary screen with your total distance, time, average pace, stroke rate, and calories. This is the screen you want. Do not photograph the "Just Row" screen or the workout selection menu.
For interval workouts, first photograph the summary screen, then scroll through each interval and scan those individually. ErgManiac will combine them.
3. Avoid Glare at All Costs
Glare is the number one reason scans fail. The PM5 screen is slightly reflective, and overhead lights or windows can create bright spots that block the numbers.
To fix glare:
- Tilt your phone at a slight angle (10-15 degrees off straight-on)
- Move your body to block the light source behind you
- Cup your free hand over the top of the PM5 to shade the screen
4. Use the PM5 Backlight
The PM5 has a backlit display that makes the numbers much easier to read in photos. If the backlight has turned off, tap the PM5 screen or press any button to wake it up before taking the photo. A backlit screen produces dramatically better scans than an unlit one.
5. Hold Steady
Motion blur kills scan accuracy. After rowing, your hands might be shaky from the effort. Take a breath, brace your phone with both hands if needed, and hold still for a moment before tapping the capture button. Resting your phone hand on the PM5 housing can help stabilize the shot.
6. Make Sure All Numbers Are in Frame
Double-check that no part of the display is cut off. The AI needs to see all the data fields. Common mistakes include cropping off the stroke rate at the bottom or the workout type at the top. When in doubt, pull back slightly and include more of the screen.
7. Clean Your Camera Lens
This sounds obvious, but it matters more than you think. After rowing, your hands are sweaty. If you have been gripping your phone during rest intervals, the camera lens probably has a fingerprint smudge on it. Give it a quick wipe on your shirt before scanning.
8. Avoid Extreme Angles
A head-on or near-head-on angle works best. If you photograph the PM5 from a steep side angle, the perspective distortion makes it harder for the AI to read the numbers. Stay within about 20 degrees of perpendicular to the screen.
9. Watch Out for Screen Timeout
The PM5 screen goes dark after a period of inactivity (usually a few minutes). If you wait too long after finishing your workout, you might lose the results screen. Scan promptly after finishing, or tap the PM5 to wake it back up.
10. Check the Preview Before Saving
After ErgManiac processes your scan, it shows you the extracted data before saving. Take five seconds to verify the numbers match what you see on the PM5. If something looks off (a 1:45 split that should be 2:05, for example), you can tap any field to correct it manually.
Bonus: Interval Scanning Workflow
For intervals, scan the summary screen first, then press "down" on the PM5 and scan each interval individually. ErgManiac assembles the complete workout automatically. This takes about 30 seconds for a typical 6-interval session.
With these tips, you should get a clean scan on your first attempt at least 95% of the time.
