Recently I managed to decode the Rowing data from Merach NovaRow R50, are any guideline I can follow in order to add it to the app?

[chowchin]

Recently I managed to decode the Rowing data from Merach NovaRow R50, are any guideline I can follow in order to add it to the app?

[cagnulein]

You can add a rower module following for example the echelonrower module and create a PR. Let me know if you need a hand! Thanks Roberto Viola Software engineer and open source enthusiast http://robertoviola.cloud Il giorno lun 4 ago 2025 alle 00:53 Frankie Chow ***@***.***> ha scritto:

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Recently I managed to decode the Rowing data from Merach NovaRow R50, are any guideline I can follow in order to add it to the app? — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#3593>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAALYWAYXCOTBM4TYXYKTLT3L2HF7AVCNFSM6AAAAACDAQQXLWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43ERDJONRXK43TNFXW4OZYGY3TGMBUG4> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[chowchin]

using this formula
heartbeat = (values[14] - 1) * 99 + (values[15] - 1),

[cagnulein]

yes i just forgot about it, i'm doing it right now :)

[cagnulein]

@chowchin new build https://github.com/cagnulein/qdomyos-zwift/actions/runs/18343913601

[chowchin]

@cagnulein tested and it worked perfectly.

[cagnulein]

Guys with this information I can write a module for qz. I will do this today! Roberto Viola Software engineer and open source enthusiast http://robertoviola.cloud Il giorno lun 6 ott 2025 alle 00:47 Chin Chow ***@***.***> ha scritto:

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Hi @YAMLcase <https://github.com/YAMLcase> I am not familiar with how to make a module to qdomyos-zwift and I stopped I tried to wirte an android app, capturing the BT payload and send out as FTMS. You can check at https://github.com/chowchin/novarow-r50/blob/main/app/src/main/java/com/chowchin/r50/MainActivity.kt Below is a quick summary on my findings 1. send out the following payload one by one f0a5440104de f0a04401d5 f0a001e879 f0a501e80280 I guess that it is to change it to Bluetooth mode 2. send out the following payload to ask the R50 to send out the current Rowing data f0a201e87b Below is the data format for the Rowing data val values = characteristic.value val rowingData = if (values.size == 23) { RowingData( hex = hex, timestamp = System.currentTimeMillis(), elapsedSecond = (values[4] - 1) * 60 + values[5] - 1, strokeCount = (values[6] - 1) * 99 + (values[7] - 1), strokePerMinute = (values[8] - 1) * 99 + (values[9] - 1), distance = (values[10] - 1) * 99 + (values[11] - 1), calories = (values[12] - 1) * 99 + (values[13] - 1), heartbeat = (values[14] - 1) * 99 + (values[15] - 1), power = (values[16] - 1) * 99 + (values[17] - 1), gear = values[20] - 1, ) } else { RowingData( hex = hex, timestamp = System.currentTimeMillis(), ) } I hope that it can help you to understand the data format of R50 — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#3593 (reply in thread)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAALYWAKQQAXZPF2XOA7XMD3WGNWJAVCNFSM6AAAAACDAQQXLWVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43URDJONRXK43TNFXW4Q3PNVWWK3TUHMYTINJZHE2DGNQ> . You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: ***@***.*** com>

[JaapvanEkris]

Recently I managed to decode the Rowing data from Merach NovaRow R50, are any guideline I can follow in order to add it to the app?

Regardless how you transform the data, it is garbage to begin with. Merarch and any B-Brand monitor is so far below par that it spews numbers, but they won't make any sense. I am the developer of OpenRowingMonitor and we see that most monitors lack any fundamental understanding of what the flywheel is doing, thus we developed the open source software that allows you to retrofit a good monitor on any rowing machine. As an added bonus, we can emulate a Concept2 PM5 BLE interface, which is better suited for rowing and is accepted by apps like KinoMap, EXR, etc..

[cagnulein]

Group rows are so much more fun if you don't blaze away in a lighting speed, leaving the people with reliable data far behind. EXR and several other rowing oriented apps actually block machines that don't respect the established relation between power and pace, just to keep the really crazy monitors at bay.

you can simply set a watt gain to 0.2 or lower in qz to decrease the wattage and so on. this is easier than adding hardware solutions IMHO. But of course keep on with your project, as I will do with mine :)

[JaapvanEkris]

you can simply set a watt gain to 0.2 or lower in qz to decrease the wattage and so on.

That is not how a rowing machine works. Rowing machines adhere to the "Cube law", so you need a cubic function to correct power and bring it in line with pace, not a linear one. So, apps like EXR will kick you out mid-session (we had reports of that happening when certain parameters have been changed). As said: garbage in is garbage out.

[cagnulein]

Ok they will not use EXR so, whatever :) people at least must have a way to do a training session without someone that tells "YOU ARE NOT DOING IN THE RIGHT WAY". I'm an engineer I totally agree with your from the data point of view, but again, ALL these details are nothing compared to the right habit. Doing fitness is saving thousand of lives.

I'm receiving thousand of emails each year saying that QZ is saving their life because it creates a good habit, this is the most important thing for me.

[JaapvanEkris]

Ok they will not use EXR so, whatever :)

This is like saying "This app does not work with Zwift" ro a cyclist.

people at least must have a way to do a training session without someone that tells "YOU ARE NOT DOING IN THE RIGHT WAY".

It isn't about "the right way", but it is about getting some credible feedback. To put it in cycling terms: these monitors fabricate power/pace based on the pedal cadence, completely ignoring gears and the resistance. So going to a higher gear will make you slower...

Switching from dragfactor 100 to 200 (just change the lever from 4 to 7) essentially dubbles the power to move the flywheel. A NordicTrack can go up to 450, without taking anything of this into account. Effects of temperature, humidity and dust buildup have similar effects, and make a difference. Fora like concepr2's are filled with people fealing the difference between their own and gym machine. These monitors don't take that into account, so people will be knackered without understanding why.

I'm receiving thousand of emails each year saying that QZ is saving their life because it creates a good habit, this is the most important thing for me.

I'm not questioning the usefullness of the app in general, as cycling and running are simpeler spirts from a mechanical perspective. But I am questioning the usefullness for this app in rowing as you can't fix the underlying issues that will frustrate users.

[cagnulein]

I don't have any frustrate rower users, so i don't see the point. Have a good day