First Degree Fitness WR-N Neptune Rower
- Performance Monitor System
- Fluid UltraSmooth Resistance
- Comfortable Seat/Easy Storage
Product Description
The First Degree Fitness Neptune Rower utilizes water resistance to provide a great workout on the body. Rowing in your own home has never been as real until now, thanks to the Neptune rower by First Degree Fitness. The rower employs fluid resistance with a tough polycarbonate tank that holds 9 to 17 liters of water to provide a thorough resistance workout. An ergonomic handle, pivoting footboards and a super comfortable seat prevent strain on the body and make this… More >>
First Degree Fitness WR-N Neptune Rower
December 11th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Having read 3 glowing reviews and being the happy owner of another First Degree Fitness rower, I eagerly ordered the Neptune for an apartment which I use during the week. Although the instructions are miserable, the manufacturing tolerances way out of whack and the “computer” cheesy, the Neptune’s worst aspect is that its maximum resistance might challenge an 8-year-old. Yup, with tank filled to the limit, the machine offers so little resistance that even this middle-aged office worker in average condition can’t get much of a work out. Then there’s the little problem of parts that don’t fit together. Another reviewer suggested using a rubber mallet to force the pieces together. I tried that but the tolerances were so wrong on mine that I ended up taking it to a friend with machine tools to enlarge an opening. The frustration of the lousy instructions and need to fix parts is now in the past but the fact that I can’t get a good workout from this nearly [...] investment is my future with this unfortunate purchase. Too much hassle to drain, disassemble, repack and return it. But readers of this review can avoid similar disappointment…
Rating: 2 / 5
December 11th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Had the rower for about a month now and it performs without flaw. One can see the design evolution from both the First Degree and Water Rower lines converging with the Neptune and Water Rower A1 Home models having almost identical basic schematics except the Neptune water tank supported by a metallic frame vs Water Rowers traditional wood frame.
At the time I write this, the Neptune is the lowest cost of the decent water-based rowers by a few hundred dollars. That translates primarily into a more limited computer function and force controlled by the water level rather than a knob adjust…neither of which is worth hundreds of dollars for me. FYI, those I know who are competitive rowers generally purchase the Concept2 which is an advanced flywheel design with (most importantly to them) an advanced computer monitor and online community. Given that the Neptune is a 2009 release, I expect some of the other companies will be working to meet the price point in the next year or two.
Regarding construction, I found it useful to have a rubber mallet as the piece connecting the foot pedals through the center beam is by design a tight fit. The first few days I used the rower, there was also a faint rubber-on-rubber squeak from the tank but that disappeared completely and now one only hears the gentle water swirl characteristic of the good fluid machines.
I’ve used the rower every day for a month now and am really enjoying it.
Rating: 5 / 5
December 11th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
I bought this one over the other water rower because of the adjustable resistance. Note that you adjust the resistance by adding more/less water to the tank – not using a knob or similar mechanical mechanism. This is easy to do using the hand-pump that comes with the rower.
The rower is of extremely high quality, and I’m not disappointed. It gives a great workout. This is my second rower – I previously had one of the cheaper piston ones, which I’ve outgrown.
This water rower is in a different league. Real smooth operation, with natural feeling resistance.
It’s been manufactured to pretty tight tolerances – so it the frame feels solid and sturdy. The flipside of this is that some pieces are a bit difficult to fit together – just use a bit of patience, and maybe a tap or two with a rubber mallet. Other than that the assembly is straight forward.
Rating: 5 / 5
December 11th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Rower works great, though the assembly requires correction that is not documented in the manual. The magnet under the seat (to work with electronic monitor) was placed on the wrong side, and to correct this requires reassembling the seat and rollers with the spacers on the other side. The magnet was glued on the wrong side, and required some force to loosen. The water resistance works great. Quiet (only hear water swooshing noise) and smooth resistance.
Rating: 4 / 5