Opinions wanted on NordicRower R3

[Brian Whaley]

On a whim, I walked into a NordicTrack(tm) (NT) store and asked about
rowing machines. They showed me two in their catalog, the WaterRower
and the NordicRower R3. The WaterRower is way overpriced at 1000
dollars! However, the R3 is only 300 dollars. The catalog states the
resistance is magnetic, which seems reasonable to me, being an
electrical engineer. It looks like a decent machine in the picture.

Does anyone have any experience with this machine? Of course, I'd
like to get a CII, but I can't afford a new one, and used ones are
nonexistent. I have not seen one yet, and will report back as soon as
I do.

Is 36 inches a reasonable slide length for someone 6 feet tall? The
model on the machine has his legs extended fully and the seat at the
end of its travel. Bumping the end regularly would make the machine
unusable.

I recall some discussion a while ago about a NT rower that used
resistance in the seat; this doesn't look like it does that, but I
can't sure from the picture and description.

[Brian Whaley]

I forgot to mention that in order to reply successfully to me via
email, remove the number from my address; that is, use 'access'
instead of 'access2' or 'access5'.

[WATE...@ix.netcom.com]

You get what you pay for. I don't think anyone on this NG would suggest
you buy the 300 dollar Nordic rower. On the other hand, as the
manufacturer of the WaterRower, I'm forced to defend my product: We make
the finest rower on the market and the detail and craftsmanship in the
WaterRower attests to that. We are a very small shop ( three employees)
who pride ourselves on the quality of our work and our customer service.
If you actually had any idea what went into a WaterRower you would not
think it was overpriced; certainly not if you were here ordering parts
and building the thing!
By no means am I diising the CII, it is a fine machine with lots of
groovy electronics. We were priced competitively when we were in 72
Nordic stores and had to raise the price back to the 1995 level when we
were reduced to 10 stores. Still, for what the WaterRower is, it is not
overpriced. Any one of you who actually rows a WaterRower
- particularly scullers - >will< prefer the feel and workout of the
WaterRower. I guarantee.
WaterRower = Mercedes, Nordic rower = Yugo. It really is that simple.
William