Frequently Asked Questions

The oarlock measures both the angle of the oarlock and the force being applied to the face of the oarlock. These measurements are taken 50 times per second and are then used by the oarlock to calculate per-stroke parameters which are transmitted to the SpeedCoach wirelessly. These measurements are ones that have been proven to be most helpful in evaluating and improving rowing effectiveness:

Please also vist our Blog post, It's In The Computer: A No-Nonsense Breakdown of Rowing Tech Jargon for additional information on this topic.

No. You can select any of the measurements to view online regardless of whether they are an active window currently on the SpeedCoach.

The CoxBox Core will show you stroke rate, total strokes and elapsed time. It is functionally equivalent to the previous versions of the CoxBox.

The CoxBox GPS will show the same measurements as the CoxBox Core, plus show you measurements based on the GPS inside the unit. Additionally, you will be able to see distance, speed / split, and distance per stroke.

The magnet plate installed below the oarlock creates a magnetic field which is sensed by a magnetometer inside the oarlock. The calibration routine uses a provided calibration artifact, which is basically a protractor that clips onto the magnet bar, to "teach" the oarlock what it will sense at certain angles, ensuring that it provides measurements that are accurate for your oarlock/pin/rigger setup. Angle is displayed with whole degree resolution and is accurate to +/- 2 degrees.

The range from an oarlock to paired SpeedCoach is approximately 100ft (30m). Simply hold or mount the SpeedCoach in a nearby motorboat to view oarlock measurements. Because each Oarlock pairs to a single SpeedCoach, you will need a SpeedCoach for each seat you wish to view. We recommend installation of SpeedCoach Surface Mounts in the launch to secure the SpeedCoach units for viewing.

We have tried to balance viewing flexibility with ease of operation by providing two display modes:

"SKILL" mode offers pre-configured data screens that are fast and easy for athletes to use to focus on particular aspects of the stroke. The preconfigured SKILL screens are CATCH, FINISH, LENGTH, WORK, POWER.

"CLASSIC" display mode offers full flexibility to choose any data in any of the four SpeedCoach windows and is ideal for rowers and coaches who are interested in creating their own preferred combinations. For example, it is possible to see how boat speed is impacted by catch and finish angle. Or, monitor heart rate and power while maintaining rating. In CLASSIC mode you have the option of freezing the top windows to Rate and Split and changing only the bottom two, or allowing all four windows to flex.

We have put a huge amount of effort into making sure each sensor is accurately calibrated and provides consistent readings in all situations and conditions. We have not yet encountered a situation where the measurements don't make sense.