Customer Reviews

First Degree Fitness WR-N Neptune Rower

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although I previously wrote a very critical review of this product, my subsequent experience with the Neptune Rower requires me to offer a more positive take. I use it every weekday in my pied a terre apartment and have found it reliable and enjoyable. One big advantage of the Neptune is that it's the only water rower I know that can be stored upright in a small amount of floorspace. Wheels make it easy to position.
As noted in the earlier review, it was difficult to assemble due to an opening not large enough to accommodate a bolt and the little monitor's annoying beep (which sounds with every stroke) can't be turned off, so you simply have to pull the batteries. But the machine does offer me a good aerobic workout and is very convenient.

The overall quality of the Pacific rower, when compared to the Neptune rower, is worth spending the extra $300. They are both manufactured by the same company. Although the Pacific's computer isn't quite on par with the Concept II's I've used in the past, it is a lot better than the Neptune's computer. It provides more information than the one on the Neptune and the method of measuring distance rowed is a lot more accurate as well. I do wish that they had a better mounting location for the computer but it isn't that big of a deal.
The seat, handle and foot pads are a lot better than the Neptune's as well and they're are fewer parts to assemble than the Neptune.
If your down right on a strict budget, or your just cheap, the Neptune will burn some calories but if you want a better rowing experience and the satisfaction of money well spent upgrade to the Pacific rower; you will be happy that you did!

I bought a Neptune rower and the company replaced it with a Pacific rower when I reported that the seat beam that came with the Neptune would not connect to the rower frame due to a manufacturing error. The company has great customer service.

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.

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.

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.

i pulled the #7 oar on a pretty good shell in college and have literally worn out two single shells in my post-college years. Now, being in my dotage, I've invested in this machine.

There is no question that this machine is the best value on the market. It does its job well, reducing this septuagenarian to a quivering, panting mass of jelly in five or six minutes.

Service and support is outstanding.

I am well pleased.

I purchased the Neptune WR-N rowing machine after quite a bit of shopping around on the internet. All the reviews are dead on about this machine. I have been working out with the machine for about 3 weeks and really enjoy it. Assembly was initially confusing since the rowing machine rail ships separate than the rest of the machine. Expect you won't be able to assemble this until both packages arrive. Thus far I have only one negative that others have pointed out as well - the rowing computer. It functions sufficient enough expect you cannot shut the annoying beep off with every stroke. I have contacted the First Degree Fitness and they are trying to resolve the issue. This is another bright spot of this rowing machine, the customer service is awesome! I really enjoy the rowing companion DVD I purchased with the machine and other than the beep driving me crazy, I could not be happier with this machine. The quality and price are a steal for the benefit gained by using it. Thanks.