Thanks so much. I do hope you will allow me to continue my feeble efforts?
Oh wait, what if you don't get the go-ahead? Will you have to sell your C2?
On a more serious note, for those interested, a decent number of used, but relatively brand-new, Concept2 rowing machines will be on the market after the CRASH-B in February. Pick-up is in person in Boston so it's appeal may be limited based on the geography, but if you live in the area the discount is significant and worthwhile if you're interested in purchasing.
Concept2 CTS: C.R.A.S.H.-B. Offer
Finally, here is sound information on what the damper is all about, and how to ago about tuning it to meet your needs/desires:
Crossfit Journal article "Indoor Rowing - Damper Settings and Workout Intensity"
www.concept2.com/us/commercial/crossfit/CFIT_April07.pdf
And, a brief version here:
Concept2: Damper Setting & Workout Intensity, along with how to "fine-tune" with drag setting
Concept2: Understanding Drag Factor, and a slightly different explanation (especially debunking the "higher resistance is a better exercise" idea) at the UK Concept2 website:
Air Resistance Explained - Indoor Rower - Concept2
Every machine is different, as is ever person who rows, and setting the damper at 3 and forgetting it is not the right way to use the machine.
And, if you're not getting a good aerobic workout on the evil rowing gadgets- you're not doing something right. More than likely the problem is not rowing with enough intensity (read speed and duration, not damper setting). It's like running - if you want a better workout you have to go faster, longer, etc.
If you want a killer workout do some intervals. Two period of Tabata intervals during a 30 minute workout kicks my butt and can put my heart rate into the range of 85-90%+ of theoretical max.