The NovaRow R50 Pro Air Rower with Upgraded Backlit Monitor is frustrating in a very different way from a bad product. The rower itself is excellent for the money. The display is better than before. It is just still not quite good enough.
Merach sent this updated R50 Pro out for review after I reviewed the previous NovaRow R50 and called it nearly perfect except for the monitor. The new version fixes my biggest usability complaint, adds a nicer phone/tablet position, and keeps the same strong rowing feel.
That puts it close to being an easy recommendation. The remaining problem is visibility.
The Rower Still Feels Excellent
Mechanically, the R50 Pro is very similar to the previous R50. That is a compliment. The rowing feel is smooth, stable, and close enough to a Concept2-style experience that most home gym owners will understand the value quickly.
At around $599, it sits far below the four-figure price point of many higher-end rowers while still feeling solid in use. The foot pads, strap feel, and general resistance profile are not identical to a Concept2, but the experience is close enough that the price gap matters.
The air resistance runs from 1 to 10, and the built-in modes cover the normal basics: manual rowing, target programs, time goals, and similar straightforward training options. Nothing about the program side is revolutionary, but it does what a rower needs to do.
The Biggest Old Complaint Was Fixed
The old R50 monitor had two major issues. First, it was dim and low-contrast. Second, the metrics rotated automatically, so you could not simply choose the stats you wanted and leave them on screen.
The second problem is fixed. On the R50 Pro, you can press enter and lock in the metrics you want to see. That sounds small, but during a workout it is a major quality-of-life improvement. You no longer have to watch the screen flash between stat groupings every few seconds.
Merach also moved the phone and tablet holder above the display instead of in front of it. That is another real improvement. You can follow a class or watch something on a device while still seeing the rower's metrics below it.
The Display Is Better, But Still The Weak Link
The backlit display is improved in layout and usability, but the visibility problem is not fully solved. The screen is still not bright enough, and the new surface is more reflective.
The viewing angle is narrow. If your head is not in the right position, the digits can be hard to read. For me, the best angle also pointed the screen slightly toward the ceiling, which meant the glossy surface reflected overhead lights.
This is not enough to ruin the rower. I could still use it, read it, and train with it. But this was the one area that needed to be nailed, and it still feels one revision away.
Where It Fits In A Home Gym
For most people looking for an air rower under the premium rower price range, the R50 Pro makes a lot of sense. It is smooth, the frame feels solid, and the updated monitor controls are much less annoying than the previous version.
The value is especially strong if you are comfortable using the Merach app or a phone/tablet for extra display support. If the built-in screen is only a backup for basic metrics, the remaining contrast issue becomes less important.
If you need perfect visibility from the built-in monitor, especially in a bright room or under overhead lighting, this is where you should pause.
Verdict
The R50 Pro is a very good rower that is still held back by its monitor. Merach fixed the most annoying part of the old display, improved the device holder, and kept the rowing feel that made the original R50 compelling.
But the backlight, reflectivity, and viewing angle still need one more pass. If Merach solves that, this could become the obvious value rower for a lot of home gyms.
As it stands, I would still recommend it to most people who want a strong rower at this price. I would just do it with the warning that the display is improved, not perfected.