Is the Charge 6 suitable for swimming?

[0Thomas0]

Hi, are there any changes between Charge 5 and 6  ? The Charge 5 was not really suitable for swimming, mosts devices failed after that.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Talahthas · Accepted solution]

Welcome back to the Fitbit community, @0Thomas0!

Charge 5 and Charge 6 are meant very well to track swimming exercises as long you'll keep an eye on some points mentioned here:

Can I swim or shower with my Fitbit device? 

[Triletics]

It seems to support the same water resistance level (5ATM) as Charge 5.

[pier.mucelli]

Hi, Actually I have been using for swimming regularly (sessions of 60 to 75') with no issues - Charge 5. Hopefully no changes with Charge 6. Annoyingly with the new software just released, I am not able to edit the swim sessions (length is not accurate and sometimes it logs the time you spend in the shower....)!

[N8teGee]

This is from the Charge 6 product page. 

[Triletics]

@N8teGee I read that yesterday and I found it very well phrased and explaining all the aspects of device water resistance. It even mentions the water resistance isn't permanent. Well played by Fitbit this time, nothing untold.

[N8teGee]

@Triletics Yes I must admit I thought the exact same myself. I've never seen Fitbit go into such details. Hopefully a step in the right direction. 

[Bassaddict]

This is what the charge 6 is rated for

50m - Water resistant up to 50 meters means it can withstand swimming and cold showers.

Hot showers are different as hot water would allow the watch to expand and potentially allow water to get in.

[Bebopkorsakoff]

It says it "should not be used for activities involving water at high velocities". What constitutes high velocity? Is my wrist slapping the water while swimming considered high velocity?

[Jom309]

I’ve tried Charge 6 now several times in pool and while swimming freestyle it stops constantly the training in the middle of the lap. I see some users complaining about this issue with Charge 5. Apparently that has not been fixed. I swim mainly freestyle (I’m pro level) so this device seems to be unusable for me in the pool. Maybe I give it another try still.

[reylimo]

Did you try water lock mode?

[Jom309]

Yes, water lock is on automatically when swimming training is started. It doesn’t help. 

[Navytri]

Is your charge 6 still have the same issue you mentioned back in Nov  
“while swimming freestyle it stops constantly the training in the middle of the lap.”

if so have you found a tracker that is reliable to record laps? 
i saw a comment on google from a lap swimmer that inspire 3 works for him

[teleman85]

I have had two Fit Bit Charge 5 devices. Both have failed after 9-11 months due to exposure to small amounts of water (e.g. water splashing when doing dishes). My impression is that this is common. In discussions with techncial support, they are quick to ask if condensation is observed. It is clearly a known issue. 

I took care not to use my devices in the shower. I also did not go swimming. The first time I expereinced a failure, I disassembled the product and identifeid the leak location on the part of the watch that makes contact with skin. I feel it is unlikley that rough handling or some other misuse casued the failure. I get the feeling there is some fundimental design flaw in the waterproofing, perhaps due to degradation in gasket material.   

[Jom309]

I've tried my charge 6 in a normal training mode ("workout"), and it seems that the trainging doesn't stop in that mode. It's a bit weird. Water lock feature clearly doesn't work as it should. However my main interest in the pool nowadays is heartbeat, so laps are not a must for me. Of course it would be nice to have it recording laps as well becouse I don't remember to count them by myself 😁 

[Linzdg1984]

My Charge 5 broke after swimming, useless for a watch designed to track activities for athletes!! I'll be going back to Garmin 

[Linzdg1984]

Total fitbit failure. Useless product. Will be going back to Garmin as they can't be bothered to fix this simple issue 

[MattRoxx]

I'm a recreational swimmer and have been using the Charge 6 for 3x week since October (so, about 7 months), and it works fine. Only complaint is that it slightly under-counts, so I'll swim 1600 meters to get it to show 1500 (my 'target) or sometimes 1525. Or swim 2100 meters to make sure the app shows at least 2000. But often when the lane is crowded, I don't go all the way to touch the wall anyway so it all averages out over the long term. It does count the time accurately and calorie count is consistent. I see some of the younger and more serious people (who I assume are training for triathlons) wearing big clunky, heavy-looking watches on their wrists, constantly stopping to check their interval pace or training program or whatever they're looking at, and am happy with the smaller, lighter Charge 6, and find it good value for the price.

[Gigi1978]

How do you care for your Fitbit Charge 6 after swimming? I've had the Charge 3 and Charge 5, which both died after swimming on vacations. I let them dry out each day, but maybe I'm not doing enough to care for it?

[Triletics]

@Gigi1978  usually, rinsing watch should be fine. My Charge 6 broke after 6 months and I suspect pool swimming had something to do with it. Now, button doesn't work and battery dies within day so I stopped using it. Not planning to contact customer support as I don't plan to use Charge 6 ever again. Worst Fitbit I have ever owned. Now, I went back to Sense.