50M Water Resistance - Clarification?

[runwithnewmedia]

Hi! 

Super interested in the Ionic -- thanks for continuing to innovate on your products, etc. 

I was curious -- most things that I am reading online in regards to watch water proofing are telling me that 50M resistance is not adequate enough for swimming -- the recommendation is still to remove a watch with that rating before jumping in water. 

Just a a few examples:

http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/what-does-water-resistance-in-diving-watches-mean

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f17/water-resistance-myth-vs-reality-159142.html

https://www.thrillist.com/gear/what-your-watch-water-resistance-numbers-mean

So -- suppose I purchased the Ionic and went for a swim -- due to the 50M rating the watch ends up getting water damaged -- would it be covered under warranty? Are you undercutting actual resistance? It doesn't sound like I should be swimming with this thing based on current stats, even though you are advertising swim tracking. Little bit concerned about this and would love some clarification! Thanks!

[LanieS]

@MattFitbit    

I started swimming at the pool with my Fitbit Ionic and after 50m I looked down to see my Fitbit completely blank. Hoping that the battery had just died, I dried it, brought it home, and charged it, but it is still not turning on.   

[Bujica]

@LanieS, I am pretty sure 50m is actually vertical, doesn't mean the length. As in, if you dive 50m down, the pressure will be 5ATM (6ATA), and that's the maximum the watch can take. You could swim as many laps as you want, the watch should still be fine. Unless I misunderstood what you meant, in which case I apologize. 

[LanieS]

@Bujica 

  Yes, I understand that 50m is vertical.  What I'm saying is that when I looked at my watch after swimming two laps, it was blank, and it is not turning on after being dried and charged.  I should be able to swim as many laps as I want with my Fitbit, but apparently not.  

[Bujica]

Got it, thanks 🙂

I think it's a defective one then, definitely. You should get a replacement, I would contact them asap. Good luck!

[LanieS]

Thank you, will do!

[TripG]

What happened to me

[SantiR]

@LanieS Thanks for your reply and for providing those details.

I went ahead and created a case with customer support in your behalf so no need to call them. Keep an eye on your email inbox for next steps.

@Bujica Thanks for your help on this thread!

@TripG Are you still experiencing difficulties with your watch?

Keep me posted! 

[TripG]

I haven’t taken replacement lately not water yet so I can’t say. I’m kibda
scared to now.

[SantiR]

@TripG Thanks for your reply. Don't be scared to wear your watch while swimming. Your watch is swim proof up to 50 meters so it should be fine. 

Please let me know once you wear your watch for swimming! 

[TripG]

I will ✌🏼

[AntonieVictor]

I took my little 20 month old girl to splash in the kiddies pool. And now my Ionic is dead. Green LED at the back is still active but screen is dead. I think 50m is the distance you have to keep away from water  with this thing. Not happy.>:-(

[ColeMan21]

Hi
After many months of hesitation, I finally ventured into the swimming pool with my replacement iconic. This one appears to be water resistant.

Sent from my iPhone

[EdsonFitbit]

Hi @AntonieVictor @ColeMan21, thanks for visiting the Fitbit Community.

@AntonieVictor I'm sorry to hear that your Fitbit Ionic is not working. I created a case with Customer Support. Please check out your inbox on the next days. They will let you know how to proceed.

@ColeMan21 Thanks for letting us know that your Ionic is working fine.

Keep on stepping.

[Jillyholli]

My first Ionic died after its first swim. The second one has been OK but I splashed it while washing up last night and the screen conked out. It seems to be OK again at the moment but this product is not waterproof. Is this a trading standards issue? 

[AntonieVictor]

Thanks for logging the case. EdsonFitbit

[MarreFitbit]

Thanks for jumping in here @Jillyholli! As mentioned here, Ionic is swim proof up to 50 meters. So the watch should be safe for scuba so long as you stay within that range. 

If there's any questions present, let me know.

[Jillyholli]

but it isn't waterproof if people are reporting that its leaking in water. Some of them are water resistant. Some of them are not. The product isn't reliable. As I say I took it swimming, it failed and i returned it. 

[nattybumpo]

Same exact issue...one pool swim and dead.  How has the replacement been operating?  My concern is the limited time warranty...will this re-occur in 13 months and it be out of warranty?  Definitely concerning as the watch is not waterproof (like my Suunto Ambit 2, which is an AWESOME swim watch).

[SantiR]

@Jillyholli Thanks for your reply and for sharing your experience. Did you got a replacement unit when you returned your old one? Was it working properly?

@nattybumpo Welcome to the Fitbit forums! Thanks for taking the time to post your concerns regarding this matter. I've seen several users that have gotten a replacement unit which is working properly. 

If you are going to get a replacement unit; I'd say give it a try!

Keep me posted! 

[SlavaF]

Had two Ionics, both failed in the water ... 1st after ~ 6months of swimming (the display screen literally came off), 2nd after 15 minutes in the water.

The 2nd time happened outside of the warranty period (the warranty only covers the new unit, not the replacement unit Fitbit sends you) however, as an exception, Fitbit still agreed to replace the device.  The Fitbit customer service has been outstanding every time I contact them.  However if the 3rd unit fails in water, I will move to a different manufacturer.  There is no reason a 300 dollar device should not be able to performed as advertised.