Ionic Scuba

[LilPunk]

So I should be receiving my new FitBit Ionic in the mail today so I am SUPER pumped to start using it. The Ionic says "water resistant" to "50 meters" and is supposed to track swims and such. My question, if anyone can help me out, is whether you can wear the Ionic while scuba diving? Should I be worried about actually wearing it to 50 meters or wearing it in salt water? 

[bbarrera]

Scuba isn't listed as supported activity:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Ionic/Screen-and-bezel-misaligned/m-p/2244515/highlight/true#M8204

I wouldn't do it.

[SunsetRunner]

Send a ticket to support and please let us know what you find.

[LilPunk]

Thanks for the suggestion about the signature!

[N8teGee]

No, a 50m water resistant watch definitely isn't rated for scuba diving. With the movement of your arms (added pressure) it would fail much sooner then 50m. Some would argue a 50m watch isn't really rated for swimming, but Fitbit say it is so that's what we go by. You would definitely be covered if it failed under these circumstances. 

As for salt water, I remember someone (possibly a mod) saying it could be used in it. 

[LilPunk · Accepted solution]

Ok so here's the message i received back from fitbit:

"Thanks for the inquiry, Alison. The Fitbit Ionic is water resistant up to 50 meters for use in the pool, ocean, shower or rain. We recommend rinsing off the salt water after an ocean dip to prevent salt buildup, as with any other device. Let us know if you have additional questions."

[bbarrera]

what a classic non-answer answer, lol

From the link above, you can see that 50 meters with Surge = no swimming.

The problem with "50 meters" is that applies only to static water pressure. Its meaningless without a list of supported water activities.

The Ionic specs in web store only says:

"After swimming or getting the band wet, we recommend drying the band..."

and Ionic features in web store only says:

"Wear your watch in the pool or rain & use it to track swim workouts..." 

even less info in manual and specs on www.fitbit.com/ionic/ product page.

[mlindgren]

Given that Fitbit doesn't officially claim the Ionic is rated for scuba diving, it probably would not be covered by warranty if it suffered from water damage while diving.

Personally, I plan to wear my Ionic while snorkeling on an upcoming trip. I won't be going deeper than 30 feet (~9m), so I think it will probably be okay. But I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford to replace the device if I break it because of my own overconfidence and it's not covered under warranty. If you're not willing to take that risk, it's probably better not to do any diving with it.

[bbarrera]

---

@mlindgren wrote:

Given that Fitbit doesn't officially claim the Ionic is rated for scuba diving, it probably would not be covered by warranty if it suffered from water damage while diving.

---

Agree.

Its hard to identify any official, consistent claims. Instead of a list of supported activities per ISO 22810 standard, there are sometimes conflicting statements scattered across the Fitbit website. The Ionic product page specs read like Surge (50m and sweat, rain, and splash proof). The Ionic web store specs are not the same and reference "after swimming." The specification section at end of manual is devoid of activities covered by waterproofing. The Flex 2 states 100m static pressure test is Fitbit standard for a swim-proof device, but later contradicted by a 50m claim. Reported all of this on pages 7-9 of the thread referenced above. Acknowledged twelve days ago by a Fitbit employee. No changes yet.

Still confused on the official specifications, because, well, there doesn't appear to be any official statements regarding covered water activities that you expect to find in the specifications.

[ByronFitFit]

I went Scuba diving with Fitbit

[ByronFitFit]

I went Scuba diving with Fitbit Ionic. 

[mlindgren]

Well, that's unfortunate.

[bbarrera]

@ByronFitFit you should rename YouTube video "Don't scuba dive with Fitbit"

[ElJefe]

Heading out on 7 dives in the next 3 days in Cozumel so I appreciate your sacrifice in helping me decide what to do...

[Mostbeloved2001]

You went scuba diving with your Fitbit on?!?!?! How did it do?!?!? How deep did you go?!?!?

[Mattca71]

How deep were you? 

[ElJefe]

I didn't end up diving with it.  I read too much about the combination of pressure and movement being too much for the rating.  There are a few videos online about people who have used their Ionic and it broke.  Sorry I can't give any good advice other than I didn't feel comfortable trying.

[jtb55]

My Ionic zonked out at 15 meters. It literally stopped working during the dive. So I would not use it while diving.

[Mostbeloved2001]

Thank you for that Info. I guess we will just have to wait and see if they can come out with a dive kind of Fitbit huh???

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[jtb55]

I have used my ionic for swimming many times but this was the first time diving. I believe that maybe salt water had an impact. While I was disappointed, I must say that customer service has been outstanding! After verifying details, purchase details, etc. they have shipped out a replacement end emailed to me the tracking information. I have not yet received the replacement due to it being on back order but I have been pleasantly surprised by how professional and responsive customer service has been. So, all in all, I have lost perhaps three weeks of usage.