Ionic Wet from Swimming Laps-No help from support

[shaydel90]

I have been with Fitbit for over 4 years. I have owned a Fitbit charge and now an ionic. I have owned the Ionic for almost 3 years. I have always been skeptical of swimming with it because electronics don't mix with water. The website and everything say it is water proof and you can swim so because i have been more active lately I decided to swim laps with it. Well BIG MISTAKE. I have tried all the trouble shoot options but it doesn't work and I know water got in on the inside of the face of the watch. This happened Saturday and I called today (Monday). They are no help online at all. I talked to an agent and a supervisor and because it is out of warranty they can't offer me anything except 25% off. I told them I can go online right now I can get a better discount for not even having an issue and just buying one. What they were offering me wasn't helping out. 

In short, unless they make this right, I will never buy a Fitbit again and recommend others the same. You can look all over fitbit too and see EVERYONE has this same issue. A supervisor is suppose to help you out and make it right and that clearly isn't the case. I was doing something (swimming laps in a pool) that the device is suppose to allow it to do and it broke. I can't believe they can't just send me a new one or offer me a better discount so I can buy another. I hope someone higher than a supervisor reads this and offers me a better option. 

[SunsetRunner]

"I told them I can go online right now I can get a better discount for not even having an issue and just buying one."

I am confused by this. In the store the Ionic is $179.95. How can you buy one cheaper if they give you a 25% discount off of that? Frankly, I would not buy another. It is old and in my opinion too big. The Charge 4 is also waterproof and has a GPS. Frankly, I think the Ionic will be taken out of production soon.

Not really sure what else they could offer you. Your tracker is already 2 years out of warranty. Most companies wouldn't even offer the discount.

[PaulMe]

@shaydel90,

The Ionic like the Versa is "advertised" as being water proof to 50 metres! That's advertising spin many companies use - not just Fitbit, as it's been designed too, and tested too a 50 metre pressure test. NOT water pressure. NOTHING to do with a depth of 50 metres under the water. Otherwise I'd be taking mine SCUBA diving. 

It's actually WR50 rated, so although certified as "Suitable for everyday use, showering, bathing, shallow-water swimming, snorkeling, water related work, fishing. Splash/rain resistant." This taken from the Wiki site. If it were WR100 certified it would be better for swimming and snorkeling. I think body surfing etc is not good for these devices with just a WR50 rating. Simply diving into the water - as an example will considerably increase the pressure subjected to the device - as does a wave hitting the device in the ocean.

Plenty swim with the Ionic - BUT, it is a risk!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Resistant_mark

As your device is a few years old the button seals have probably become dirty/worn and compressed, an are no longer a very good watertight seal.

I lost a Versa swimming. I'm reluctant t wear mine in the ocean. I do sometimes shower with it on though.

An poster here the other day flooded his Ionic simply reaching 3 feet into the water. that's a worry!

[shaydel90]

Yes it was a 25% discount on the regular price no the sale price.