Waterproof

[Tez28]

Recently passed a replacement phone that wasnt recording pulse count accurately to one of my son in laws. This device failed a 1 metre deep bath, its water damaged and wont work. Customer service is choosing to avoid the issue that some of the Ionics are NOT waterproof in shallow water let alone 50 metres, their advertising is misleading and needs some investigation by the various advertising agencies. I have said that I'm not confident of its ability to withstand water so now I wont swim with it on. The claim  of it being waterproof was a deciding factor in its purchase, Fitbit will NOT entertain any refund if the purchase is over 45 days old.

[DramaQueenDiva]

I'm somewhat leary of using mine in water too, @Tez28.  I've tried it in fresh water and it works fine. Due to the corrosive nature of salt and other chemicals (including bath and shower water), I won't wear it in any other type of water either.  

As for the warranty issue, I haven't had to have mine replaced, so I can't really speak to that.  May I ask where exactly you purchased the device?

[Rich_Laue]

 Fitbit has never stated that their trackers are waterproof, legally the term waterproof can not be used in relation to watches and electronic equipment for the last 50 years. The term is water resistant to X where units of X could be feet, ATM, meters,  etc. However this is tested in still water being lowered slowly. 

To be honest I am in the same ball park as @DramaQueenDiva 

[Tez28]

Hi, I get the distinction between waterproof and water resistant. I believe
the inference of the advertising is in persuading the customer that the
Ionic can survive up to a depth of 50mtrs. For a number of customers this
obviously isn't true, there are some disclaimers in the advertising
i.e.diving, 50mtrs etc, nothing about immersing slowly and in fresh water.

[sgsims]

It's hilarious that they are discussing the difference between "resistance" and "proof" when they have a tracking mode on their device for "swimming"....no one is inferring that the ionic should be water "Proof".  No-one is wearing the unit when diving to a depth of 50 meters.  Their advertising says one can use the unit to track swimming which is clearly a water "resistant" activity not a water "proof" activity.

I have had my unit die twice after vacations where I have been in a pool with the kids for a few days straight.  The first time they replaced with a full warranty...this time they will only give a 40% discount.  I purchased my original Ionic in Dec of 2017  they replaced the unit in April of 2018...now 15 months from the original purchase I have to purchase a new unit.

IMO this unit is definitely not water proof.  They should not advertise as such. 

[Rich_Laue]

Well @Tez28 there is no legal definition for waterproof when it comes to water and protection the ord waterproof should never be used because at some depth the seal or case will fail. 

Recently an unmanned sub imploded, would you call this waterproof?  No it obviously was only water resistent.

[Tez28]

Hi I think the distinction between both is irrelevant when laid alongside
the claim it will function in water upto a depth of 50 metres, not just
once but multiple times. This is obviously not the case seen in a number of
posts on this and other forums.

[Rich_Laue]

Yes fitbit has tested it too 50 meters or 5 ATM, this is the standard for the ability for shallow water swimming,  no diving is guaranteed to survive. 

This test is done by slowly treating the water pressure while the unit is in stationary water. 

https://www.quora.com/What-does-5-ATM-Water-Resistant-mean"

[sgsims]

Yet the ionic still fails to be water resistant

Moderator edit: removed personal information.