Is the Versa Lite waterproof?

[dsimpg1]

My daughter thinks the versa lite is waterproof, but nowhere have I seen where it is. So, is the versa lite waterproof, and if so, can you explain what type of water it is designed to withstand? Sample things I'm looking for are things like
- Can you leave it on in rain?
- Can you leave it on in the shower?
- Can you leave it on while swimming?

- If you can leave it on while swimming, how long can it be held under water?

Moderator edit: format

[NellyG · Accepted solution]

Hi @dsimpg1  Yes it is water resistant the same as the Versa.

From the Online store

Swimproof & Tracks Swims

Water resistant to 50M for wear in the pool or rain. Tracks laps, duration and calories burned during swim workouts.Lap and calorie tracking available on Special Edition and Versa only.

Here is a screenshot of Compare Trackers, Lite on the left, normal Versa on the right - see bottom line.

Rain wont bother it

I shower with mine on every day

I swim with mine twice a week

Time under water is not an issue - depth is - it is water resistant to 50m

[SunsetRunner]

I went swimming in my versa light and within 2 minutes it completely died. Took me 10 days to get a replacement and now I am afraid to go swimming in my new one due to the length it takes to replace. I got this watch for that feature! Any suggestions. 

[dsimpg1]

I wouldn't worry about it, odds have it that the watch you had originally
was somehow or another defective which is why it leaked. Go ahead and go
swimming. I've had zero issues with mine, so that tells me that it's
probably just a defective unit that you had originally.

Michael

[urmoluts]

is versa also salt waterproof?

[NellyG]

Yes, bite the bullet and go swimming. There is no other way to find out ic it is defective or not and far better to find out now while it is still covered by warranty.  I have been swimming in my Versa for over a year now with no problems. The lite model should be the same.

@urmoluts  Yes it fine to swim in salt water. Just make sure you ri se it off afterwards, and dont swim where there is a lot of turbulance as that can increase the water pressure significantly.

[JuliaKrause]

I have had a similar issue. I had the original Versa Fitbit and went swimming with it a few times. One time I went swimming with it, it completely died and never turned on again. It would just glow a dark purple on the screen. I contacted Fitbit and they gave me a new one. I swam with it a few times until the same kind of thing happened. I want a new replacement but I don't appreciate that Fitbit says the devices are swim-proof when in the long run are not, at least from what I have experienced. 

[NellyG]

Hi @JuliaKrause  I have had a versa, a versa lite and two Versa 2's (the first the screen went weird). I swim regularly and all have been A1 in the water. It is pretty unfortunate that you have had 2 where the seals failed, but it is not the norm.

[helena175]

I've actually heard that lots of people got theirs replaced 2-3 times and they still keep dying when swimming. The bezel between the glass and actual device faulty in most cases. 

[Christincherie]

I wouldn't swim in it.  I've had two fitbit versa lites that have died from swimming in them once!! The second one I got I vowed not to do it, but I thought maybe the first time was a fluke....well, it wasn't.  Literally wore it to Great Wolf Lodge and didn't even get in the hot tub since they were closed.  Didn't even do a lot of "swimming", mostly just riding water slides so not a lot of full immersion even.  I'm very disappointed in Fitbit.  Waiting on a response since I know for sure mine is not under warranty anymore.  But warranty or no warranty, this should not be happening.  

[Christincherie]

I had it happen to me TWICE and it just happened to me yesterday with the replacement they sent me over a year ago for the first one that die the exact same way.  Both times from swimming in them ONCE!!!  These devices are NOT waterproof.  Maybe slightly water resistant, but I will NEVER wear one in the water again.  If they don't resolve it properly, I WILL not be buying a fitbit device ever again. 

[Christincherie]

yep, it's happened to me TWICE!!! Each time from swimming only once.  NEVER again!! 

[francisco-g]

I wanted to re-iterate what everyone else is saying about not taking it swimming. I've had my watch approximately 2 1/4 years and I have showered it with it daily and have worn it while swimming in pools many times.

Yesterday morning (after swimming the day before with it on), I woke up the watch had died. It was charged to 100% just the day before so I knew this was off. I get about 4 - 5 days of use before needing to charge again. I charged it again, it was fine but the battery was draining a bit faster. I went swimming again (in normal pool) and at some point while swimming I noticed that it had died. Since then, it has not turned back on. I have tried charging it again (left it for hours) and still nothing.

I'm going to get a new watch but I'm never going swimming with it again. Not sure if I'm even going to shower it again. I won't feel stressed if water gets on it from rain or a spill, but not taking the chance of purposeful exposure to water again

edit:

I'm looking at the FitBit Versa Sense:

https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/products/smartwatches/sense?sku=512BKBK

In the specs it says: "Water resistant to 50 meters" (5 ATM)

This article explains what that really means: https://circulawatches.com/en/5-atm-co-what-does-this-mean-on-a-watch/

What does 5 ATM mean?

5 ATM means that a watch can withstand a pressure of 5 bar or a water column of 50 meters. In practice, this corresponds to the pressure of a flowing water jet when washing hands, showering or bathing. 5 ATM does not mean that a watch is waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, but that it can withstand the pressure of a water column of 50 meters. Because when swimming, the swimming movements can cause pressure peaks that are much higher than 5 bar. Due to these pressure peaks, only watches with the designation 10 ATM or higher are suitable for swimming.

And read this from FitBit:  https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/product-care

Regularly clean your band and wrist—especially after working out, sweating or washing your hands. Do not use hand soap, body soap, dish soap, hand sanitizers, cleaning wipes, household cleaners or other similar cleaning products to clean the band or device, as those are difficult to remove and could get trapped beneath the band and irritate your skin. Instead, only use fresh water and a soap-free cleanser (like Cetaphil) to clean the band. Furthermore, to minimize the potential for damage to your product and the chance for skin irritation, avoid any direct contact with sunscreen or insect repellent sprays. Always remove your device while applying these types of creams or sprays.

I would shower and get soap (not cleanser) on it all the time. That probably also caused problems over time.  Also "avoid any direct contact with sunscreen", I probably did get it exposed to sunscreen many times as well

and finally read through all this: https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1598.htm?Highlight=water%20resistance

Conclusion:

It can get wet (like splashes and spills) but swimming with it is not safe because it's not rated 10 ATM and you can't truly know that you're keeping the pressure low enough for the 5 ATM rating. Maybe if you're just hanging out and treading water it'll be fine but I still wont risk it.

And speaking of swimming, if you're outdoors and putting on sunscreen, don't even bother wearing the watch until you're sure the sunscreen is completely dry/baked-in or washed off

Don't wear it in the shower because you'll probably get soap on it and ruin it over time

That's enough caveats for me that it's just easier to not wear it swimming or showering anymore