Problems with Versa after swimming

[Nigel1903]

I have had a Versa for just over 2 weeks and it has been working well until today when I went pool swimming fir the first time with it. After the swim (c.20 mins) I dried the watch and immediately saw that it was working erratically. It restarted itself numerous times, the touch screen stopped working (to taps and swipes), the buttons only worked intermittently and within 30 mins the battery was dead. This cannot be normal after a swim. I am assuming the water seals are faulty but wanted to check with Support before requesting an exchange. 

[Bosco253]

That was a great solution, Nigel! Here it is a year after your experience and soon-to-be-former Fitbit enthusiasts are leaving this brand in droves, primarily due to the cavalier, uncaring attitude.

[jjohnso]

That is interesting. I swam in the ocean with it when on vacation for a week. Came home, swam in a salt water pool and that is when it stopped working. So the question is can versa handle the water, just both what is in the water?  The salt water pool is not real salt water like in the ocean. It is a chemical that simulates salt water. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy , an AT&T LTE smartphone

[jjohnso]

Absolutely do not understand your post.  If a company advertises a product to do things that it does and cannot: track swimming when it can't handle the water, track biking when it shows .38 miles when it should be 20; why would one continue purchasing the product - especially at the tune of $200+?  

[lauralee08]

So I bought my Versa on the presale in March 2018. I have only been swimming with it twice, yesterday was the second time. My pool is less than 10 feet deep, no deep-sea diving here. It did have a funny spot on the timer as I swam but I didn't think anything of it. The Versa was low on battery that afternoon before I swam so I expected the battery to die, and thought nothing of having to charge it. When I took it off the charger I noticed the back is now distended, and of course now it will not come on at all. 

I am a couple of months outside of the warranty, so I got nothing from customer service except a virtual shrug and 25% discount on another Versa. Why would I want another Versa when I can't swim with it???

I'm sorry, but I work for a company that deals with customers 24/7 and this is not the way to do it - you need to back your products up. If I can't swim with something that was designed to be used for swimming, what is the point?

I will NEVER BUY ANOTHER FITBIT PRODUCT AGAIN. Not cool, Fitbit - if you know there is a problem you should be replacing all of these Versas without question. And we all know that there is a problem after reading just one set of posts on the issue.

[jjohnso]

True. I don't use mine for biking or swimming. It basically works as a step counter. I've heard garments are good. Sent from my Samsung Galaxy , an AT&T LTE smartphone

[Linz76]

I bought a versa last year specifically for swimming. It stopped working and there was condensation in the back. Got a replacement under warranty with no issues. I have had this replacement for about 3 weeks, it is dead, the screen went black. I am annoyed as I really like the look of it. Why advertise a product as waterproof when there are clear issues. I am sure I will get a replacement again. Very frustrating and Fitbit need to sort the problem out. 

[jjohnso]

Did they replace the replacement watch?  Someone just posted that their replacement watch died and fitbit would not replace it.  

[Linz76]

I am waiting on their response. Hopefully they will. 

[Neerigen]

Mine was still under warranty so just took the original receipt to JB Hifi
and they gave me a new one. Actually got some cash back cos they had
dropped in price by $25. I just don’t swim with it now which is
disappointing cos that’s one of the reasons I bought it.
Meh! There are worse things that could happen in life.

[YashVersaaa]

I also had a swim 1 day after buying it and now it’s stuck on one screen and nothing will work. 

[Linz76]

I am on my 3rd replacement now. Hopefully this one will be ok. Have you contacted Fitbit. They clearly are not good for swimming. 

[Mich0331]

call/start a chat with fitbit, they are so quick to send a replacement.  i went to the ocean and it was fine, went to the pool and noticed that it started losing power.  i spoke with estaban at fitbit chat and they are sending a replacement.  this is the 3rd time i have had an issue in 6 years and each time, fitbit covers their devices.  

[Danno123]

Contact Fitbit...they replaced mine, but it was a bit of a pain ( eg had to
send videos of watch not working)

[Shellis70]

I wish i had known. Bought mine Monday, dead today after swimming. 

[Danno123]

You should be good under warranty. Contact them. Will likely have you video
the watch not turning on. They replaced my original. Replacement has been
good for over a year. If you are nervous you can probably just return it to
your point of purchase. If you have any questions let me know. 

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[Shellis70]

I bought it from a friend, no warranty. Already contacted Fitbit and tried to troubleshoot. I am out the money.

[Neerigen]

Still under warranty Shellis. Just inconvenient to get a new one. Plus you
now know you can’t swim with it.
Maybe we could all try wrapping plastic around it while we swim. It would
still record laps but also keep the water off.
Just a thought.
Jeff.

[Smurphy84]

Has anyone had it break with a regular pool or only saltwater pools?  It's clearly ok in the ocean so I'm wondering if it has something to do with the specific chemicals in salt water pools 

[Linz76]

I have only ever swam in an indoor pool. 

[Marxam]

Hi, I've had a couple of Vivosmart devices.  They are good sensors but are housed in integrated silicone bands that have poor durability and can't be user replaced. Same with Vivosport. 

To get something different you have to go all the way up to a Vivoactive 3. 

The Garmin Connect software gives a beautiful stats but sucks battery life.

Xiaomi's Amazfit makes a nice tracker but the HR sensor gives wildly inaccurate readings. Xiaomi mi band phone software is constantly being revised so if they break something in the software they fix it quickly.

. 

As a consumer I would like Fitbit to be more of a solutions company and less of a marketing company.

For my money, I would get a $35 Mi Band 4 and wait for the ECG HR tracking devices to come down in price..