Versa 3 for swim tracking

[datalore]

I'm torn about upgrading from the Versa 2, but I'm leaning toward doing it. I like that the Versa 3 has GPS and an improved screen, but I think the real factor for me might be that inductive button. The inductive button should make waterproofing easier and I've had to replace one Versa 2 due to a bad seal. Swimming is my main cardio so waterproofing is very important for me. I'll probably buy myself one as  a Christmas present.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[SSNomad]

I just got a Versa 3 and it tracks time as I swim instead of laps and meters. It doesn’t recognize the different strokes. This is my main exercise and I upgraded for the seal like you. So far, it’s pretty disappointing. Seriously, it tracks time only— the pool has a clock! 

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I just “upgraded” from Versa. What a downgrade! It used to track laps and even record what stroke. 

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While swimming, it only shows the time, which I could know by looking at the wall clock at the pool. It doesn’t show laps on the screen while I swim or record which strokes I do. I’m going to have to use my old Versa. What a waste. 

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Same here. I did my first swim with Versa 3 — major disappointment! I wonder if it’s too late to get my money back. 

[Bahappy1]

Unbelievable , i had issues with versa 2 and got that one replaced and now have a versa 3.

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I did now 2 swims with the versa 3 (had before a versa 2 that worked ok also for swimming) , after the first swim I could not stop the swimming activity, after the second swim I found out the swimming activity had stopped after 4 laps.. Not happy yet.

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Same here couldnot get it stopped, used google assistant and said it to stop swimming

[Strongtower]

In my experience, my fingers are usually far too wet for the screen to recognize that I have tapped it.  I have had to try to press the button on the left for the screen to come out of its locked mode to then recognize my finger tap and swipes.  It's super annoying.  But I found this to be a similar issue when I have it in run/walk mode.  For whatever reason, it just doesn't recognize my finger taps and swipes.  

[Strongtower]

Yes, I agree what a waste.  I specifically upgraded for the swim tracking function.  I went from a Charge 2 to a Versa 3.  I actually wore them both for a swim at the same time and found virtually no difference in anything.  Versa 3 does not track my laps correctly.  It's always off by about 5 or 6 laps even though the lap length is set correctly in meters.  The one time I used it for open swim, GPS did find the correct lake in which I was swimming, but didn't bother to track my swim route of 250 meters.  And considering that my time was over 10 minutes, I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't track that swim route.  

My second grievance is that Versa 3 is advertized saying that it stores and plays music, but that's not true.  They disabled the music player app, and now require a paid subscription to several sites when I have all of my mustic already stored on Google Play.  I have no desire to pay for things I already own.  So, Versa 3 has been one major false ad after another, if you ask me.

[MarcW]

I gave up on Fitbit for swimming and bought an Apple Watch. It works great and accurately tracks my laps.
The additional health factors it tracks are terrific! The only downside so far is I have to charge it about every day or so.

[TrishMJ]

So sorry that you are experiencing this annoying problem. When I sent back my new Versa 3 that was to replace my old one, the customer service representative said they had no reported issues about the swimming issue. Hard to believe that.

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android

[SSNomad]

I couldn’t get it to stop either. I still don’t know how to get it to stop.

[AENNIS]

Try, pressing the button on the edge of the watch, left hand side as it is
on you with your nail.

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Very hard to beleive, as I have already received a replacement also.
Strange.

[Strongtower]

Well now, that's a lie.  I complained abd they set to reset my watch.  Which I did.   What exactly are we all doing here?  These are moderates posts.

Frankly, I have notice that when I have a legit grievance, I have posted things on Twitter, and magically, I get a response within a few hours or less.  Maybe it's that time again.

[Meg22]

Agree completely! Need to see laps real-time, not after!

[Meg22]

Uggggh! Seriously?? The Versa 1 was the best for swimming. I'd even set it to vibrate after every 125 to help me keep count on my 500's. I want that feature back so badly!

[Meg22]

Nope, can't see them with a versa 2 but I used to be able to with the versa 1.

[Meg22]

I'm about there too. Extremely frustrating! 

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @Meg22, Fitbit was never clear in their explanation but community found out that the discriminant for laps tracking in real time is the presence of gyroscope (a tiny sensor that in the market costs around fifty cents).

The following devices have all gyroscope and they can indeed measures laps

Ionic

Versa 1

Sense

So your Versa 3 doesn't have gyroscope and offers a poor swimming experience.

[bobphoenix]

So, I am a loooong time swimmer, and I try to do a mile 3 times a week. I had a Versa which died after three years. It did everything I wanted, counted laps, gave lap times, counted and identified strokes, splits etc....after reading about swims with Versa 2 and 3, I am trying a Garmin 245. For  everything EXCEPT swimming it is great...you cannot change strokes because it counts a stroke change and you cannot do a flip turn because it cannot figure out what the he'' you have done, ie. if you glide and kick after the turn it adds a lap for the flip, ones for the glide, if you kick during the glide another stroke, etc., etc.    bottom line not Garmin, not Versa 2, not Versa 3

[haydene]

Hi Bob
I’ve been using my Versa 3 for nearly a year and I’m reasonably happy with it. Counting laps is pretty accurate and surprisingly it will self adjust when I change pools with different lap lengths. It records pulse rate throughout my swim, but as I’ve noted in the past I’m frustrated those results aren’t used in the swim report.
Cheers
Hayden

[KLee62]

I had the Ionic first many yrs with great success with swimming tracking. I switched to Garman but never got an accurate tracking. Many on my friends have switched to Apple but not for exercise tracking. I switched back to Versa 3 and I love it 😍 my husband has Versa 2, 😏👎

[Louiseswimmer]

Please can you tell me how you adjusted pool length on your Versa 3

[AENNIS]

I have a versa 4 and never change it for swimming as its too difficult to
get back

[bobphoenix]

Sorry, I switched to a Garmin Forerunner last year. It is a little larger but a really reliable tracker. I assume that there is a setting for pool length. As long as you workout in the same pool or one a similar length it should not be a chore. My problem was that I traveled a lot and pool sizes varied. Plus, I was doing some open water. My last Fitbit died so my wife and I had a backyard burial ceremony.