POLL: Do you (or will you) shower with the Watch?

[zmunkz]

They told me on the phone that if anything happens from a light shower it would be covered by the standard warranty. Swimming, on the other hand, would require the AC+ paid incidental fee.

There are a lot of threads on this and they all basically arrive at the same thing: use the shower to clean yourself, not to play with your watch. If you have to play with something while you shower,....... well you can figure it out.

 

[vladzaharia]

Those apple employees need to read the restrictions again. It says just the opposite. Plus it rates in up to 1 meter for 30 mins. Shower with it now while it under the 1 year warranty. If it gets water damage Apple will have to cover the replacement

You do realize that 1m for 30min is a much higher rating than shower, right? You're not going to be submersed in 1m of water, enough to get that pressure, in the shower. In fact, "water jets" is IP5X, so 2 levels below the IP7X rating the Apple Watch has.

 

[samiznaetekto]

You do realize that 1m for 30min is a much higher rating than shower, right? You're not going to be submersed in 1m of water, enough to get that pressure, in the shower. In fact, "water jets" is IP5X, so 2 levels below the IP7X rating the Apple Watch has.

You do realize that IPX7 guarantees ONE submersion? (Even waitresses know that.) It doesn't guarantee the subsequent submersions. Now, of course, most likely it will survive the 2nd, 5th, 17th, 37th, 222nd... oh wait... WTF? It stopped working!!!! Well, here we go, you asked for it. O-rings degrade with time, and the glue that holds the i⌚ together, can also weaken with time.

Your choice. But please do come back here crying out loud when it fails so we add your data point to our "I told you so" collection.

 

[fs454]

You do realize that IPX7 guarantees ONE submersion? (Even waitresses know that.) It doesn't guarantee the subsequent submersions. Now, of course, most likely it will survive the 2nd, 5th, 17th, 37th, 222nd... oh wait... WTF? It stopped working!!!! Well, here we go, you asked for it. O-rings degrade with time, and the glue that holds the i⌚ together, can also weaken with time.

Your choice. But please do come back here crying out loud when it fails so we add your data point to our "I told you so" collection.

Please back up where IPX7 is rated for one immersion. What constitutes an immersion? Why is Apple saying to run the watch under water for one minute to solve digital crown issues? Is that your one immersion?

Don't think that's true.

 

[samiznaetekto]

Please back up where IPX7 is rated for one immersion. What constitutes an immersion? Why is Apple saying to run the watch under water for one minute to solve digital crown issues? Is that your one immersion?

Don't think that's true.

"to actually claim an IP certification means that a device must only survive one event to pass and claim the certification."

http://www.hzo.com/ip-testing-and-the-future-of-waterproof-electronics/

Even if device dies on the first second AFTER 30 minutes of being submerged at 1m depth, it qualifies for IPX7.

 

[h9826790]

Most likely the document just to cover themselves. The watch has very good water resistant, however, it doesn't mean that the watch can 100% function normally with water. E.g. The touch screen may not work properly when covered by water.

For me, this is the real reason why they said don't do it. If they officially allow people to do that, it may end up being a court case.

 

[simonx314]

I've worn it in the shower a few times and it does not work well for controlling music because the touch screen is unresponsive when my hands are wet. I have to dry my hands first. Read about IPX7. Submersion in water is much less pressure than high-pressure jets of water from a shower head. Soapy water is less viscous thus more easily penetrates openings which may otherwise resist normal water. Water resistance degrades over time. A raincoat that is 100% waterproof brand-new will leak water when the fabric becomes worn.

 

[fischersd]

The other thread that we had talking about this, we had a vigorous debate over what would or would not be tolerated under IPX7.

People should familiarize themselves with the table at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code

This page give the water pressure strength at 1m (which is what IPX7 is slated to withstand): http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/hydrostatic-pressure-water-d_1632.html

That's 1.4psi. Not a lot, not at all.

This page (EPA) gives shower head ratings in the US at between 45 and 80 PSI:
http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/pubs/faq_showerheads.html

btw...the IPX5 rating of "water jets" - look at that carefully - it's kinda like a weak watering hose for outdoor use.

This page: http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/031142.php gives a good real-world description of what IPX6 and 7 have to offer:

"IPX6 Waterproof Standard

Heavy splashing and rain - This test sends water at all angles through a 12.5mm nozzle at a rate of 100 liters/min at a pressure of 100kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters. Must not fail or show water seepage.

IPX-7 Waterproof Standard
Puddle, stream, beer cooler and splash rated - Protected against water immersion - Immersion for 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter.

"splash rated"

Me, I have absolutely no intention of risking my Apple watch in the shower whenever it finally arrives. Mull over the info - pretty sure most will decide it simply isn't worth the risk.

 

[Mac 128]

The other thread that we had talking about this, we had a vigorous debate over what would or would not be tolerated under IPX7.

People should familiarize themselves with the table at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code

That Wikipedia article gives a very incomplete picture, and leaves considerable ambiguity as to the meaning behind the standards. I grow tired of debating people who continue to cite that wiki article as their only source. This article gives a much more in depth explanation of IPX ratings:

https://web.archive.org/web/20131110142544/http://www.ce-mag.com/archive/06/ARG/bisenius.htm

At the end of the day, I would at a minimum wear it in the shower because Tim Cook bragged about that, and I would hold Apple's feet to the fire if it failed. The watch is absolutely not rated, or warranted, for use in the shower by IPX7. But the CEO of Apple publicly stating he does it, sets the standard. I don't like taking my watch off to shower, and frankly think it invites more opportunity to drop it on a hard concrete or tile gym floor, where the Sport has been shown to shatter from a short drop.

I would frankly be much more concerned about exceeding Apple's low threshold environmental operating tolerances.

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Why is Apple saying to run the watch under water for one minute to solve digital crown issues?

Why are you saying Apple is saying to run it under water for one minute? Apple is very clear in their instructions: run under lightly running tap water for :10.

They're saying keep the pressure low, keep the water source relatively pure, and don't do it for very long. None of what they suggest is anywhere close to wearing the watch in a shower, with pressurized water jets, soap and other chemicals,moor typically :15-:20.

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n fact, "water jets" is IP5X, so 2 levels below the IP7X rating the Apple Watch has.

IPX7 is NOT inclusive of lower IPX ratings. If the Watch were also rated for IPX5, it would have to listed as IPX5/IPX7.

 

[fischersd]

At the end of the day, I would at a minimum wear it in the shower because Tim Cook bragged about that, and I would hold Apple's feet to the fire if it failed. The watch is absolutely not rated, or warranted, for use in the shower by IPX7. But the CEO of Apple publicly stating he does it, sets the standard. I don't like taking my watch off to shower, and frankly think it invites more opportunity to drop it on a hard concrete or tile gym floor, where the Sport has been shown to shatter from a short drop.

I would frankly be much more concerned about exceeding Apple's low threshold environmental operating tolerances.

None of us really knows yet what Apple will do for water ingress. Me, I think they've designed the watch to far exceed IPX7, so that way if there is water ingress, it's not covered by warranty (but still subject to an assessment by a tech to make sure there wasn't component failure).

Who knows? We'll find out when the first water damage warranty claims go in (the non-applecare kind) and whether people are charged for their replacements or not.

 

[extricated]

I carefully considered it while waiting for my watch to arrive.

I've been taking showers with it after intense workouts.
I prefer to keep sweat/salt off the watch. Convenient to do in the shower while I'm getting the sweat/salt off my body.
Otherwise, I take it off, but I'm really not too worried about it either way.

 

[Mac 128]

Those apple employees need to read the restrictions again. It says just the opposite. Plus it rates in up to 1 meter for 30 mins. Shower with it now while it under the 1 year warranty. If it gets water damage Apple will have to cover the replacement

You need to read those restrictions again, nowhere does it say taking a shower with it on is acceptable. That said I'm with you on defending the ability to do it thanks to Tim Cooks public comments. Even with the 1 year warranty, I don't think Apple will replace it for water damage without the extra replacement coverage Apple Care provides. The 1 year warranty is not the same as Apple Care. Either way you're in for a fight with that claim. I'd love to find video of Cook saying that to play for Apple employees, but it was likely just a statement to print journalists.

 

[Mac 128]

None of us really knows yet what Apple will do for water ingress. Me, I think they've designed the watch to far exceed IPX7, so that way if there is water ingress, it's not covered by warranty (but still subject to an assessment by a tech to make sure there wasn't component failure).

Who knows? We'll find out when the first water damage warranty claims go in (the non-applecare kind) and whether people are charged for their replacements or not.

I think it is too. They probably could have gone for an IPX8 rating, but then they have to state to what depth it is rated, and saying something like 3 meters looks cheap, and probably invites trouble.

They will have to tread lightly here depending on how clearly the water resistance rating is stated before, during and after the sale. I have a cheap $100 timex sport watch full of electronics which is rated to something like 80 meters. I don't think I've ever owned a watch that wasn't at least rated to 50 meters, and certainly not one I paid more than $350 for. A certain group of people are not going to read the fine print, and they're going to treat their Watches just like the Omega on their wrist now. Apple will not want to unduly upset these customers.

 

[Gimmi]

The only thing I find more odd than showering with your watch is the thread after thread talking about it.

Exactly!

 

[iBlazed]

I will absolutely shower with my watch. It can handle it. And if it can't, that's what Applecare+ is for.

 

[J.gerbes]

Apple Watch withstands simulated depths up to 40m.

Showering is nothing to be worried about.

http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/05/11/apple-watch-withstands-1200m-swim-simulated-depths-up-to-40m