My son has a One Touch Ping, that was replaced by Animas about a month before it went out of warranty. Yesterday he when to the beach, and wore the 'waterproof' pump in the water. It filled with water, and since the actual pump is less than a year old, I called Animas tech support last night, and all they could do is have someone in inside sales call me and get a loaner pump while insurance is worked out. I have inspected the pump and there are no cracks anywhere, just water behind the screen.
When putting the battery in you have to make sure that you do one more turn after the yellow o-ring goes out of sight in order to ensure that the seal is made properly. I've had the 2020 and then Ping since 2007 and am in and out of the water daily with my pump and have never had a problem.
In my experience, the pumps are not waterproof, they only claim to be. I went swimming with my first one, in 2009, and water got behind the display screen. The pump still worked fine, although it was eventually replaced by Animas for a different problem. I assumed it was a minor issue since it was claimed to be waterproof, and although it seemed a problem with the screen alone, the pump still worked. But still...
After this pump was replaced under warranty for a software issue,the next pump ended up failing in a number of ways, although it still pumped fine somehow. I had to stop showering with it- water had gotten into the battery compartment rusting out the contacts slightly due to a crack that was barely visible to the eye, and the paint on the pump was changing colors due to the pump protector dye discoloring it. The paint was cracking and chipped, and there was cracks in the pump itself around the cartridge and battery cap. Also the display was failing as it was extremely dim. And the pump clip, a horridly designed piece of metal that breaks and bends and chips the paint in the process on each pump I have had (3 now all under warranty.)
Overall I have had bad experience with the paint on the pump, it seems not durable at all, prone to fading, chipping, cracking, and deterioration under normal wear and tear. Not to mention failure of the pump accessories that damage its finish. I would guess that you could scratch the paint with your fingernail, but I don't want to try this for obvious reasons.
So I would say, in my experience, they are not waterproof, but water resistant. Does anyone else have success with the water proof claims? I have not been swimming with the pump since, in fact i am now skeptical to ever get it wet, shower with it or even wash the pump beyond wiping it with cloth or rag. I do not want to try and swim with my latest replacement pump due to the problems I had with previous pumps.
Something I just learned - They recommend that you purchase a new battery cap EVERY TWO MONTHS to ensure water-proofness. I only learned this during their phone on hold messaging while I was calling for an order refill. I purchased another battery cap and substituted it for my regular battery cap right before going swimming.
I guess maybe at the beginning of each swim season it might be a good idea to get a new cap. Not really fun for those of us who swim all year though....
I ordered a bunch of battery caps and whatever the other one is called (that screws in against the cartridge) at once and we just change them out every so often.
My very first couple 2020s had paint issues that chipped/peeled and were replaced as they fixed the paint formula they were using. As for waterproof, I shower with the pump, bathe with it, swim with it, compete and train (paddling which involves jumping in and out of boats in the ocean).
I've never replaced a battery cap as I've never had a problem with them. I inspect the o-ring ever time I change the battery and haven't had any problems.
As for the pump clip, I agree, they suck! I bust them regularly and yes they dig into the back of the pump and wear down the material underneath it.
I have worn Animas pumps since 2007. First I had a 2020 and now a Ping. One of the main reasons I picked Animas is because the pump is waterproof. There are limitations and required maintenance to keep them waterproof. The pump is listed as waterproof to a depth of 12 feet for up to 24 hours. If you go deeper, the increased water pressure can cause the pump to start taking on water. You also need to replace your battery cap and end cap at least every six months. The battery cap has an O-ring which keeps water out of the unit and the end cap secures the insulin cartridge which also contains an O-ring for the same purpose. You need to use new cartridges and not keep reusing old ones as the O-rings wear and will eventually leak. If you swim a lot, Animas recommends changing the battery and end caps every three months as the chemicals in pools and salts in the ocean eventually break down the O-rings. I swim frequently and take my pump in the shower every day and have never had a leak.
I also saw a comment about replacement pumps not being covered by warranty. I had one pump replaced and it came with the remainder of my original pumps warranty. So if they send a replacement and you have two years warranty left, that is what the replacement comes with. If you 30 days left on your original pump warranty, you get 30 days.
I've had a 2020 since 2008 and water has never gotten in it. Granted I dont swim every day and I'm not in water for long periods of time but it's never got water logged.
I have never had a problem with water getting in my pump - and I wear it swimming and in the shower and have not been diligent with replacing battery caps.
Also the warranty on your original pump carries over to the replacement pump. If you only had one month left on your warranty, then water damage is not covered after the warranty is up. It does not matter how new the pump was that was sent. This is my 5th Animas pump.
