Sherwood Wisdom 3 Review

The Sherwood Wisdom 3 is a Personal Dive Computer used for scuba diving.

The Wisdom 3 continues the great tradition of the Sherwood scuba brand with many new features that the previous Wisdoms didn't have. The Wisdom 3 that I have is white in color, but it also comes in black. I also have the one with the quick disconnect hose but for a little cheaper you can get it without, if you're really pressed for cash.

After two seasons of diving with it and over 200 dives on it I have found all the things I like about it and all those that I don't like about it. I will give you all the features and then I will get into all the Pro's and Con's about this dive computer.

• User replaceable battery: Extended life battery and low battery indicator.
• Air, Nitrox or Gauge operating modes.
• Metric or Imperial units.
• Intuitive 2-button operation.
• DECO warnings and calculations.
• Dive log: Stores profiles for later recall and viewing.
• Deco calculation: Calculates decompression stops to 60 feet.
• Audible and visual alarms.
• Expanded memory for dive profiles - access to up to 110 dives.
• Air integrated feature – Display air supply remaining (PSI).
• Audible and visual alarms – diver selectable.
• PC downloadable.
• Dive simulator: Walk yourself through any dive beforehand, and see your limits without getting wet.
• Dive Time Remaining feature – calculates and displays dive time remaining based on current consumption rate or available no deco time remaining.
• Repetitive dive planning: Use information from previous dives to see limitations of your next dive.
• Deep stop reminder – conforms to latest theories recommending deep stops for dives that exceed 80 feet.

For me I have a few Pros about the computer though it is my first and only computer so I really can't compare it to anything else.

• The quick disconnect feature it great. It keeps it away from all your other gear till you need it. I can take it to my computer to download my dives without having to bring the whole regs setup.
• The easy-to-read face has pretty sizable numbers so no trying to figure out what it says. Those with questionable eyesight shouldn't have an issue.
• Has visual and audible alarms that you can choose if you want either or both. I'm not always looking at the computer, but I can usually hear it.
• User changeable battery, no need to take it in and have it changed you can change the battery yourself.

There are many things that I like about the Wisdom 3, but there are a few things that I don't like about it.

• The price is a bit steep at about $700, but you are getting the computer and the compass.
• The cable to be able to download your dive log is an extra charge at about $90. You would think at a price of $800 it might come with this cable.
• So many features it's a bit over whelming at first to learn how to use it.
• The side button is a little difficult to press you really have to press it hard to get it to work.

Though I have about the same number of Pros, and Cons I have to say, over all I am happy with my purchase. After 250+ dives most of which are over 40 minutes long the computer is still working great. I have had to change the battery since but other than that I am still very happy with it.

Once you know all the features and how to use them it is easy to use, it's that initial learning period that is a bit confusing. Don't let that scare you off though, as a first computer and a new diver I was able to learn it all in a very short time.

The quick disconnect for me is well worth the little extra that you have to pay for it. I think it was like an extra $50 but the convenience of being able to disconnect it was well worth it. Save the extra wear and tear on the computer that comes with it just hanging off your regulators.

The compass although nice that it is right there, I often find it a pain to use. It never seems to point me in the right direction. It has pretty much become a backup to my wrist compass now. I guess I just can't get it to lay level and that could very well be a user issue.