Sherwood Wisdom went blank on me. Can it be saved?

[Thezeker]

My Sherwood Wisdom died today. I had just hit the water and the second time I went to check my gauges it was blank....nothing. I got home and opened the battery hatch and there was no moisture. I had replaced the battery and it had been on a couple of w/o a problem.

The computer was obtained about a year ago on a trade so I am not the original owner. The warranty is up. The Sherwood Website sez to take it to your nearest Sherwood dealer which would be my LDS. Will Sherwood actually look at this or is it a write off?

Thanks

 

[fnfalman]

Send it in and see what happens.

 

[ECpirates96]

Lets us know what happens and is this a Wisdom I or II?

 

[Thezeker]

It was a Wisdom I. I thought it was a great computer. I talked to my LDS today but their computer guy wasn't in. The guy there didn't hold out too much hope since the warranty was up. The only problem if I have to replace it is it really wasn't in my budget right now, ya know?

If I do replace it I might just get another Wisdom. The only other thing I might try is a hoseless Oceanic. Since I shop there they said they would talk about a trade in discount. I would love a uwatec Galileo Sol but that budget thing kills that.

I'll find out this week.

 

[moblues]

Well, I'm in the same boat as you are Thezeker. I own a Wisom I and, in my case, the battery actually died and exploded leaking out its acid into the computer. I knew I should have replaced the battery a year ago, so ouch, that hurts knowing I could have saved my Wisdom but I didn't expect the batter to explode and leak like that.

So.... now I either can hunt down and buy another Wisdom I - which I like better since the color bars are much nicer (pre-lawsuit model)! - or I can buy a new wizbang computer with integrated digital compass, OLED displays, and in the case of the Umeis SDA, a self-charging ability with an integrated solar panel. Pretty impressive where they're going with dive computers these days.

 

[scubafanatic]

You will likely get some sort of trade-in discount, although it's questionable whether the discount will turn out to be much better than the discounted price you could get any day of the week at Scubatoys or Leisurepro, for example. That being said, they don't have to give you anything, so whatever you get will be a bonus anyway. However, I've seen periodic discounts directly from the manufacturer from time to time, so if you are lucky in your timing, maybe someone is running such a discount program right now, then tack on an extra discount for your damaged trade-in, so with a 'double discount' maybe the new bottom line to you price won't be too bad.

 

[Thezeker]

So.... now I either can hunt down and buy another Wisdom I - which I like better since the color bars are much nicer (pre-lawsuit model)!

I didn't even know there was a lawsuit about the Wisdom I!

You will likely get some sort of trade-in discount, although it's questionable whether the discount will turn out to be much better than the discounted price you could get any day of the week at Scubatoys or Leisurepro, for example.

I checked LP and they have some trade in deals going on for various dive computers. Funny, I peruse LP a lot and I've never seen that before. You must have clairvoyance. I'll give my LDS first shot and see if they come down on price enough so it is in reason with LP. If they don't, LP all the way.

 

[widget]

If its gone blank and its not battery related - (try lightly cleaning the battery contacts with an eraser first) then, I would say its probably done for, for your own interest maybe check the serial number at the back, not that it helps you any, but early units had a number of issues which were corrected over time.

I guess you could have it sent in and see if you can maybe get a refurbished unit a little cheaper - no harm in trying I suppose.

My advice would be to steer clear of Wisdom 1 units on the second hand market, unless the serial number is very high.

 

[fnfalman]

Wisdom 1 had a history of problems. One of my dive buddies tried to save a few bucks and bought a 1 instead of a 2. After two returns (the computer fritzed out and alarms started going off, readings off the chart, etc.) without a fix, he used it for target practice and bought a different computer.

My Wisdom 2 had held up rather well for nearly three years now. Had to replace the HP hose recently, but that's wear & tear.

 

[moblues]

I'm glad I read these messages. I was not aware that the Wisdom 1 had so many problems. My serial number is in the 5-digit figure so I think I probably enjoyed a better lot, but still the battery leaking acid into the casing irks me since there wasn't a leak at all. I tried cleaning the contacts and what not, but I think what happened is the acid leaked onto the board and made contacts with the soldering which basically shorted the computer because it acts like it wants to come on and beeps.