shogan
Contributor
What is the primary difference in a Back BC like the scubapro Knighthawk and BP/W
Explain the difference of BP/W and Back BC
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paddler3d
Guest
A BP/W (Backplate and Wing) is a slab of stainless steel, aluminum, plastic or composite. A harness is attached to the BP. A wing is attached to the BP, sandwiched between the tank(s) and plate. The wing is what you add and remove air to/from to manage your buoyancy. It is three things...the wing, the plate, the harness. You can mix and match all three depending upon your needs and diving style.
Back Inflate BC is a BC that has a permanent wing attached to it, on the back.
A jacket BC, likely what you used in class, has the bladder around your waist area, hence the 'squeeze' when you put it up with air.
Back Inflate BC is a BC that has a permanent wing attached to it, on the back.
A jacket BC, likely what you used in class, has the bladder around your waist area, hence the 'squeeze' when you put it up with air.
The Knighthawk is an "all in one" buoyancy compensator with a back mounted wing (as opposed to a jacket style in which the wing comes around your sides as well). It typically includes a cushy harness, pockets, weight pockets, D-rings, wing, etc.
A BP/W is a more austere approach using just a harness (typically hogarthian -- just a length of 2" webbing), a backplate (steel or plastic), and a wing. More modular, more flexible, and mandatory for doubles or tech diving...
A BP/W is a more austere approach using just a harness (typically hogarthian -- just a length of 2" webbing), a backplate (steel or plastic), and a wing. More modular, more flexible, and mandatory for doubles or tech diving...
paddler3d
Guest
This is just one manufacture.
This show different plates and harness.
Backplates & Harnesses by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express
This shows various wings.
EXP Wings by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express
This show different plates and harness.
Backplates & Harnesses by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express
This shows various wings.
EXP Wings by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express
Crush
Contributor
There are many devoted divers on SB who appear to have time on their hands. If you outline what type(s) of diving you plan to do, they might be able to offer suggestions on gear selection.
Aside: I may be wrong (I can check at home), but I think that my Zeagle Scout BC has a (back-mounted) bladder that can be swapped out for a different one.
Aside: I may be wrong (I can check at home), but I think that my Zeagle Scout BC has a (back-mounted) bladder that can be swapped out for a different one.
darkstar
Contributor
Back inflate BC's like the Knighthawk and Zeagle BC's are fully integrated BCs configured for a specific type of diving or diver. Some offer interchangeable components so you can adjust them, but the parts are only compatible within the same brand and product line. Swapping the parts around is more often than not, a PITA.
BP/W is all about choice and flexibility. Components from different manufactures are almost always interchangeable, and you can simply swap out part of the BC if you want to do a different kind of diving. For instance, I normally dive doubles in cold water, but was going down South. Switched out my wing for a tropical 18# wing and added some CAM straps and presto, I'm ready for the warm water and a single tank. That Brand X wing I got a few years ago got a hole in it, so I decide to replace it with Brand Y because they have a better reputation and the new wing is more streamline.
BP/W plates are made from aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, nylon cloth and probably other stuff that I don't know about.
Harnesses are available in a wide range from the very simple/primitive to the harnesses that look very much like the back inflate BC harnesses.
Wings, well, where to begin. There is a wing for everything and everything has a wing. I dare you to have just one.
In terms of how they perform for single tank diving. My experience is that they are about the same.
If you are are looking at back inflate BC's, Zeagle is probably the leader with lots of models and a long history of excellent customer support.
But I do like my choices.
BP/W is all about choice and flexibility. Components from different manufactures are almost always interchangeable, and you can simply swap out part of the BC if you want to do a different kind of diving. For instance, I normally dive doubles in cold water, but was going down South. Switched out my wing for a tropical 18# wing and added some CAM straps and presto, I'm ready for the warm water and a single tank. That Brand X wing I got a few years ago got a hole in it, so I decide to replace it with Brand Y because they have a better reputation and the new wing is more streamline.
BP/W plates are made from aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, nylon cloth and probably other stuff that I don't know about.
Harnesses are available in a wide range from the very simple/primitive to the harnesses that look very much like the back inflate BC harnesses.
Wings, well, where to begin. There is a wing for everything and everything has a wing. I dare you to have just one.
In terms of how they perform for single tank diving. My experience is that they are about the same.
If you are are looking at back inflate BC's, Zeagle is probably the leader with lots of models and a long history of excellent customer support.
But I do like my choices.
Peter_C
Contributor
I made it about 20 dives in a Knighthawk I purchased before getting certified (With an Air II that sucked). I then switched to a BP/W and have not looked back. Sold the Knighthawk at a huge loss.
For me the Knighthawk did not stay in place as much as the BP/W does. It rode up a little over my shoulders, when floating at the waters surface. The Knighthawk also twisted on my body underwater, which the BP/W NEVER does. I was able to drop a bunch of weight not just because I switched to a stainless plate, but just how much weight does it take to sink all the foam in the Knighthawk? Why do I need foam in the shoulder straps and other places?...oh yeah I don't and I find without the integrated weights my shoulders hurt less, and now I often use doubles (Almost 100 lbs) and still find the shoulder straps more comfortable than on the Knighthawk.
I have watched as most of our dive club has slowly switched from some form of jacket bc's to a BP/W setup. The reason is not because it is cool, but because the benefits outweigh anything the jacket style bc has to offer.
For me the Knighthawk did not stay in place as much as the BP/W does. It rode up a little over my shoulders, when floating at the waters surface. The Knighthawk also twisted on my body underwater, which the BP/W NEVER does. I was able to drop a bunch of weight not just because I switched to a stainless plate, but just how much weight does it take to sink all the foam in the Knighthawk? Why do I need foam in the shoulder straps and other places?...oh yeah I don't and I find without the integrated weights my shoulders hurt less, and now I often use doubles (Almost 100 lbs) and still find the shoulder straps more comfortable than on the Knighthawk.
I have watched as most of our dive club has slowly switched from some form of jacket bc's to a BP/W setup. The reason is not because it is cool, but because the benefits outweigh anything the jacket style bc has to offer.
paddler3d
Guest
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