daniel f aleman
Contributor
Go with the Knighthawk. I use a BP/W for tech diving only. The Knighthawk is one of the best BCs out there for open water use.
Knighthawk vs BP/W
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Adobo
Contributor
Nothing wrong with the Knighthawk. Lot's of folks in my area dive with it and they seem perfectly happy.
Some people (like me) use BP for recreational diving so that we can follow a standardized gear configuration. If that is not that important to you and you are okay working out on your own where to put what and how to route things then no big deal. The only other downside I can think of is if you ever decide to go doubles, you will wind up diving a different rig and have to learn a new thing altogether. If you start out in a rig that can do either singles or doubles, then the change is incremental as opposed to apples/oranges. Even then, who knows, I'm sure somebody out there can argue that they dive doubles with that rig.
Personally, I think that the Knighthawk is far more streamlined than many other BCs. It's got a nice solid plastic plate on the back that your buddy can use to help you don your gear. About the only thing I don't like about that BC is the single cam strap. And I don't even really know for sure if it has one or two. (The reason I like two is it feels more secure and you have more options for placement of trim weights.)
One thing though... don't think that diving a backplate is somehow more difficult or more cumbersome than diving a back inflate BC. Once you know how a standard BC works, you know how a backplate and wing system works in a single tank configuration. The only thing one might need help on is donning it on and off for the first time
Some people (like me) use BP for recreational diving so that we can follow a standardized gear configuration. If that is not that important to you and you are okay working out on your own where to put what and how to route things then no big deal. The only other downside I can think of is if you ever decide to go doubles, you will wind up diving a different rig and have to learn a new thing altogether. If you start out in a rig that can do either singles or doubles, then the change is incremental as opposed to apples/oranges. Even then, who knows, I'm sure somebody out there can argue that they dive doubles with that rig.
Personally, I think that the Knighthawk is far more streamlined than many other BCs. It's got a nice solid plastic plate on the back that your buddy can use to help you don your gear. About the only thing I don't like about that BC is the single cam strap. And I don't even really know for sure if it has one or two. (The reason I like two is it feels more secure and you have more options for placement of trim weights.)
One thing though... don't think that diving a backplate is somehow more difficult or more cumbersome than diving a back inflate BC. Once you know how a standard BC works, you know how a backplate and wing system works in a single tank configuration. The only thing one might need help on is donning it on and off for the first time
Hoosier
Contributor
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For the reference, SP BCs are using only one cam band with a famous SP HINGE BUCKLE. Like Larry at Scubatoys mentioned, there are two ways to secure the tank on the BC, either having a groove design or two camb band. SP BCs have a groove design, so that it isn't an issue with the tank position and its durability. I am sure that SP knows what they are making. Otherwise they haven't survived in the competitive diving market.
As for the double, you can double up to 72cfs that is also indicated in the manual or BC service tag. I have dived Knighthawk with AL 80s as an indepdent doubles. Of course, there is no problem at all. As I recall, Knighthawk is more than 40lb lift. I am using 40lb Explorer for AL 80s. Like I said, my point is within a rec. range...
My humble 2 psi.
As for the double, you can double up to 72cfs that is also indicated in the manual or BC service tag. I have dived Knighthawk with AL 80s as an indepdent doubles. Of course, there is no problem at all. As I recall, Knighthawk is more than 40lb lift. I am using 40lb Explorer for AL 80s. Like I said, my point is within a rec. range...
My humble 2 psi.
Wings are in about 3rd place for me. Not even a little interested and I've allowed the fanatics of wings to have a go at me. I wasn't convinced. Not even close. It just seems that most of the world dives them because wing fans are so outspoken about them.boffo:
daniel f aleman
Contributor
jeckyll:
He's saying that he finds the Knighthawk a more comfortable BC than the BP/W for his type of diving.
Sorta' like the hundred or so posters that have come on this board and have announced that they "have taken the plunge" and have "switched" to a BP/W. Except that Boffo actually offered a competent reason for his choice...
As radinator stated, a BP/W might be less comfortable out of the water .. might be, maybe not , and that would not be a concern if you don't have to walk far
For me, I like my Knighthawk's "backpack feel" on that long trek to, and from the water on the beach dives here.
The SP camband is so secure that I have quit wetting mine when I put my tank on (I still check it for looseness)
For me, I like my Knighthawk's "backpack feel" on that long trek to, and from the water on the beach dives here.
The SP camband is so secure that I have quit wetting mine when I put my tank on (I still check it for looseness)
daniel f aleman:
I guess that really depends on what you consider a competent reason, doesn't it. If there had been detail about why the choice was made, what products were compared and how, then I think it could have been a very useful thread. As it is there really isn't very much for anyone to learn.
Adobo
Contributor
Dang dude... sometimes, a brother just needs a little pat on the back and an "it's okay."
Oh.... I still don't like it. But as one of our SB brethren says, opinions are like noses. Everyone has them. And they all smell.
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