smb1014
Contributor
2 Questions. Can the ScubaPro Knighthawk BC (latest version) be used with doubles? Can I use the knighthawk (latest version) with a crotch strap?
ScubaPro Knighthawk BC Question
- Thread starter smb1014
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Since you apparently don't have a local dive shop to ask, you might try the SP website:
http://www.scubapro.com/products/bcs/knighthawk/knighthawk.asp
Short answer: No. This rig is designed for single tank diving, despite the lift capacity.
http://www.scubapro.com/products/bcs/knighthawk/knighthawk.asp
Short answer: No. This rig is designed for single tank diving, despite the lift capacity.
Dragon2115
Guest
According to the tag on my Knight Hawk the bc can be used with doubles. Although I must admit it is a bit confusing. The tag shows the use of either single 18 liter tank or a set of doubles using 12 liter tanks. What's confusing is the reference to 12 and 18 liter tanks. When I try to convert them to imperial I get an answer that doesn't make sense. Does anyone know what these would equate to in imperial sizes?
12 & 18 liter sizing refers to the water volume of the tank. It's a better indication of physical size than the capacity measurements we are used to, but not much. Faber, for instance, lists 55 12 liter scuba cylinders on their website, ranging from 11.2 kg to 18.6 kg. In general, 12 liter steel tanks are medium sized.
I've got a predecessor to the Knight Hawk called the X-Tek that can accomodate doubles. It's got a heavy lift wing and appropriately placed holes to mount to the tank bands, but that doesn't mean that the jacket does a good job with doubles. The soft-pack back doesn't provide sufficient stability for doubles, though it will do in a pinch. I've used mine on some very calm conditions with doubles and it worked but found the handling to be "squishy."
My opinion, based upon experience, is that anyone who intends to dive doubles regularly will be unhappy with the soft pack design and should sink their money into a solid back plate. Certainly, the wobble that this design allows and inherent control difficulty means that any kind of penetration situation becomes way-dangerous.
I've got a predecessor to the Knight Hawk called the X-Tek that can accomodate doubles. It's got a heavy lift wing and appropriately placed holes to mount to the tank bands, but that doesn't mean that the jacket does a good job with doubles. The soft-pack back doesn't provide sufficient stability for doubles, though it will do in a pinch. I've used mine on some very calm conditions with doubles and it worked but found the handling to be "squishy."
My opinion, based upon experience, is that anyone who intends to dive doubles regularly will be unhappy with the soft pack design and should sink their money into a solid back plate. Certainly, the wobble that this design allows and inherent control difficulty means that any kind of penetration situation becomes way-dangerous.
Dragon2115:
MrConclusion
Contributor
Sorry to hijack, but...
TO DRAGON2115:
The "12 or 18 liter" refers to the actual volume of the cylinder; as if you filled it with water then measured the water. This number doesn't tell you everything you need to know about how much air the tank will hold - you'd also need to know the rated pressure and multiply that by the volume.
In the US we might call a cylinder "80 cubic foot." That's how "big" the air inside would get if you let it all out at sea level. In other words, the cubic foot rating derived from both the size and the rated pressure of the tank - not just the physical volume of the tank.
FYI -
12 liters is 732 cubic inches.
18 liters is 1098 cubic inches.
An Aluminum 80 cu/ft's internal volume is 678 cu/in
An Aluminum 92 cu/ft's internal volume is 750 cu/in
An Aluminum 100 cu/ft's internal volume is 802 cu/in
(these from Luxfer Cylinder website)
Actually, I would think that anything commonly available would fit. I don't have the numbers on the largest common tank, the steel 130 cu/ft, maybe someone else knows. If anyone has heard of a tank that is too big/heavy for the rating of the Knighthawk, I'd be interested to hear about it.
TO DRAGON2115:
The "12 or 18 liter" refers to the actual volume of the cylinder; as if you filled it with water then measured the water. This number doesn't tell you everything you need to know about how much air the tank will hold - you'd also need to know the rated pressure and multiply that by the volume.
In the US we might call a cylinder "80 cubic foot." That's how "big" the air inside would get if you let it all out at sea level. In other words, the cubic foot rating derived from both the size and the rated pressure of the tank - not just the physical volume of the tank.
FYI -
12 liters is 732 cubic inches.
18 liters is 1098 cubic inches.
An Aluminum 80 cu/ft's internal volume is 678 cu/in
An Aluminum 92 cu/ft's internal volume is 750 cu/in
An Aluminum 100 cu/ft's internal volume is 802 cu/in
(these from Luxfer Cylinder website)
Actually, I would think that anything commonly available would fit. I don't have the numbers on the largest common tank, the steel 130 cu/ft, maybe someone else knows. If anyone has heard of a tank that is too big/heavy for the rating of the Knighthawk, I'd be interested to hear about it.
SteveD
Registered
I regularly dive with twin 12 liter tanks on my Knighthawk. I also carry a 5 liter deco bottle. The Knighthawk works well although the tech guys would say that a backplate setup is superior.
The only thing that I would be careful of is the total lift capacity of the Knighthawk. It is rated as 46lb of lift. Depending on what tanks you are carrying, weights, exposure suit, etc, you need to be sure that you have enough lift to safely dive to 40-50m or deeper and still be able to achieve positive buoyancy.
I will be upgrading to a backplate and larger, dual bladder bc before long for this reason. The Knighthawk will then be my single tank bc only.
The only thing that I would be careful of is the total lift capacity of the Knighthawk. It is rated as 46lb of lift. Depending on what tanks you are carrying, weights, exposure suit, etc, you need to be sure that you have enough lift to safely dive to 40-50m or deeper and still be able to achieve positive buoyancy.
I will be upgrading to a backplate and larger, dual bladder bc before long for this reason. The Knighthawk will then be my single tank bc only.
JustinW
Contributor
My dive buddy has his Superhawk (immediate predecessor to the Knighthawk) setup for doubles, although its a homemade rig consisting of an aluminum plate bolted to the BC's backplate, the doubles are attached to this plate, although i think it could be done without this plate. And just so there isn't confusion, the Knighthawk does have a solid backplate, it is not a softback like a Zeagle Ranger or older Xtecs
Corigan
Contributor
There is a 1" slot for a crotchstrap on the plastic backplate.
Matt
Matt
Dragon2115
Guest
On the slot for the crotch strap, mine is used by the bottom velcro strap of the backpack. I don't see a way to use a crotch strap without eliminating this lower attachment. Am I missing something?
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