scubapro knighthawk
- Thread starter gianster
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gianster:
I dive with the Knighthawk, just new to diving but I like the fit and it's has dump valves that are easy to locate. Also like not having a weight belt, but I'm sure there are many pros and cons about that aspect. Whatever you do don't mention the Air2 here, the thread will be hijacked, oops, too late.
I use my knighthawk to work classes. I like it.
TwoBit
TwoBit
realdiver7
Contributor
I have tried many bcd setups over the years, but I use a NightHawk for teaching scuba courses (more floatation and stability when working with anxious students) and a BP/wing the remaining time. I am a recreational diver, by the way. The BP/wing is actually a backpack with a plate insert. I like both of them so much, I decided to keep both of them. The NightHawk fits like a comfortable jacket and provides a lot of lift (I use very low lift for my BP/wing), comfort and floatation on the surface, and it just feels a little more secure. It puts you at a good horizontal attitude while swimming because the weight pockets are at the sides of the bcd near the front. The BP/wing is more minimalistic and frees up more space, especially around your waist so you can custom design your own rig. The NightHawk is a fixed design that cannot be altered. The BP/wing can be adapted to grow with you as your needs change. The NightHawk rides slightly higher up on your waist and the BP/wing will stay very low on your waist, which is a feature many divers like including myself.
I think if divers started off using a BP/wing from the very beginning, they would always use one, hands down. However, most new divers prefer more security and floatation on the surface, as well as more bcd wrapped around them for security because they simply are not used to being in deep water with all of that gear on. The BP/wing usually ends up being a natural transition from more to less because experienced divers usually prefer less and don't need the added security/floatation, especially if they start exploring the technical side of diving.
To sum it all up...the NightHawk is like diving with nothing on in the water, and the BP/wing is like diving with even less than nothing on in the water! If you dive the NightHawk for recreational use and stick with it, you will probably swear by it and save yourself a lot of money and aggravation than by trying several different types like I did. And yes, I use the Air2 inflator/octo at recreational depths because my buddy and I practice and train with them regularly. I don't want to open up that can of worms though (yikes...too late!). I would use a traditional octo if I were technical diving though, and both may be used until you decide which one goes and which one stays. No matter what, the NightHawk is trully a great bcd in my opinion!
I think if divers started off using a BP/wing from the very beginning, they would always use one, hands down. However, most new divers prefer more security and floatation on the surface, as well as more bcd wrapped around them for security because they simply are not used to being in deep water with all of that gear on. The BP/wing usually ends up being a natural transition from more to less because experienced divers usually prefer less and don't need the added security/floatation, especially if they start exploring the technical side of diving.
To sum it all up...the NightHawk is like diving with nothing on in the water, and the BP/wing is like diving with even less than nothing on in the water! If you dive the NightHawk for recreational use and stick with it, you will probably swear by it and save yourself a lot of money and aggravation than by trying several different types like I did. And yes, I use the Air2 inflator/octo at recreational depths because my buddy and I practice and train with them regularly. I don't want to open up that can of worms though (yikes...too late!). I would use a traditional octo if I were technical diving though, and both may be used until you decide which one goes and which one stays. No matter what, the NightHawk is trully a great bcd in my opinion!
Corigan
Contributor
I dive a knighthawk. I like it quite a bit. I am a newer diver and have 20 or so dives on it. I find it fits nice, snug, and easy to dump with. Good placement on the dumps. Has a nice amount of d-rings but not an insane amount. I would like it to have a crotch strap like the Superhawk had. I might have to try to figure out a way to add one on myself. I have used it in fresh water with steel 112's on the single cam band and had plenty of lift (46 lb. lift on the XL according to scubapro). The BC is extremely comfortable. On the surface I find I need to lean back like I'm reclining in a lazy boy chair. This is to combat the back inflation. No constriction on the inflation naturally. Seems to be pretty durable I have 20 dives like stated and hrs of pool time on it. The BC still looks brand new. I have an AIR2 on mine as it was a gift (don't flame me). I still use a bungied octo, 7' primary though. Overall a pretty nice BC. The pockets are a joke though and pretty much useless.
Matt
Matt
realdiver7
Contributor
Corigan:
The best ways to avoid being tilted face down on the surface are to:
1. Inflate only enough to make yourself comfortably positive buoyant. Don't overinflate. You don't need all of that 46 lbs. of lift, except in rare circumstances. It's nice to have if you do need it though.
2. Try different trim weight amounts and/or tank weights to distribute the weight on your back. I found a good combination of tank weights along with my bcd dumpable weights to reach a good compromise. I don't even need the trim pockets on the bcd, but still use them occasionally.
3. Adjust your center of gravity by leaning back slightly. You don't need much effort or energy to do this.
4. When doing a surface swim, swim most of the time on your back with your head thrown as far back as possible. Relax, keep fins under the water, make long fin strokes from the hip (unless you have split fins), and keep mask on and regulator in your mouth until you are back on the boat, or in water shallow enough to stand in.
Remember, most bcds are traditionally designed to be used most of the time underwater, with surface issues being secondary. You don't want to be swimming on the bottom in a vertical position, so face down is a good thing most of the time. Once you get used to your bcd, you won't even notice subtle motions you make to keep your face out of the water on the surface.
I wrote these major tips down, not because of what I have read, but because these are the actual techniques I use in the real world of frequent diving. Hope this helps. Safe diving!
Drewpy
Contributor
I have had one for several years and think its a great BC-both tropics and Monterey-
Al 80s and steel 120s works great,very comfortable and reliable. Mine still looks brand new too!
I agree with Matt-the pockets are not much use-I purchased a dive rite pocket that straps on to my leg that I use occasinaly.
I have been very happy with my purchase!
Al 80s and steel 120s works great,very comfortable and reliable. Mine still looks brand new too!
I agree with Matt-the pockets are not much use-I purchased a dive rite pocket that straps on to my leg that I use occasinaly.
I have been very happy with my purchase!
I liked the KnightHawk when I had one. My only complaint is that I wish it had a rear dump on the left side as well as the right (like the Zeagle Ranger does). This way on a night dive when I have my light in my right hand, I could vent air from the back without having to switch the light over to my left hand.
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