Scubapro Litehawk feels like BP&W?

[Lriemann]

Hi everyone!

I'm a diver who does about 20 dives a year - maybe a Livebaoard or some shore diving in the Red Sea.
I have about 110 dives, and I always rent the BCD.
Last week I tried a BP&W for the first time.
I really felt more streamlined and hydrodynamic, and I think my air consumption improved, which I really like.

I don't think my amount of diving justifies buying a BP&W, which seem to start at around 400 Euros.
But I can probably get a lightly used Litehawk for half that price.
I remember liking the feel of the Litehawk in the shop but I never tried it in the water.
From reading online, a lot of people seem to like it as a travel BCD.
So I'd like to know if it's very similar to using a BP&W in terms of feel in the water and trim.
Is it just like a BP&W but without the possibility of "growing with it" and the modularity?

Any input is appreciated!

 

[Nemrod]

The Litehawk will be similar to a BP/wing in how it trims. It has about 30 pounds of lift and is a fairly simple rig. Similar is not same as. Not all wings dive the same either. My bet is you will probably be satisfied.

Edit to add, this is not an expedition grade piece of equipment. By that I mean it is not heavy duty and heavy duty does not have to be heavy. The Litehawk uses a soft plate so it will be preferable to use aluminum tanks because they are not as negative in the water and will not tend to flop side to side. There is but a single camband if I recall. All true BP/wings have two cam bands because two is one and one is none .

 

[autrichon gris]

The main difference will be with the backplate, which is plastic with the Litehawk. Everything in the combo wing / back plate comes from the wheight of the plate ideally located along your spine

 

[johndiver999]

I've used both. Not a huge difference for recreational diving. If you are fanatical, you can rig a crotch strap for the BC and it should feel VERY similar to a BP/W. I bought a used one years ago and did hundreds of dives with it.

 

[lowwall]

I've used both. Not a huge difference for recreational diving. If you are fanatical, you can rig a crotch strap for the BC and it should feel VERY similar to a BP/W. I bought a used one years ago and did hundreds of dives with it.

You don't have to be fanatical. A crotch strap provides a major advantage for most body types.

@Lriemann
If you are willing to get a used Litehawk, why not a used BP/W?

 

[Lriemann]

You don't have to be fanatical. A crotch strap provides a major advantage for most body types.

@Lriemann
If you are willing to get a used Litehawk, why not a used BP/W?

For some reason I can't find used ones at this price.
And I think the Litehawk is a little lighter and requires less fussing about.

 

[lowwall]

For some reason I can't find used ones at this price.
And I think the Litehawk is a little lighter and requires less fussing about.

The reason is that once you start diving a BP/W, you step off the BCD "upgrade" cycle. Something to think about when considering costs over the long term.

 

[Greg Doyle]

Here in the PNW I dive a Zeagle Ranger (dry suit and lots of weight). I bought the LiteHawk for my warm water travels and love it. I've taken it all over the world and love how it completely breaks down for packing. I just got back from Coz last weekend where I was diving with 110 Steel tanks along with a 13CF Pony strapped to the side of the large tank. I only have the two weight pockets but had no trouble balancing things (Mostly the pony) by moving 2lbs of my total weight over to the other side. A few dives where I was waiting on the pony to be refilled I had no issues at all with the steel tank. If you're used to dealing with steel tanks you'll be happy. If all you ever do is AL80's you will feel the difference but likely adjust quickly. Good luck finding a used one...... My only complaint about the LiteHawk is the lack of D rings, although there are several strap points you can add a stainless locking carabiner buckle to hang gear from. In my case, it's my camera rig.