I'll be doing some NE diving (in NJ and NY). I'm considering purchasing my first BC, a SP Knighthawk. I'm wondering if I should skip that and just get a harness, bp and wing. I'll be diving singles for now, but might very well transition to doubles in the future. Any thoughts?
Scubapro Knighthawk vs. backplate w/ wings
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Aqua-Andy
Contributor
I would just go with a BP/W now and stay with the same setup when you go to doubles. Yes for doubles you will need a new wing but that is it. I feel a BP/W is just a lot easier to configure the way you want it and it is less expensive to boot.
Lobzilla
Contributor
Buy an asbestos suit first as this question will cause some flames 
I transitioned from a SP Classic Plus to BP/W in relative short order and kept the jacket 'just in case' because I got it cheap off fleabay.
The downside of BP/W is that you need some help (or a lot of patience) to get it set up whereas you throw the jacket on like - well - a jacket.
If you know that doubles are in your near future I'd skip the jacket unless you get a smoking deal and dive it while you are clobbering the BP/W together. If you shop around and have the time to wait for a deal you can assemble a nice BP/W rig for very little money.
I transitioned from a SP Classic Plus to BP/W in relative short order and kept the jacket 'just in case' because I got it cheap off fleabay.
The downside of BP/W is that you need some help (or a lot of patience) to get it set up whereas you throw the jacket on like - well - a jacket.
If you know that doubles are in your near future I'd skip the jacket unless you get a smoking deal and dive it while you are clobbering the BP/W together. If you shop around and have the time to wait for a deal you can assemble a nice BP/W rig for very little money.
evil_xander
Contributor
Since you mention BP/W, you might as well get it in the first place. You know you want it, and you really cannot go wrong with that.
My biggest issue with classic jackets/back inflate jackets is mostly with the amount of lead they need to sink, thus increasing without any sane reason the amount of weight on my belt. But, if you like to carry around all that, go ahead...
My biggest issue with classic jackets/back inflate jackets is mostly with the amount of lead they need to sink, thus increasing without any sane reason the amount of weight on my belt. But, if you like to carry around all that, go ahead...
BDSC
Contributor
Just so you will know, you can dive doubles with the Knighthawk.
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This is a hard one to answer as it really depends on you. Just the occasional "peak-season" NE diving or are you likely to get really involved with the sport? I trained in a Classic, bought a Knighthawk, and now dive BP/W almost exclusively. They all work. If you are already thinking drysuit, then go straight to BP/W. If you are thinking "keep the expenses (edit: maybe "complications" is a better word, overlooked Aqua-Andy's post.) down and first let's see if I end up liking this" then go with a jacket.
Seems like a lot of us do that. -really useful if you have a guest with no gear who wants to knock off an easy dive with you. I was on a San Diego trip a few years back and marveled at the odd collection of local gear that hit the water. Everybody came back happy.
.............My biggest issue with classic jackets/back inflate jackets is mostly with the amount of lead they need to sink..................
-totally agree, a steel HP120 helps remove some of the dead weight.
sorta, kinda...
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I've had both, and they're both great. For a jacket you can't go wrong with the Knighthawk, but the trim on the jacket kept me too vertical for my liking. The Halcyon Eclipse made diving a lot more 'comfortable' and 'easy'. Your mileage may vary but I'd never dive anything but a bp/w after having used one.
I started with a Mares Icon, and later had a SP Knighthawk that I liked. But I ended up selling it and went to a back plate and wing.
If your thinking of getting the BP/W, then just go that route now and save yourself money later.
-Mitch
If your thinking of getting the BP/W, then just go that route now and save yourself money later.
-Mitch
I actually started out in a SP Knighthawk and loved it. I dove with it with no issues for many years. I just happen to like to tinker with stuff so making a BP/W sounded like fun. I dive single tanks only with my BP/W and like it just fine. I have my Knighthawk for sale, but seems used BCDs are hard to sell. Either way, you can't go wrong, but honestly the Knighthawk is just fine for recreational diving. Just personal preference.
Daveo957
Contributor
Knighthawk is a great bc and yes you can use it with doubles however I would only use it with a single tank. backplate and ss bands work much better with doubles. If you know you are going to dive doubles in the future just get the bp/w now. Buy only one bc that will work great for everything. If you were only ever planning on diving with a single tank than either would work great.
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