Knighthawk

[JugglingMonkeys]

I'm looking at the Scubapro Knighthawk with AIR2.
Anyone had any experience with this?

thanks!

[the gooch]

The Scubapro Knighthawk is an excellent BC. I think the integrated octo is a personal preference. I have never used one but would like to give it a try. As with everything, some people swear by them some at them.

[ScubaToys Larry]

If looking at a night hawk, I might also suggest you take a long look at a Zeagle product before pulling the trigger. The differences between the scubapro and zeagle, the scubapro does not have much in the way of pockets, and I like the zeagle weight system a lot better, and it's a bit more flexible in that with the zeagle, you can change out the bladder, shoulders, waist, etc for different sizes, or in case there is a problem with one piece.
It is probably important to note that the zeagle has a lifetime warranty while only the seams on the scubapro do - everything else is 2 year.
And if there is any warranty work needed, Zeagle has a factory in Florida that can repair anything on their BCs.

My favorite in the Zeagle line... The Brigade

[TAH 73]

I have a Knighthawk, and it will be replaced by a Zeagle (probably a Ranger) for some of the reasons Larry posted above.) I had my bladder leak, and it was a bit of a PITA to repair, plus getting a replacement bladder was not possible,
Even though the BC's bladder was easily swapped out I was asked to send the complete BC back to Scubapro, and out of warranty all work I am sure would be at my cost.
I also have issues with fabrc fraying, nothing structural just trim, and the fabric that wraps around the edges of panels coming loose.

[CompuDude]

I love ScubaPro, as they have been good to me my entire diving career. And I came very close to getting a knighthawk at one point, before I went down the bp/w path instead.

Given a choice between the Knighthawk and the Zeagles, however, I have to give the edge to the Zeagles.

That said, the Knighthawk is still quite a nice BC. It would be my second choice after the Zeagle.

I avoid Air2 systems like the plague they are. (My opinion... YMMV)

[ertechsg]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

I avoid Air2 systems like the plague they are. (My opinion... YMMV)

I like my AIR2 wouldn't use an octo again for rec diving.

[JugglingMonkeys]

Specifically, what are the downsides of AIR2?

thanks

[TAH 73]

I think the issue with the Air2 is the fact you donate your primary, and then breate off the Air2, which forsome it's a little difficult to be breathing off the Air2 and be inflating the BC/controlling buoyancy at the same time.
<DIV>But for those of us that they work for they streamline gear, just make sure that if you are using an Air2 style backup to increase the length of the primary reg's hose.</DIV>
<DIV>Saw that the other weekend, Air2 and the primary still on a short hose, in an OOA emergency sharig air would have ben alot more difficult than it woud have been.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>

[CompuDude]

See this thread for a discussion of Air2's vs. regular octo's.

In reality, it boils down to this: It complicates a rescue scenario: the worst possible time to deal with any extra complications.

The claim of streamlining is in actuality pretty minuscule. And how tough it is to manage a hose, really?

If it has a malfunction (or is damaged on a trip), you lose both your alternate air source AND your power inflator, so there is less redundancy.

Your inflator hose has to be far longer than it needs to be to allow you to actually move your head freely while using the Air2... and it's still not as free to move as it would be with a regular octo available.

In sum, there are some genuine issues with it. Nothing that can't be dealt with, and people do use them. But why cause problems on purpose, however small, to fix a non-existent problem?


(Incidentally, if you're determined to go with an Air2-style device, the Atomic SS1 is FAR superior to the Air2... and there's no issue with mixing and matching brands)

[JugglingMonkeys]

That's very helpful!

thanks!