The Ferrari and Maserati of Diving! A Premium BCD from Italy — First-Hand Report from the KNIGHT DIVERS Test Event at Divecube Taichung

2020 was a year of relentless hardship. Ever since the Editor returned from a dive trip to the Maldives at the end of February (Maldives Deep South — A Face-to-Face Moment with Tiger Sharks: Tiger Shark, Manta, Silvertip Shark & Grey Reef Shark Dream Dive Trip), the pandemic made overseas dive travel impossible for everyone, including us. Taiwan's annual flagship event, the DRT Show, was also postponed (Originating from Taiwan, the Island's Only Professional International Diving & Resort Tourism Exhibition — DRT SHOW TAIWAN 2019 Review). The silver lining? Taiwan's pandemic response was solid, so everyone could still roam the island and dive to their heart's content!

This time, the Editor was invited by YHS 裕信管理顧問有限公司 to attend what was billed as the most ambitious premium BCD test event of 2020 — featuring KNIGHT DIVERS — held at Divecube Taichung. The scale of the event, both in terms of crowd and equipment on display, was truly rare in Taiwan. So let's dive straight into the Editor's first-hand account of this one-of-a-kind dive gear test event!

Event Schedule

The event was split into two sessions. The first session opened at 18

and ran until 19; the second began at 21 and wrapped up at 22. Around 20-plus participants showed up for the first session, making for a lively atmosphere. Unfortunately, a freediving team training slot was sandwiched in between, cutting the momentum short and leaving attendees stranded poolside watching the freedivers — a real shame. The 21 start for the second session was also quite late, resulting in a smaller turnout — so it ended up feeling more like a fan meet-and-greet for underwater filmmaker Director Yuan Xu-Hu!

The person in the orange jacket pictured above is a legendary figure in the global dive industry (rumour has it that many masks and regulators on the market today are based on his designs). He has long held a significant place in the worldwide dive supply chain through his equipment design work, and in recent years has been steadily moving toward building his own brand — which is the context in which YHS 裕信管理顧問有限公司 was born. The event itself was no exaggeration: several long folding tables were pushed together and covered end-to-end with brand-new first stage regulators, second stage regulators, BCDs, masks, underwater propulsion units, and more — all available for anyone to assemble and test freely. Apparently, right after the event, the entire display inventory was sold off as demo units to partner dive shops. That kind of bold marketing move is rare anywhere in Taiwan, let alone common! (Ha!)

The Premium BCD — KNIGHT DIVERS

The centrepiece of the event was the KNIGHT DIVERS premium BCD, developed through a collaboration between YHS 裕信管理顧問有限公司 and their Italian partners. Before attending, the Editor had worn quite a few back-mount BCDs and, honestly, they all felt more or less the same. Perhaps the Editor simply isn't the most sensitive of testers — for example, even when comparing an MK25 against a standard training regulator in the ocean, there was no clear distinction. When recreational diving, why fuss over what all those specs actually mean? (That said, this test event genuinely shifted that perspective — more on that in a moment!)

But KNIGHT DIVERS has one truly outstanding quality: it looks incredible. In the dive world, you've got to look the part — and this BCD nails the Editor's very first criterion for choosing a BCD, which is simply… looking cool.

The KNIGHT DIVERS BCD features a distinctive triangular design which, according to the brand owner, helps divers achieve proper trim underwater. The bladder comes in two material options: CORDURA® abrasion-resistant fabric (up to 1000 denier) and a dirt-resistant double-sided TPU coating. The moment the Editor spotted the shimmer of that TPU coating at the event, there was an immediate dash over to ask the owner about pricing.

The bladder is available in multiple lift capacities to suit your needs: 11, 13, and 15 kg, and even 19 and 21 kg for technical diving with twin cylinders (lift is commonly expressed in pounds, so multiply by 2.205 to get the equivalent). Add in backplate options — stainless steel, aluminium alloy, and others — and harness systems ranging from comfort quick-release, to DIR, to rigid DIR, and it quickly becomes clear why an in-water test event like this is so valuable: you can actually get in the water and find the lift capacity and harness system that suits you best. For instance, before getting in the water, the Editor (on the rounder side of the physique spectrum) assumed 13 kg would be needed — but 11 kg turned out to be more than sufficient for underwater needs (including setups with camera arms removed for full negative buoyancy, or rigs loaded with lights and clips).

Before we share the underwater footage, it's worth highlighting that every valve on the KNIGHT DIVERS BCD is made in Italy — including the Italian-made K-type inflator/deflator with a low-profile concealed corrugated hose connector, a high-tech concealed over-pressure valve, and even the exhaust valve buttons are metal, minimising the risk of plastic cracking over time. Every detail of this kit reflects the Italian commitment to superior craftsmanship and design.

In-Water Test Impressions

As mentioned earlier, the Editor has tested a number of back-mount BCDs and previously struggled to tell them apart. However, a good back-mount BCD should be slim, lightweight, and minimalist (compared to a jacket-style BCD) — and the other key factor is underwater control. The KNIGHT DIVERS BCD's unique triangular design appears to distribute buoyancy more toward the hips when the bladder is partially inflated underwater, helping to lift the hips and making it much easier to achieve trim. The slim, close-fitting profile also facilitates the turns and quick movements that underwater photographers need. For anyone shooting underwater, this is a back-mount BCD the Editor would genuinely recommend.

Rethinking How We Dive (According to the Brand Owner)

Thanks to its flexibility and versatility, the back-mount BCD has enormous potential to evolve in different directions based on future needs. According to the brand owner, the backplate as we know it may eventually disappear. The vision is a high-load-bearing soft vest: a diver puts on the vest and clips the bladder onto it using buckles — much like a military tactical vest design, making donning and doffing far more convenient. The event also showcased a product currently in development by another manufacturer: an underwater thruster. Two small thrusters worn on the thighs provide propulsion while freeing both hands for other tasks. Apparently, the team is exploring how to integrate the battery and controller directly into this BCD. Here's hoping the diving world's most inventive minds can bring this game-changing invention to fruition soon — one that could completely transform the way we dive!

After attending this test event, the Editor has just one small regret: the brand owner said he was exhausted and hadn't yet planned where the next event would be held! As mentioned above, a great back-mount BCD should perfectly match your diving needs — the right lift capacity, harness system, backplate type, and buckle configuration. Here's hoping future events are organised in northern, central, and southern Taiwan so that divers interested in the KNIGHT DIVERS BCD can get in the water and try it for themselves. If you're keen, feel free to reach out to the YHS 裕信管理顧問有限公司 Facebook page and ask the owner whether a test of this Italian-made premium BCD can be arranged!

Further Reading:

• Sony RX100-M6 for Underwater Photography — Unboxing and Test Review

• Diving 21 Metres Deep in the Middle of a City — First Experience at Divecube Taichung with the H2 Underwater Thruster

• 【What's This Gear?】Beginner, Mid-Range & High-End Jacket BCD Buying Guide — Jacket BCD Unboxing

• 【What's This Gear? #8】Back-Mount BCD Buying Guide — Back Float BCD Unboxing

• Is a Stylish Back-Mount BC Actually Worth It? The Dark Tide Gear Talk Gives You the Answer