Which Spearfishing mask? Experts help needed

[Fondueset]

Hey Jon,

I'm still de- chilling from a dive too. Viz was great but just a few suckers and a lone carp moseying along at about 40 feet. We should start seeing walleye in there sometime in the next month or so. Water was 37F. Amazingly I am able to step into that hard waterway nemo - no more getting gloves caught between my heels and the fin - yet it is in no danger of slipping off even during torpedo sprints.

Peripheral vision is really nice to have in a mask - that and upward are the priorities. Down is nice too, of course - but not as critical as for scubies with all their gauges and buckles and stuff.

[armandozx]

I would have never guess that the alien had a wider view than the picasso. When I get to the store I will try them and perform these test as mention above to see which mask will suit me better. Thanks everyone for your opinions and thoughts. I'm going to feel as if I was back in the Army again checking for a mask size ! and smell the pineapple! look side to side and "do you smell anything"

[Jon]

Chris, water was 36F here today- the hot water pipe wasn't on. I've been using the coconut oil on my breakfast before diving like you and Fattah mentioned and it really seems to make a difference. I went to one store yesterday in search of MCT oil, but had no luck.

Slightly larger masks are fine, for me, when it comes to things like spearing, but when I have my monofin on I like to go with something sleeker- like the Micro mask or a Sphera. I find that I get so much speed up with a mono on that a big mask tends to leak/flood/fall off.

I almost need a shoe horn to slide my mono on over my 5mm socks. In the summer it's easier with the 3mm, but not as easy as it was with the NEMO footpockets. If that thing were softer, and had more blade angle to it, I would still be using it.

Jon

[Robbert]

[quote=armandozx;688070]Zup... After reading many mask posts I have created some doubts on which mask to get.

...... Not that any of them could be bad but I have heard many things about the alien that are some what discouraging. I have a sharp/small face.

The #1 thing is what mask fits your face. As A Freediver we all want the best combination of low volume and wide field of view. I believe without doubt this has to be the Aqualung/Technisub Micromask but since I work for the company I have a obvious bias. However, if you browse all the other forums it seems we have a lot of very happy customers. The question is does it fit you and/or are you looking for the lowest price mask available.

First and foremost is fit,fit,fit. Once you find a mask that fits you perfectly you won't want anythin else. So grab your snorkel and head for the stores. I say grab your snorkel becuase for a lot of people putting a snorkel in their mouth will change the countours of their face just enough the affect the fit.

I have heard that the Omer Aliens have some challenges with fogging. From what I know on the mfg side I have a hard time believing that this is not preventable with enough elbow grease and the right abrasive. Fire also works and i have heard recently coke is a possible. As far as fogging goes glass is glass. The issue is the film of silicone that builds up on the glass during the mfg process. Get that film off the glass and it will be just like any other mask. Again, if it so happens that the fit of a Omer alien is a perfect match to your face I'd get it and scrub, scrub, scrub. In the end it will be worth it. Of course, I'd be sure to check out the Aqua Lung Micromask first! :-)

[armandozx]

Robbert I have tried the Micromask ! and it was a very nice fit with a nice view, but seriously I cant spend that amount of money on a mask. Maybe if it was less I would definitely give it a go but things are not good right now to spend that kind of money on a mask. I know that small volume masks fit my face well because of their shape. Now picking one will be the hardest thing I have to do.

I plan on trying them all the picasso, spetton and even the Aqua lung mask and I will do some fit and comfort tests and of course field of vision which 1 I feel more comfortable with. Thanks you all for your suggestions I take everything into consideration.

[Mr. X]

Omer Alien - soft so should fit most, even big konks w/o a Michael Jackson up turn (who the mask was apparently designed for). Mine fogged up, toothpaste made it worse. Seems ok for the most part now (or maybe I got used to it).

Cressi Matrix is nice. Expensive. (Tried in a couple of stores)
Cressi Lince2 is very small -- fits me well enough but too small really. (Tried in a couple of stores)

SeacSub X-Low Combat

I have one of these too. I keep it as a spare as it came with a nice plastic mask box - unlike the Omer - & was cheaper too (also made in Italy, Omer Alien is marked made in Taiwan - if such things concern you). It is very similar to the Alien and as such I have no preference for either one -- I use the Omer because I got it first.

A lot of spearing masks seem to be based on the old Cressi Superocchio, to a greater or lesser extent. The Samurai masks & snorkels look pretty good and are often cheaper.

[Fondueset]

Silicone is what Mark L. told me about the Alien as well - it is a great mask and has some of the softest silicone I have found on any mask - including the mares liquid skin. The alien's visual field is good - not quite as good as the matrix or marina - better than the lince. The sphera - another killer mask for freediving - rests on the bridge of my nose - which makes the fit a little tenative at the temples - otherwise I would use one more often.

-Good to see you here Robbert

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

... The alien's visual field is good - not quite as good as the matrix or marina - better than the lince...

That was my impression too (thought the Lince would be better, being small & close but is wasn't).

[Robbert]

Hi Chris!

Good to see you too. Guess we get around ;-).

-Good to see you here Robbert [/quote]