Micromask vs Occhio plus vs Beuchat micromax

[Flackie]

Hi everyone,

I've been using an Omer Bandit mask which has served me great for freediving at depth, but I'm looking for a bit more vision in a mask as the bandit is a little too close. I've heard great things about the micromask, only problem is it's difficult to find in Australia and no one seems to sell it on the internet.
I've had a look at the occhio plus which looks great and I can buy in the store here but the dark horse is the micromax beuchat, it seems to be almost identical to the micromask from technisub, has anyone out there tried either of these?
I've read up on the board and the micromask seems an awesome mask but I've not heard much about the other ones, any thoughts?

[Flackie]

After trying all three the answer is the micromask, it has the lowest volume and the best vision (as good almost as a mares X-Vision Scuba mask) out of all three, it's a little pricey, I paid $129 in Aus for it but it was no cheaper to order it off the net so if anyone else has the same issue then this is the one to go for!

[chrismar]

Its the most consistently expensive mask I've come across so far, it's the first I've encountered that isn't cheaper to order online compared with local dive shops. It's also the best mask I've ever owned.

I'm tempted to try the occhio plus though, but I think the micromask may have spoiled me.

[Robbert]

Check with the Australian Aqua Lung distributor. They should be able to give you the status and who might stock the Micromask! I can tell you it's been a bit more popular than we expected and is therefore on backorder in a lot of places

- Robbert
Aqua Lung USA


Aquanaut Pty., Ltd. 18 Arunga Drive Beresfield, NSW 2322 +61 (0)2 49664900
Fax: +61 (0)2 49664955
info @aquanaut.com.au
http:// www.aquanaut.
com.au

[armandozx]

I have the Beuchat Micromax cammo version which is no different then it's counter part. I totally love the mask I can not speak for the micromask from aqualung. The Beuchat mask is high quality, very low volume and a very comfortable skirt. Perhaps you should consider the Spetton Excell mask as well.

[Mr. X]

Looks pretty cool: Diving Direct (Is that a masonic fish symbol?).
Groovey head band too.

Looks a little nicer than the Beuchat, I think: https://www.apnea.co.uk/product_info...7cf7c5f90f106e
I do like the look of the Occhio Plus, Cressi seem excessively overpriced to me: https://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductD...?StockID=48984

[I wonder if you could usefully pass your snorkel through one of the side holes in the new, bigger head straps?]

The mask skirts of them look quite similar to the current range of Omer masks. Has anyone compared the various Omer masks? They offer so many similar ones (variants on the occhio theme) with little to differentiate them except their appearance it seems (e.g. Alien v. Bandit v. Asia v. Abyss v. Olympia v. Exite v. Aries 39). I use an Alien (as it looked like it might offer the greatest field of view), I think Spaghetti said he uses the Abyss. (I also have a SeacSub X-Low, which again looks similar to the Bandit/Abyss/SuperOcchio/Samurai - albeit with neat side hinge feature).

I like the Alien. Only drawbacks: tends to fog, although improves with age (toothpaste trick doesn't help); the auxillary clips behind the side buckles often flop undone which can be annoying.

I just noticed Apnea in the UK have drastically reduced the price of all their Omer masks (new Spring stock in?) - get 'em while you can (don't forget to check postage cost): https://www.apnea.co.uk/index.php?cPath=1_4 black Aries 39 for £16.95 / Bandit 17.50 / Alien/Olympia 19.50 - camo extra.

[armandozx]

To each it's own! Here is what the Beuchat mask looks like in person. Sorry for having the mask a little dirty or is it just my awesome Casio Exilm.

The mask may be a little dirty & that's because when I wiped it down, little particles from the cloth stayed stuck to it. I assure you once the water hit's it becomes crystal clear.

To be honest I really don't know what I can say about this mask, except that the fit is absolutely perfect for my face. no leaks very good field of vision and stylish <-- not that it matters to be honest.

[Mr. X]

That looks cooler in your pics than the image I saw (still prefer the Technisub - probably that masonic fish & the smoother glass shape). BTW I notice Seacsub has introduced several new masks, fins and a new snorkel this year. As well as the X-low & X-low combat (camo) they offer an even more Bandit/Superocchio-like model now (black or camo) w/o the side hinges (I like the hinges but simplicity usually wins out) and another more unusual looking one in black than looks like it should be comfortable with a great field of view (more like the technisub/beuchat/occhio masks). We're really spoilt for choice -- pity the world economy is tanking.

[Kingspear]

MICROMASK is the best.

[Fondueset]

I have the technisub micromask in its original marina incarnation. In fact I have two - which I ordered from south africa before they became available here. It is the best freediving mask I've used - tiny volume and great vision and special masonic powers. I will be trying the occhio plus shortly and will report.

[Den]

I love my micromask but when I blow out through my nose to equalise the mask squeeze, air escapes from under the short skirt right under my nose. I have to hold my finger there to make sure the air goes into the mask. Only a problem when deep as its so low volume. I think it's such a lovely snug fit that my nose is sealed off from the eyes. The field of vision is the best I've ever had.

[peacenluv]

i have all 3 masks and use the micromask and micromax and have the occhio plus as my spare, just an excuse to have 3... hehe.. micromask for general spearfishing as it's softer and more comfortable than the micromask for longer dives.. terms of field of view, best micromask, though at depth, micromax comes tighter to the face due to the softer skirt so fov improves, so to say... micromask has stiffer skirt which is less comforatble and also less tolerance to face movement so sometimes water leak when smiling ... occhio plus is more limited as far as fov, but extremely comfortable thick silicon skirt... but all 3 masks are really nice... for me, the perfect mask would be the micromask with a softer silicon skirt, but that may cause the lenses to touch the eyes going down, so...

good luck with your choice..

[matejf]

Micromask is my choice!

[MahiMan]

Originally Posted by armandozx

To be honest I really don't know what I can say about this mask, except that the fit is absolutely perfect for my face. no leaks very good field of vision and stylish <-- not that it matters to be honest.

You don't have to lie to us

[GaraTreter]

I use the occhio plus for freediving and scuba, great FOV and the skirt is realy soft so the mask is realy comfortable to wear, even a day spent scuba diving is comfortable, with my old mask (Tusa scuba mask) the FOV was crap compared to the occhio plus and my nose hurted after about 1,5 hours of diving.

The Occhio plus is worth the money and a very good mask!