Cressi-Sub America vs. Corsica snorkel

[MKDVR]

I haven't been very active the last couple of years but spring is here and want to get going again. My current Cressi-Sub America has a damaged mouthpiece and I apparently left my weight belt stored on top of it the last 6 months. Has a nice dent now.:head

Anyway, I'm considering getting another one and was looking around the net when I came across the Cressi-Sub Corsica. Curious. I see that it is supposed to be more flexible. Ideal since most of my diving is in the springs. My concern is that it may be too flexible. Flopping around in the current or flow for example. Another is the barrel length. Is the length of the Corsica similar to the America? Anyone have a Corsica? Comments appreciated. Thanks for any help.

 

[Jon]

I love my Corsica. I think it's just about as flexible as my OMER Zoom or Sporasub Samurai. The main difference is that the Corsica has a mouthpiece sized for an adult- instead of the kiddy sized mouthpieces on the Samurai and Zoom.

Jon

 

[MKDVR]

I love my Corsica. I think it's just about as flexible as my OMER Zoom or Sporasub Samurai. The main difference is that the Corsica has a mouthpiece sized for an adult- instead of the kiddy sized mouthpieces on the Samurai and Zoom.

Jon

What about the length? When it flexes does it return to its original shape or do you have to fiddle with it? Roughfly how far above your head does is stick out for example? This is important to me. The America is fairly compact. The mouthpiece sounds promising. I have to hold mine mostly with my front teeth. Any pic of you diving with it? Thanks again.
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[a shark tooth]

I have both.

I actually prefer the Cressi America over the Corsica for a number of reasons.

I bought the Corsica with the idea that I could wrap it around my head, and make it more streamlined - (for Underwater Hockey). It is flexible yes, which is cool, but it always is trying to return to it's original shape - which is annoying. The force is minimal, but by no means does the snorkel want to stay in it's new shape. It is constantly trying to return to its original shape. Do not think that you can shape the Corsica to your head, because it will fight back.

The Cressi America shape is the best imo. Because of it's angle, the snorkel follows the outline of the face, literally. From the mouth, to along the chin, angled under your ear, and straight up behind the ear (which is great for UWH and water polo headgear). In contrast, the Corsica resists its new shape. I like the America because of it's angle. The Corsica can fold into the angle yes, but it doesn't want to stay.

Another issue is the mouthpiece. The America mouthpiece is much thicker where one bites, so there is less of a chance of biting through the mouthpiece. In contrast, the Corsica mouthpiece is much lighter - I feel like I am going to bite through the damn thing. On top of that, I recently ordered some mouthpieces for the America. Very cheap and easy to find. I had trouble finding mouthpieces for the Corsica.

Aside from thickness, the Corsica mouthpiece is much smaller than the America mouthpiece. When I played with the Corsica, it kept getting knocked out of my mouth. It is a minimalist design yes. I dunno, it just feels flimsy in my mouth. That's what she said.

In terms of length, I always cut the top part of the America off (the little silver stripes) - I like short snorkels. And yes, the Corsica is much longer, but I ended up cutting a piece off to match the America. If you think it is too long, you can just cut it. But out of the box, the Corsica is much longer.

My biggest gripe is the fact that the Corsica is flexible, but it always returns back to it's original shape. Bleh...

That is for hockey of course. But, if you are some average diver, I'm sure you will get all excited with this cool snorkel. But I say stick with the America. It's cheaper, better access to the mouthpieces, a classic design, minimal, and much sturdier.

a shark tooth

 

[Jon]

I could understand how you wouldn't want to use it for hockey. I prefer my old Farallon molded mouthpiece snorkel for hockey because it doesn't f;op around as much. I used to use Dacor Turbo snorkels with the top cut off and zip tied to the side of a water polo cap when I used to play hockey- but have since quit playing due to an injury.

Freediving is another story. I don't cut off my freediving snorkels and prefer something that bends in case I stick my head into a hole, or shipwreck, to look for fish. I also don't freedive/spearfish with a snorkel in my mouth, because of SWB, like I do when I play UWH. 'Horses for courses' as they say.

Here's a couple of pictures:

Jon

 

[MKDVR]

Thanks guys. Really informative here. I've been really on the fence about this. I nearly ordered the America today as my gut was telling me but changed my mind at the last minute after getting hold of a Cressi catalog and ordered the Corsica.

I'm back on the fence but have an idea. I found out I could have ordered a new mouthpiece if it wasn't for the dent in my America. I'm going to take a closer look tomorrow and see if there is anything I can do to work it out. If so I'll add a new mouthpiece to the order. Hopefully it will be a win win situation. The Corsica isn't that expensive and sounds good overall but may become a backup. Thanks again. Wish me luck.

P.S. Snapping back to it's original position is actually what I want. I want it to be able to take a bump without knocking it out of my mouth and return to its original position. Of course personal experience will dictate.

 

[MKDVR]

Update. Even though my America had a nice dent in it it seemed to work itself out overnight. I'll see about adding a mouthpiece to my order for the Corsica. Can't seem to find one anywhere so must be a special order type of thing.

 

[a shark tooth]

Call a Cressi Distributor!

 

[MKDVR]

Done. I'll have them both in a couple of weeks.
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[Bleeth]

I tried my new Corsica for the 1st time in the water today, and god was i disappointed. When you look at it, you just can't imagine what could go wrong here, but even something so simple can be f....d up. As already stated by "A shark tooth" the mouth piece just doesn't want to stay in the mouth, i have to make a considerable conscious effort to keep it in, and that surely doesn't reflect positively on my apnea. Maybe the problem is just the shape of my head, but whatever the problem is i can't dive with it and i'll have to sell it and get something else perhaps i'll go with the too expensive Sprasub Breeze

 

[FreeRestriction]

I just bought a corsica and it seems ok.. Havent tried it in the water yet but the mouth peice does seem kind of small. But its just for breathing up on the surface so im sure it will work fine.

 

[Apneaddict]

I hate the Corsica. It feels restrictive in the bend.

I love the sub-America and use one in open water and another cut-down one for UWH / UWR. It has a much more free flowing design and only gets better with every 1/4" that you cut off!

 

[Apneaddict]

I also like the Mares Samurai. Softer mothpiece and flows well.

 

[FreeRestriction]

So i tried the corsica in the pool and cant say i have any complaints really. Cleared easily, mouth piece wasnt super comfortable but not bad enough to affect the dive breathup or relaxation, and Fit well against my head. It tucked nicely behind my ear.