Mares Star Elite mask

[Grubby]

What is the general feeling out there about the Mares Star Elite mask?
I've had a look at it and it fits my face really nicely. Good seal, recently went diving with it and on a dive of three hours on a shallow reef only really had to empty a bit of water out three times. Fogging issue is fixed, thanks for all the advice. I seem pretty happy at this stage but I'm not sure whether it might be really good right now for shallow stuff <10m, but when anything deeper it might not be ideal.
What is the general opinions on this mask?

 

[Simos]

Sorry I can't comment on the specific mask as I haven't tried it but just a quick comment - if you had to empty water out during shallow dives, my hunch is that it's going to leak more when you go deeper with it.

I'm only basing this on my experience with my sphera (hardly leaks on shallow dives but leaks a bit too much for my liking for anything a bit deeper) and my micromask (does not leak).

If you've got it already, you might as well just try it deeper though.

From the specs, it looks low volume (check) with a decent field of vision (check) - the only thing I don't personally like is lenses that are not clear and you cannot see someone's eyes (do they REALLY scare fish away during spearfishing???) as I think it's important for safety reasons.

 

[Grubby]

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a go a little deeper and see what happens.
I have to admit that it was definitely a case of the lessor of all evils. In Qatar there aren't many dive shops as you know them. Out of all the outlets here, I was able to try on only three low volume masks, the aqualung micro mask, cressi minima and the mares star. The star was the only one that actually would stay on my face for any period of time. The thought of buying a mess online didn't make any sense to me as I felt I was taking a chance. When I go back to South Africa on holiday in September I'll do so shopping then.
As for the tinted lenses, I see your point of view.

 

[Simos]

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a go a little deeper and see what happens.
I have to admit that it was definitely a case of the lessor of all evils. In Qatar there aren't many dive shops as you know them. Out of all the outlets here, I was able to try on only three low volume masks, the aqualung micro mask, cressi minima and the mares star. The star was the only one that actually would stay on my face for any period of time. The thought of buying a mess online didn't make any sense to me as I felt I was taking a chance. When I go back to South Africa on holiday in September I'll do so shopping then.
As for the tinted lenses, I see your point of view.

Sounds like you made the right decision Grubby - no point in buying a mask you haven't tried online in my opinion or another mask that doesn't fit.

Give it a go and see how it feels when you go deeper - no point in buying another one if it doesn't leak and you are happy with it.

I don't know if many people mind tinted lenses - I think I'm a bit biased from pool training, it's a bit annoying for the buddy when you can't see the eyes of someone that has finished their dive. I like tinted swimming goggles in a sunny country though so you'll probably enjoy the mask in Qatar.

Let us know how it goes - I hadn't heard much about this mask but it does look like a decent mask so would be interested to know how it feels in the water.

 

[Apneaddict]

It's a decent mask with a low volume. A couple of guys in Toronto use it. One tinted and one clear.

I haven't tried it on yet (have been meaning to) but it looks small like a superocchio or mystic.

For me, there looks to be a bit of extra air volume in the top corners that I could do without... But it's certainly a great mask for spearing or moderate depth.

There is a liquidskin version with softer silicone. Not sure how much of a difference this would make.

 

[landshark sa]

I have one, pretty much my favourite mask.

As the rest of the guys said, very good field of vision and reasonably low volume. I say reasonably because I do think there are other masks available that at are lower volume, this was however the one which fits my face best.

No leaks for me, shallow or deep. But I only spearfish so only had mine down to around 30m, not sure how it wil perform as a purely freediveing mask.

One thing I did find, in the beginning after a full days diving, I had a bit of chafing on the side of my nose due to equalizing. It seems to be sorted now, but I solved his initially by putting a bit of Vaseline on the area before getting into the water.

Compared to my Omer Alien, the buckles could possibly be a little more robust but the mask fits so well that I really don't have to tighten it much.

I've ordered an Omer Zero mask (just because I like gadgets and new stuff ). Should hopefully have it next week. Will let you know how it compares.

 

[Grubby]

I've tried the liquid skin version and unfortunately didn't fit well at all. My wife got her hands on that one and she is happy as Larry with.
I have picked up one problem so far, the bottom of my nose gets a good working over from the mask. Fair enough it is after three hours of wearing the mask solidly. Maybe I just have a big nose!
Simos - I'll keep you updated how the mask performs however don't expect much in the depth stakes for now, still splashing about in the shallows, relatively speaking.
Apneaaddict - I agree with you about the top corners, I feel as if I'm wearing ladies horn rimmed glasses from the sixties or seventies with the up turned corners.
Land shark SA - please could you let me know how it goes with the zero. Also do you know of any shops in Durban or Cape Town that have the Sporasub Mystic? Want to look at a good mask as a spare. Will be there in September to do some shopping.

Thanks for the advice, it really is appreciated.

 

[Simos]

Be a bit careful with the Zero, sounds like an excellent mask but doesn't seem to fit a lot of faces so maybe try it before you buy if you can. Some others reported that it fits wide faces but I haven't tried it.

 

[Grubby]

Thanks, will bare that in mind. Like I said earlier, not going to buy a mask online as they are really crucial to a good days diving and each person's face fit is individual. Don't want to take any chances.

 

[landshark sa]

Land shark SA - please could you let me know how it goes with the zero. Also do you know of any shops in Durban or Cape Town that have the Sporasub Mystic? Want to look at a good mask as a spare. Will be there in September to do some shopping.

In Cape Town, Rabitech Rabitech - Mask, the place where I buy most of my spearfishing paraphernalia stocks them. Go tho their shop in Kuilsriver and speak to Louis, he's a super nice and knowlegable guy, he'll sort you out chop-chop!

Not sure about places in Durban, but you could possibly try the Rob Allen dive factory Rob Allen spearguns, railguns and other spearfishing and freediving accessories..

 

[Grubby]

Thanks for the advice.
Managed to get my hands on the Zero Cubed earlier today. A wicked looking mask but unfortunately the mask is a little too small for my mug. I can feel the mask pushing against bottom of my eye sockets where the bridge of my nose.
Pity, awesome looking mask.