Mask questions

[Gab]

Hi All,

I am looking for a new mask and I have several questions. I currently have a trusty US Divers high volume mask 3 window mask. It is great in the sense that I have had it for more than 10 years and it keeps on working like it should. It is comfortable, I have great vision (peripheral, vertical, horizontal), I don't have much glare (I have never noticed it anyways) and cannot see my own eyes (a common problem with masks I have read), I have a goatee and this causes most masks to leak but this one doesn't (I attribute this to the large skirt but it could be something else). The only problem is the volume...it is hard to equalize and tends to press against my face a lot when I go deeper. I like to have good visibility especially peripheral, I don't have issues with all black skirts. I know that two lens masks have the lowest volume, I don't dive deep enough I think that the volume difference between a one lens and two lens mask matters IMO, please correct me if I am wrong. I think that frameless masks have a smaller volume still but I am not sure, I don't really care about it being able to fold up small. One of the main reasons that I have not changed masks before is that it fits me well and doesn't leak, I have a low volume mask that leaks because of my goatee so I never use it. I have read some threads about diving with beards but they did not really help.

This means I have a penchant for single lens masks or three lens masks because of the wide vision but I am not against dual lens masks. Here is a list of the masks I am currently looking at:

One Lens
- Tusa Visio Pro Mask
- Tusa Concero Frameless
- Mares i3 Liquid-Skin Mask
- Mares Essence Liquidskin Spearfishing
- Cressi Frameless Mask

Two Lens
- Mares X-Vision Two Window Mask
- Mares X-VU Liquidskin Spearfishing
- Atomic Aquatics Sub-Frame Mask

Does anybody have experience with these or recommend any others? It is hard for me to go to a store since I live in a landlocked area, any dive stores here have very limited choice.

Thanks,
Gabriel

 

[diddavetellyou]

Hi Gab,

I can’t really help you with your choice of mask but I also have a beard so have problems with my mask leaking.

A tip I got given is to use Vaseline or petroleum jelly rubbed generously on my mustache where it touches the mask and on the mask itself before donning, I have found this to be effective but it does rub a little bit off every time you take the mask off. For a 1h pool session I might need to apply it to my face and the mask twice but in the sea less, maybe that has something to do with the temperature? Or possibly taking the mask on and off more during a training session?

The little pots that you see almost every girl using to put Vaseline on their lips are good as they can be slipped in the pocket of a pair of boardies, stowed on your float (if you have a big one) or stashed between the layers of a wet suit.

You might have already tried this and it not worked for, you in which ignore this post and try a new one but if you can make the old leaky one work for you, you won’t have to chance it on a new one that might have the same problem

Hope this helped,

diddavetelyou
___________________

Have drybag will travel.

 

[Gab]

Hi diddavetelyou, thanks for the tip. I did not try it since I try to stay away from greasy things since they my my mask fog up. I was wondering if maybe wax would be better but not sure how it would wash off of my whiskers . I know that it is possible to have a mask that doesn't leak with a beard since mine currently doesn't. I wil keep on looking or find a non-greasy but easy to wash off solution. If I fond slmething I'll let you know .

Thanks,
Gabriel

 

[Macdiver]

I have found that food grade silicon works well. Find it in the plumbing department.

 

[poildeq]

Surprisingly on a whim I bought a JBL mask n I love it

 

[J Campbell]

Food grade silicon? You put that in your moustache? Doesn't it dry in their like glue (it IS glue!) and then not come off?

 

[Macdiver]

Food grade silicon is not the same as the stuff in a caulking tube. It is used in plumbing fixtures and other items to lubricate O-rings and such.
Buy Silicone Grease 2.0 oz. Jar from Leisure Pro

 

[J Campbell]

OK, so you are saying apply this to my moustache, and it will not wash away in the water?
If it gets on my mask lens, how do I clean it up?

I currently use petro jelly and it works OK, but I do have to reapply sometimes. Also, its a mess and hassle to try to keep it off my mask lens.

So do you think this silicon is better for my moustache purpose?

 

[Macdiver]

I have found that the silicon stays in place pretty well and haven't had the problems with it messing with the lenses like petroleum jelly. It seems to wipe off your mustache about the same after the dive. I heard about it on another board about a year ago and it has been all I use since then.

 

[J Campbell]

OK, cool! Thanks

 

[J Campbell]

OK, so I tried the silicon grease on my moustache last night in the pool. Seems to work better and stay put better than petro jelly. BUT - how do you get it off? I wiped most off with a paper towel, but the remainder does not wash off with soap. I can still feel a residue today. Any tips on how to safely get it out of my moustache? Thanks.

 

[Macdiver]

I try to not have my mustache too long when i dive so I don't have to use a lot, but I found HOT water, dawn soap and a coarse washcloth works.

 

[J Campbell]

OK, I'll try that. Thanks.

 

[Gab]

So, I went to the sea and found a store that had loads of spearfishing masks and I eventually got the Omer Alien after trying them all. There was a Cressi that fit me better but my friend had just purchased the last one they had. Thanks for the tips guys !

 

[artiz]

So do you like your new mask Gab?

I've just bought a super occhio and an F1 (Cressi) but more to do with what I could afford this time round... no leaks from either yet and for the first time for me cos I also have facial hair... they do however feel a bit lightweight but enhanced vision with the F1 is a revelation... time will tell!

 

[Gab]

Hi artiz, yes, I like it a lot. I have to shave however, I have a goatee, if I leave even a little facial hair it leaks. I just shave the mustache and sides .