Micromask vs Occhio plus vs Beuchat micromax

[Claudio]

I have been using the Omer Alien for 2 spearfishing seasons in the NE region of the US. It is a good mask, however, the constant fogging of the lenses is very annoying to me.

Another problem I found with the mask is that it's silicone so soft that any small amount air escaping the mask's seal during descent or during surface swimming would create a very annoying fizz type of noise, which would break my concentration and annoy the hell out of me when I need to be silent for the stalking.

I have recently purchased the Aqualung Micromask because of it's good reputation not to fog, it's lowest volume, good field of vision, and harder silicone. I look forward to field testing in the next season.

UPDATE on Micromask:
Ever since starting this season diving with the Aqualung/Technisub Micromask, I do not have any issue with fogging with this mask. Also the silicone skirt is not too soft and not too hard so no annoying noises during stalking anymore! Overall I am very pleased with the Micromask. The mask seals perfectly and the volume is the lowest I have ever experienced. So much so that at depth I can fell my eyelashes sliding against the lenses when I blink... but that does not bother me .

Before this mask, my favorite mask ever was the Technisub Luna, which I purchased in 1988. Back then they still made them in dark blue rubber and not silicone. Now it looks like the Micromask will become my soon become my favorite.

 

[Jon]

My current favorite is the Technisub Marina (Aqualung Micromask). It is low volume, doesn't flood if I'm swimming full speed with a monofin, and no trouble with fogging.

My bakc-up mask, which has a bit larger skirt and is better for ice diving, is a Cressi Super-Occhio +. It is similar in design to my old Omer Alien, but without the fogging issues.

I've also got at least a half dozen Sphera's in various states of decomposition sitting around in my dive bag. The are a nice mask, but scratch so easily I needed to replace them every 6 months- even when storing them in a case! I think I've save a ton of money by switching to the Marina.

Does anyone use Liquid goggles in cold (ice) water?

Jon

 

[Fondueset]

Hey Jon,

Eric F has used them in cold water. Apparently there is a brief period of irrational terror as the brain is cooled by the eyes and then, I think, you're okay...

I'm a big sphera fan due to the fact that they correct my vision u/w. But the Marina/Micromask is definitely my fav next to the sphera - and is my backup - after the two spheras I carry everywhere.

 

[trux]

Does anyone use Liquid goggles in cold (ice) water?

I tried, but look what happened when I removed them then:

​

 

[Mr. X]

I have been using the Omer Alien for 2 spearfishing seasons in the NE region of the US. It is a good mask, however, the constant fogging of the lenses is very annoying to me. ...

I found the fogging problem eventually went away, I just rub a small amount of saliva round the inside & rinse out with sea water when I first enter the water now. Or perhaps I just got used to it.

I might give my spare mask, a Seacsub X-lite combat, a try next season if the sealing issue doesn't improve*.

UPDATE: See my post lower down...

 

[Erik]

I have the Beachat Micromask in camo. I have no problems with it.
Jimdoe was telling me something I never heard in many years of diving and working in the industry: there are varying degrees of perfection in the manufacture of glass lenses. Some glass has a rougher surface, making it easier to attract water molecules and therefore fog up- some glass is made to a higher standard and a smoother surface, conversely resisting water molecules and fogging!
Now if I just had an electron microscope to carry around..... maybe a regular one would do? It would be interesting if manufacturers would state the grade of glass in the lenses.

 

[Claudio]

I just rub a small amount of saliva round the inside & rinse out with sea water when I first enter the water now.

Ha, that is exactly what I have always done with my masks... in my opinion it works better than the anti fog sprays, which were nonexistent in Brazil when I begun spearfishing in my youth.

I have tried both the spit method and the spray method on my Alien. Even so, I end up having to spit on my mask a couple of times during a 3 hour dive. Maybe it is a cold water issue.

But I will see if the Micromask will behave the same next season.

Cheers,
Claudio

 

[Lazuli]

I never had any problems with fogging when using the Beuchat MicroMAX but I found that the rather large nose pocket failed to seal properly and gradually the mask would fill with water. The silicone seemed to age and get stiffer. I much prefer the good old Superocchio as it never leaks on me and with a bit of spit and swash it is clear vis throughout my dive. If anyone wants my Micromax give me a PM (I'll swap for it!!).

 

[Mr. X]

My Omer Alien mask normally seals well but the last few times I used it has leak quite badly. I put it down to forgetting to shave - and in the pool that probably was the cause. However, last time out, it was leaking badly in the sea despite a close shave. I think it is probably due to the drop in temperature, the silicone of the mask and the flesh on my face are probably not as soft and flexible as in the summer. It took a lot of the fun out of the dive.

UPDATE:
Found out the cause of my mask leask - something quite tangible - but happily managed to fix it. Described in excrutiating detail on this thread: http://forums.deeperblue.com/freedi...er-alien-mask-mystery-solved-other-leaks.html
I must say, I like the look of the Occhio plus but like most of the Cressi masks (bar the original superocchio perhaps), it is usually too expensive in the UK. BTW Re. Cressi masks the Big Eyes, Matrix & Lince 2 all fit me well in the store but the Lince is really too small for big ol' me & the Big Eyes is a SCUBA mask. Like Goldilocks & the 3 Bears, I reckon the middle one - the Matrix is just right.