My new Sphera mask

[DiverTodd]

Hi gang,

Well, my Aqualung Sphera mask arrived on Monday, and all I can say is...WOW. SO low volume..and so LIGHT..it's almost like not even WEARING a mask! And I really love the curved lenses and the 180 vision, too. You can barely even see the frame when you're wearing it. I can see why the PF gang love this mask so much! I broke it in yesterday doing dynamic in the pool, and I'm very, VERY happy with it. So, if you're in the market for a freediving mask, I'd highly recommend one of these!

Todd

 

[efattah]

It works great when it's new, but it degrades very quickly. Soon it will start leaking as the seal around the lenses breaks up. Eventually it leaks beyond repair, and you need to get a new one.

While it still works it is the best mask. Unfortunately it doesn't tend to work for very long (Even Martin complained about his Sphera failing on his record attempts... time to retire it for a new one...)

 

[dallasdiver]

One of the features I really like is how the mask flexes at depth without causing pain to your face. Very little equalization needed compared to other masks.

 

[BennyB]

I bought one about 2 years ago and it's been a wonderful mask. Takes a small amount of time to get used to the distortion but I don't notice it now.

It's still going well (no leakage, lenses not too scratched), though to be fair I don't use it that often now (use goggles/noseclip for pool). I keep it in it's container as soon as I take it off as it will scratch remarkeably easily.

Now that i've started to compete I wanted to have a spare mask in case this one finally kicks the bucket. They are a bit harder to find than the normal mask but the cheapest by far was at a dive expo. I got one for £20, I think they retail normally around £30-35. So my advice would be if there is a dive expo in your area, go to it. It's not often all the hard-to-find dive equipment comes to you, and a lot cheaper as well.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[SanderP]

I recently bought a OMER Abyss. I'm quite satisfied, it has a low volume and there's no remarkable tunnel-effect (so the frames aren't annoying). But I'm still looking for a Sphera as a second mask, becouse of it's ultra-low volume and lightweightness.

 

[ncunuclear718]

I recently bought a OMER Abyss. I'm quite satisfied, it has a low volume and there's no remarkable tunnel-effect (so the frames aren't annoying). But I'm still looking for a Sphera as a second mask, becouse of it's ultra-low volume and lightweightness.

the Sphera mask is ultra_low volume?
Where can get more information about this mask
Don't tell me this link http://www.aquasphereusa.com/products/sphera_black.html
it is poor

 

[dallasdiver]

I bought mine new on EBAY. There is a seller in the UK that has the Sphera for sale in every color for 16.50 GBP and another in the U.S. thats selling them for $39.00 I got mine in a week from the time of purchase.

 

[jimqpublic]

I bought one about 2 years ago and it's been a wonderful mask. Takes a small amount of time to get used to the distortion but I don't notice it now....Cheers,
Ben

The distortion bothered me a lot initially. To get used to it I just started wearing the mask all the time. At work, riding the metro, banking, etc.

Oddly, now I have no trouble with finding a seat on the metro. At the bank the security guard was quite helpful. He must have thought I was rich because he kept me covered with his gun in case anyone tried to kidnap me.rofl

Jim

 

[pelagicbeing]

I have had the same sphera mask for 5 years now, and it has never let me down. I use it mostly for deeper diving in warmer waters, and i religiously keep it in its own allocated tupperware box when not in use :inlove, which i think has helped to preserve it.

The distortion does take some getting used too, but you do eventually get used to it.

My 2 sheckles worth.

Pelagicbeing

 

[DiverTodd]

I always rinse, dry, and store mine in it's case, too...mainly to protect it from getting scratched! It's funny...everyone talks about the visual distortion, but I've never even noticed any!

Todd

 

[trux]

I bought mine new on EBAY. There is a seller in the UK that has the Sphera for sale in every color for 16.50 GBP and another in the U.S. thats selling them for $39.00 I got mine in a week from the time of purchase.

I am sorry for this negative report, but feel it may help other victims of a dishonest seller.

I just want to warn possible buyers about this eBay seller (beccy2108) in UK (I think it is the same as the one dallasdive bought his mask from). End of June (two weeks before my departure for vacations), I purchased two masks expecting to have them before I leave. Unfortunately it was not the case, but well, it was not too bad - I had other masks. The worse was that when I came back and went to the post office to pick up the package, I found out that the masks came in a simple A4 paper envelope that was wide tore up and with just a single mask in it. When seeing it, I asked the officer to write a protocol about the damage, but he refused telling that I only have the options to accept or refuse the shipment. I hesitated first little bit, but finally refused the shipment, telling myself that it would be difficult to reclaim the missing mask without any proof.

I informed the seller immediately, but she turned out to be uncommunicative. Only after repeating the emails and menacing with a negative feedback at eBay and a back-charge, she replied promising to resend the masks. After several weeks, and after asking for the shipping status several times, and not receiving any replies, I threatened with a back-charge again. Refund was promised (no shipment anymore for some reason), but it did not happen within ~10 days and repeated requests.

Today, I attempted to submit complains at eBay and PayPal, but unfortunately the time limit for such complains is quite short, so it was not accepted anymore. I informed them about the case by email anyway, but am afraid it won't have any effect. The seller was apparently aware of the time limitation for reclamations and just managed to delay my complaints beyond that time.

Well, it was not too much money (~66€ incl. shipping) so it is not a too bad loss, but it is certainly inconvenient and disappointing. The moral of the story is never to wait more than 30 days before reclaiming eBay or Paypal transaction. Do not trust promises of re-shipment or refunds unless they are effectuated immediately. If you do not receive the goods or a refund the 29th day after the transaction, file a complaint at eBay immediately.

I also sincerely advise avoiding this specific eBay seller (Rebecca Johnson / beccy2108 / rebeccajohnson123@msn.com, in the UK) - she turned out to be uncommunicative, arrogant, and dishonest.

 

[dallasdiver]

I actually bought my mask from a ebay seller named viibility unlimited who has a great reputation. I would recommend them highly

 

[DiverTodd]

I actually bought my mask from a ebay seller named viibility unlimited who has a great reputation. I would recommend them highly

I also got my Sphera from this seller, and I'd recommend them, as well....good prices, and careful shipping, too.

Todd

 

[LachlanWA]

I think I've been spoilt, I started diving with a sphera. I've tried on a few others and they don't offer the same visibility. My only gripe is that they are hard to remove. (my buddy nearly tore off my nose in BO procedure training)

 

[gianpaoloc]

What about the technisub Marina?
http://www.technisub.com/eng/maschere/marina.htm

A friend of mine said it is better than the sphera. I am a sphera lover, but it is very hard to find in Italy. Any of you tried the marina? Is it comparable with the sphera?

Bye
G.

 

[Jon]

Where do you get one of those new Marina masks from?????

My local Aqualung rep doesn't know anything about it, which doesn't surprise me too much, and I want to try one out. :head

Does it have glass lenses, like the Falco, and how does the internal volume compare to a Falco or a Sphera?

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Fondueset]

Let me know when you get one Jon. Like to hear your review.

 

[spaghetti]

Does anyone know where the Sphera and Marina are made (I mean in which country they're manufactured: Italy, Taiwan, China, Usa, others?).

PS: I'm really interested in the question, it wasn't just to show my new avatar ;-)

 

[demasoni]

On the plastic case it says, "Made in Italy." I wonder it that's just the case though...

I love my Sphera, had to replace it after 1 year because the edge of the silicone seal got too flexed and "bent" and started to leak water, especially around the upper lip. A new Sphera promptly fixed the leak, the silicone seal on the new mask seems to have more elasticity and grip.

I got both of mine from swim2000.com - 3 days to HI from Las Vegas!

 

[mn.psyc]

Hi,
I also use an Omer Abyss for my spearfishing and am quite satisfied.
As for freediving am new to the sport so i havent much to say.
Has anyone tried the Cressi Minima? Compared to the Aq Sphere?
And also any suggestions about pool training googles?
Right now i have plain speedo googles...