OMER Zero 3 Mask

[woods]

hi guys, just a heads up on the stocks of the zero mask hear in the eu. i found the mask today in a unlikly place...... decathlon!! this is the one in belfast, ireland. but i would assume that it is in all of there stores. it was the last one there, so i was lucky. at a price of £34 i though perfect! no shipping costs!!
as for a review, although i only got this mask today i did previously have the mask.....but it went missing on one of my dives. i found the mask very comfortable around the face, and on the nose(mine being fat) and with the nose part of the mask protruding away from the lenses equalising with gloves was very easy. even though some people have been unhappy with the strap i have found it nothing but perfect....but time will tell for sure. extreamly light, and even though it is very close to my eyes it does not feel claustrophobic at all. the all round veiw of vision is the best i have tride (i have not had the saphera though). in summery i think a very nice addition to my kit and i was over the moon coming accross it today due to the price have gone up my €7 in subprof since i bought my first one then add shiping on top of that i made a big saving spotting it today.
now even though i have giving my oppinoin on it i am nothing but a enthusiastic beginner!! i have been snorkeling for a few years but only got into freediving and spearfishing in the last 6months and am happy at reaching 10meters and being able to stay there for 30 secs!!! hope any info i wrote was half usfull!!

 

[marginatus]

Got mine at Decathlon too (Azores - Portugal)...

 

[Castro210]

Review v2

The mask is small, as it's supposed to be, but much smaller and lighter than the Omer Bandit I am coming from.

Coming from the Bandit it was much less comfortable and that is because it is so much smaller and less rubber. It took about 3 dive days to really get used to it, or forget about it, however you want to put it. The strap... Its a toss up for me. I don't mind when its on. But every time I put it in the bucket between spots I put it back on and its completely loose and I have to tighten it. It feels like its going to break when I'm pulling the tag end but hasn't. Its just a little small and fragile feeling, I guess i'll get used to that too.

At first it did not fit my face well, at least I thought. I have a medium size face and it was loose on the bottom "corners". When I would go down upside down and clear I would semi flood the mask. This was by user error and the nature of the mask. First off, it has taken me about 100 freedives to get used to the nose hairs worth of air needed to clear this thing. I don't know how much air I'm saving at 66ft. + but it must be substantial. Also, I pulled the mask strap down in the back and pulls tight more evenly and not upward.

I have to put the mask a little snug to stay comfortably tight. Its not always 100% comfortable for me, by comfortably tight I mean seals perfect and doesn't leak on clearing. It squeezes me just a little on my brow. It is not unbearable. It is definitely worth the comfort deep. I just wish it pulled equal on the bottom of the frame as it does up high. That could be because my face, idk.

The visibility out of this mask is the best I've used. Its way better than my bandit. The nose and frame are so much more slim in the middle that even the vision forward is noticeably improved to me. I can't think of any situation where the mask has hindered me in anyway.

The way the nose is more separated from the frame makes it easier to clear. I thought the rough texture on the nose that was used for "grip" was awfully gimmicky, I have come to find it serves its purpose very well.

I have to say it is the best mask I've used. I have not used any super low volume like the micro or sporasub but I have used a few of the "low volume" that are more typical. It took some getting used to but once I figured out the feel and fit and how to clear it the mask became second nature, just as its supposed to. The hardest thing to learn is the extremely small amount of air needed to clear it, and how to beat off the press in all your photos looking like Batman.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert. I don't write reviews. I'm a novice numbnut spearfisher and am probably not as good as you. My face is not the same shape is yours. Enjoy.

 

[kwtony]

I dont know if anyone else noticed this, but divers direct is now carrying them. I was in there today and they are only like 60-70 bucks i think. I was mask shopping for someone else so didn't pay much attention to it. I have a big honkin nose so it presses against the bridge of it a little too much for my liking. Castros face is smaller (AND prettier) then mine so it seems to fit him better.

I have had forums time out after hitting send on SB , here and a multitude of various ones I have been part of at least a hundred times, and it literally makes me sick and not even want to try and explain the amount of effort i just made in something only to loose it. My solution , highlight and copy everything before you his submit just in case...

All I want to know is if Omer makes a cape that you can wear along with pointy ears that you can mount to your strap. Also , please paint your weights yellow and call it a utility belt from now on. Thank you!

 

[ericvrp]

I have been comparing the Omer Zero3 to the Sphera I usually use.

The good:

The Zero3 has 70% less internal volume when on my face. (90cc versus 130cc). When coming from a Sphera the sharpness and usable viewing angle of the Zero3 is amazing! The strap is very comfortable (and elastic). Because the strap will automatically rotate a little positioning is less critical. The flat glass feels like it will stay unscratched and usable for many more years than the Sphera. No change of accidentally glasses pushing/dropping out here as happens with my Sphera sometimes.

The less good:

The Zero3 was only comfortable (without equalizing) 'till a depth of -7 meters. i.e. nowhere near the -18m the Omer claims. The Sphera can do double the Zero3 depth without problem. (some people have taken it to -30m).

My conclusion:

I'm loving it! In the murky Dutch waters I could see details that I never paid attention to with my 'old' mask. It sits on my face very comfortably. Equalizing the mask more often does not seem like a problem because it goes on autopilot mostly anyway. If I would try to break personal bests I would use a fluid goggle anyway.

 

[tuboludo]

Just tested the OMER ZERO 3 today on 12 m deep waters in Denmark (spear fishing/Free diving). Superb vision. Damn the vision is good, good, good. Best vision ever, however, the mask presses against my forehead and this can become quite irritating. I have a beard and the mask doesn’t like that either. I have to use Vaseline and re-correct the mask all the time, just so you know, it will not fit every scull on this planet!!! But the VISION is FANTASTIC !!!!! I will not use it for spear fishing, it is to irritating for that. I will use it for free-diving sessions (where you only have to wear it for short periods at the time). I hope they will make a ZERO 4 that they will test on more people so they can make one that fits me….. DON’T BUY IT ONLINE (unless you don’t give a shit just like me) ….. go test it in the shop first ….. it might push hard against your forehead !!!!!

 

[tuboludo]

If I would try to break personal bests I would use a fluid goggle anyway.

I would use NOTHING :girlie

 

[marginatus]

Just tested the OMER ZERO 3 today on 12 m deep waters in Denmark (spear fishing/Free diving). Superb vision. Damn the vision is good, good, good. Best vision ever, however, the mask presses against my forehead and this can become quite irritating. I have a beard and the mask doesn’t like that either. I have to use Vaseline and re-correct the mask all the time, just so you know, it will not fit every scull on this planet!!! But the VISION is FANTASTIC !!!!! I will not use it for spear fishing, it is to irritating for that. I will use it for free-diving sessions (where you only have to wear it for short periods at the time). I hope they will make a ZERO 4 that they will test on more people so they can make one that fits me….. DON’T BUY IT ONLINE (unless you don’t give a shit just like me) ….. go test it in the shop first ….. it might push hard against your forehead !!!!!

I found that using the strap a little lower and adjusting the mask down a bit can eliminate that... But it depends a lot on the face!

 

[tuboludo]

I found that using the strap a little lower and adjusting the mask down a bit can eliminate that... But it depends a lot on the face!

True, true, I tried that as well, when I move the mask a bit low I don’t feel the pressure on my forehead, but then I have serious leaking problems around my nose/beard, but I always give a mask a second chance. I will bring it with me next time diving, but from my experience it is not suddenly going to fit me perfect, no way! I am still in love with its vision/visibility, such clear and wide vision (felt like in a different world on my first dives with it), I wished it fitted me perfectly, but then again, nothing in this world is perfect. If there is one thing we can learn from EVOLUTION it is that: NOTHING AND NOBODY ARE PERFECT!!! :blackeye

 

[marginatus]

True, true, I tried that as well, when I move the mask a bit low I don’t feel the pressure on my forehead, but then I have serious leaking problems around my nose/beard, but I always give a mask a second chance. I will bring it with me next time diving, but from my experience it is not suddenly going to fit me perfect, no way! I am still in love with its vision/visibility, such clear and wide vision (felt like in a different world on my first dives with it), I wished it fitted me perfectly, but then again, nothing in this world is perfect. If there is one thing we can learn from EVOLUTION it is that: NOTHING AND NOBODY ARE PERFECT!!! :blackeye

The mask doesn't like beard at all... Since it has such a low volume and not much silicone to compress, the beard (like 4 or 5 days) will make it leak...

also, from what I understood (maybe I'm missing it) the zero 3 is supposed to mean zero volume (like x^3 in which the 3 indicates 3 dimension and volume) for it's, not zero, but very small volume.
zero 4 would be an hyper mask (4 dimensions)

things can be perfect... it depends on what your expectations are (and if you don't keep changing them )

 

[tuboludo]

The mask doesn't like beard at all... Since it has such a low volume and not much silicone to compress, the beard (like 4 or 5 days) will make it leak...

also, from what I understood (maybe I'm missing it) the zero 3 is supposed to mean zero volume (like x^3 in which the 3 indicates 3 dimension and volume) for it's, not zero, but very small volume.
zero 4 would be an hyper mask (4 dimensions)

things can be perfect... it depends on what your expectations are (and if you don't keep changing them )

Had no Idea why they named it 3, but now you have clarified that to me. I sometimes cut off my beard (when I am tired of it, when I think it is too long) and maybe I will try use it when my beard is off.

What were you meaning by “…..compress, the beard (like 4 or 5 days) will make it leak...” that the mask will leak more after 4 – 5 days use or?????
I also have a Mares Start spear fishing mask with liquid skin (that liquid skin thing is overrated – I sure don’t get it) and I can use it with my beard when I use Vaseline and strap the mask real tight to my head, but the visibility is not good and far from that of the Omer 3. Like I wrote, the clearness of the vision and the filed of vision just blew me away with the Omer 3, but not much fun when you have to fight with the mask all the time trying to make it fit your face. The first hour yesterday I did not have leaking problems because I was using Vaseline, but it was hurting my forehead all the time.

I have more than 10 masks. I have problems with masks in general. With or without my beard on. I tried all kinds an my favorite at the moment is a “IST Presto” that hardly ever leaks and it sits very comfortable on my face, even with my beard and I even use it sometimes without Vaseline. But I can not get it in black and the vision is nothing special, but it works.

Here is a video with me and my “IST Presto” mask:

Here is a video with me and my “Mares Star liquid skin” mask:

 

[grantl]

I used the zero3 at the weekend for the first time and had some reservations about how small it appeared.
As soon as I got in though I just loved it. It's a perfect fit, didn't leak at all and it's the first mask I've had that I just forgot I was wearing it was so comfy.
It's the same fit as my Beuchat lux that I tore but so much lighter and the field of vision is even better.

 

[marginatus]

Had no Idea why they named it 3, but now you have clarified that to me. I sometimes cut off my beard (when I am tired of it, when I think it is too long) and maybe I will try use it when my beard is off.

What were you meaning by “…..compress, the beard (like 4 or 5 days) will make it leak...” that the mask will leak more after 4 – 5 days use or?????

What I meant is that when I leave my beard grow (after I trimmed the lowest I can but without shaving ) for 4 or 5 days it can leak as opposed to having just trimmed the beard. When i trim my beard, it looks like I shaved 2/3 days ago.

other mask that have more skirt, can compress more and avoid leaks but since the zero 3 is already very close to your face, you can't compress it more or it will start hurting.

You have more masks then i do so you know it better... but fro the most success I would recommend having the least beard as you can, adjust the mask snugly to the nose in the top and not the bottom (mask pushed down) and don't use it very tight.

I don't have to do much adjustment to the fitting with my ochio plus but it now feels like I'm diving with a bucket in my face compared to the zero 3

 

[ericvrp]

I suppose it boils down to what you'd rather have... a great mask or a stupid beard? ;-)

 

[marginatus]

I suppose it boils down to what you'd rather have... a great mask or a stupid beard? ;-)

Not true!

 

[aimesh]

So which one is more low volume than other micro mask or zero 3?

 

[tuboludo]

Aqualung Sphera - Great little mask. Works well with my beard too! However, poor visibility - you can not use it for spearfishing, but perfect for free diving. The curved glass is not glass, but plastic and that is why I don't recommend it for spear fishing :girlie

 

[aimesh]

Thx for the info but I was trying to find out the different between micro mask and comer zero 3

 

[watts]

I think the zero 3 is smaller volume but it also comes down to compressibility and that's where the sphera wins because its flexible. Make sure you test the mask on before buying.
I wanted a zero 3 until I tried it on.:naughty

 

[skygear]

I want a Zero 3 But I need to try it on!>