Turn a Jaundiced Eye at Buying a Diving Mask Until You Read This

The more air the harder it will be to clear. For an experienced diver this is likely not to be a problem but a new diver could find it disconcerting to have to breathe out several times to clear the water from the mask. New divers, especially those concerned about a flooded mask will want to purchase a smaller volume mask. We are happy with the Tilos Excel Scuba Mask, and the Oceanic Shadow Mask.

Goggles that do not enclose the nose won’t work for diving because you won’t be able to equalize the air space in the mask. The clear skirted silicone mask may eventually yellow with exposure especially if you leave it in daylight. The selection of black or clear skirt can rely on which side of the camera you are on. If you are taking photos or video the black skirt will reduce glare and make it simpler to see the items in the view finder. There a many styles of masks. The size of the glass is not the only indicator of volume. Typically the more glass you’ve got the more you can see. With the wide ranging you are not looking out the side window but you will see movement and be able to turn to the movement. These masks are the super premium of the group as they leave unfettered your area of vision. The 2 we most recommend are the Tilos Excel Scuba Mask and Oceanic Shadow Mask.

 

The dimensions of the glass isn’t the only indicator of volume. Typically the more glass you have the more you can see. With the wide ranging you aren’t looking out the side window but you’ll see movement and be in a position to turn to the movement. A mask with a great amount of glass surface can be relatively small volume because the glass is near to the face and not extended by side panels.

Then there are the frameless masks. These masks are the super premium of the group as they leave unfettered your field of vision. The two we most recommend are the Tilos Excel Scuba Mask and Oceanic Shadow Mask.

Quoting Scuba Diving Magazine: The Tilos Excel was the big surprise of this review. It had one of the widest fields of view and a budget-friendly price . With a wide bottom and teardrop shapes below the eyes, the lens favors downward viewing, great for finding belts and buckles on a BC. The top narrows at the churches but has high eyebrows that help when looking up. It all adds up to a mixed vertical range of 75 degrees, the same vertical field of view as the two Atomic masks in this review. Bonus : The upper and lower corners of the mask have a tread-like texture that helps wet hands grip the mask when donning and doffing.

For experienced divers who dive in very cold water or the general public safety divers who wants to communicate underwater there are full face masks. These come in several different styles but will generally have ports to add communication gear.

When deciding how to select a scuba mask you should consider fit, skirt – clear or black, volume of air behind the mask (low or large volume), field of vision, and naturally color. At K2 Scuba we strongly suggest you try on masks at a retailer that will take care of you, in real life or by telephone to fit the mask to you. It is by miles the most important criteria for selecting a mask- it is an essential part of you scuba diving equipment.

A poorly fitting mask will flood and raise stress in your diving experience. Call us, we are here for you and your scuba mask fitment needs.

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