Masks
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With its reflective lenses, this mask gives you sharp looks on the surface and good underwater with it's stylish concealing coating applied to the tempered glass lenses. The main problem with this cool looking mask is the lack of light from the sides and above. This can give a tunnel vision effect. Cost approx £55 |
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This is a budget mask with tempered glass. It has a silicone skirt which lets in light but the volume is larger as it has one lens. Cost approx £35 |
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This is a quality mask with tempered glass. It has a silicone skirt which lets in light and the volume is smaller as it has two lenses. The clips are not the most robust so you need to really look after this mask and keep it in a robust mask box. Cost approx £40
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This is a mask of your choice with corrective lenses glued to the existing lense. As this is an expensive option you need to really look after this mask and keep it in a robust mask box. Cost approx £130+ |
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This is a quality mask with tempered glass. It has a silicone skirt which lets in light and the volume is smaller as it has two lenses. The clips are not the most robust so you need to really look after this mask and keep it in a robust mask box. The lenses can be replaced with a corrective lens. It has a removable central insert for easy replacement of corrective lenses. Cost approx £45 |
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A Preccription mask will cost approx £60 - £150 on the net. If you have prescription specs and you have to get the prescription changed often then this is an expensive option. Contact lenses can be used and monthly replaceable seem to be the right consistency to stay in. I'v heard the daily disposable were to light and flimsy and floated out. Preccription mask LINK |
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Mask strap covers hold the mask strap in place as it won’t slide over the dive hood. Sometimes you get these cheap as dive company’s and dive centers put there name on them. |
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This is a quality mask with tempered glass. The HUD computer permits “hands free” diving with depth, air, bottom time etc viewable in the mask. Originally developed for the US navy. Cost approx £800 with tank transmitter. |
Summary
A diving mask should have rubber or silicone sealing skirt (preferably silicone) that fits the face. A clear skirt may seem bright and sunny in air, but a lot of light streaming in from the sides may be distracting in water, most photographers prefer black. Put the mask on your face breath in through your nose and pull the mask off, it should pop. It should have a nose pocket, so you can pinch your nose for clearing your ears. The lenses should be made from tempered glass and the volume of the mask must be small enough to make clearing the mask easy. The strap clip should be sturdy enough to last the lifetime of the mask and you should be able to change the strap without difficulty. Side windows may seem to help, but often give a distorted view that's cut by a "corner post." Make sure when you buy a new mask you get a robust mask box as they get bashed about it your dive kit bag.
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