Thanks a million. I still remember the day when I walked in your store, Scuba2000 (it was always a pleasure to bug you there), and you mentioned that I can get prescription glasses in my mask. Being as jovial as you always are, I though first that you were joking, but when you repeated the same with straight face, and had shown me the options, well... That moment definitely changed the way I see under water. I was amazed, how big a difference it makes to have right amount of dioptrias in your mask. Thanks, you did change a lot that day for me. As always. Another small eye-opener happened when my primary mask broke (night dive at Tugs, Toby, nice simple place) and I used my spare mask (at that time without prescription glasses). But, getting out of the water, I could not see anything further than usual 5-10 meters, so my buddy (thanks, Michael) literally had to take me by the arm and lead to the exiting stairs. After that, my backup mask also has lenses in it. Plus, you were extremely kind of changing (for free) my broken mask. (I had used it a lot, and wore and tore it, and abused it, and it was due for a change, but still you changed it for free. You are too generous, really). I had broken at least four masks after that. Thus, again, you are a great source of wisdom, practicality, and the way you change people's diving IS amazing. Thanks a million. Karl Marx.
Thanks so much Karl for your kind words. You have an advantage over most of my subscribers in that you know me personally pretty well. I often get comments about my rather off-beat humor and my "we're here to have fun" attitude. Some have suggested it's a front but you know that's just me. There are 2 ways to go through life - miserable and downcast or cheerful and upbeat. Having tried them both, I definitely recommend the latter. You only get 70 years or so. It goes in a flash, trust me. And at my age, I am so glad that I made that decision. It wasn't always easy to see the sunlight through the clouds but it's there. Hope and hard work are like the wind - they blow away the clouds. As to my business philosophy which you have described so well, that too was an easy (although not always so profitable) decision - with every customer that came into one of my stores, I put myself on their side of the counter and said to myself, "How would I want to be treated? What would I like to hear from the store staff?". That's what you got. I too recall the day you walked into the store KarL and I'm so proud of you for becoming such an enthusiastic and experienced scuba diver. And I'm a bit pleased that I had a small part in helping you. I also know that you have continued that attitude with other divers offering help and encouragement whenever you could. BTW, did you see my new C Card from PADI? I'm officially a PADI Emeritus Instructor. 47 years as a PADI Instructor and I finally get a nice black C Card.I posted it on my Facebook page. Hope to see you again sometime. Say hi to Ted, Ian, Heison and the others for me. Alec
I have started diving again and need glasses. I wasn't sure what was available but you made it simple Alec. You're a classic and I love your videos.Thanks for your mentorship and ability to keep it simple.
Alec thank you and your buddy for producing and sharing your free knowledge with the dive community. What a wealth of experience and knowledge gained over years. It has been and continues to be a lot of fun watching your chats and seeing your passion for diving along with your tips and ideas. Thanks again for taking the time to do what you do fine Sir. It’s people like you that help round out the negativity and bringing the joy of discovery back to light. Cheers!
Wow Jeff!! I should hire you to be my PR guy! I'm glad you're enjoying our efforts to share the wonderful world of scuba. I've said this before but it always bears repeating - if I can help just one diver have a safer and more enjoyable scuba dive, I'm a happy man. Best to you. Alec
I bought plano-convex lenses (one side flat), cut them to size with a dremel diamond disk, and glued inside the glass with epoxy. Works very well and can be done for dual focal lengths/dioptre
Alec you are correct, about the pricing to have your prescription lenses put in your mask, $300-$400 is correct, another $200 for the mask very expensive, so I tied a line to the base of the strap mount and ran the line to a snap bolt and then clipped it off to the upper "D" ring on the BCD...so now if the mask gets ripped off my face it is attached to the BCD and easily retrieved...the biggest draw back is if you need big corrections in your prescription year after year...so far mine has not changed much...I like the idea of clip on prescription lenses on the out side so corrections can be made to the lenses without having to buy a new mask. Thank for all you do.
Hi Alec: I found a company called "DiveOptx" that sells "readers" that are a bit concave that just suction cup themselves into place. I mainly read with my left eye, so I stuck one on the left side of my mask. I think I paid around $20(US). Now I can read my new dive computer!
I bought the DiveOptx, but no matter what I do, they always get a big half moon bubble at the top. As the corrective lense dry the DiveOptx espera-te s from the mask lense.
Seavision will make custom lenses for your mask to your actual prescription including the proper distance between your pupils and correction for astigmatism if necessary. The lenses alone start at around $120, a full mask with the lenses installed start at less than $200!
Thanks for the video - How about a video on Dive Cameras. I still use a Nikonos V (old school) and would like see a Tech Tip on the digital dive Cameras.
Wow! I knew it was available but I wasn't sure where. I must have taken 10,000 slides using Nikonos. I have every model - the Nikonos (sometimes mistakenly called Nikonos 1), the Nikonos II, III, IVA and V, I even have an original Calypso camera from Bethiot in France which was the predesesor to Nikonos that Nikon bought. And I have all the different lenses and strobes too. If you ever need anything let me know. Alec
My Dad had earlier models of the Nikonos (I believe the II and III). He was the one that turned me on to to diving when I was in sixth grade (in the '70s) after he went to Jamaica an tried it! I love it, but I now live in Georgia (USA) and it limits my diving frequency. I really enjoy your videos and I love Sea Hunt - takes me waaaay back when times were such simpler. Regards, Joe
When I started diving 15 years ago I didn’t need glasses. I started diving again 2 months ago and I have -2 on the left eye and -3 on the right eye. I did as you said and went to my local dive store. I opted for the Scubapro zoom Evo mask, and the nice thing about the lenses is that they are reversible, so in the future I might have to buy a new pense with a new correction for my right eye, but can take my old -3 lense and use it on the left eye
Thank you so much for continuing to share your years of knowledge with us youngins. I alaways enjoy watching your videos. You present in such a comical yet informative format. I hope to one day travel to Canada from Montana to visit your shop. I have heard phenomenal reviews from American based dive professionals who credit you and your shop with vast amounts of knowledge, expertise, and selection of products. Much love from Montana USA. 💕 Happy safe diving.
I love Montana too. I've been there several times, mainly in the east, the Breaks, and always enjoyed myself - incredible country, wildlife and people. Thanks for watching. Alec
Hi Alec, I tried the Trident dive optic you mentioned. I would only recommend it for cold water. The reason why I said this is that I followed the directions and used the glue and in warm water the glue stops working so after a mask clearing or getting back on the boat, I lost one sense and the other I got before it fell out. I did not know about all the other choices. I unfortunately needed bifocals, so some dive shops have an optometrist that will do it but it is super expensive to do. Some masks do NOT allow you to take the lens out (like the Atomic) so it has to be grinded by the optometrist while in the mask
I have used the Dive Optics in warm water but I cheated - I fastened them in place with silicon sealant! Yes, true bifocals, a lens for distance at the top and a lens for reading at the bottom are expensive. I've had some success with customers by giving them a distance lens in their mask and then trying reading several reading lenses stuck on the bottom until they can see.
Don't worry. 47 years as a dive store owner has given me very thick skin. I do get annoyed when a diver with "a lot of experience" (which usually means 5 to 10 years as a diver) has all the answers and insists that only he knows the 'right' way. I do have an extraordinary advantage. I have almost 60 years as a diver - and I still learn things every day from all my viewers. The biggest thing I've learned is that there is no 'right' way. There is only the best way for each diver to safely accomplish the goal and that way may be different from any other diver. Hence I offer only suggestions or ideas to try based on my experience. Thanks for your support Michael. My dear wife Diana, a diver for at least 35 years (don't tell her I said that!) wore very thick eye glasses for years. For about 15 years she wore contacts underwater. They worked and will work great. I tried them but I don't like contacts. I just couldn't get used to them so I use mask lenses. But if you have and like contacts, go for it. Many contact wearers think they will fall out or get dislodged. Contacts are held in by surface tension and will not "fall out" normally - no more than on land. They can be dislodged but only by a splash. You can (not suggested) open your eyes without a mask underwater and the contacts won't fall out if you do so slowly. Good luck. Alec
Thanks for your support. Contacts work great for divers. My wife who is almost blind without glasses, used contacts for many years. And, contrary to what most believe, you're not likely to lose them. If you open your eyes underwater slowly without a mask they still won't fall out (Don't do it unless you have to!). They are held in by surface tension and will only fall out if pushed - by a finger or water from the side. Have fun. Alec
I switched to disposable contacts they have worked fine and keep spares with me encase one washes out much cheaper than custom masks lens. note if you need reading glasses by adjusting you prescription slightly you can get very sharp focus.
Thanks for sharing. I see more divers with prescription lenses/inserts than ever before. Maybe our eyes are getting tired from smart phones and not enough diving. A
I have just the opposite of "arm not long enough" syndrome; I can see close just fine, but distant objects are blurry. So I bought prescription lenses for my mask and put them in, and now I can see fine...at a distance. But now I can't see up close. I'm going to try adding DiveOptix reading lenses to the bottom of the prescription lenses, but I may have to go the custom-ground bifocal route.
Any good dive store will let you try some Dive Optics on top of your Rx mask lenses. And that's what you need to do. Put on your mask with a Dive Optics lens just sitting on the inside and then see if you can read OK. Obviously you need to hold the mask facing down so the Dive Optics doesn't fall out. Try a couple until you find the right combination. It often works really well and it's much cheaper than custom lenses. Good luck. Alec
Follow-up: The prescription lenses for my Aqua~Lung "Look 2" mask are -1.0 diopter, so I got a pair of +1.5 glue-in lenses (Trident Aqua-Optics) for up-close use. The combination didn't work. The curvature of the prescription lenses prevented the Aqua-Optics from adhering. I'll have to try something else.
Marten Koorndijk Hello i want to ask i watch much videos from you and one i like most bagage youre scuba gear you packed youre gear good it was good tip for me but where do i leaf my weightbelt and maybe also my bottle?
The desired strength of the mask glass is not the same as above water. There are three points to take into account. (1) The distance from the eye and the glass of a diving mask is more than with glasses. (2) Water has a different refractive index than air, so everything looks 33% closer. Your eyes need to adjust to that as well. (3) The desired reading distance underwater is shorter than for reading a book. Taken together, the strength of the lens in a diving mask should be greater than a normal pair of glasses. I have experienced this myself, my reading glasses have a strength of +3 as well as my diving mask. I can read well at 40 cm / 16 inches, but under water I can hardly read my dive computer and compass. I have to go to +4 at least, I think.
You are quite right. I have had several opticians advise me on how to modify a divers prescription for underwater use. Sometimes their ideas helped. Often they did not. I have found the best way to get the correct lenses is simply to try several until you can see clearly. We would give the diver a set of lenses based on his Rx and he'd try them, in the pool or open water. If they worked well, we were heroes. If not , we'd try another set and so on until he was happy. We were still heroes. There are so many variables, I still think it's the best (only?) way. Take care. Alec
I've been asked this several times. We've not done a video on modern Full Face. Bot brands you mention are excellent - very similar. It comes down to cost and availability of parts and service. Functionally, there's no important difference. Alec
Joel L. Check out Brian’s recent video on this full fave mask comparison. He plans on expanding on this hard to find topic. ua-cam.com/video/VPzG4tm-p2c/v-deo.html
Depending on how big your dive computer display is, may be ok. Give it a try on a dive to see if your arms are long enough! Test on a day and night dive as if your display is big and bright, may be fine but if your eyes ache after diving, too much strain so go for a stronger insert.
Great video. hate to say it but when you hit 45+ seems like we all go through it: "arms not long enough syndrome" ! I was wondering how you read your wrist computer,,, one reason (and cost) I like my computer+compass console as it has a larger screen than watches do.
I have cheater or reader lenses in my mask. They are cheap and easy to insert or remove. You can only look through one side at a time so I have 2. It looks a bit better and I can see my wrist computer through the left lens and my camera controls through the right. Works great for me. Alec
"Down" from 2.25 would be 2.0. The higher the number, the greater the magnification, or correction. If you cannot get exactly 2.25 lenses for your mask, get 2.00. Alec
Most major mask makers have snap in adapters for two piece lenses. Google the masks you like and visit their website. If you don't see it, post a question in their contact us section. Also visit your local dive shop for hands on advice.
Hi Alec, Thank you for creating the great set of videos. They are really informative and cover so many things in details! I have a daughter who has recently begun to swim and loves snorkeling, unfortunately she was born with a visual handicap which means she requires a plus 8 and 10 diopter lens. Do you know any masks for kids aged about 6-7 years that would solve this issue or a specialist company that can create new lenses for a mask? Thanks again! Alan
You did say plus 8 or 10 right? Not too common. Plus diopters usually go only to about 3 or maybe 4. It's possible to get custom ground lenses for almost any mask but it's not cheap. This might be best handled the old-fashioned way. Get a pair of her old glasses (I'm assuming she wears glasses) and take the arms off. Fit them into a mask and hold them in place with tape or pieces of foam neoprene. It worked years ago so maybe still does. And it's cheap too. Good luck. Alec
Yes, I said plus 8 -10 she has no natural lenses in her eyes anymore as they were removed when she was 3 months old! Congenital cataracts in new born kids is a very serious issue, not like cataracts found in adults! I don't mind paying for lenses to be ground but the challenge is finding a child's mask that works with replacement lenses? Can you recommend any?
Since the lens is on the inside of the mask, depth does not matter but mask comfort is. You don't want the mask to push the lens into your face while diving. A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thanks for responding .. your reply applies on plastic lenses fixed from inside. Let make my question clear .. if we replace the mask original normal glass lense with a plaster prescription lenses. .. do you think that plactic lenses can endure the pressure of up to 60 meters for example, e
Today's stick on's have many diopters available for most any vision problem, short or long distance. They are inexpensive solutions but can be knocked loose. Prescription are great for clarity and come in overall prescription or bi-focals. Get your vision prescription and visit a LDS to see which style you prefer. A
Hi Alec, Love your video's. I got lenses for my mask from my local dive store and did not ask price before they installed them. Like you said I figured about $30.00 each. They were $80.00 each. I about fell over as did my wife when I had to tell her.
If they are the pop-in factory lenses, not custom made, they usually sell for about $50/pair. Maybe yours allow you to see farther!! Don't ever be afraid to question the price of something at a dive store. Sometimes they simply make a mistake; sometimes they are being greedy. In either case, you have to ask. Take care. Alec
Shall I use same prescription as my eyeglasses? You mentioned water has magnifying properties so must wear lower than your actual prescription. My left eye is -1.75 and right is -0.75.
Normally you fit surface prescriptions in the mask even though there is a magnification factor under water. Visit your local dive shop to ensure the inserts are properly fitted into the mask before heading off. Try them out in a pool first to ensure they don't leak and are comfortable. Take care. Alec
❓How do you stop them fogging up though? Do you need to spit (or spray) on the dive mask lens, then suction/stick on your prescription adaptor (glasses) lens...Do you spit on those glass lens also? Then before you jump in the ocean, quickly rinse the entire mask off?
Most of the prescription lenses are stuck to the mask lens and so they become part of the glass surface. You simply defog them as you would for any dive. Obviously, you need to be a little careful to not dislodge the ones that are held on by surface tension. The custom Rx lenses that are bonded to the mask can be treated just like glass. Alec
The Hilco xRx dive mask I own, has removable ones with suction caps for the prescription lens adapter to attach (or be removed from) the main mask glass. I can’t upload a photo of them here, as that option isn’t available. They didn’t include instructions of the process of how to de fog exactly. I have messaged Hilco, but have not had a reply yet.
went into a scuba shop today with my current prescription and the lenses they gave me were blurry, they then went thru all the numbers on my prescription and gave me the lenses one at a time, and they were all blurry, then they went thru the negative numbers and they were blurry, then they assumed my eye doctor made a mistake, i am going to a different scuba shop on monday..............
For most people with simple age-related eye deficiencies such as myopia (needs reading glasses) or needs glasses to see clearly in the distance, getting Rx lenses for a dive mask is an easy process. It becomes more difficult if the diver needs bifocals (for both reading AND seeing in the distance) or if he needs a very high correction. Most over-the-counter Rx lenses for masks will go only to -8 for distance and usually only to +4 for reading. If you need bifocals you may find the only answer is 2 lenses on each side - one at the top for distance and the lower one for reading. Generally these are NOT available over the counter but must be ground and then glued to the inside of the mask. And that can be costly too. There are a couple of companies that will mask custom lenses for any mask. I'm not completely sure how they handle bifocals but they may be your best bet. Local dive store personnel are not trained to cure odd eye requirements. It's worse if they try to grab a sale when they really don't know what they're doing. And to blame the eye doctor is simply stupid. I assume you're using glasses to drive around and to read and that they're the Rx that the doctor prescribed. If you have glasses that are working satisfactorily, you should be able to get mask lenses too. In the old days, if we wore glasses, we'd take the arms off an old pair and squeeze them inside the mask, maybe held in place with some rubber or tape. It didn't look pretty but it worked. Good luck. Alec
There some incidents related to full face mask and caused death. Better pick a good quality diving mask and they can last few years instead of buy cheap Chinese masks. My tusa splendive IV used for 8 years. There is a small crack on the lenese holder and I took it to local dive shop for repairing. It costed me aud$5 only and I can use it for few more years.
Mostly a good video, but at 16:21 you say incorrectly that “astigmatism is not an issue underwater because you don’t tend to roll your eyes underwater” and you also incorrectly say “distance between the pupils doesn’t matter because the distance in the mask is what it is”. No, astigmatism and pupil distance matter the same underwater as out of the water. Astigmatism has nothing to do with the direction of your gaze, or difficulty rolling your eyes, but is a directional blurring that makes, for example, horizontal edges blurrier than vertical edges for some people. Pupil distance matters in glasses and snorkel masks just as it does with binoculars. Think of prescription snorkel lenses like corrective lenses for giant Elton John glasses. Using the right pupil distance when placing corrective lenses affects visual acuity, while lens size affects peripheral vision but not acuity. People who wear corrective glasses, particularly nearsighted people, are used to having reduced peripheral vision. Visual correction in air and in water are nearly identical. The main differences are, I think, two issues: (1) The higher index of refraction of water makes things appear closer than they are, making everyone more farsighted underwater. So when underwater, nearsighted people need a little less correction than usual, while farsighted people need a little more correction than usual. (2) We spend less time underwater, and do less reading underwater, so correction is less critical there, unless visual acuity becomes essential for spotting a hazard. For a demonstration of astigmatism, see ua-cam.com/video/u14x39-0Tvw/v-deo.html at around 9m00s. Astigmatism is directional blurring.
Wow! Thanks for all the extra input Paul. Certainly if adding prescription lenses to your mask, the ones that sick-on, placement is important. If using the ones that completely replace the mask glass, there is no way to adjust the placement. But, as you say, underwater, it's not quite so critical as on the surface such as when driving your car. Alec
Yep! If you're comfortable with contacts, they work great. My wife wore them for years while diving all over the world. Contrary to popular belief, contacts do not easily fall out. They must be dislodged. Apparently you can even open your eyes underwater without a mask and your contacts won't come out, if you do it slowly. DON'T DO IT! Just saying that contacts are OK. Alec
Depending on the type and severity of your astigmatism you might find it not so big a problem. With normal astigmatism, it's usually only a problem (causes out-of-focus) when you roll your eye. That's a problem while driving a car but divers don't tend to roll their eyes so much. Generally a diver will turn his head to face his subject directly. In this case astigmatism may not be too serious. If your astigmatism is corrected for daily use with glasses or contacts, hopefully you can use them while diving. Alec
Sir good day. I from in the Philippines IAM a 60 years old and as a fisherman until now but my problem this my eyesight. I can't find here in our plàce that like your explanation I watch..pleas sir if you want can send me one of goggles the lens is 1.50+ thank berry much sir
Sorry sir but I don't have any lenses and sold my dive shop years ago. Suggest posting a request on www.scubaboard.com as someone in the worldwide dive community may have lenses or masks not long wanted. A
Thanks a million. I still remember the day when I walked in your store, Scuba2000 (it was always a pleasure to bug you there), and you mentioned that I can get prescription glasses in my mask. Being as jovial as you always are, I though first that you were joking, but when you repeated the same with straight face, and had shown me the options, well... That moment definitely changed the way I see under water. I was amazed, how big a difference it makes to have right amount of dioptrias in your mask. Thanks, you did change a lot that day for me. As always.
Another small eye-opener happened when my primary mask broke (night dive at Tugs, Toby, nice simple place) and I used my spare mask (at that time without prescription glasses). But, getting out of the water, I could not see anything further than usual 5-10 meters, so my buddy (thanks, Michael) literally had to take me by the arm and lead to the exiting stairs. After that, my backup mask also has lenses in it.
Plus, you were extremely kind of changing (for free) my broken mask. (I had used it a lot, and wore and tore it, and abused it, and it was due for a change, but still you changed it for free. You are too generous, really). I had broken at least four masks after that.
Thus, again, you are a great source of wisdom, practicality, and the way you change people's diving IS amazing. Thanks a million. Karl Marx.
Thanks so much Karl for your kind words.
You have an advantage over most of my subscribers in that you know me personally pretty well.
I often get comments about my rather off-beat humor and my "we're here to have fun" attitude. Some have suggested it's a front but you know that's just me.
There are 2 ways to go through life - miserable and downcast or cheerful and upbeat. Having tried them both, I definitely recommend the latter. You only get 70 years or so. It goes in a flash, trust me. And at my age, I am so glad that I made that decision. It wasn't always easy to see the sunlight through the clouds but it's there. Hope and hard work are like the wind - they blow away the clouds.
As to my business philosophy which you have described so well, that too was an easy (although not always so profitable) decision - with every customer that came into one of my stores, I put myself on their side of the counter and said to myself, "How would I want to be treated? What would I like to hear from the store staff?". That's what you got.
I too recall the day you walked into the store KarL and I'm so proud of you for becoming such an enthusiastic and experienced scuba diver. And I'm a bit pleased that I had a small part in helping you.
I also know that you have continued that attitude with other divers offering help and encouragement whenever you could.
BTW, did you see my new C Card from PADI? I'm officially a PADI Emeritus Instructor. 47 years as a PADI Instructor and I finally get a nice black C Card.I posted it on my Facebook page.
Hope to see you again sometime. Say hi to Ted, Ian, Heison and the others for me.
Alec
I'm glad I took my precious time to watch this video. You have done a wonderful presentation Alec
Glad you enjoyed it! Lots more to laugh and learn from.
A
I have started diving again and need glasses. I wasn't sure what was available but you made it simple Alec. You're a classic and I love your videos.Thanks for your mentorship and ability to keep it simple.
Awesome! Thank you Ron.
Hit the nail right on the head. I will look at the IST or the glue in type. Been diving with contacts for 20 plus years. Thanks Alec. Montana Mike.
Alec thank you and your buddy for producing and sharing your free knowledge with the dive community. What a wealth of experience and knowledge gained over years. It has been and continues to be a lot of fun watching your chats and seeing your passion for diving along with your tips and ideas. Thanks again for taking the time to do what you do fine Sir. It’s people like you that help round out the negativity and bringing the joy of discovery back to light. Cheers!
Wow Jeff!! I should hire you to be my PR guy!
I'm glad you're enjoying our efforts to share the wonderful world of scuba.
I've said this before but it always bears repeating - if I can help just one diver have a safer and more enjoyable scuba dive, I'm a happy man.
Best to you.
Alec
I bought plano-convex lenses (one side flat), cut them to size with a dremel diamond disk, and glued inside the glass with epoxy. Works very well and can be done for dual focal lengths/dioptre
That's a great idea! Good to be very handy with the dremel.
A
Alec, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Nice to know all the options we have.
Hello Alec, one more nice and helpfull video !!.. tks again and again to share your experience !! Really cool !!
Alec you are correct, about the pricing to have your prescription lenses put in your mask, $300-$400 is correct, another $200 for the mask very expensive, so I tied a line to the base of the strap mount and ran the line to a snap bolt and then clipped it off to the upper "D" ring on the BCD...so now if the mask gets ripped off my face it is attached to the BCD and easily retrieved...the biggest draw back is if you need big corrections in your prescription year after year...so far mine has not changed much...I like the idea of clip on prescription lenses on the out side so corrections can be made to the lenses without having to buy a new mask. Thank for all you do.
Welcome John and thanks for watching.
Alec
Hi Alec: I found a company called "DiveOptx" that sells "readers" that are a bit concave that just suction cup themselves into place. I mainly read with my left eye, so I stuck one on the left side of my mask. I think I paid around $20(US). Now I can read my new dive computer!
I bought the DiveOptx, but no matter what I do, they always get a big half moon bubble at the top. As the corrective lense dry the DiveOptx espera-te s from the mask lense.
Seavision will make custom lenses for your mask to your actual prescription including the proper distance between your pupils and correction for astigmatism if necessary. The lenses alone start at around $120, a full mask with the lenses installed start at less than $200!
I have fitted many custom prescriptions in lenses for divers from full to half size. It makes your dive so much more enjoyable when in focus!!
Thanks for the video - How about a video on Dive Cameras. I still use a Nikonos V (old school) and would like see a Tech Tip on the digital dive Cameras.
It's on my list JB. A Nikonos V! Wow! Where do you get film? and processing too? Alec
Online at B&H Photo, but its getting hard to find film in stock. They also provide processing services as well.
Wow! I knew it was available but I wasn't sure where. I must have taken 10,000 slides using Nikonos. I have every model - the Nikonos (sometimes mistakenly called Nikonos 1), the Nikonos II, III, IVA and V, I even have an original Calypso camera from Bethiot in France which was the predesesor to Nikonos that Nikon bought. And I have all the different lenses and strobes too. If you ever need anything let me know. Alec
My Dad had earlier models of the Nikonos (I believe the II and III). He was the one that turned me on to to diving when I was in sixth grade (in the '70s) after he went to Jamaica an tried it! I love it, but I now live in Georgia (USA) and it limits my diving frequency. I really enjoy your videos and I love Sea Hunt - takes me waaaay back when times were such simpler.
Regards,
Joe
When I started diving 15 years ago I didn’t need glasses. I started diving again 2 months ago and I have -2 on the left eye and -3 on the right eye. I did as you said and went to my local dive store. I opted for the Scubapro zoom Evo mask, and the nice thing about the lenses is that they are reversible, so in the future I might have to buy a new pense with a new correction for my right eye, but can take my old -3 lense and use it on the left eye
It is great that today's masks will hold prescriptions secure so us "kids" can still enjoy a dive. Thanks for watching Bruno.
Very nice info that answers all my questions thanks Alec .
Thank you so much for continuing to share your years of knowledge with us youngins. I alaways enjoy watching your videos. You present in such a comical yet informative format. I hope to one day travel to Canada from Montana to visit your shop. I have heard phenomenal reviews from American based dive professionals who credit you and your shop with vast amounts of knowledge, expertise, and selection of products. Much love from Montana USA. 💕 Happy safe diving.
I love Montana too. I've been there several times, mainly in the east, the Breaks, and always enjoyed myself - incredible country, wildlife and people.
Thanks for watching.
Alec
Hi Alec, I tried the Trident dive optic you mentioned. I would only recommend it for cold water. The reason why I said this is that I followed the directions and used the glue and in warm water the glue stops working so after a mask clearing or getting back on the boat, I lost one sense and the other I got before it fell out. I did not know about all the other choices. I unfortunately needed bifocals, so some dive shops have an optometrist that will do it but it is super expensive to do. Some masks do NOT allow you to take the lens out (like the Atomic) so it has to be grinded by the optometrist while in the mask
I have used the Dive Optics in warm water but I cheated - I fastened them in place with silicon sealant!
Yes, true bifocals, a lens for distance at the top and a lens for reading at the bottom are expensive.
I've had some success with customers by giving them a distance lens in their mask and then trying reading several reading lenses stuck on the bottom until they can see.
Hey Peirce, don't let them get you down, you do an excellent job of your videos, oh by the way what is your advice on contact lenses?
Don't worry. 47 years as a dive store owner has given me very thick skin. I do get annoyed when a diver with "a lot of experience" (which usually means 5 to 10 years as a diver) has all the answers and insists that only he knows the 'right' way. I do have an extraordinary advantage. I have almost 60 years as a diver - and I still learn things every day from all my viewers. The biggest thing I've learned is that there is no 'right' way. There is only the best way for each diver to safely accomplish the goal and that way may be different from any other diver. Hence I offer only suggestions or ideas to try based on my experience. Thanks for your support Michael.
My dear wife Diana, a diver for at least 35 years (don't tell her I said that!) wore very thick eye glasses for years. For about 15 years she wore contacts underwater. They worked and will work great. I tried them but I don't like contacts. I just couldn't get used to them so I use mask lenses. But if you have and like contacts, go for it.
Many contact wearers think they will fall out or get dislodged. Contacts are held in by surface tension and will not "fall out" normally - no more than on land. They can be dislodged but only by a splash. You can (not suggested) open your eyes without a mask underwater and the contacts won't fall out if you do so slowly. Good luck. Alec
Alec Peirce Scuba Itebg
Thanks for your support.
Contacts work great for divers. My wife who is almost blind without glasses, used contacts for many years.
And, contrary to what most believe, you're not likely to lose them. If you open your eyes underwater slowly without a mask they still won't fall out (Don't do it unless you have to!). They are held in by surface tension and will only fall out if pushed - by a finger or water from the side.
Have fun. Alec
This is my favorite channel, thanks a lot!.
Thanks for watching Jose. Alec
I switched to disposable contacts they have worked fine and keep spares with me encase one washes out much cheaper than custom masks lens. note if you need reading glasses by adjusting you prescription slightly you can get very sharp focus.
Thanks for sharing. I see more divers with prescription lenses/inserts than ever before. Maybe our eyes are getting tired from smart phones and not enough diving.
A
I have just the opposite of "arm not long enough" syndrome; I can see close just fine, but distant objects are blurry. So I bought prescription lenses for my mask and put them in, and now I can see fine...at a distance. But now I can't see up close. I'm going to try adding DiveOptix reading lenses to the bottom of the prescription lenses, but I may have to go the custom-ground bifocal route.
Any good dive store will let you try some Dive Optics on top of your Rx mask lenses. And that's what you need to do. Put on your mask with a Dive Optics lens just sitting on the inside and then see if you can read OK. Obviously you need to hold the mask facing down so the Dive Optics doesn't fall out. Try a couple until you find the right combination. It often works really well and it's much cheaper than custom lenses. Good luck. Alec
Alec Peirce Scuba That's very good advice. Thank you!
Follow-up: The prescription lenses for my Aqua~Lung "Look 2" mask are -1.0 diopter, so I got a pair of +1.5 glue-in lenses (Trident Aqua-Optics) for up-close use. The combination didn't work. The curvature of the prescription lenses prevented the Aqua-Optics from adhering. I'll have to try something else.
Marten Koorndijk Hello i want to ask i watch much videos from you and one i like most bagage youre scuba gear you packed youre gear good it was good tip for me but where do i leaf my weightbelt and maybe also my bottle?
The desired strength of the mask glass is not the same as above water. There are three points to take into account.
(1) The distance from the eye and the glass of a diving mask is more than with glasses.
(2) Water has a different refractive index than air, so everything looks 33% closer. Your eyes need to adjust to that as well.
(3) The desired reading distance underwater is shorter than for reading a book.
Taken together, the strength of the lens in a diving mask should be greater than a normal pair of glasses.
I have experienced this myself, my reading glasses have a strength of +3 as well as my diving mask. I can read well at 40 cm / 16 inches, but under water I can hardly read my dive computer and compass. I have to go to +4 at least, I think.
You are quite right. I have had several opticians advise me on how to modify a divers prescription for underwater use. Sometimes their ideas helped. Often they did not.
I have found the best way to get the correct lenses is simply to try several until you can see clearly. We would give the diver a set of lenses based on his Rx and he'd try them, in the pool or open water. If they worked well, we were heroes. If not , we'd try another set and so on until he was happy. We were still heroes.
There are so many variables, I still think it's the best (only?) way.
Take care.
Alec
i have myopia, and have to wear -7.5 mask, while my normal lenses\glasses are -6. so it works both ways.
Hi Alec. ..
do you have a video on full face masks.
perticularly
OTS Vs Ocean reef
Pro's & Con's???
I've been asked this several times. We've not done a video on modern Full Face.
Bot brands you mention are excellent - very similar.
It comes down to cost and availability of parts and service.
Functionally, there's no important difference.
Alec
Joel L. Check out Brian’s recent video on this full fave mask comparison. He plans on expanding on this hard to find topic. ua-cam.com/video/VPzG4tm-p2c/v-deo.html
Hi Alec thank you for this informative video!
Just wanna ask, my glasses are 3.75. I bought a 3.0
Is it okay? should I bought a 3.5?
Depending on how big your dive computer display is, may be ok. Give it a try on a dive to see if your arms are long enough! Test on a day and night dive as if your display is big and bright, may be fine but if your eyes ache after diving, too much strain so go for a stronger insert.
Great video. hate to say it but when you hit 45+ seems like we all go through it: "arms not long enough syndrome" ! I was wondering how you read your wrist computer,,, one reason (and cost) I like my computer+compass console as it has a larger screen than watches do.
I have cheater or reader lenses in my mask. They are cheap and easy to insert or remove. You can only look through one side at a time so I have 2. It looks a bit better and I can see my wrist computer through the left lens and my camera controls through the right. Works great for me. Alec
Thanks for this video, I've just turned 54 and am beginning to feel some of that "manliness" creeping on....
Just to confirm Alec, if my prescription is a -2.25, do I go "down" to a -2.50? Thanks.
"Down" from 2.25 would be 2.0.
The higher the number, the greater the magnification, or correction.
If you cannot get exactly 2.25 lenses for your mask, get 2.00.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Thank you!
I can’t find the IST mask with the clip on lens anywhere online. Do you have a link or know if these are still a current product?
Most major mask makers have snap in adapters for two piece lenses. Google the masks you like and visit their website. If you don't see it, post a question in their contact us section. Also visit your local dive shop for hands on advice.
Hi Alec,
Thank you for creating the great set of videos. They are really informative and cover so many things in details! I have a daughter who has recently begun to swim and loves snorkeling, unfortunately she was born with a visual handicap which means she requires a plus 8 and 10 diopter lens. Do you know any masks for kids aged about 6-7 years that would solve this issue or a specialist company that can create new lenses for a mask? Thanks again! Alan
You did say plus 8 or 10 right?
Not too common. Plus diopters usually go only to about 3 or maybe 4.
It's possible to get custom ground lenses for almost any mask but it's not cheap.
This might be best handled the old-fashioned way. Get a pair of her old glasses (I'm assuming she wears glasses) and take the arms off. Fit them into a mask and hold them in place with tape or pieces of foam neoprene.
It worked years ago so maybe still does. And it's cheap too.
Good luck. Alec
Yes, I said plus 8 -10 she has no natural lenses in her eyes anymore as they were removed when she was 3 months old! Congenital cataracts in new born kids is a very serious issue, not like cataracts found in adults! I don't mind paying for lenses to be ground but the challenge is finding a child's mask that works with replacement lenses? Can you recommend any?
Sir .. can we use plastic prescribed lenses for diving mask ... can it endure depth up to 60 meters or more
Since the lens is on the inside of the mask, depth does not matter but mask comfort is. You don't want the mask to push the lens into your face while diving.
A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter thanks for responding .. your reply applies on plastic lenses fixed from inside. Let make my question clear .. if we replace the mask original normal glass lense with a plaster prescription lenses. .. do you think that plactic lenses can endure the pressure of up to 60 meters for example, e
Can you use the stick on for reading and distance or is custom the only option?
Today's stick on's have many diopters available for most any vision problem, short or long distance. They are inexpensive solutions but can be knocked loose. Prescription are great for clarity and come in overall prescription or bi-focals. Get your vision prescription and visit a LDS to see which style you prefer.
A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter Awesome thank you sir.
Hi Alec, Love your video's. I got lenses for my mask from my local dive store and did not ask price before they installed them. Like you said I figured about $30.00 each. They were $80.00 each. I about fell over as did my wife when I had to tell her.
If they are the pop-in factory lenses, not custom made, they usually sell for about $50/pair. Maybe yours allow you to see farther!!
Don't ever be afraid to question the price of something at a dive store. Sometimes they simply make a mistake; sometimes they are being greedy. In either case, you have to ask.
Take care.
Alec
Shall I use same prescription as my eyeglasses? You mentioned water has magnifying properties so must wear lower than your actual prescription. My left eye is -1.75 and right is -0.75.
Normally you fit surface prescriptions in the mask even though there is a magnification factor under water. Visit your local dive shop to ensure the inserts are properly fitted into the mask before heading off. Try them out in a pool first to ensure they don't leak and are comfortable.
Take care.
Alec
great video
I haven't been able to find the IST company site. Got a link?
istsports.com
❓How do you stop them fogging up though? Do you need to spit (or spray) on the dive mask lens, then suction/stick on your prescription adaptor (glasses) lens...Do you spit on those glass lens also? Then before you jump in the ocean, quickly rinse the entire mask off?
Most of the prescription lenses are stuck to the mask lens and so they become part of the glass surface. You simply defog them as you would for any dive. Obviously, you need to be a little careful to not dislodge the ones that are held on by surface tension. The custom Rx lenses that are bonded to the mask can be treated just like glass.
Alec
The Hilco xRx dive mask I own, has removable ones with suction caps for the prescription lens adapter to attach (or be removed from) the main mask glass. I can’t upload a photo of them here, as that option isn’t available. They didn’t include instructions of the process of how to de fog exactly. I have messaged Hilco, but have not had a reply yet.
Fiona Tarlton white toothpaste scrub it in then wash it off then put it straight on cheep toothpaste is just as good as long as it’s only white
I keep a small volume of water in mask and tip it forward to act as a fog wiper. Multiple lens planes does make it a challenging to keep from fogging.
You sorted out my problem in a few minutes. OLD PAIR OF GLASSES IN MY MASK
Worked in the 60s. No reason why it won't work today. Cheap too.
Good luck.
Alec
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter trying to find mirrored glass mask, so it won't look as ridiculous lol
@@LabRat6619 mares x vision ultra
I know this is unrelated as heck but you remind me a lot of walter white from Breaking bad. holy cow
Said Abimelec you are right 😂
Say my name!!
went into a scuba shop today with my current prescription and the lenses they gave me were blurry, they then went thru all the numbers on my prescription and gave me the lenses one at a time, and they were all blurry, then they went thru the negative numbers and they were blurry, then they assumed my eye doctor made a mistake, i am going to a different scuba shop on monday..............
For most people with simple age-related eye deficiencies such as myopia (needs reading glasses) or needs glasses to see clearly in the distance, getting Rx lenses for a dive mask is an easy process. It becomes more difficult if the diver needs bifocals (for both reading AND seeing in the distance) or if he needs a very high correction.
Most over-the-counter Rx lenses for masks will go only to -8 for distance and usually only to +4 for reading.
If you need bifocals you may find the only answer is 2 lenses on each side - one at the top for distance and the lower one for reading. Generally these are NOT available over the counter but must be ground and then glued to the inside of the mask. And that can be costly too.
There are a couple of companies that will mask custom lenses for any mask. I'm not completely sure how they handle bifocals but they may be your best bet.
Local dive store personnel are not trained to cure odd eye requirements. It's worse if they try to grab a sale when they really don't know what they're doing. And to blame the eye doctor is simply stupid. I assume you're using glasses to drive around and to read and that they're the Rx that the doctor prescribed. If you have glasses that are working satisfactorily, you should be able to get mask lenses too.
In the old days, if we wore glasses, we'd take the arms off an old pair and squeeze them inside the mask, maybe held in place with some rubber or tape. It didn't look pretty but it worked.
Good luck.
Alec
If I want to start snorkeling or diving then this is problem, I have -2 and -6.5, difference is to big.
Check with your local dive store as inserts for some models go to -6. It will make your snorkelling much more fun.
Alec
I'm a diver with negative 9. Look for Aqua Lung look, they go to -10.
i have perfect 20-20 eye sight but i still ended up watching this entire video lol.
Thanks for watching it all, wasn't the ending great!
Alec.
Have you seen the Chinese made full face mask glasses for $ 5.00 on e-bay ?
There some incidents related to full face mask and caused death. Better pick a good quality diving mask and they can last few years instead of buy cheap Chinese masks. My tusa splendive IV used for 8 years. There is a small crack on the lenese holder and I took it to local dive shop for repairing. It costed me aud$5 only and I can use it for few more years.
Mostly a good video, but at 16:21 you say incorrectly that “astigmatism is not an issue underwater because you don’t tend to roll your eyes underwater” and you also incorrectly say “distance between the pupils doesn’t matter because the distance in the mask is what it is”. No, astigmatism and pupil distance matter the same underwater as out of the water. Astigmatism has nothing to do with the direction of your gaze, or difficulty rolling your eyes, but is a directional blurring that makes, for example, horizontal edges blurrier than vertical edges for some people. Pupil distance matters in glasses and snorkel masks just as it does with binoculars. Think of prescription snorkel lenses like corrective lenses for giant Elton John glasses. Using the right pupil distance when placing corrective lenses affects visual acuity, while lens size affects peripheral vision but not acuity. People who wear corrective glasses, particularly nearsighted people, are used to having reduced peripheral vision.
Visual correction in air and in water are nearly identical. The main differences are, I think, two issues: (1) The higher index of refraction of water makes things appear closer than they are, making everyone more farsighted underwater. So when underwater, nearsighted people need a little less correction than usual, while farsighted people need a little more correction than usual. (2) We spend less time underwater, and do less reading underwater, so correction is less critical there, unless visual acuity becomes essential for spotting a hazard.
For a demonstration of astigmatism, see ua-cam.com/video/u14x39-0Tvw/v-deo.html at around 9m00s. Astigmatism is directional blurring.
Wow! Thanks for all the extra input Paul. Certainly if adding prescription lenses to your mask, the ones that sick-on, placement is important. If using the ones that completely replace the mask glass, there is no way to adjust the placement. But, as you say, underwater, it's not quite so critical as on the surface such as when driving your car.
Alec
Way back got bonded lenses. Two years and the glue turned brown. Then I got fitted lenses.
They make diving easier as the lens won't shift or colour change. Hope it makes your diving fun and worry free.
Alec
Would wearing contact lenses under a mask be a bad idea?
Not at all, this is probably the most common choice for short sighted divers. It's how I dive.
Ppl will always find fault in what other ppl say. Let it roll off your back Alec. FTW.
For sure Kevin, after 50+ years in the scuba business I have a very thick skin, but I don't forget either!
Or you can just wear contact lenses.
Yep! If you're comfortable with contacts, they work great. My wife wore them for years while diving all over the world. Contrary to popular belief, contacts do not easily fall out. They must be dislodged. Apparently you can even open your eyes underwater without a mask and your contacts won't come out, if you do it slowly. DON'T DO IT! Just saying that contacts are OK.
Alec
Contacts are not feasable if you have very bad astigmatism like I do where the contact lens cannot stay centered on the eye.
Depending on the type and severity of your astigmatism you might find it not so big a problem.
With normal astigmatism, it's usually only a problem (causes out-of-focus) when you roll your eye.
That's a problem while driving a car but divers don't tend to roll their eyes so much.
Generally a diver will turn his head to face his subject directly. In this case astigmatism may not be too serious.
If your astigmatism is corrected for daily use with glasses or contacts, hopefully you can use them while diving.
Alec
Sir good day. I from in the Philippines IAM a 60 years old and as a fisherman until now but my problem this my eyesight. I can't find here in our plàce that like your explanation I watch..pleas sir if you want can send me one of goggles the lens is 1.50+ thank berry much sir
Sorry sir but I don't have any lenses and sold my dive shop years ago. Suggest posting a request on www.scubaboard.com as someone in the worldwide dive community may have lenses or masks not long wanted.
A
@@AlecPeirceScuba_SeaHunter okay sir thank you
either that or my computer needs to be the size of an ipad.
Oh soon there will be a iPad sized dive computer. I too need/love big fonts!