I almost skipped past this video as I wasn't aware there were so many facets to the process of selecting and maintaining a mask. Thank you for remarkable depth of knowledge and your willingness to share it. Have a great day.
He is SO correct. All the problems that he is issuing happened to me. Pour suction in the inner lip and having bubbles flicking up my mask making water leak in constantly. Hate it!
I started diving in 1967. My preferred mask was a US Divers oval type with a center bottom purge valve, it fit well. I replaced it a few times due to hardening, The purge valve never gave me a problem. My current mask is silicone without a purge valve. I think this video is spot on.
this is very informative video for beginners like me and I personally think the speaker in the video is really good at speaking. easy but thorough to understand.
Thank you all for your feedback. We truly appreciate your interest and enthusiasm. Now that we are live at www.Leviathanscuba.com , we will be hard at work engaging with you fine folks on UA-cam and creating new content for you all to enjoy. Please keep the comments coming. We are reading them all. Thanks Again. Leviathan Scuba Team
Excellent, very professional, in the past I bought a lot of masks, none of them were good... Now, after watching this video, I believe I will buy the correct one. Cheers from Slovenia!
Just bought a Tusa freedom one mask and really enjoyed your in depth video on masks, I was able to do a few more checks regarding fit, ofollowing your advice, can't thank you enough
I recently purchased a TUSA Ceos, black skit after speaking with a friend who is a dive master, for both my wife and myself and they are great.. Very comfortable and zero leaks so far.. Great view also.. Didn't want another snorkel excursion ruined by crappy rental gear, and wanted something of quality enough to scube dive with.
Also and excellent mask. Fits comfortable and many people choose it blindly when they have been fit blindly as their most comfortable choice. Thanks for sharing. Freddy
Bought a US Divers mask, silicone, with a purge valve - 31 years ago and it still works fine. Purge valve if you keep it clean no worries. Only issue I had is the stainless band became loose and ingressed water. A large nylon cable tie sorted that 20 yrs ago.
...mmm I have only been diving for 43 years and learned a thing or two - Johnson's Baby Shampoo RULES when it comes to " defogging a mask " rub a few drops on the glass and around the face seal and give it a quick rinse . My mask has never fogged up while using it in 32 degree water to 86 degree water and that clean face seal will help make a perfect seal upon your face ! Those $7 dollar tiny bottles of anti fog are just high priced RAIN X ... read the bottle and it says DO NOT USE NEAR YOUR FACE ! That bottle of shampoo also works GREAT to clean you wet suit . I have also owned and tried out quite a few masks from $15 dollar up to $150 dollar and you know what - if they fit your face correctly = they work ! it would be nice if a dive shop would allow you to try them out in the pool BUT they won't allow it .
Baby shampoo works. Its just that if you look online for a chemical analysis you will find a lot of harmful stuff we are putting in the ocean. Multiply that by most of the dive boats and resorts in the world and you have a situation similar to sunblock. I find that the $7 tiny bottle of defog lasts longer on the lens therefore the cost minimizes. I defog my mask once a day whether 2, 3, 4, or even 5 dives in that day. My bottle of defog lasts a long time and I don't even consider the expense because it lasts so long. And Dave I completely agree that the price of the mask is not relevant. A $500 mask that doesn't fit is useless. I don't think I would dive a $15 mask because most likely it is made of PVC material and will degrade quickly and you will need a new mask again. We go through a process like in the video of fitting the mask to the buyer. Then gaurantee its fit 100%. So in a way you really can try it. If it doesn't fit, bring it back. Thanks for taking the conversation higher. Thanks for watching. Love the participation. Take care, Freddy.
Bought a mask willy nilly at some store to snorkel, then about 3 months the glass shattered, bought another one but at a proper scuba store and properly fitted to my face it was lifechanging how comfortable it was and turned snorkeling so enjoyable.
Thank you for this EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE video! You prevented me from buying cheap and possibly awful Snorkel Sets as Xmas gifts. Which in turn could have ruined our Xmas trip to Hawaii, as ALL of us were looking forward to many hours of snorkeling. We all went to a local Dive Shop in Seattle to get fitted for masks.
Food grade silicon on the mask lip works for minor leaks. High volume masks can pressurize on your face. Clear silicon skirts tend to go yellowy with age.
The first and most important thing is not a mask that I might recommend but a mask that fits properly. That being said, Almost any mask that TUSA makes fits a majority of people and is absolutely one of the highest quality manufacturers there are. Atomic is great quality but are particular to the face they fit. XS Scuba masks are also affordable, quality and the Seaclear, Monarch or Spectre fits a lot of people. Don't buy a great mask if it doesn't fit. You will regret it I promise. Thanks for watching, Freddy.
Love the video, every professional dive shop will say the same, ultimately most masks will work with most people, but supporting your local dive shop is a greatv way to start out.
It is fairly low volume and made from silicone and tempered glass, it sticks pleasantly to your face without the strap attached and you like the field of view. It's either black or clear as per visual preference. That's it.
Thank you for the video. Informative ... learned the importance of the defogger vs. soap, the silicon as preferred material, don't use Vaseline around silicon, buying a good fitting\good quality mask is paramount for a good snorkeling experience, not to tight fit not loose either, etc etc. BUT would have been good to have your comments in the FULL FACE MASK and the advantages/disadvantages over the traditional mask.
Thanks John for the suggestion. There are 2 different types of full face masks - 1 for snorkeling and another for diving. We have just finished testing several different full face snorkeling masks and are working on a review, which should be out some time in the fall. A little spoiler alert - we liked the Ocean Reef Aria as it preformed the best with no breathing restrictions, no fogging issues, comfortable straps, great fit and has optic options for people who wear glasses. These masks are available on our website now 5280scuba.com/product/aria-full-face-snorkel-mask
That mask is the Oceanic Shadow mask. That is a mask that we definitely suggest trying on before buying. It is a great mask but tends to fit a very specific face shape. There are many faces that this mask does not work with.
Fantastic video!! Thank you so much this helps so so much! 👌☺️ I have relocated to the Philippines from the UK and came here just before the "lockdowns" so trying to find the right mask for me has been a nightmare!... I have purchased 4 or 5 already and although some fit "ok" none are perfect!... I am doing some scuba, snorkelling and free diving so of course also have different needs for each one... I shall certainly rewatch this video when I buy my next one for a recap so many useful tips & info... thanks again great work & content! 👌☺️👏👏👏 keep up the great work...
Thank you for helping me pick the right goggles but how do you make it stop pulling on your eye every single time in every type of goggles I've tried on it always pulls my right eye to look very small
Every year I feel insanely lucky that the $30 U.S. Divers kit I bought three years ago ha worked so well for me. The mask is pretty much like the clear one he was holding for most of the vid.
It is Passion in Motion. Odd at first because us humans aren't supposed to breathe underwater. But when you get used to it, wow what an awesome experience. Freddy
Im using Cressi Nano but it gets water to the nose pocket when i put my snorkel on. After that there is no problem it does it only putting in and sometimes putting out. Is it a flaw or normal thing?
9 times out of 10 it is a poor fitting mask. However, your comment about no problem after the snorkel is connected then it fits fine seems to me that it is just your adjusting the mask while putting the snorkel on. If that is the only time the mask leaks then Im not sure what the problem would be. Once you clear the water from the nose and it doesn't leak after that, sound to me ok. Sorry if I didn't fully understand the problem. Freddy
@@LeviathanScuba Thank you. I think it's caused by my facials while putting the snorkel on. Now I'm trying to put it above water and there's no problem.
Very informative, however may I add two things: My mask, a Mares ESA (6 lenses) tech black silicone, is in great condition after well over 30 years and I never used defogger, just saliva.
I get it. Not sure why people want to avoid using a professional defog. Spit works, but not near as long as a good defog. Really, a clean lens is more than half the battle. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy
When you think about the overall cost of the entire vacation, and the fact that snorkeling is one of the key activities of a tropical vacation, it makes sense to spend the money on good gear. In the past I didn’t see the big picture and wore whatever, and it ruined my experience. Now I’d rather forgo a couple nice dinners and enjoy the snorkeling
I agree, and when you think that a quality mask can last 20 to 30 years if you take good care of it you will get a return on your investment for a good long time. I see people every week that bought the inferior cheap stuff and they are replacing it. Thanks Mathew for participating and making it better for all of us. Freddy
Very informative. When fitting a mask at the store, I do the suction test to my face but somehow, some masks still leaks. I have spent $$ on Low Volume masks and those masks never give me a perfect seal. Any advice or models you can recommend? I currently use the AQA Mantis and it a perfect seal but its not a Low Volume mask.
The suction test can be misleading. The reason as I mentioned in the video is that this really tests the outer seal and can lead to the wrong mask. And if the inner seal touches your skin all the way around and you can see that it does in a mirror then so very light of suction works. So not so much the model or make. Really more the one that fits you best is the one that is best. This may sound a bit crazy but the right mask will seal on your face as you look at the ceiling without any help. Just a tiny bit of suction with the mask sitting on your face and no assistance with your hands. Good luck with your hunt. Freddy
I purchased an Aqua Lung Sphera mask, like you I have a mustache, even though I keep it very closely trimmed, water gets in and makes it unusable. Does that sealer you mention really work, or do I need to try something else, thanks, great video.
Yes Mask Sealk works but a bit of a pain to use. Works for about 2 dives before needing re-application. I like to trim my mustache only about 1/4 of an inch below my nose. The mask lip seals well and after only a couple days of growth blends in well. Hope that helps. Freddy
@@coralkeyscuba yeh I used lip balm and it appeared to seal perfectly on a dry run ? I trimmed it as close as you can and shaved under my nose and the mask still doesn’t seal ? Thanks for the reply
@@duffmeister6480 Careful with lip balm if it is petroleum based. Petroleum eats (or dissolves) Silicone. Numerous other products safer to use. Duffmeister, I would guess that your mask doesn't fit well. If you have shaved under your nose to the point that the skirt touches skin, then still doesn't seal. That is not a good fit my friend.
Wow there's much more to a dive musk them i thought. Thanks for the educating me on how to buy the correct musk for me. Please do more videos on wetsuits and spear guns please.
I'm a newbie, I am planning to get my cert card soon. Is it possible to buy the RIGHT mask through mail-order? What are the the top 5 manufacturers I should consider? I don't want to end up with a box full of $75 to $150 dive masks that I don't use!
@beached bum - Welcome to the underwater world! That is a great question. As you probably guessed it is difficult to buy a mask online/mail-order because it is such a fit item. Unfortunately, in our experience there is not a good fit guide and "sizing" between manufacturers are not universal or even correct in our option. For example - SeaDive makes a mask called the SeaDiver. According to them, the mask should fit Med to Large faces. That mask doesn't even come close to fitting an adult with a Med to Lg face, but it works great as a Junior Size mask. As far as Brands - I would recommend Fit before looking for a Brand as there are a lot of good brands. Some of the brands we stock are Oceanic, TUSA, SeaDive, Atomic, Indigo, 5280 Scbua, Sherwood and more. You can check them out on our website at 5280scuba.com/products?f%5B0%5D=category%3A99
a good advice for beginners is to go to a Sports Shop where they have Scuba Gear etc and try the masks on and see which one fits best (a good trick is to put on the goggles without the straps and press them on and see if they stick/suck "like suction cups for windows" on your face and stay 1-2 seconds, if thats the case they are good) thats how i got a good one for my face
Great talk. Please tell us about frameless vs framed masks and tempered glass vs polycarbonate. Additionally you could discuss what to look for in a child's mask.
I do mention that polycarbonate or acrylic lenses are not worth buying. They scratch terribly and will discolor over time. Usually acrylic lenses are used in toy masks or very cheap masks. Often an acrylic lens is combined with PVC material for the skirt. This is one of the worst materials to use for a skirt. Gets brittle with time and stiff. Won't last long. Thanks for the suggestion RE. I will cover frameless vs frame in a later video. But basically it is exactly like it sounds. One has a frame that is meant to surround the skirt and firmly hold the lens in place. As good as that sounds some have a frameless design. The skirt is engineered to hold the lens and seal out water. Both are fine in quality products. The frameless design often has a smaller rim around the edges. So can be a slimmer profile. Thanks for watching. Help spread the word so we can keep producing helpful videos.
I really really like the retro oval-shaped masks. Are there any manufacturers who make higher grade ones like that? I bought one that leaked on me and used it skin-diving for a couple of years, but now the seals are all cracked and dry. I have another one from a different brand on the way to me. Hopefully it won't leak, but I am sure that the rubber will still degrade. I also have a Cressi Pinocchio on the way, which I hope will work as well.
@@freddyhalcomb7219 Thanks for the reply! It's disappointing to hear that no reputable brands are taking on the older style but that's okay. I'll use the retro stuff when I feel I can get away with it, but always have higher quality backups available. Thanks, and I'll keep an eye out for new material! (Edit: "when I think I can get away with it" means in pools. If I don't trust my equipment, I'm not using it in the ocean)
I almost skipped past this video as I wasn't aware there were so many facets to the process of selecting and maintaining a mask. Thank you for remarkable depth of knowledge and your willingness to share it. Have a great day.
This is the best and the most informative video I have seen out of hundreds on UA-cam! Not a single one comes close to this!
He is SO correct. All the problems that he is issuing happened to me. Pour suction in the inner lip and having bubbles flicking up my mask making water leak in constantly. Hate it!
Excellent presentation! Can't wait to shave off my mask 🤣
agreed
Hope you are enjoying all the new stuff out now.
Agreed
I started diving in 1967. My preferred mask was a US Divers oval type with a center bottom purge valve, it fit well. I replaced it a few times due to hardening, The purge valve never gave me a problem.
My current mask is silicone without a purge valve. I think this video is spot on.
this is very informative video for beginners like me and I personally think the speaker in the video is really good at speaking. easy but thorough to understand.
Very kind of you to say. More to come soon. Thanks for watching. Freddy
Awesome video! After watching this I’m thoroughly convinced it’s a better idea to go to an actual dive shop rather than going on Amazon
Thank you all for your feedback. We truly appreciate your interest and enthusiasm.
Now that we are live at www.Leviathanscuba.com , we will be hard at work engaging with you fine folks on UA-cam and creating new content for you all to enjoy.
Please keep the comments coming. We are reading them all.
Thanks Again.
Leviathan Scuba Team
Excellent, very professional, in the past I bought a lot of masks, none of them were good... Now, after watching this video, I believe I will buy the correct one. Cheers from Slovenia!
Glad it helped!
Hex , Im from Bosnia ; D
Thank you, Sir, from Morocco 🇲🇦
Thanks Tarik. I have fond memories of Mint tea in the Casbah, buying a rug. Take care. More to come soon. Freddy
@coralkeyscuba, you are welcome anytime. Thank you for choosing Morocco as a destination.
Shokran!
Tarik
Just bought a Tusa freedom one mask and really enjoyed your in depth video on masks, I was able to do a few more checks regarding fit, ofollowing your advice, can't thank you enough
Love it Ian. Congrats, you will enjoy the mask and it will last you a long time. More vids coming soon. Freddy
I recently purchased a TUSA Ceos, black skit after speaking with a friend who is a dive master, for both my wife and myself and they are great.. Very comfortable and zero leaks so far.. Great view also.. Didn't want another snorkel excursion ruined by crappy rental gear, and wanted something of quality enough to scube dive with.
Also and excellent mask. Fits comfortable and many people choose it blindly when they have been fit blindly as their most comfortable choice. Thanks for sharing. Freddy
Bought a US Divers mask, silicone, with a purge valve - 31 years ago and it still works fine. Purge valve if you keep it clean no worries. Only issue I had is the stainless band became loose and ingressed water. A large nylon cable tie sorted that 20 yrs ago.
I bought us divers the other day and tried it in the river. Hope they would last 20 yrs like yours. 😁
...mmm I have only been diving for 43 years and learned a thing or two - Johnson's Baby Shampoo RULES when it comes to " defogging a mask " rub a few drops on the glass and around the face seal and give it a quick rinse . My mask has never fogged up while using it in 32 degree water to 86 degree water and that clean face seal will help make a perfect seal upon your face ! Those $7 dollar tiny bottles of anti fog are just high priced RAIN X ... read the bottle and it says DO NOT USE NEAR YOUR FACE ! That bottle of shampoo also works GREAT to clean you wet suit . I have also owned and tried out quite a few masks from $15 dollar up to $150 dollar and you know what - if they fit your face correctly = they work ! it would be nice if a dive shop would allow you to try them out in the pool BUT they won't allow it .
Baby shampoo works. Its just that if you look online for a chemical analysis you will find a lot of harmful stuff we are putting in the ocean. Multiply that by most of the dive boats and resorts in the world and you have a situation similar to sunblock. I find that the $7 tiny bottle of defog lasts longer on the lens therefore the cost minimizes. I defog my mask once a day whether 2, 3, 4, or even 5 dives in that day. My bottle of defog lasts a long time and I don't even consider the expense because it lasts so long. And Dave I completely agree that the price of the mask is not relevant. A $500 mask that doesn't fit is useless. I don't think I would dive a $15 mask because most likely it is made of PVC material and will degrade quickly and you will need a new mask again. We go through a process like in the video of fitting the mask to the buyer. Then gaurantee its fit 100%. So in a way you really can try it. If it doesn't fit, bring it back. Thanks for taking the conversation higher. Thanks for watching. Love the participation. Take care, Freddy.
Great video. Answers a lot of basics and doesn't spend time plugging a bunch of masks from any specific company.
Best advice on masks on UA-cam!!!
Bought a mask willy nilly at some store to snorkel, then about 3 months the glass shattered, bought another one but at a proper scuba store and properly fitted to my face it was lifechanging how comfortable it was and turned snorkeling so enjoyable.
Thank you for this EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE video! You prevented me from buying cheap and possibly awful Snorkel Sets as Xmas gifts. Which in turn could have ruined our Xmas trip to Hawaii, as ALL of us were looking forward to many hours of snorkeling. We all went to a local Dive Shop in Seattle to get fitted for masks.
Glad to hear that this was helpful for you! Have a great time in Hawaii!
I've not bought these since I took a dive course as a PE in college. You got it Exact! Love it
👍 great presentation and very Informative.
Great advice and information. I feel a lot more informed and capable in making a purchase.
Glad it was helpful! More to come soon. Freddy
Your UA-cam channel is cool and awesome keep up the good work and done
Food grade silicon on the mask lip works for minor leaks. High volume masks can pressurize on your face. Clear silicon skirts tend to go yellowy with age.
can you post some mask recommendations? thank you
The first and most important thing is not a mask that I might recommend but a mask that fits properly. That being said, Almost any mask that TUSA makes fits a majority of people and is absolutely one of the highest quality manufacturers there are. Atomic is great quality but are particular to the face they fit. XS Scuba masks are also affordable, quality and the Seaclear, Monarch or Spectre fits a lot of people. Don't buy a great mask if it doesn't fit. You will regret it I promise. Thanks for watching, Freddy.
Love the video, every professional dive shop will say the same, ultimately most masks will work with most people, but supporting your local dive shop is a greatv way to start out.
I enjoyed this video so much. Exactly the information I was looking for as a newbie.
Same!
הןפטכגע
Thank you for the information very helpful prior to the vacation.
It is fairly low volume and made from silicone and tempered glass, it sticks pleasantly to your face without the strap attached and you like the field of view. It's either black or clear as per visual preference. That's it.
Amazing introduction! Thank you.
Very informative but I wish you would have shown some of the defog products
EXCELLENT JOB Freddie!! Thank you sir!
Thanks Jim, Appreciate the comments. More to come soon. Freddy
Thank you for the video. Informative ... learned the importance of the defogger vs. soap, the silicon as preferred material, don't use Vaseline around silicon, buying a good fitting\good quality mask is paramount for a good snorkeling experience, not to tight fit not loose either, etc etc. BUT would have been good to have your comments in the FULL FACE MASK and the advantages/disadvantages over the traditional mask.
Thanks John for the suggestion. There are 2 different types of full face masks - 1 for snorkeling and another for diving. We have just finished testing several different full face snorkeling masks and are working on a review, which should be out some time in the fall. A little spoiler alert - we liked the Ocean Reef Aria as it preformed the best with no breathing restrictions, no fogging issues, comfortable straps, great fit and has optic options for people who wear glasses. These masks are available on our website now 5280scuba.com/product/aria-full-face-snorkel-mask
Super informative. Now I feel like when I go buy a mask, later this week, I at least have a clue. Thanks for taking the time!
Thank you Janis. Thank you for watching and participating. Freddy
Thank you for the great video
My pleasure Cloud Guru. Thats why we do these, to help people. Thanks for watching. Freddy
Dude, Awesome Job!!!!!! whomever gave you a thumbs down is obviously blind and deaf..
very helpful without plugging makes and models professionally presented many thanks
Very well presented
Thank you. Very informative video.
Very useful in depth information!
Excellent video, very helpful, thanks very much!
Glad you enjoyed it! Take care. Freddy
I got a custom designed mask from SeaVision at my scuba school, with color correction, best mask ever.
We work with SeaVision quite often for prescription masks. They really do a great job!
Great information, one thing i learnt was i'm not going to buy my mask on line i am going to a dive shop to try iy on first
awesome review man, very informative and with a smooth sense of humor. thanks to this, I can spend wisely on the right mask. more power
excellent thank you ! can you tell me please what make is the completely transparent mask ? than ks
That mask is the Oceanic Shadow mask. That is a mask that we definitely suggest trying on before buying. It is a great mask but tends to fit a very specific face shape. There are many faces that this mask does not work with.
Just wonderful. Thank you.
Thank you very much!! the way you show the double seal fits in your face. today I discover my mask is leaking. I will get a new one
Fantastic video!! Thank you so much this helps so so much!
👌☺️ I have relocated to the Philippines from the UK and came here just before the "lockdowns" so trying to find the right mask for me has been a nightmare!... I have purchased 4 or 5 already and although some fit "ok" none are perfect!... I am doing some scuba, snorkelling and free diving so of course also have different needs for each one... I shall certainly rewatch this video when I buy my next one for a recap so many useful tips & info... thanks again great work & content! 👌☺️👏👏👏 keep up the great work...
An extraordinary scuba video .thank u so much .
i have had my mask for 50 plus years still good
cosmo ianiro if you don’t mind me asking how w old are you
which one?
I’m questioning that
Thank you for helping me pick the right goggles but how do you make it stop pulling on your eye every single time in every type of goggles I've tried on it always pulls my right eye to look very small
Great vid! One follow up question, are there brands/ models that have a reputation for great quality?
@@freddyhalcomb7219 Thanks Freddy! Excited for the new content!
Thank you. One of the best presentations.
Every year I feel insanely lucky that the $30 U.S. Divers kit I bought three years ago ha worked so well for me. The mask is pretty much like the clear one he was holding for most of the vid.
Great video. Didnt know a lot of this stuff. Very helpful when I get a new mask..that fits properly.
What kind of shaving cream you use for shaving the mask? :)
Excellent video!!!
Really enjoyed your video. Thanks for the information.
Good video. Thinking about getting into scuba. Helped a lot. Thanks!
It is Passion in Motion. Odd at first because us humans aren't supposed to breathe underwater. But when you get used to it, wow what an awesome experience. Freddy
Thanks for this excellent video in purchasing a Snorkel Mask.
Super informative and helpful video!!! Thank you!!!
I'm getting into diving. GREAT video sir. LOTS of helpful, useful information.
Nice. You could add full face mask.
Good information for a beginner!
I’m so exited for tomorrow I’m gonna go diving with my new mask and snorkel
Yeah, I am excited for you too. so fun to get new gear. Thanks for watching. Freddy
Simple, informative and easy to understand. Tqvm
thank you so much
a lot of useful informations
please i want to ask about the vaseline alternative
Mask Seal Stick is what Freddy's was talking about and can be found here 5280scuba.com/product/mask-seal-stick
great video sr thank you!
We hope it helps Anderson. Thanks for watching. Freddy
hoping i can find a store here in cuenca ( ecuador ) that sells snorkel masks and snorkels. however, being landlocked means probably not...
this is so useful. thank you very much
Superb tutorial. Thorough and thoughtful.
CT034 Thank you
very good thankyou i learnt alot
Im using Cressi Nano but it gets water to the nose pocket when i put my snorkel on. After that there is no problem it does it only putting in and sometimes putting out. Is it a flaw or normal thing?
9 times out of 10 it is a poor fitting mask. However, your comment about no problem after the snorkel is connected then it fits fine seems to me that it is just your adjusting the mask while putting the snorkel on. If that is the only time the mask leaks then Im not sure what the problem would be. Once you clear the water from the nose and it doesn't leak after that, sound to me ok. Sorry if I didn't fully understand the problem. Freddy
@@LeviathanScuba Thank you. I think it's caused by my facials while putting the snorkel on. Now I'm trying to put it above water and there's no problem.
Very informative, however may I add two things: My mask, a Mares ESA (6 lenses) tech black silicone, is in great condition after well over 30 years and I never used defogger, just saliva.
I get it. Not sure why people want to avoid using a professional defog. Spit works, but not near as long as a good defog. Really, a clean lens is more than half the battle. Thanks for watching. More to come soon. Freddy
Thanks Freddy, very informative. Does anyone have a name for that wax stick product he mentioned to lessen mustache issues?
Mask Seal. Look up Trident.
Very informative thank you.
Hi guys! Can you please tell me how to clean a brand new scuba mask?
Should I use toothpaste or matches (lighter)??
I dont clean them, if it really needs it just wash it in the sink.
When you think about the overall cost of the entire vacation, and the fact that snorkeling is one of the key activities of a tropical vacation, it makes sense to spend the money on good gear. In the past I didn’t see the big picture and wore whatever, and it ruined my experience. Now I’d rather forgo a couple nice dinners and enjoy the snorkeling
I agree, and when you think that a quality mask can last 20 to 30 years if you take good care of it you will get a return on your investment for a good long time. I see people every week that bought the inferior cheap stuff and they are replacing it. Thanks Mathew for participating and making it better for all of us. Freddy
What cleaner do you suggest on a new mask to get it ready to use? Thank you.
What’s the best mask for facial hair and prescription lens all in one mask? I have a big round face also.
Have you heard of the proear 2000 dive mask
Really good video. My old faithful broke. I have not found a mask that fits me in the last 10 years. So looking forward to finding a good one. Cheers.
Very informative. When fitting a mask at the store, I do the suction test to my face but somehow, some masks still leaks. I have spent $$ on Low Volume masks and those masks never give me a perfect seal. Any advice or models you can recommend? I currently use the AQA Mantis and it a perfect seal but its not a Low Volume mask.
The suction test can be misleading. The reason as I mentioned in the video is that this really tests the outer seal and can lead to the wrong mask. And if the inner seal touches your skin all the way around and you can see that it does in a mirror then so very light of suction works. So not so much the model or make. Really more the one that fits you best is the one that is best. This may sound a bit crazy but the right mask will seal on your face as you look at the ceiling without any help. Just a tiny bit of suction with the mask sitting on your face and no assistance with your hands. Good luck with your hunt. Freddy
Thanks for your reply!🤙
Thanks! Very informative!
Awesome. Very informative and useful. Thank you very much.
The best video, the best infos, thank you!
I purchased an Aqua Lung Sphera mask, like you I have a mustache, even though I keep it very closely trimmed, water gets in and makes it unusable. Does that sealer you mention really work, or do I need to try something else, thanks, great video.
Yes Mask Sealk works but a bit of a pain to use. Works for about 2 dives before needing re-application. I like to trim my mustache only about 1/4 of an inch below my nose. The mask lip seals well and after only a couple days of growth blends in well. Hope that helps. Freddy
@@coralkeyscuba yeh I used lip balm and it appeared to seal perfectly on a dry run ? I trimmed it as close as you can and shaved under my nose and the mask still doesn’t seal ? Thanks for the reply
@@duffmeister6480 Careful with lip balm if it is petroleum based. Petroleum eats (or dissolves) Silicone. Numerous other products safer to use. Duffmeister, I would guess that your mask doesn't fit well. If you have shaved under your nose to the point that the skirt touches skin, then still doesn't seal. That is not a good fit my friend.
Excellent video, very informative.
Please, What is a free alternative fixe for defogging the glasses off the mask? Thank you
Perfect video . Just what i was looking for
Wow there's much more to a dive musk them i thought.
Thanks for the educating me on how to buy the correct musk for me.
Please do more videos on wetsuits and spear guns please.
Thanks for watching! Keep an eye on our channel (or subscribe) as we have a How to Fit a Wetsuit video coming very soon!
ive always used the aqua lung look but recently switched to oms tattoo
I'm a newbie, I am planning to get my cert card soon. Is it possible to buy the RIGHT mask through mail-order? What are the the top 5 manufacturers I should consider?
I don't want to end up with a box full of $75 to $150 dive masks that I don't use!
@beached bum - Welcome to the underwater world! That is a great question. As you probably guessed it is difficult to buy a mask online/mail-order because it is such a fit item. Unfortunately, in our experience there is not a good fit guide and "sizing" between manufacturers are not universal or even correct in our option. For example - SeaDive makes a mask called the SeaDiver. According to them, the mask should fit Med to Large faces. That mask doesn't even come close to fitting an adult with a Med to Lg face, but it works great as a Junior Size mask. As far as Brands - I would recommend Fit before looking for a Brand as there are a lot of good brands. Some of the brands we stock are Oceanic, TUSA, SeaDive, Atomic, Indigo, 5280 Scbua, Sherwood and more. You can check them out on our website at 5280scuba.com/products?f%5B0%5D=category%3A99
a good advice for beginners is to go to a Sports Shop where they have Scuba Gear etc and try the masks on and see which one fits best (a good trick is to put on the goggles without the straps and press them on and see if they stick/suck "like suction cups for windows" on your face and stay 1-2 seconds, if thats the case they are good) thats how i got a good one for my face
Wow, I learned a lot. Thank you! Very helpful video!
It is a privilege and an honor to help. I love the dive community. Hope you find the right one. Freddy
Cool video! Where's the 500 000 views? It deserves more than that!
Thanks Daruhor! We are well on our way - with your help we will be there soon!
Great video! 👍
Great talk. Please tell us about frameless vs framed masks and tempered glass vs polycarbonate. Additionally you could discuss what to look for in a child's mask.
I do mention that polycarbonate or acrylic lenses are not worth buying. They scratch terribly and will discolor over time. Usually acrylic lenses are used in toy masks or very cheap masks. Often an acrylic lens is combined with PVC material for the skirt. This is one of the worst materials to use for a skirt. Gets brittle with time and stiff. Won't last long. Thanks for the suggestion RE. I will cover frameless vs frame in a later video. But basically it is exactly like it sounds. One has a frame that is meant to surround the skirt and firmly hold the lens in place. As good as that sounds some have a frameless design. The skirt is engineered to hold the lens and seal out water. Both are fine in quality products. The frameless design often has a smaller rim around the edges. So can be a slimmer profile. Thanks for watching. Help spread the word so we can keep producing helpful videos.
Great video
I love the greenscreen behind him. You can see 'through' this gentleman a few times, especially during closeups lol
No, I really am a Cyber enhanced hologram! You would think they would have made me more handsome. Have fun! Freddy
I really really like the retro oval-shaped masks. Are there any manufacturers who make higher grade ones like that?
I bought one that leaked on me and used it skin-diving for a couple of years, but now the seals are all cracked and dry. I have another one from a different brand on the way to me. Hopefully it won't leak, but I am sure that the rubber will still degrade.
I also have a Cressi Pinocchio on the way, which I hope will work as well.
@@freddyhalcomb7219 Thanks for the reply! It's disappointing to hear that no reputable brands are taking on the older style but that's okay. I'll use the retro stuff when I feel I can get away with it, but always have higher quality backups available. Thanks, and I'll keep an eye out for new material!
(Edit: "when I think I can get away with it" means in pools. If I don't trust my equipment, I'm not using it in the ocean)
Great explanation. Thank you!
Thanks
Thank you very much! Cheers from Norway.
Best Mask Video ever