Scuba Diving Mask Buying Guide
Your mask is one of the most important pieces of equipment you use while scuba diving. This is why it is important to buy the best possible mask for you as a mask can make or break your dive.
The market today is full of different scuba diving masks. In this article, we will talk through the different options to look at when buying a mask.
Our top tip for buying a mask is don’t look at the price when trying on masks, focus on the fit of the mask and if it fits buy it. Do not buy a mask that doesn’t fit just because you might save a bit you will regret it once you get in the water.
Check out our guide to fitting your mask correctly.
Twin lens or one lens
As you have most likely seen while shopping for masks is there is a choice of having a twin-lens mask or a signal lens. Using a twin-lens mask is good if you want to add a prescription lens to a mask as this can not be done with a signal lens mask. One of the main reasons diving chose a single lens mask is comfort. A lot of divers find that they get pressure on the bridge of there noise using a the twin-lens masks. This is prevented by using a signal lens mask as there is hard plastic on the top of the nose pocket.
Clear or Black skirt
There are Meany colour options with scuba diving masks, The main colour is a black or clear skirt. If you use a clear mask this lets in a lot of light and is very popular with divers that feel claustrophobic. A lot of divers like to use a black skirt on there mask. This allows Divers to focus only on what they can see through the lens and distracted. If you don’t like using a black mask because you feel too enclosed. You can try using lighter coloured skirt such as a white mask.
Tempered glass
This is a must for scuba diving masks. Make sure to check that the glass is tempered and not plastic when buying a scuba diving mask. Plastic lenses are usually found on snorkelling masks which are not suitable for scuba diving and can fail under the pressure of diving.
Low volume masks
Using a low volume mask for scuba diving is not a necessity unlike in freediving. The advantages of low volume masks are that they are easier to equalise then going deeper as there is less air in the mas that need to be equalised.
How to stop you mask fogging up
There is nothing worse when you dive them having a maks that keeps fogging up. This will happen with new masks if you do not treat them.
The best way to treat your new mask is to use toothpaste, make sure you use the cheap stuff(it works the best) you want just white tooth past nothing fancy.
Now take the toothpaste and rub it into the inside lens of the mask and then let it dry for a few hours. once dry rinse out the toothpaste and then repeat the posses I do this for about 7 days when I get a new mask.
Then one you are about to go diving use something to defog your mask. This can be anything for spitting in your mask or using liquid soap rub it into the lens then wash it out before getting in the water.
Make sure your fits you have a look at our fitting guide