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Frameless Masks -- What's All the Rage About?
08/21/2008 - By Melissa Malka A review of the features of the new breed of frameless masks, as well as a helpful guide on how to pick your perfect mask. Recap: great as an extra tucked into your BC pocket, may take getting used to if you want to ditch your old one altogether!
As dive equipment has progressed from the bulky BC’s and clunky masks of the past and evolved into sexy streamlined gear, it comes as no surprise that the next step would be to revamp an old design and create a new breed of scuba masks.
Frameless scuba masks, a new take on an old classic (see the ScubaPro original from 1989), ditch the plastic frame and attach the mask’s skirt directly to the tempered glass lenses. The end result is a light, compact, low-profile mask with an extended field of vision in pretty much all directions. They’re also easier to clear thanks to the low-volume design. Should you chuck your old favorite and move on to one of these? Read the following reviews for some more information.
(Images Located Below in Photo Gallery)
Aeris Coral – Available in Black or Ice, a frosted skirt which allows for enhanced peripheral vision, the Aeris Coral has an 80 degree field of vision and for a reasonable MSRP of $74.95, it won’t break the bank.
Oceanic Shadow/Mini Shadow – Also available in two colors (Black or Ice), the Oceanic Shadow quickly become my personal favorite after I tried the Mini on my small face. (This is one of the few manufacturers that offers a mini-sized mask.) The mask has an exceptionally comfortable neoprene strap that can be a bit difficult to adjust underwater, but once you fit it on dry land you won’t need to fix it again. Choosing the clear skirt gives you an impressive 180 degree field of visual awareness, meaning you won’t see everything but you will quickly notice your dive buddy’s movement in your periphery. MSRP is $74.95, not too bad.
ScubaPro Frameless – Big believers in the old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, ScubaPro released this classic in 1989 and have yet to modify it’s rectangular shape and easy-to-use buckle system on the straps. The shape of the lens gives a slightly bigger visual field than the rounded corners on more modern masks, which is a plus. The skirt on the ScubaPro is noticeably thicker and seems more durable, but it is only available in Black. MSRP is $129, so it’s slightly pricier than other models but it has seniority after it’s almost twenty-year stint on the market.
Tilos Flex – Unlike the single-window masks mentioned above, the Flex has two separate windows and a flexible nosepiece in between them. Although that has its upsides, as the mask flexes, you may get a distorted view if the two windows end up in different focal planes. Loosening the mask strap for reduced tension alleviates the problem but if you like a low-maintenance mask, try one of the single-window ones above. The Tilos model gets points for being the lowest-volume and most compact mask, and at $34.95, you can’t go wrong if you need an extra mask to stuff in your BC pocket.Mask Care:
If you’re in the market for your first mask, the following tips should help you pick your perfect mask. Choosing the right mask can be a daunting task, especially when dive stores can carry a huge selection; my recommendation is to try as many as it takes until you find what you need – an uncomfortable mask can detract from your dives.
(1) Determine your needs. Do you want a mask that will allow you a greater field of vision? Are you an underwater photographer that needs a mask to block out unneccessary reflections? Clear skirts generally allow a greater feeling of openness while photographers and hunters prefer a black skirt. Some masks offer a “side-view”, a small window that improves peripheral vision, but this also increases mask volume so bear that in mind.
(2) Bring your snorkel/regulator with you to the store. Once you’ve tried on the mask, put your reg/snorkel in your mouth as this tends to deform your face a bit and can change the fit. The mask skirt should come fully in contact with your skin – no gaps.
(3) An effective way of measuring if a mask fits is by performing the “sniff test”. Simply look straight ahead and lightly hold the mask against your face. Inhale (one quick sniff) and if the mask has a good fit, you’ll have created a volume keeping the mask stuck to your face.
(4) A word of advice – if ANYTHING about the mask hurts in the store, it’s going to be even worse underwater. If you feel any pressure points (especially around your nose), skip it and try the next one.
After you’ve purchased your mask, you’re going to need to scrub off the chemical residue left from the manufacturing process in order to prevent mask fog. You can use a scrub available in any dive store, such as SeaBuff, or you can use an abrasive toothpaste (think old-school, not fancy gels). Make sure to scrub both sides of the lenses. Because those chemicals continue to leach out of the mask skirt and strap, it’s best to store your mask with the strap around the front of the lens, especially in the case of a frameless version. On subsequent dives, you’ll simply need to use a defogger on the inside of your mask. These are available at pretty much any dive store as well. You can also use Johnson’s Baby Shampoo. Just pour a few drops in each lens, rub with your fingers, and swish around in the water.-- Mel
I recommend storing your mask in its original box in your dive gear bag.
From personal experience, I can tell you that an accidental weight falling can crack your mask beyond repair and add “extraneous” costs to an already expensive sport.
melissa@diveshops.com
Photo Gallery
Click here for Slideshow. You can also click on any of the photos to start slideshow.
Oceanic
Aeris
ScubaPro