How To Choose a Mask
If you do not wish to have to use someone else’s spit on your face, My advise is to get your own mask. Although all our rental mask and wetsuit are washed with disinfectant at the end of every use, im sure you will have this thought of hygiene when you are using a set of rental gear.
The Most Important Things to Consider are:
Mask Fit
Remember, this will on your face for throughout your dive. So if you don’t want to end up clearing your mask most of the time, make sure you have a properly fitted mask. (Scroll below on how to fins a properly fitted mask) Ensure this is the top most priority when choosing a mask.
Nose pocket
Apart from fit, the nose pocket is the other main factor you need to check on. All of us are born with different size noses. Some mask has a larger nose pocket which would fit the westerners nose better. If an Asian uses those type of mask, you may not be able to reach for your nose to equalize when you descent. Thankfully, there are some mask that have options for regular fit and Asian fit. So try them both and feel the difference when you try to pinch your nose from it.
Silicon Color
There are few color of Silicon color that you can choose from now. My preference is a still a simple black silicon mask. Im pretty much lazy person when it comes to cleaning my own gear, so if having a clear silicon mask, it’ll turn yellow very fast. But then again, color is not the significant factor when choosing a mask. If you clean it up properly and take good care of the mask, it will last you a long time.
1 piece lens vs 2 piece lenses
This would also depends on preference. I have used both single lens and 2 lenses mask and the main factor that i find is the split in between it. I found it a bit of a hindrance in vision but if you are those whom need a prescriptive lenses mask, you may not have a choice of a single piece lens mask.
Cost
Mask is another gear that would last a long time. The current mask that im using has been with me for more that 5 years now on constant weekly diving. So i think price of mask would not be a big issue when choosing. Some divers would fit a cheap mask while some would have a better fit in a more expensive mask. Some more expensive mask give you a more unique color, and much softer silicon than the cheaper mask. So say, why don’t i just but those cheap snorkeling mask instead? Well, no one will stop you from it but i find those cheap snorkeling mask feels really painful on your face after a while when you diving with it. Remember, unlike snorkeling, you can just take it off on the surface 10 or 15 mins in to it. But when you are diving underwater, you cannot be surfacing up to say i need to change to a more comfortable mask. Just like rental mask, they are cost saving mask that dive shop use if you don’t have any equipment. Do you not have much of a choice nor asked for an expensive one to rent from.
High Volume vs Low Volume
Another big feature when you chose a mask is whether you would prefer a high or low volume mask. This means whether the air volume this the mask is high or low. Both mask can give you relatively good vision. Plenty of low volume mask give you good vision as the lens are close to your eyes. Also high volume mask has side lenses that gives you a good field of vision. High volume mask tends to be bigger so it weighs a bit more. Where else low volume mask like a frame-less mask are very light
How to fit a mask:
When choosing a mask, approach your dive shop for some advice. But there are some way you can do it yourself when choosing it. Try on the mask without using the mask strap behind your head. Put it on your face and take a breath in thorugh your nose. Hold your breath. Your mask should stick on your face . If you feel there’s air sipping around the skirting of the mask, that means its not fitting on your face at all. Imagine that air sipping in would be water sipping in your mask while you are diving. you want a good seal on your face. Look yourself in a mirror when you are doing this. Check that your hairline are not in the skirting of the mask. This would be crucial. You may not feel it now, but when you are diving, that bit of hair would cause water to sip in. Once you have the mask on your face, move your face side to side and up to down to ensure the mask did not drop off your face. Be care of not dropping the mask when you do this. Give your nose a pinch and see if you could do it easily. Try on a couple of mask and feel the difference in fit. You want to feel as if the mask is not on your face not pinching in your skin.
Silicon colour
Black/Coloured
Clear
full frame vs split
Twin Lenses
Full Frame
Budget
Prices goes as cheap at $50 and goes up to $250 for a pair of mask. An average price for a decent Scuba mask is $90-$130
Should I get a prescription mask?
You can use contact lenses when you dive but if you are one of those whom hates putting it on, then i would suggest having your own prescriptive lenses mask. Degrees usually starts from -1.5 too -9.5. But do take not, your options of mask would be very limited. You need a 2 piece lenses mask and only a few model offer options for prescriptive lenses.