purge masks

[Colliam7]

What are your opinions on purge masks? Any models you would like to recommend?

I'll straddle the line a bit. Started with an OceanMaster V3 Purge as a newbie. (As someone once said in another thread, 'Aquarium on the grill means a new card in the pocket.') Really liked it. Even bought a second one when some really rough handling on a dive boat cracked the frame on the first one. LOVE the OM straps, as one poster mentioned. Big mask was fine (although I didn't try scootering with it so I don't know if the drag would have been a problem). Now, seems VERY HARD to get OM parts these days, and calls / emails to OM don't generate a timely response. I have gone to lower volume, simple (non-purge) SeaDive Caribbean masks and they work just fine for rec, tec, whatever. I wouldn't buy a purge for the purge feature at this point.

 

[Scottri]

I loved my old Ocean Master Z2 with the purge. I would buy another one in a heartbeat if I could find one. I liked the purge when I was diving with two students in low vis. If I needed to hold on to both students I could purge my mask hands free. It's really a personal choice. Just like any other piece of gear someone will love it and someone else will hate it.

 

[lorien]

I love my purge mask. OK, I did learn with one and have just used them ever since. I have owned several, you just have to try them and see what fits your face well and what you like. Could I clear my mask without a purge valve? Of course. But I just find it so easy to blow that little occasional trickle out with my nose without even thinking about it. No having to change head position etc. Guess I am just used to it. I did have a couple of them that were uncomfortable but I love the 2 I have now.
I have never had a problem with any failure of the purge valves, no leaks etc.

 

[amadus98]

luv mine. tusa hyprex purge valve mask had it since 95 and still going strong. Just comes down to personal preference.

 

[D_B]

Funny, I just got a purge mask, not because I dont like my old one, a Tusa M16 (I do) or that it leaks (it doesnt, can usually go whole dive without clearing it once) and I even have 2 of them, a black skirt (my favorite) and clear skirt (as backup) ... I love them ... you do not need a purge valve

It's because after demo'ing it at the scuba show, I bought the Hydro Optic mask and you have no choice in purge .. hope for great things from it .. It has some pretty large shoes to fill

 

[alphonsis]

I normally use a plain mask, but on a recent trip a strap broke so I used my dive buddy's backup mask which was a tilos with a purge. Worked great for a while until I rolled over onto my back at about 25 feet and it started to flood. True to form all I had to do was roll back over and blow out my nose to purge it, but still prefer the plain ones.

 

[shotthebreeze]

Um, I use a low volume mask...there's always problems with purge masks. My friend had one for her OW and something went ascue and the whole thing flooded. Anywho, if I were to reccomend one, it would be the Scubapro Crystal VU with purge...

 

[kneptoon]

I like the purge valve when free diving and spearfishing when you don't have a hand free to tilt your mask to purge. Helpful sometimes. Never had a problem with the valve on the OM V3. My primary for scuba is the Atomics sub-frame which has been fine.

 

[underwasser bolt]

the purge valve WILL fail eventually; anything that can fail will fail. why add something else that you know will fail to your gear?

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I have found with a purge valve I breathe through my nose some and it fogs my mask (or that is my opinion anyway) and without it I only breathe through my nose when clearing.