Oceanic DataMask HUD

[JohnnyH]

Well, it's been a few months now since DEMA and I am curious if anyone out there has actually purchased a Oceanic DataMask HUD mask. (they are for sale now, aren't they?) and if so what your thoughts are on it.

I had a chance to check one out at DEMA and though personally it's not for me, the overall design is pretty slick.

No doubt there's a wide variety of opinions about it, but I'd love to hear from someone who's actually dove it.

(For those who don't know what mask I'm referring to, here's the link to it on Oceanic's site: http://www.oceanicworldwide.com/p_computers_iddm.html )

Thanks,
John

[Scububbs]

I recently attended an Aeris demo at our LDS, hosted for the dive professionals working for the shop. As Aeris and Oceanic are sister companies the rep had a mask with him and we got to work with it a little. Pretty neat, and several instructors intend to order one.
Our rep said they anticipate retail deliveries beginning after April. As it was developed for the military they will get the initial production runs.

[TheHobster]

Our rep was in Sat and I tried it, but w/my eyesight could not read it at all

[rbolander]

I'm confused about why they make their main selling point the fact that the mask was "developed" for the military. Does this mean it meets DOD specifications only, or does this mean it was actually developed under contract with a government/military unit and intended for deployment to combat and support units?

I thought most military divers (excluding muck divers), i.e., clearance divers, salvage divers , and SOCOM units did pretty deep and/or extended diving? The mask doesn't seem to be capable of what would be required for this (I didn't see any specs for deco operations), so that leads me to wonder if the mask a revision of the military release, or if they got bounced on the contract?

Or did they contract the mask and only use it for short range diving?

I know there are a few navy divers here, so maybe they can clear this up. It seems to me that situating all of the critical dive data in the mask would lead to an inherent reduced situational awareness, a tunnel vision almost? - Seems like a strange buy to me.


*confused*

[JessH]

I thought most military divers (excluding muck divers), i.e., clearance divers, salvage divers , and SOCOM units did pretty deep and/or extended diving? The mask doesn't seem to be capable of what would be required for this (I didn't see any specs for deco operations), so that leads me to wonder if the mask a revision of the military release, or if they got bounced on the contract?

If I remember correctly what I read before said that the military asked for bottom timer functions. The dive computer functions were added for the consumer market.

~Jess

[stangd1909]

Its pretty badass! How much $?

[DennisS]

Does it have a compass readout?

[amascuba]

IMHO, it's a waist of money. One of those infamous "Trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist." situations.

[Scuba Brian]

I saw it was going to retail for $1600. I also heard delivery wont be until late may. Now when a wave takes you mask off your head you can really have something to cry about.

[Charlie59]

Is that all, think I'll get two.