Need recommendation of Mask & Fins

[ng.priscilla]

Hi, I'm a newbie diver from Singapore and had jus passed my OW. Well, i enjoyed diving and intended to do a little investment in getting my own mask and fins.

So i would like to get some recommendations from you guys in getting a good and comfortable mask and fins. Price might and might not be an issue cos i havent really know how good a mask or fins can cost.

Hope to hear from u guys soon!

Thanks and cheers!

 

[serrada]

It’s all personal preference and should be fitted.

Not knowing what you want I’d recommend AERIS VELOCITY STRAP FINS they are not too expensive and a good basic all around fin.

As for a mask you really have to try one on and see how well it seals to your face. Go to your local dive shop. As long as it fits the TUSA VISUALATOR MASK is a good choice.

I’ve tried the above and like them quite a bit but as you can see I have no need for anymore at this time.

I have the following mask. US Divers Wraparound; Dacor Integra; Tusa Liberator; Scuba Pro Fino; Cressi Sub Matrix. I have no issues with any of them.

Fins I own are: Mares Power Planta, Mares Power Planta Avanti; Scuba Pro Jets and Cressi Pro Lights

 

[ShakaZulu]

Cressi-Sub Big-Eyes

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_958/Sort_Stock/DescSort_0/CSBMB.html?Hit=1

ScubaPro Jet Fin

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_956/Sort_Stock/DescSort_0/SCPFJ.html?Hit=1

 

[pescador775]

The Big Eyes is a terrible mask, stay away from this notorious leaker. Of the "jet fins", the only one that has good performance characteristics and meets modern standards (tested) is the XS Powerfin. This is mostly a fin for cave divers, hairy backed "old timer", male divers, and "DIR" divers. It is heavy and bulky. You might like it, might not. Requires boots.

You did not say you are "in" Singapore. You said "from" Singapore. This raises some questions. The local environment has a lot to do with these choices. If you are female (Priscilla) and dive tropical waters, look for the Oceanic Caribe (slipper) or Oceanic Vector (strap). Size this fin with a 3mm sock. The ideal tropical dive mask is the one used by free divers, the Scubapro frameless. A clone of this mask, the "Promate", sells for about 1/3 the SP price and they are very nice. Don't forget to defog the new mask. Try vinegar, water and detergent. Good luck with your decision.

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cach...aribe+X+oceanic+test&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3

 

[SangP]

Hi ng.priscilla,

Welcome to the board and since you are in singapore you are in luck! For mask, go over to concorse as there are a bunch of shops there to try almost every mask in the market. Even if you find the mask you think you like just remember the shop and the model of the mask and try out some other masks in the other shops. That way you can get the perfect mask for you.

Since, you can't test fins in pool test, the next best thing would be to go over to the shops, wear a bootie and see which fin fits you best, meets your budget and stay away from the more expensive fins till you are more experience or know what you want.

Here are some reviews:
Masks
http://www.divernet.com/equipment/masks2004/index.shtml
http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/masks_and_snorkels/11_new_masks/
http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/masks_and_snorkels/the_12_best_wide-view_masks/

Fins:
http://www.divernet.com/equipment/fins0902/finsintro.htm
http://www.divernet.com/equipment/0303extra.htm
http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins/2005_fin_test/
http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins/fin_fight/
http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins/light_speed/
http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/fins/foot_rockets:_open-heel_fins/

Cheers,

SangP

Btw, If you are interested, I have a couple of masks to sell and they are in excellent condition pm me if you are interested.

 

[grantctobin]

I agree with the twin Jet fins, Mares also makes a great fin, the Volo.
Go to the local shop(s) and just try on every mask till you find one that fits the shape of your face. Also, purge valves make clearing easier

 

[ng.priscilla]

Hi, thanks for all you replies. Appreciate it alot.. I jus had a discussion with my friends who r divers as well. Jus found out another lady diver had faced a problem with her mares x-vision. She told me that the mask is way too big for her. So was wondering if the brands like mares or tusa will fit asian faces? Because i saw the pic of the tusa visulator and liked it quite a lot.

Cheers!

 

[jbb]

Hi, thanks for all you replies. Appreciate it alot.. I jus had a discussion with my friends who r divers as well. Jus found out another lady diver had faced a problem with her mares x-vision. She told me that the mask is way too big for her. So was wondering if the brands like mares or tusa will fit asian faces? Because i saw the pic of the tusa visulator and liked it quite a lot.

Cheers!

Well Mares has the Xvision out with a new smaller skirt - it's called the Mid. Some shops may not have it. I too am changing out of the xvision due to some leaking. Sometimes it leaks a little or not at all. I tried the Xstream this last weekend- it has a small skirt with no ridge and smaller lenses. It was more comfortable although it doesn't have the field of view of the xvision I don't think it makes that big a difference since I need to have perscription lenses put in. It is a pretty low volume mask as well.

 

[quarry_mermaid]

I love the Mares X-vision masks, but I have now owned TWO of them (not a good thing!) Both of the fell apart without any impact at all, in the exact same place. Two pieces of plastic snap together to form the frame and, in both cases, one of the "snaps/clips" just broke apart, resulting in the frame coming apart with uncontrollable flooding (with zero warning!). After the first time (mask lasted approx. 6 months), I assumed that I had done something to the mask without realizing (or maybe a student had dropped something on it without my knowledge). I bought another one and the same thing happened after three months. I will not buy another, despite the comfort of the mask and it rarely leaked (until it fell apart).

I have a rather small face as well and I'm currently using the new ScubaPro Premier mask which has a similar shape as the X-Vision. We'll see if it holds up. I also use the Tusa Serene. It's the smaller cousin to the Visualator, which I wear for underwater modeling. The Visualator is HUGE and will probably not fit a very small face well. It takes up my entire face, but looks nice in a photo/video (pain in the butt for me to flood/clear though). The Serene is the same shape as the Visualator, just scaled down in size. I have encountered no leaking from the Serene.

Another reply mentioned that the Cressi Big Eyes is known for leaks. My husband has been diving that mask for 3 years and will not part with it. It certainly lasted longer than my two X-Vision masks.

I dive with ScubaPro TwinJets. I own both the full-foot and adjustable versions and anyone who has ever tried my fins, has switched to them. I know they didn't do as well in the ScubaLab tests as some others, but I will never dive with anything else (I have a garage full of cast-off fins!)

 

[scubafire]

I would definately go with Leisurepro. You can't find a better deal. Never buy BCD or reg or gear like that from them because of warranty problems. But if all you are going to purchase is small stuff (mask, snorkel, defog, etc.) from Leisurepro, go for it. I purchased a Cressi snorkel package with the Cressi Horizon mask and love it but it does fit a medium to larger face.