Atomic Aquatics Mask Options

[Nemrod]

I have never had a problem with any mask really, most fit me okay. Currently and probably now for a decade I have been using the Scubapro Frameless and Atomic Frameless. I have two of each and I do not care how much they cost, they are worth it. I also use the Mares X-Vision of which I have two of them also. My current favorite of the three is the Atomic.

I used to never see the Atomic Frameless and people would comment to me on the price. I have more recently been on boats where half or more of the divers were sporting the Atomic Frameless. Fit is important but equally important is durability.

N

 

[OctoHelm]

Thank you all so much for your replies! I will be heading to my LDS to try and see what works best. I will look into other brands to see what works with my face best. Thank you all again!

 

[BoltSnap]

Consider yourself lucky - everyone’s face is not as mask-friendly as yours seems to be!

I am not talking about fit at all, I am responding and talking about quality and durability.

Lucky, 48 years for me and plenty of masks lost or damaged, I have a few SP frameless out in the shop, probably my most often lost mask, maybe you should buy a more expensive mask and see how your luck holds

Perhaps you should learn how to take care of your equipment better??

 

[Joneill]

I am not talking about fit at all, I am responding and talking about quality and durability.

OK - but how do you measure quality? What aspect of your masks in-use has defined good quality for you? Also, how about fit and leakage - never had any problems?

 

[lexvil]

OK - but how do you measure quality? What aspect of your masks in-use has defined good quality for you? Also, how about fit and leakage - never had any problems?

I would think he means the $30 masks, which I’ve tried are not as well made as the big names like Scubapro, Tusa, Atomic, AquaLung etc. it’s true enough but if the cheap one fit well there is nothing wrong with using them.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

Three words. Full. Face. Mask.

If you're looking to spend $200 on a mask, spend a little more and get one that has a built in 2nd stage, won't leak, wont fog, won't give you jaw fatigue, will keep you warmer in cold water, and just looks cool as @#$%

Try one and you'll see what I mean

 

[Joneill]

Three words. Full. Face. Mask.

If you're looking to spend $200 on a mask, spend a little more and get one that has a built in 2nd stage, won't leak, wont fog, won't give you jaw fatigue, will keep you warmer in cold water, and just looks cool as @#$%

Try one and you'll see what I mean

FFM is not for me - too bulky for travel in my opinion as I carry my mask in my small backpack. I'd also rather have my own second stage vs a built in one (and seems more of a hassle in the event your 2nd stage fails as you'd need to carry a backup mask to use your octo with most FFM's). My current masks also don't leak or fog and I have never experienced jaw fatigue while diving to date (even after 6 1 hour + dives in 24 hours this last trip) - so none of those are issues I'm trying to solve today.

I have heard good things about FFM, especially with radios to communicate with others (assuming they have the setup as well). So definitely something to consider, but bigger than just a backup mask selection - it's a whole different animal and the high quality ones appear to be SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive than $200?

 

[GameChanger]

Three words. Full. Face. Mask.

If you're looking to spend $200 on a mask, spend a little more and get one that has a built in 2nd stage, won't leak, wont fog, won't give you jaw fatigue, will keep you warmer in cold water, and just looks cool as @#$%

Try one and you'll see what I mean

Any recommendations??

 

[Addicted2H2O]

Any recommendations??

Personally I dive the Oceanreef G. Diver and have for about 4 years. I can't say enough good about them. There are obvious downsides to them (and any other FFM for that matter) but the benefits, for me at least, far outweigh the negative aspects. A lot of what you'll see in the "industry" is the OTS Guardian, which is built significantly different. 5 straps vs. 6 on the Oceanreef, location of the surface air valve (think of it as a snorkel), regulator (similar to a Poseidon), nose block....there are several differences that at least for me just don't work as well as what I have. You do see some public safety divers using the Oceanreef (I know a couple personally) but a lot of them, as well as the military, utilize the Kirby Morgan/Hollis M-48 Mod-1, which is basically two separate pieces with the lower half being a pod that can be removed on the surface for air conservation. It can also be adapted to use any second stage the diver prefers, including a breathing loop for double hose and CCR. VERY costly though and probably not something you'd really consider for rec diving. I love my Oceanreef and have plans to buy another so I can hand mine down to my son when he's got a few more dives under his belt.

 

[buddhasummer]

Once I finally found a mask that fit and didn't leak, I bought 2 (atomic frameless). At the time they were one of the most expensive on the market but since they were the only ones that didnt leak I got a second for a backup which rides in my drysuit pocket.

I vote for the mask that fits you best.

Me too, in fact I bought three just in case.

Agree 100% with your closing sentence. IMO price has almost nothing to do with it, if it fits without leaking you're in business.

Unfortunately for me it just so happened that the only mask I've ever had that didn't leak is an expensive Atomic Medium Frameless.