Talking Underwater with a Full Face Mask

[WreckDiver1692]

My partner and I are interested in being able to talk to each other underwater. For those of you who have experience with various systems which allow this, do you have any thoughts and/or recommendations?

It seems there are 2 primary options for consumers (and a few other lesser established options):

1. Ocean Reef GSM G.DIVERS
2. OTS Buddy Phone

The Ocean Reef base product ("GSM G.DIVERS") can be purchased with the Neptune FFM for about 60% of the price of the OTS Buddy Phone/Guardian FFM package, though the Buddy Phone seems to possibly edge out the Ocean Reef product in terms of features slightly (continuous transmission, multiple channels, etc.) but I'm more curious about face masks and how they compare. Even if you don't have experience with communication systems, do any of you have any thoughts as to which FFM are the best in terms of easiest to use, best features, doesn't fog up because the air flows up past the eyes first before going to the mouth, etc.


See also:
Let's Talk About Underwater Communications Systems (alt)
3 Types of Underwater Communication for SCUBA Divers

 

[Hoyden]

I have used, serviced, and instructed a wide variety full face masks and we use them daily at my work. We have settled on the Guardian Full Face mask. We use their wired comms in-house, but I have a couple set up with wireless (Buddy phones) for open water diving. I cannot recommend these highly enough. We switched to the Guardians (we have 14 plus my two personal ones) from Ocean Reef masks. We found that we could fit more divers with fewer masks and that they are much more robust. I also have an OTS Spectrum and would consider that for personal use. It has a more shallow learning curve, but lacks the easy repair options of the Guardian and the fog free operation (has to be treated like a regular mask). Previous to the Ocean Reefs, we used AGA masks and I have personal experience with the Kirby Morgan M-48s.

YMMV,

Jackie

I would add that I can talk just fine with my buddy underwater in conventional scuba. You may want to try to develop this skill set before investing all of the $$ that two full face masks with comms will cost.

 

[WreckDiver1692]

Yeah the Guardian seems like it could be nice -- I just didn't wish that setup didn't cost twice the price! Have you ever tried the OTS Neptune?

 

[happy-diver]

 

[ofg-1]

What is it you want to talk about? Are you trying underwater karaoke?

 

[Hoyden]

Yeah the Guardian seems like it could be nice -- I just didn't wish that setup didn't cost twice the price! Have you ever tried the OTS Neptune?

Those were what we replaced with Guardians.

 

[WreckDiver1692]

What is it you want to talk about? Are you trying underwater karaoke?

We are doing underwater film work.

 

[Charles Graves]

I know I’m probably alone in this, but aside from special circumstances requiring talking and communicating, I think that full face masks are kind of a liability and a joke tbh. But when you need to communicate and talk I suppose they serve a useful purpose

 

[RainPilot]

The KM-48 is probably the easiest to convert to from a regular mask, as you don't need to carry a backup mask, gas share etc is a simpler proposition. The "mask" portion does need to be treated like a regular mask though, but that has not been an issue IME. Most COTS comms systems will work with them. If your film work requires the face to be seen, they will not be optimal but for crew comms they are pretty sweet.