Black vs. clear silicone mask

[steelfish]

I'm thinking of buying a new cressi big eye evo mask. I currently have a clear silicone skirt type mask. Is there any reason or advantage to the black silicone over the clear silicone mask? I'm a warm water recreational diver and a novice.

Thanks

 

[fdog]

Black masks improve vision in low light by increasing contrast. They block light coming into the sides of your eyes, and it is easier to discern subtle diferences in shading. The effect is similar to driving into the sunset, and shielding your eyes with your hand.

This is most useful during dives at sunset, or night dives, or deep dives, all where light is low. They are also very popular with underwater photographers, who get big gains in seeing the viewfinder.

Clear masks give you a nice, spacious feeeling, so it's good for claustrophobes. It also increases your peripheral awareness, because although you can't truly see through the sides of the mask, you can see shapes and movement. The cost is a lot of glare, and when you know to look for it, you'll see the reflection of the side of the mask in the faceplate.

<shrugs> It's a tradeoff, both designs have their advantages. As a generality, divers typically start off with a clear mask, and as they pick up a lot of experience, switch to a black one.

Personally, I have a copy of both. I'll use the clear when I have students and want to be very situationally aware of my surroundings, and use the black for everything else.



All the best, James

 

[steelfish]

Thanks James. Makes sense.

 

[DiveMaven]

I think it's important to try before you decide for yourself. I used a clear mask skirt for years when I tried a black skirt and absolutely loved it. I've used a black skirt mask since. On the other hand, my husband who is a photographer, tried my black skirt mask and went right back to his clear skirt as he preferred that.

 

[llqwyd]

of course it all comes down to prefrences, but i find that the black mask will improve your vision, as it reduces glare (IMHO)

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I think it's important to try before you decide for yourself. I used a clear mask skirt for years when I tried a black skirt and absolutely loved it. I've used a black skirt mask since. On the other hand, my husband who is a photographer, tried my black skirt mask and went right back to his clear skirt as he preferred that.

Interesting. This is the opposite of what most people find for underwater photography (i.e., black skirts are preferred due to reduced glare).

As far as the general Black vs Clear: It is really just personal preference. I prefer black skirts for the excellent reasons given in the posts above.

Others really like clear... so it is up to you!

 

[John_B]

I keep two masks with me; one with a black skirt for bright sunny days, and another with a clear skirt for night dives and overcast days. All other things being equal, the black one looks cooler. :cool2:

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have both. The black one is used 95% of the time and the clear one of the same model is mostly a back up mask. I find the glare of the clear mask to be generally distracting and annoying.

 

[robint]

another thing to consider is that the black skirt masks last longer before they get brittle. The clear silicone yellows pretty quickly and gets hard where the black skirts stay supple! I learned this after replacing my clear mask once a year while my hubby was using the same black skirt mask for 6+ years. I finally switched last year and LOVE it. It really does reduce the glare and it looks waaaay cooler, too.

 

[Fishpie]

Get a black one.....now your buddy cant see your boogers in the nose pocket.