any advantage/disadvantage of a black skirt mask

[Angry Turtle]

I am NOT a fan of black/opaque skirts on masks -- especially in dark waters -- almost precisely for the reasons people give for liking them -- they block too much light.

a. Want to see if your buddy is still beside you? Check the reflection in the corner of the mask -- often you'll see either the bubbles which are wonderful light reflectors -- no change in position (head or otherwise) -- just a quick swing of the eyeballs.

b. Need to signal your buddy? Sometimes, due to ambient light or other issues, shining your light onto the mask is the best way (or only way) of getting attention. The black skirt prevents that. (And no, by using the clear skirt, the light is just reflected giving the person the notion there is a signal -- not a blinding of light.)

I don't get people who want to cut out light -- light is good!

It is all about the conditions where you dive the most. All your arguments are good for low light areas. When I dive, it is mostly sunny in tropical or subtropical areas. Specially in the shallow, even with a black skirt I find myself squinting to keep the sun from my eyes.

 

[John_B]

I like clear mask skirts on night dives and sometimes for overcast days. I like black mask skirts for sunny days with lots of sunlight filtering through clear water.

Try both?

 

[John C. Ratliff]

I like clear mask skirts on night dives and sometimes for overcast days. I like black mask skirts for sunny days with lots of sunlight filtering through clear water.

Try both?

I would simply like some clear, warm water for a change.

SeaRat

 

[Hank49]

When diving in the shallows (specially with light sand bottoms) in tropical waters it can get painfully bright (sometimes I wish I could get underwater sunglasses),

http://www.speargun.com/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=12

Check these out. I have a mirror lens mask which is like sunglasses. It's designed to hide your eyes from fish so you can get close.
I think it works but it's hard for me to use. I want to see fish 60-70 feet down from the surface so the vis has to be really good and the sun bright when using this mask.

 

[DiveMaven]

I think it just comes down to personal preference. My husband is a photographer and prefers a clear skirted mask, I'm not a photographer but I prefer a black skirt. We also dive clear, tropical water with plenty of light, though my black skirted mask doesn't bother me night diving.

I actually just got this mask prior to our trip to Bonaire (where we are now) and absolutely LOVE it! The magnified part of the lens is perfectly positioned so I can see my computer with a quick glance down, and it isn't in my field of view when swimming normally. MUCH superior IMO to the stick on magnifiers that I have on my old mask.

 

[ozziworld]

The Black is an advantage when there is a source of light behind you. It works like when one cups their hands around a shop window on a bright sunny day.

Try this on a regular day with the sun behind you at around 5 or 4 oclock. With a clear mask, you will most likeley see some glare on the lens. Now try cupping your hands around the clear mask and the glare will be reduced dramatically.

I think especially for snorkelers or shallow / bright dives. Black skirt actually is better in reducing glare.

 

[Tigerman]

The only down-side I have heard mentioned of a black-skirted mask was that it would reduce your ability to see tunnel-vision (a symptom of Oxygen-Toxicity).

...and stress..


As far as the "reflections" and "blinding" goes Ive never ever had any problem with that with clear silicone masks. Inhibiting my ability to take photos? Not at all.
I do dive both brilliant weather and water conditions and crap weather and water conditions. Its just not much of a factor unless I look directly at a light source.. Which would mean It wont matter what the silicone is as the light comes straight through the glass..

And Im usually the first to put my shades on and the last one to take them off.

 

[Damselfish]

Personal preference. I prefer clear, none of the reasons I hear given for black seem to apply to me. My photographer husband prefers clear no matter how many times people say photographers prefer black.

My current mask actually has an opaque (grey) skirt and it doesn't bother me like black does. Maybe it feels less claustrophobic. Or maybe I just think it looks less dorky. (No matter how many people say black looks cooler, I think black looks dorky.)

 

[dougr52]

I think it just comes down to personal preference. My husband is a photographer and prefers a clear skirted mask, I'm not a photographer but I prefer a black skirt. We also dive clear, tropical water with plenty of light, though my black skirted mask doesn't bother me night diving.

I actually just got this mask prior to our trip to Bonaire (where we are now) and absolutely LOVE it! The magnified part of the lens is perfectly positioned so I can see my computer with a quick glance down, and it isn't in my field of view when swimming normally. MUCH superior IMO to the stick on magnifiers that I have on my old mask.

what brand of mask do you have????

 

[Sas]

I prefer black skirt as less reflections and so on, RJP covered things well. The only disadvantage is that my buddy complains that my eyes don't show sometimes if there's a photo taken of me.