Stick-on readers for masks.

[scoobyluu]

the only time I wear contact lenses are for scuba and ski goggles. they work better for me than the in-mask inserts

 

[lizardland]

The people I know who need readers, most of them just get a pair of those cheap £3 supermarket reading glasses, pop the lenses out, grind the lens to size and just bond it on to the inside of the mask with some clear adhesive.

 

[KBlack]

Having gone through this situation myself I thought I would add my 2 cents. Getting to that age where I have to face the fact that I need reading glasses on the surface quickly developed to needing reading glasses in the water. I couldn't see the settings on my camera, couldn't read the numbers on a SPG and couldn't get full functionality out of my dive computer.

Having used the same single lens mask for the last 20 years (Oceanic Shadow) I tried some of the stick on's but none of them lasted very long. I even tried some of the masks that have replacement lenses. If they fit properly they work great. Unfortunately for me one of the masks I bought leaked. The other gave me a sore nose after 30min.

Eventually I was recommended See The Sea RX: Home

I contacted them. They were very quick and efficient. The supplied a brand new Oceanic Shadow with custom fitted reading lenses. Shipped it internationally for me. Very impressed with the result. I will be ordering a backup mask as well.

 

[Old Diver Guy]

The people I know who need readers, most of them just get a pair of those cheap £3 supermarket reading glasses, pop the lenses out, grind the lens to size and just bond it on to the inside of the mask with some clear adhesive.

I’ve never heard of that before. I thought reader glass was curved and wouldn’t lay flat against the mask. I guess it’s along the same line as the glass inserts, but kinda home made.

 

[lizardland]

I’ve never heard of that before. I thought reader glass was curved and wouldn’t lay flat against the mask. I guess it’s along the same line as the glass inserts, but kinda home made.

I suppose it depends how strong the prescription is. I have a pair to give me a bit of a boost when I'm soldering stuff and they are pretty flat. I think they are +1.5 or 2.0 or something like that.

 

[Old Diver Guy]

I’m also new to diving, only 20 dives so far, and use readers (150). When I purchased my mask I didn’t know about incorporated readers (kinda makes sense now, but at the time I didn’t even know or think it would be a problem). I tried reading gauges in the shop with the mask and it worked fine, but the shop is well lit and clear (perfect conditions). As I started diving I had trouble here and there reading my tank gauge. I dove in Monterey Bay and with the kelp the conditions were so dark I couldn’t see my tank pressure no matter what. I had to show my dive guide and have them monitor it. After that I did some searching and learned that there are two options, the glue in and incorporated prescription lenses. Since I already had a mask, which I LOVE (beside not being able to read the gauges ) I chose Trident mask readers and that have worked fine so far. I figured I could try them out (cost between $25-$40) and if they didn’t work I would replace my mask. Beforehand I contacted my mask manufacturer (Mares) and found that my model does not allow a replacement lens. The installation isn’t difficult, but you have to be careful and follow each step. The dive shop sales person told me to be careful of bubbles and have very clean/dry hands. He also said if the glue didn’t work the first time I could get some clear cement at a hardware and try again. So far I have only used them about 5 days (10 dives). They’re still adhered to my mask. I have a dive next week so I’ll see how they work after not using them for about 6 months. Just looking at the lens they look a little cloudy, so I’ll try them today in the pool to see if they’re going to work. I think my next dive mask will include a reader built in since my eyes are only getting worse as I age.

Hope this helps.

Not sure if it’s OK, but the Dive shop was Dive Dans in Santa Clara, CA and they had many in stock and available (I paid $40).

So, just returned from my last trip and noticed that the lenses were a little foggy. I rinsed the mask and was able to use it successfully in at the beach before my dive. After my first dive one of the glue on inserts detached and was lost when I rinsed the mask. I’m planning to give SeetheSeaRx a try. They look a little expensive (~$200) which is more than I paid for my mask, but seem aligned with other replacement mask options. I plan to drop off my mask in a month or two so if anyone has another suggestion I’d love to hear it.

 

[Jcp2]

So, just returned from my last trip and noticed that the lenses were a little foggy. I rinsed the mask and was able to use it successfully in at the beach before my dive. After my first dive one of the glue on inserts detached and was lost when I rinsed the mask. I’m planning to give SeetheSeaRx a try. They look a little expensive (~$200) which is more than I paid for my mask, but seem aligned with other replacement mask options. I plan to drop off my mask in a month or two so if anyone has another suggestion I’d love to hear it.

For a few dollars more, you can get a Palantic mask with built in readers (around US55$). That’s what I’m considering. As a bonus, I think the lenses might be interchangeable with the TUSA Ceos Freedom (which I have and will test out), as well as the Scubapro Zoom. As I have both distance and near correction, I’m even considering monovision. If this works for me, then the least expensive solution would to buy a Palantic mask with my distance prescription and a second with my near prescription, then swap the lenses so I have two monovision masks for $110. The lenses for straight correction can be installed on either side, as they are symmetrical. Bifocals are not.

 

[mattfish]

My wife and I both got readers installed by See the sea into masks we already own and love. We sent our masks in and they set the inserts perfectly. I have a big-ass Tusa freedom HD and she has a cressi low profile mask.

It's pricy, but it's something you'll only need to do once if you get them installed in a mask you know you like.