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ucrtwf:I've got $800 to spend on regs, BC, and gauges (hopefully computer too).
Crazy Fingers:Mask: US Divers from WAL-MART! I bet I will catch hell for this one, but if it doesn't fit your face just take it back. You can get a decent mask for like $12 here. In the winter time there were a bunch on clearance here for like five bucks. Don't believe that you need a "scuba diving mask" as there really is no such thing.... if it covers your nose and keeps water out, it will work.
DiveMaven:I don't agree. A diving mask face has to be GLASS and many snorkel or cheapo masks are plastic. There are some out there that the packaging specifically states are not for scuba diving. You don't want to find out when you're at 60+ feet deep that the mask wasn't made for depth!
When I started diving, I used a cheap US Divers mask that although had a glass face, had said on the packaging it was for "snorkeling". After less than 20 dives, the plastic frame holding the glass face in place started developing stress cracks. I felt fortunate to have found the cracks during a routine cleaning and inspection, and shuddered at the thought that it might have failed at depth on a dive. I've since purchased two masks from my LDS that are specifically made for diving.