Fickle Cressi Big Eyes

[DEEPLOU]

Couple of years ago friend showed me his Big Eyes on the boat, I was so impressed I ran to the dive shop next day and got one.
Only had problem with leakage twice, once when I wore a snorkel, and the other time I found that reason for leakage was when I pulled up my hood I managed to pull the mask strap from behind my head to the top of my head. When I got out of the water the mask strap was literally sitcking out the front of my hood. (usually wear mask strap under hood)

While I love this mask, it does not fit everyone and what is good for one diver may not be good for another.

 

[cudachaser]

I really like my "Big Eyes" especially with students...I have a much greater field of view to watch my students. With mask clearing, I have noticed one thing, with normal clearing water stays trapped at the cheeks...you gotta really exagerate tilting the head back to get all the water out

 

[crpntr133]

Big Eyes? What a clusterflop, leaks like a sieve. Do yourself a favor and chuck the thing. You can buy an EXACT copy of the SCUBAPRO frameless mask on Ebay for 30 bucks. The mask is made by PROMATE, and is superb. If anyone wants my NEW BIGEYE MASK, the first to PM with $10 postage gets it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/FRAMELESS-Scuba...ryZ71161QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

PM sent!! I hope I'm not too late.

 

[mossym]

love my big eyes, on my second..smashed the first with the trunk of my car, have tried others, but none works as well as the big eyes...if the straps are very loose it leaks...otherwise its fine..

 

[abman]

I decided to get a second mask, and went for Big Eyes that I had been eyeballing for awhile. In my opinion the mask fits my face fine and it sure adds to the field of vision, I can now see my belt buckle even. Also, LDS stocked RX lenses which were essential feature. However, getting the strap adjusted is a pain in the butt. It has to be just right. One notch wrong and the mask leaks. Add a snorkel and the setting is off, change hood the setting is off, move the strap on the skull the setting is off – and the leaking starts.

I asked the only guy I know with the same mask, and he said that he has same problem – the strap has to be exactly right or the leaking starts. My previous mask wasn’t this fickle. No other masks I’ve tried have been this fickle. I’ve used a nylon strap, and I swapped that to my Big Eyes thinking it would be an improvement. My problems started all over again, and now I can’t even count notches mid-dive if something changes.

Have you had this problem with your Big Eyes? Should I start considering that I have an ill-fitting mask and look for something else? Maybe it’s not the strap but so borderline-fit if I only have one possible setting. Have you found solutions to these struggles with your Big Eyes or am I fighting a futile fight? Needles to say my sinuses are raving having been flushed for ten dives.

piikki

i dive with a big eyes mask and have had absolutley O problem with mine. it fits great i have even dove with the mask strap broken and it still didn't leak a drop or pop off my face. all i can say I LOVE IT!!!! it's a great mask, ken

 

[meekal]

I've got two of them... my favorite mask for fit and field of view. I feel like I'm in a tunnel with some of the other masks I own.

I have had problems with "premature" breakage of the straps on both. They are pretty flimsy IMHO. My first Big Eyes also had the strap cinch break so I haven't been able to use that one recently.

my strap cinch went FUTZ on me too... is there a way to fix it or should i just get out the shovel and a get a nice spray? (http://funeralflowers.com/)

 

[pescador775]

Thanks for the replies. First in line got the mask. Will be shipped Tues (Mon is Columbus Day, Fed holiday).

Good luck to all you Big Eye users, ugh.

Pesky

 

[ProMed]

Thanks for the replies. First in line got the mask. Will be shipped Tues (Mon is Columbus Day, Fed holiday).

Good luck to all you Big Eye users, ugh.

Pesky

The mask arrived and I was able to spend about 45 minutes with it in a dirty, cold, covered pool last night. Had no trouble with leaks so it must have been a face fitting issue and not a defective mask. Hope your new mask is able to work out better for you.

Thank you for the mask,
Paul

 

[miketsp]

I dont have the big eyes but I am just curious about something. Do you guys set the strap length and leave it at that? Because the way you guys talk about it is is such a hassle to adjust the strap when you change hood or something.

I adjust the strap all the time. I leave it at its loosest to put it around my neck then put it on my face and pull it tight. During the dive I sometimes make it tighter or looser. At the end of the dive I let the straps loose and put it back around my neck.

Just curious

My last mask I probably adjusted 3 or 4 times in 3 years.

When I broke it I bought a Big Eyes but while I found it very good without a hood, when I use my tight fitting 7mm hood it leaked like a sieve. The hood pressing on the skirt of the mask altered the contact angle with the skin and broke the seal in several places, so now I just use it for warm water diving.