sharky60
Contributor
I have used a full face mask with a built in microphone & headphones, for the past 3 years at the Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park for our dive shows. recently the tank we dove in had a structural failure and the aquarium elected to cut it down to a large shark & ray touch tank rather than repair it, so our dive program is on hold for now.
but I digress, we us surface supplied air, basically a long delivery hose (30'-40') and tanks on a platform at the back of the exhibit. I have never had problems with it fogging up, you have a constant air flow into the unit, so you're head is much more bouyant than with a regular mask. we don't even "spit" prime it, just whip it with a clean soft cloth and put it on.
I think once you got used to it, air consumption would be just a little more than with a reg., it is hard to say because we are doing shows and talking A LOT so we burn more air than usual. we are also only in a less than 10' deep tank, walking not swimming. we would still be able to stay in the water at that depth for over 2 hours easily. I did a vacuum clean dive where I was in the water for well over 2 hours, working and talking thru the whole process, I just don't remember how much air was left in the tank.
Maintenance isn't cheap either, the skirt around the mask will need to be replaced eventually or if a strap breaks the whole skirt needs to be replaced, that'll set you back about $500
clearing isn't real easy, there is a "purge" button at the nose for clearing, but doesn't work very well. at least with my face. you almost have to be able to "swallow" or "yawn" clear.
I think it's one of those things to hold out on for another 5 years or so, the technology with get better and the prices will drop. I think USD's unit is around $600, still a little steep.
but I digress, we us surface supplied air, basically a long delivery hose (30'-40') and tanks on a platform at the back of the exhibit. I have never had problems with it fogging up, you have a constant air flow into the unit, so you're head is much more bouyant than with a regular mask. we don't even "spit" prime it, just whip it with a clean soft cloth and put it on.
I think once you got used to it, air consumption would be just a little more than with a reg., it is hard to say because we are doing shows and talking A LOT so we burn more air than usual. we are also only in a less than 10' deep tank, walking not swimming. we would still be able to stay in the water at that depth for over 2 hours easily. I did a vacuum clean dive where I was in the water for well over 2 hours, working and talking thru the whole process, I just don't remember how much air was left in the tank.
Maintenance isn't cheap either, the skirt around the mask will need to be replaced eventually or if a strap breaks the whole skirt needs to be replaced, that'll set you back about $500
clearing isn't real easy, there is a "purge" button at the nose for clearing, but doesn't work very well. at least with my face. you almost have to be able to "swallow" or "yawn" clear.
I think it's one of those things to hold out on for another 5 years or so, the technology with get better and the prices will drop. I think USD's unit is around $600, still a little steep.
