HELP! The right mask?

[Squashie]

Ok, I'm a big guy...I now want/need a new mask..what will best fit my face?
My eyes are approximately 2.75 inches apart...at the pupil. I have a beard/mustache and need a good seal. My current mask...an Oceanic...provides descent coverage, with marginal leaks...,but the gaskets are geting weaker. I need a new mask. My hat size is approximately 7.785...seven and seven/eights to you non scientists.

Does anyone with a big head, have experience with various masks? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Squashie

 

[XS Scuba]

Hey Squashie:
Most major manufactures (and some less then major) offer masks designed to fit big people with big heads / faces. I suggest you try out as many as you can prior to purchasing. It's tough as heck to enjoy a dive using a mask that doesn't seal well. Facial hair is always a challenge and more then a few divers trim back moustaches and beards to get a better seal. At XS Scuba we offer the Cortez mask (the guys in the warehouse call it "the megahead"). Here is a link: http://xsscuba.com/mask_cortez.html It's a big ol' mask with a big piece of glass, so you still have good visibility. It's one you may want to try.

Ok, I'm a big guy...I now want/need a new mask..what will best fit my face?
My eyes are approximately 2.75 inches apart...at the pupil. I have a beard/mustache and need a good seal. My current mask...an Oceanic...provides descent coverage, with marginal leaks...,but the gaskets are geting weaker. I need a new mask. My hat size is approximately 7.785...seven and seven/eights to you non scientists.

Does anyone with a big head, have experience with various masks? Any advice would be welcome. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Squashie

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

Squashie,

I don't have a melon like an alien, but I have a suggestion.

Have you tried any of the 'older' style masks? See my avatar - the Aqua Lung Pacifica is what I use, AL still makes this mask as well as a non-purge version called the Atlantis. They now have silicone skirts instead of the older models which had rubber skirts. There's a few threads in this forum on where to find other such masks as well.

Good luck!

http://www.aqualung.com/products/pacifica.html

http://www.aqualung.com/products/atlantis.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=124651

 

[SangP]

Hi Squashie,

Perhaps you could try this link for mask fitting as it's how wide the skirt is that's important.
http://www.divernet.com/equipment/masks2004/index.shtml

Cheers,

SangP