Mask and snorkel for beginner

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Anytime123

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Hi all!

I'm beginner in freediving world and time has come to choose good mask and snorkel. Before I made this thread, I did some research (mostly on snorkels)
clear.png
but still I have few questions.


  1. Mask. Does anybody use Aqualung Impression mask for freediving?
    It is advertised that this mask is low volume and good for freedivers. However I cant find that anybody is using it. On pictures it looks good to me, but unfortunately I didn't tested it yet.
  2. Snorkel. Simple J tube vs others.. Debate will go forever.. From the simpler one, I have found that most used are Omer Zoom and Cressi Corsica. From the fancier ones people have good experience with Riffe Stable and some mention Aqualung Impulse 3.
    I need snorkel for freediving as well for scuba diving. Right now I'm about to go for the Riffe Stable. Any other recommendation? Btw. why freedivers hate anything but a J tube snorkel?

Thanks!
 
Mask fit is more important than the brand or who else uses it.

Important attributes are:
- Comfortable,
- good seal,
- easy to get to your nose for equalising
- low volume (for free diving at least)

I prefer black mask skirts rather than clear skirts as the light coming through a clear skirt is distracting - especially when spearfishing.

An expensive or popular mask that does not fit well is nowhere near as good as a cheap or unpopular mask that fits well.

The first step to checking mask fit is to fold strap back over the mask (so that it cannot hold the mask onto your face) and push the mask gently onto your face, let it go, and see if the mask seals well enough that it stays on your face unassisted (don't breath in or out through your nose as you do this).

On the snorkel side of things I just go with a simple, large bore, relatively low profile J with no flash bits. Snorkel preference seems to be an ongoing debate :) (but I prefer simple with most things - hence I have pretty much stopped SCUBA diving and spend my time free diving).
 
Hi all!

I'm beginner in freediving world and time has come to choose good mask and snorkel. Before I made this thread, I did some research (mostly on snorkels)
clear.png
but still I have few questions.


  1. Mask. Does anybody use Aqualung Impression mask for freediving?
    It is advertised that this mask is low volume and good for freedivers. However I cant find that anybody is using it. On pictures it looks good to me, but unfortunately I didn't tested it yet.
  2. Snorkel. Simple J tube vs others.. Debate will go forever.. From the simpler one, I have found that most used are Omer Zoom and Cressi Corsica. From the fancier ones people have good experience with Riffe Stable and some mention Aqualung Impulse 3.
    I need snorkel for freediving as well for scuba diving. Right now I'm about to go for the Riffe Stable. Any other recommendation? Btw. why freedivers hate anything but a J tube snorkel?

Thanks!

Freedivers want a low volume mask. It makes a big difference as you go deeper.

As for your question on snorkels... freedivers strongly prefer a simple snorkel with no valves or other complications.

If y you are looking for good quality and inexpensive package for snorkeling/freediving check this out. The mask is VERY similar to ones being sold in some stores for over $105 and these fins are very similar to Cressi Sub 3000 fins which retail for 100 to $160 or so..

MAKO sells direct with no retail stores, so we avoid the typical mark up- so don't be surprised by our prices.. AND if you are not delighted with the fit and comfort, we accept returns. We have several other models of fins, most of which are more expensive and include removable, high performance blades..



Freediver 1 Gear Package | MAKO Spearguns



MF1P-2.jpg
 
Anytime123:

I have never used the Aqualung Impression, although it does appear to be evolved from the Aqualung Micro Mask, which many freedivers and scuba divers favor. Myself, I have three Aqualung Micro masks. If it fits and performs equally, then you will have found a very good mask, provided that it fits your physiology.

Regarding snorkels. You want the most basic because it doesn't have any failure points and has the least amount of drag through the water. Flexi snorkel tubes with their multiple purges create too much drag through the water, which will unseat your mask. I don't even bother with a snorkel and have yet to encounter a situation where I had wanted one, while scuba diving. The Riffe Stable Snorkel is okay but its tube has quite a small diameter with an even smaller top opening. I switched from a Riffe Stable snorkel to an Omer Zoom/Zoom Pro and have never looked back.

O.
 
Phantom Menace:
Mask fit is more important than the brand or who else uses it.
Thanks for the tips. I can only agree. Most of the mask are fitting me just fine. For me Aqualung is trusted brand and I would like to have something from them. On the other hand, most of the freediving/spearfishing mask looks like they are from steampunk era :) and I don't like them at all no matter how good they fits me.

Ouvea:
I have never used the Aqualung Impression, although it does appear to be evolved from the Aqualung Micro Mask
That's exactly why I would like some comments about this mask. As for the snorkel, are you referring to the one with flexible or solid tube?
 
Hello Anytime123:

I had the Riffe Stable snorkel with the flexible tube. The top actually has a bladed design. It's unfortunate about the top cap, which did restrict the air flow (at least for me). My Omer Zoom tucks in right behind my head during dives. I don't even notice it.

O.
 
Thanks for the tips. I can only agree. Most of the mask are fitting me just fine. For me Aqualung is trusted brand and I would like to have something from them. On the other hand, most of the freediving/spearfishing mask looks like they are from steampunk era :) and I don't like them at all no matter how good they fits me.


That's exactly why I would like some comments about this mask. As for the snorkel, are you referring to the one with flexible or solid tube?

I have typically found that if gear is popular with freedivers, from a Freedive manufacturer, it will be much better than the same type of gear made by a large Scuba MFG....Freedivers are much more demanding of optimum performance, scuba caters more to the mediocre. Best way for you to KNOW is to try major freedive brands, up against the scuba brands...see for yourself.
 
Hello Anytime123:

I had the Riffe Stable snorkel with the flexible tube. The top actually has a bladed design. It's unfortunate about the top cap, which did restrict the air flow (at least for me). My Omer Zoom tucks in right behind my head during dives. I don't even notice it.

O.
Ohh sorry I was referring to the Omer Zoom snorkel, not Riffe Stable. I see that Omer Zoom comes with flexible (foldable) and solid tube.
Right now I have some snorkel from Aqualung with solid tube. While it is very easy to breath and clean, it is also very heavy and not that comfortable after some period of time. That why I was thinking to get something with flexible tube :)


I have typically found that if gear is popular with freedivers, from a Freedive manufacturer, it will be much better than the same type of gear made by a large Scuba MFG....Freedivers are much more demanding of optimum performance, scuba caters more to the mediocre. Best way for you to KNOW is to try major freedive brands, up against the scuba brands...see for yourself.
Problem for me is that freediving (even scuba diving) is not so popular sport where I live and therefore there is no that much gears that I can test.
 
Problem for me is that freediving (even scuba diving) is not so popular sport where I live and therefore there is no that much gears that I can test.

You just saw the Mako post...they believe in their gear so much that they will do returns if you are not happy with the gear....There are many people in the Palm Beach area where i dive, that swear by Mako fins, masks, snorkels and wetsuits. While I use DiveR freedive fins and Omer Mask/snorkel, I have a certainty that I would like the mako gear...and that it would be far superior to scuba gear supposedly competitive to it...( masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits, etc)
 
Freedivers want a low volume mask. It makes a big difference as you go deeper.

As for your question on snorkels... freedivers strongly prefer a simple snorkel with no valves or other complications.

If y you are looking for good quality and inexpensive package for snorkeling/freediving check this out. The mask is VERY similar to ones being sold in some stores for over $105 and these fins are very similar to Cressi Sub 3000 fins which retail for 100 to $160 or so..

MAKO sells direct with no retail stores, so we avoid the typical mark up- so don't be surprised by our prices.. AND if you are not delighted with the fit and comfort, we accept returns. We have several other models of fins, most of which are more expensive and include removable, high performance blades..



Freediver 1 Gear Package | MAKO Spearguns



MF1P-2.jpg

I do not free dive but I have tried the Mako... I have had a lot of masks over the years but the Low volume gives you great field of view.
 

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