New mantis full face mask regulator question

[dm567]

I just bought a mantis full face mask on ebay. I can use it with any regulator according to the specs.

I've never used a full face mask before and would like to hear some comments/recommendations on their use.

A few of the higher priced full face masks have a continuous positive air flow. I have a mares voltrex regulator. I like the idea of a slight positive air flow. Can my voltrex be adjusted easily? Or are there some adjustable regulators where I can adjust this myself?

What are your thoughts?

Dom

 

[muddiver]

The most adjustable regulator available is the Kirby Morgan Superflow. It is a bit on the pricy side, but it has full adjustment via a knob on the side. The sdjustment is ment to compensate for chages in breathingdue to press ure change at depth.

The only advantage to a positive pressure regulator is that the mask were to leak and you are in not-so-clean water, it might keep the contaminated water out. This is a feature sought by emergency divers who have to dive in contaminated water. I would suspect that it would also cause you to use more air. The AGA mask has a special switch on it to turn the positive pressure feature off when doning or doffing the mask, otherwise you will have a free flow on the surface as soon as you turn the tank on. With the Kirby Morgan you just dial the knob to make the regulator less sensative. I doubt that you can do that with just any regulator.

 

[telemonster]

Interesting. I just got a "quarry toy" (Widolf) serviced by a local dive shop and as far as I can tell the regulator is leaking a bit of air. On this particular mask, I wouldn't think that positive pressure would be needed. I should get a chance to try it out this weekend in water, so I will know for sure. It uses an older ScubaPro regulator (?G200?), very standard.

The way it's currently setup I can see it being wasteful.

The adjustment knob end to end doesn't get the hiss to stop. Arrgh.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Stay away from a positive pressure mask/regulator combination unless you have a specific reason to use one - contaminated water.

Otherwise, they just increase air consumption and offer no advantage over a normal demand regulator setup.

My preference is to use an adjustable second stage like the Scubapro Balanced Adjustable, G250 or S600.