I'm thinking about the data mask from oceanic. Any comments from anyone who has tried it?
Oceanic Data Mask
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I've had mine for over a year. Personally, I find it to be rather impractical for the types of diving I do most. I certainly do not use it with my technical equipment, as the transmitter is considered by some to be a possible failure point & when teaching or working with classes,... It is such a high volume mask, that it takes me a minimum of 2 breaths to be able to clear it. Some may be able to clear it in 1 but it takes more than that for me. I will readily admit it is very nice to have all your dive information right there to read at a glance. I do like to take it & play with it when doing vacation dives & such. I am in no way saying it is a bad mask/ computer, but it just hasn't been real practical for the types of diving I do most. Compared to my technical diving computers, it tends to be a very conservative computer. If there was anything I wish was different about the Datamask, it is that there was a smaller size. As it is, the mask is almost too big for my face. I have to work with it a bit to get it to fit on my face properly. Well, that's the good, the bad & the ugly from my stand point. There will, of course some who love it & some who hate it. If you get a chance, you may want to try one out first to see if it might be compatible with the diving you do. Hope that helps you out.
I tried it on a demo dive. It was large, high volume, and heavy. My major objection was that between the depth of the mask and the portion of the lens taken up by the display, the mask has a very poor field of view.
I have a fairly large face but as Tammy said fit is problematic as it was almost too large for me.
When I voiced my concern the Oceanic rep indicated it took divers 5 or 6 dives to get to a point where they liked the mask. I gathered from that my concerns were not unique and I am assuming that if a diver dove it 5 or 6 times they already owned it and had the option of either liking it or dealing with what would be an expensive case of buyers remorse.
I also agree with Tammy regarding the lack of practicality - it is not well suited for technical diving and is overkill for about 90% of normal recreational diving.
I have a fairly large face but as Tammy said fit is problematic as it was almost too large for me.
When I voiced my concern the Oceanic rep indicated it took divers 5 or 6 dives to get to a point where they liked the mask. I gathered from that my concerns were not unique and I am assuming that if a diver dove it 5 or 6 times they already owned it and had the option of either liking it or dealing with what would be an expensive case of buyers remorse.
I also agree with Tammy regarding the lack of practicality - it is not well suited for technical diving and is overkill for about 90% of normal recreational diving.
FiveK9Two
Registered
Tried one at my LDS, liked the idea, but without a compass it really isn't truly "hands free". Maybe the next version will have it, I would shell out 1200 if it had the compass.
keyshunter
Contributor
MY opinion: If I wanted to piss away $1200.00, I would buy some AIG stock. Then there would at least be a chance that I would eventually be pleased with the decision.
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I love mine! Perfect for my type of diving. Easy to use, easy to see, easy to watch students, no issues what so ever. Its big the first time or 2 you wear it.....like anything, you get used to it and dont even notice it. To me, its my favorite investment.
As for a built in compass...I wouldnt want it built in, or a digital compass in any computer available right now. In the current available ones, you have a small window of viewing the compass(15-30 seconds) before it switches back to the normal screen, they also dont provide you with your depth when in compass mode(big problem to me) Oceanic is coming out with on that will show the depth....but for me, I dont want to press a few buttons to turn on a digital compass, then every 15-30 seconds do it again. If you use compasses, you know how easy it is to go off course by 1 degree...and miss your target completely. Now add in worrying about your depth, pressing buttons, and then trying to keep the computer level( yes, they too like a traditional compass have a tilt factor)....I have my compass on a retractor on my chest d-ring...pull it out when needed, and out of the way when not needed.
If you havent tried it, try it...if not go for it. I highly doubt you will be dissappointed. Most people that ACTUALLY OWN THEM and arent tech divers, actually love them. Dont take the negatives from those that dont own them or do different diving than you as what everyone thinks
At the same time, dont take my view either....make your own
Hope that helps
As for a built in compass...I wouldnt want it built in, or a digital compass in any computer available right now. In the current available ones, you have a small window of viewing the compass(15-30 seconds) before it switches back to the normal screen, they also dont provide you with your depth when in compass mode(big problem to me) Oceanic is coming out with on that will show the depth....but for me, I dont want to press a few buttons to turn on a digital compass, then every 15-30 seconds do it again. If you use compasses, you know how easy it is to go off course by 1 degree...and miss your target completely. Now add in worrying about your depth, pressing buttons, and then trying to keep the computer level( yes, they too like a traditional compass have a tilt factor)....I have my compass on a retractor on my chest d-ring...pull it out when needed, and out of the way when not needed.
If you havent tried it, try it...if not go for it. I highly doubt you will be dissappointed. Most people that ACTUALLY OWN THEM and arent tech divers, actually love them. Dont take the negatives from those that dont own them or do different diving than you as what everyone thinks
At the same time, dont take my view either....make your own Hope that helps
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I have the Aeris datamask (same mask, different name). I actually used the Oceanic version as well. I love my mask. I have had it for just under a year. It is nice to have all of the information that I may need during a dive at a glance. Especially depth. When diving in low vis situations, I can tell exactly how deep I am by just glancing to the right. It does take some getting used to with regard to the screen obstructing a portion of your view. For me it is a minor inconvenience. I have not taken it into a cave yet but I see no issue with it. As a matter of fact, I think it might actually be handy to have all that info at a glance instead of having to reach for and unclip gauges. While this may be unconventional to tech divers (I am a cave diver), it can make a dive more enjoyable if used with the appropriate redundancy. I also dive with an analog pressure gauge attached and a bottom timer and depth gauge (watch) on my wrist. Instead of subtracting gear from my rig, I just added a transmitter. If the battery in the mask dies or the battery compartment floods (which did happen to me on an OW dive), then I still have everything I need to complete the dive. My 1st stage has 2 HP ports so it's convenient for me. Be aware that there is a battery in both the transmitter and mask itself that are potential failure points.
I understand and respect the arguments regarding equipment failure. I don't feel that adding a transmitter places me at a greater risk when I have appropriate back up gear that I already use. The convenience of having the data available at a glance is what sold me on the mask. I am glad that I bought mine and would certainly do it again.
I understand and respect the arguments regarding equipment failure. I don't feel that adding a transmitter places me at a greater risk when I have appropriate back up gear that I already use. The convenience of having the data available at a glance is what sold me on the mask. I am glad that I bought mine and would certainly do it again.
I have had my datamask for just over a year. I've had it on three trips as well as my normal quarry diving in the symmer. I probably have about 75 dives on it now. I absolutely love it. The data is right in front of your eyes when you want to see it, but not in your face if you dont. I'm used to wearing a purge mask, and since I have a mustache I don't always get a great seal. That's maybe the only issue I have had. The display is a little hard to read in bright light near the surface so you sometimes have to put your hand over it to shade the display but otherwise it's easy to read.
For night dives, this mask is fantastic. No need to look at my other computer and try to light it up to read it.
From a teaching standpoint, I'm able to keep eye contact with my students while still monitoring ascent rates, etc. I taught a deep specialty last year and the student was a little apprehensive. We also had to spend a minute sharing air on that dive (required skill). It was great to maintain eye contact with the student and see all my dive data in front of me.
When not teaching, I usually have a camera in my hand. Again, I can monitor dive data without having to look anywhere but in front of me.
The only complaint I have is the connector for the download cable. It it somewhat difficult to maintain a good connection to download the data. Otherwise, I think this mask is fantastic - at least for the type of diving I do - teaching, photo, and general fun diving.
For night dives, this mask is fantastic. No need to look at my other computer and try to light it up to read it.
From a teaching standpoint, I'm able to keep eye contact with my students while still monitoring ascent rates, etc. I taught a deep specialty last year and the student was a little apprehensive. We also had to spend a minute sharing air on that dive (required skill). It was great to maintain eye contact with the student and see all my dive data in front of me.
When not teaching, I usually have a camera in my hand. Again, I can monitor dive data without having to look anywhere but in front of me.
The only complaint I have is the connector for the download cable. It it somewhat difficult to maintain a good connection to download the data. Otherwise, I think this mask is fantastic - at least for the type of diving I do - teaching, photo, and general fun diving.
Divemaster-96
Guest
I have been using a Datamask for almost 2 years now (got it in December of 2007) and it is still my favorite piece of dive equipment. It took me a few dives to get used to it, but after that it was great. I haven't had any problems with it, other than the water temperature reading was a little off compared to my other dive computers. I actually just got around to sending it in to Oceanic for a recalibration of the temperature (free of charge) and can't wait to get it back (miss it already).
The Datamask works great when I am diving for fun and for when I help teach. I can keep an eye on the students and also always know my own air, depth, etc.
The only thing I would recommend is that you try the Datamask on before you buy it. As with any mask, it fits some people well and others not so well. The mask happened to fit my face very well and I find it very comfortable.
Anyway, that is my 2 cents.
The Datamask works great when I am diving for fun and for when I help teach. I can keep an eye on the students and also always know my own air, depth, etc.
The only thing I would recommend is that you try the Datamask on before you buy it. As with any mask, it fits some people well and others not so well. The mask happened to fit my face very well and I find it very comfortable.
Anyway, that is my 2 cents.
the dive_addict
Guest
Try as i may , I cannot get read the display .I cannot position the mask so that when I look down I see the display.The only way I can view the display is to push the top of the mask,as if i am clearing it.This brings my eyes into correct alignment with the display.but it ties up mt right hand.To get a water tight seal I have to pull the strap so tiight I develope mask face . Evan with 100% brightness,I have trouble seeing the display in brite clear water.Moral try before you buy.
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