Progressive lens dive mask?

[NudiBoop]

Use my DIY method (improved method in Responses) ...

Bro... that's 4 posts (with some - I'm sure - accidental additional multi-posts) of the same thing in this thread alone... give it a rest, eh?

 

[MB NZ]

Further progress and money spent. The contact lenses did not work out for me. When driving with the aircon on, my eyes dried out and became uncomfortable. I had a low threshold for giving up on them.

I ordered a mask with bifocal lenses from this company: Prescription Dive Masks
They were good to deal with and they setup lenses for photographers. It's a shame that nothing was available in NZ, but that's not unusual. Mask is a Cressi Calibro. Tests on dry land are promising, but as always the real test will be in the water. The mask and lenses were expensive at AU$435, but I didn't see an alternative. Underwater photography was becoming impossible and I could have replaced my computers, but that would have been even more expensive!

A long overdue update. I have been diving with the mask in NZ and it does what it's supposed to do, but I haven't used it with a camera until today. I'm back diving in the Mediterranean. First up, visibility and light were so good even at 20 metres that I could read my computers without the close-up lens

On to camera usage. It works, but I found myself tipping my head back to read the camera screen. Apart from that it works well and the Cressi Calibro mask ticks all the boxes. It's comfortable and water tight.

 

[xanaphyst]

I wear contact lens where my right eye is for near vision and my left is for far vision. I never had an issue underwater with them and I've never lost a lens during a flooded mask.

 

[happy-diver]

Wow do you feel instantly refraction narced or sick or poke your buddy in the ear when you try and reach for stuff

my right eye is for near vision and my left is for far vision

 

[xanaphyst]

Wow do you feel instantly refraction narced or sick or poke your buddy in the ear when you try and reach for stuff

No its a very common practice here in the states. It only takes your brain about one day to retrain itself and it only takes once. I can go back and forth from two different contacts to normal glasses with no issue.

 

[SeaVisionUSA]

I might be a little biased, but definitely check out SeaVision USA if you're still looking! We specialize in custom prescription lenses—including bifocals and lenses for astigmatism. Unlike PDM and others who bond lenses on top, we fully replace the internal lens of your mask with a prescription one, so it's seamless and nearly invisible.

Our bifocals are semi-circular and tucked into the nasal corner of the lens—so you're not forced to look through the very bottom of the mask (because who actually looks down like that when diving?).

We’ve been grinding custom Rx lenses for over 55 years, and have been doing dive masks for more than 30. As far as we know, we’re the only ones in the industry making them this way.

Bonus: we also offer a color-correcting lens filter that mimics underwater camera filter tech—super helpful in deeper water.

Turnaround time is usually 7–10 business days. Let us know if you have questions—happy to help, and safe diving! seavisionusa.com

 

[BoltSnap]

Unlike PDM and others who bond lenses on top, we fully replace the internal lens of your mask with a prescription one, so it's seamless and nearly invisible.

You do this for all brands and models of masks or just the ones you make/sell? In other words, if I have a SP or Atomic mask that needs reading lenses put in, you will replace the entire glass and replace it with your glass that has the prescription part?

 

[SeaVisionUSA]

You do this for all brands and models of masks or just the ones you make/sell? In other words, if I have a SP or Atomic mask that needs reading lenses put in, you will replace the entire glass and replace it with your glass that has the prescription part?

We do this only for dual-lens masks. Atomic is one brand that we cannot make lenses for since they usually have frameless or subframe masks. I'll attach a list of other branded masks that we have successfully made lenses for.

Also, I will mention that our lenses are made from a high-impact ANSI approved CR39 material - not glass as that is not typically used in the optical industry anymore.