Scuba masks suck.

[sourdough]

are full face masks safer, or do they introduce more risk?

 

[Brett Hatch]

are full face masks safer, or do they introduce more risk?

If I thought they were safer for the diving I do, I would use one. But I don't, so I don't.

 

[sourdough]

Have you considered the Ukrainian 360deg mask as seen in the Chernobyl dives?

 

[pauldw]

Yes, sucking is one thing that masks can do. They can also do other things. When you get a mask squeeze, you'll be amazed at their versatility. It's one of the best ways to keep people far away from you for a couple of weeks.

 

[madamimadam]

I agree with both John's suggestion of silicone skirt and BlueTrin's suggestion of low-volume/large lenses.

I've been using a Cressi Big Eyes Evolution Crystal for 2.5 years/~300 dives because it's comfortable, provides great visibility, and has corrective lenses available for it (which I use). I've spotted some larger marine life on occasion in my peripheral vision, which I wouldn't have seen had I been wearing a mask with a black skirt.

As an aside, Cressi also makes a great defog gel. And no, I've never worked for nor received any compensation from Cressi.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

I agree with both John's suggestion of silicone skirt and BlueTrin's suggestion of low-volume/large lenses.

I've been using a Cressi Big Eyes Evolution Crystal for 2.5 years/~300 dives because it's comfortable, provides great visibility, and has corrective lenses available for it (which I use). I've spotted some larger marine life on occasion in my peripheral vision, which I wouldn't have seen had I been wearing a mask with a black skirt.

As an aside, Cressi also makes a great defog gel. And no, I've never worked for nor received any compensation from Cressi.

When we went to Maui and took a snorkeling trip to Molokini Island, the people on PacWhale Eco Adventures suggested (and used for every mask provided) a 1:10 ratio of Johnson's Baby Shampoo in water as an anti-fog. Guess what? It works, and we have been using it in the pool for our swimming. Squirt it on, rub it around, and lightly rince it off right before getting into the water.

Screen Shot 2019-05-21 at 5.12.06 PM by John Ratliff, on Flickr

Screen Shot 2019-05-20 at 10.04.44 PM by John Ratliff, on Flickr
Note that my wife's mask is the one recommended by a lot here. It's low profile, with very good visibility too. I'm wearing my three-window mask, and both of us used the Johnson's Baby Shampoo defog on this snorkeling trip. I also have the low profile mask, which I also use quite a bit. I recommend not only silicone, but also black silicone as it doesn't have internal reflections from the bright surface when snorkeling near the surface.
SeaRat

 

[rjgiddings]

If you think scuba masks suck, try diving without a mask. LOL

 

[sourdough]

For mask fog, maybe the best tip I've gotten was to add the defogger the night before, or early morning of a dive and just leave it on until you get in the water.

 

[Jonn]

View angle isn’t the only thing. Hydrooptix really did have unlimited peripheral vision, like you weren’t wearing a mask at all, but they’re not around anymore… It’s sort of a personal thing. Try renting for a while.

 

[TMHeimer]

For mask fog, maybe the best tip I've gotten was to add the defogger the night before, or early morning of a dive and just leave it on until you get in the water.

I do that but with baby shampoo and a week (or even a month) before. Never fogs up.