pluto
Registered
Does anyone use the sea vision mask that claims to let more light in underwater(yellow lens I think) and if so can you really see better underwater with it? Also what is a really comfortable mask? thanks
sea vision masks
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Color-correcting lenses do not let in more light, they actually block light. They're very good in a very, very narrow range of diving conditions and are actually bad for your vision everywhere else.
See: http://www.scubaboard.com/t4445/s.html for an existing discussion on colored lenses.
Roak
See: http://www.scubaboard.com/t4445/s.html for an existing discussion on colored lenses.
Roak
Narced
Guest
I agree, I own an aquacolor mask that works extremely well in relatively shallow conditions with plenty of ambient light. As long as there is enough light and good visibility then the color correcting mask is alot of fun and brightens colors significanlty.
When vis and light go bad however, it is worse than a clear mask (and please don;t make the mistake I did and take it night diving).
My point is, if you already own a clear mask that works well for you and make dives in the conditions I mentioned (Cozumel/Playa del Carmen, and Bonaire are great places to use these masks in my opinion), then go for it. Just don't expect the mask to work well in all conditions for you.
When vis and light go bad however, it is worse than a clear mask (and please don;t make the mistake I did and take it night diving).
My point is, if you already own a clear mask that works well for you and make dives in the conditions I mentioned (Cozumel/Playa del Carmen, and Bonaire are great places to use these masks in my opinion), then go for it. Just don't expect the mask to work well in all conditions for you.
art.chick
Contributor
I am not a specialist on how colored lenses affect the eye, but I won one of those pink-lens Sea Vision masks in an underwater treasure hunt, I NEVER would have chosen it at the store, but I really love it! On the surface, it cuts glare. It has not hampered my sight at depth (100 at most) or at night when a light cannon is doing all the work for my eyes.
The extra pliable skirt forms to faces comfortably that often are hard to fit (we had a vietnamese student with a very short space between his nose & upper lip that curved up sharply & made most skirts leak. My mask worked for him.) If I find something I like better, I am not foolishly loyal, but until then, I expect my next mask will also be a Sea Vision.
The extra pliable skirt forms to faces comfortably that often are hard to fit (we had a vietnamese student with a very short space between his nose & upper lip that curved up sharply & made most skirts leak. My mask worked for him.) If I find something I like better, I am not foolishly loyal, but until then, I expect my next mask will also be a Sea Vision.
I also give the red Seavision masks a big thumbs up. They are not tinted that heavily. I like the way they cut the glare at surface.
They bring back a BIT of the color at depth. I don't notice any problem at all night diving.
I don't know any thing about the yellow lens type. While it's true that any tint will cut the overall light coming in, a color may increase your APPARENT vision. The human eye is not equally sensitive to all colors of light. Just look at UV night vision goggles and cameras for example.
Both I(big) and my girlfriend (small) find that the masks fit our faces well, The silicone is nice and soft. I had them grind me a bifocal version and it came out perfect.
Gerry
They bring back a BIT of the color at depth. I don't notice any problem at all night diving.
I don't know any thing about the yellow lens type. While it's true that any tint will cut the overall light coming in, a color may increase your APPARENT vision. The human eye is not equally sensitive to all colors of light. Just look at UV night vision goggles and cameras for example.
Both I(big) and my girlfriend (small) find that the masks fit our faces well, The silicone is nice and soft. I had them grind me a bifocal version and it came out perfect.
Gerry
Narced
Guest
does decrease apparent light level in bad conditions (but does behave excellently in good cons). I had failed to mention that the soft skirt on my Aquacolor makes it the best fitting mask I own or have ever tried though.
I still won;t take mine down at night, maybe the AquaColor are tinter more heavily than the SeaVisions.....
Geebee didn't say if this is to be the only mask owned or not, but thought maybe we should all comment on it.
Based on the AquaColor I own I would say one should own a clear mask as well, what do you guys think about this statment with the SeaVision?
I still won;t take mine down at night, maybe the AquaColor are tinter more heavily than the SeaVisions.....
Geebee didn't say if this is to be the only mask owned or not, but thought maybe we should all comment on it.
Based on the AquaColor I own I would say one should own a clear mask as well, what do you guys think about this statment with the SeaVision?
scubaturek
Guest
...in my Aqualung Hawaii 2 mask. I have another Hawaii 2 with the original clear lenses. If you dive shallow reefs with good vis, the SeaVision lenses are great. But any other condition, they definitely cut down the ambient light. And at night, they make your light look red. I'll order another pair of prescription lenses for my primary mask, but clear this time. The red lenses will be delegated to my backup mask. And the SeaVision masks are quite good, but I think my next mask will be a Tusa.
Joe
Joe
My very first mask was a Sea Vision, mainly because they were the only ones available for RX lenses at the time...or at least that's what the LDS told this new diver!
I was lucky, the mask fit was excellent for me. I replaced that first mask with another identical to it when my RX needed changing. My thinking was there was no reason to go to clear lenses as the colored ones were just fine. So I used it for another 3 years.
When I started using a digital camera, I also discovered how short my arms had become and broke down and got a new SV mask with bi-focals. I ordered clear lenses this time for one reason only...my students had been telling me they wished they could see my face better underwater.
So now I could make a fair personal comparison....
I agree with the other satisfied users, the tint is great at the surface for cutting down on the glare. A lavender sky isn't all that bad! The red lenses do extend the red/orange color range underwater. In shallow water, down to about 15ft, I prefer the colored lenses because it cuts the glare...especially when there's 'stuff' in the water as well as the added color.
As for cutting down on light for night dives, I never found that to be true. In fact, I have taken both masks and switched them at depth to test them, and other than the beam of light from having a slightly different shade I saw little noticeable difference. Definately not enough to say the colored lenses were too dark for night dives.
Now that I have used both...my next RX mask will definately be a Sea Vision and I'll more than likely go back to the red lenses...I just prefer them.
I was lucky, the mask fit was excellent for me. I replaced that first mask with another identical to it when my RX needed changing. My thinking was there was no reason to go to clear lenses as the colored ones were just fine. So I used it for another 3 years.
When I started using a digital camera, I also discovered how short my arms had become and broke down and got a new SV mask with bi-focals. I ordered clear lenses this time for one reason only...my students had been telling me they wished they could see my face better underwater.
So now I could make a fair personal comparison....
I agree with the other satisfied users, the tint is great at the surface for cutting down on the glare. A lavender sky isn't all that bad! The red lenses do extend the red/orange color range underwater. In shallow water, down to about 15ft, I prefer the colored lenses because it cuts the glare...especially when there's 'stuff' in the water as well as the added color.
As for cutting down on light for night dives, I never found that to be true. In fact, I have taken both masks and switched them at depth to test them, and other than the beam of light from having a slightly different shade I saw little noticeable difference. Definately not enough to say the colored lenses were too dark for night dives.
Now that I have used both...my next RX mask will definately be a Sea Vision and I'll more than likely go back to the red lenses...I just prefer them.
jbuchow
Registered
I've been using my SeaVision 200 mask for the last two years and so far it has performed flawlessly. I found it to fit much more comfortably than any other mask I tried and it has never leaked. As for the tint, I would have to agree with the other posts -- it definitely helps in shallower depths, but the benefits are less obvious in worse conditions or at night. I'm fairly certain that when I purchase my next mask, it'll most likely be a SeaVision.
Jacob
Jacob
99% of our diving is in So Cal (Catalina, Channel Islands, etc.) where the water offers mostly very good vis.
I got one first (very suspect of all the Hype...but I got it on eBay for about $60...so I though WTH). I was very surprised. It definately works. It "restored" (put down the keyboard, all you light frequency scientists...I know its addition by subtraction) a lot of the colors.
Three Tests pushed me over the edge from arm-folded skeptic to enthusiast.
1) The first real test was diving with my wife. I had it, she didn't (call me Guinea Pig.) I was pointing our things she flat out couldn't see - until I pointed them out. The "restored" colors at moderate depths (25 - 40) added enough contrast for me to see more stuff. I'm not buying the 15' arguement. So Cal waters are litterd with Pink and Purple fish, mollosks and algae... you just see them better at ALL depths with this mask.
2) When I did get one for her (they we're GREAT at SeaVision - sent us all 3 - she tried them all on, picked the one that fit best and sent the other two back) she began to see things she passed over. Again, the detail (not just the color...but the contrast, too) enabled her to enjoy her dives more. That's what its all about...enjoying the dive.
3) What color filters do most of the video housings have on the lens.... Uh-huh.
Coming up is kind of weird - I mean the mask definately cuts down on the eye-shock of emerging from the water into the bright of day - I love that. But when you remove the mask, everything is sort of greenish for a few minutes. No biggie, just kind of weird.
I would NOT recommend them for students. One DI told me he won't let students in them because he can't see IN as well - to read their face for panic, conform understanding of commands, etc. Makes sense to me.
Just like Dee, I took a spare mask down on a recent night dive (my first...after 4 seasons of diving with the Sea Vision) just in case. I noticed no problems at depth with the SeaVision. My light cannon blazes, so I turned it off and dove with my AA spare light... I switched off masks - no biggie.
Lastly - Although I'm new to this board, and I'm confident there are a ZILLION threads on Mask Defog, we have simply found no better defog than what came with the SeaVision masks. Nothing we have used (and we've used them all...) has worked as well.
These masks are well made, quality products that actually live up to the mild hype. And its getting around, as you are seeing vermillion/rose/pink lenses emerge from the big guys now.
Enjoy -
Ken
I got one first (very suspect of all the Hype...but I got it on eBay for about $60...so I though WTH). I was very surprised. It definately works. It "restored" (put down the keyboard, all you light frequency scientists...I know its addition by subtraction) a lot of the colors.
Three Tests pushed me over the edge from arm-folded skeptic to enthusiast.
1) The first real test was diving with my wife. I had it, she didn't (call me Guinea Pig.) I was pointing our things she flat out couldn't see - until I pointed them out. The "restored" colors at moderate depths (25 - 40) added enough contrast for me to see more stuff. I'm not buying the 15' arguement. So Cal waters are litterd with Pink and Purple fish, mollosks and algae... you just see them better at ALL depths with this mask.
2) When I did get one for her (they we're GREAT at SeaVision - sent us all 3 - she tried them all on, picked the one that fit best and sent the other two back) she began to see things she passed over. Again, the detail (not just the color...but the contrast, too) enabled her to enjoy her dives more. That's what its all about...enjoying the dive.
3) What color filters do most of the video housings have on the lens.... Uh-huh.
Coming up is kind of weird - I mean the mask definately cuts down on the eye-shock of emerging from the water into the bright of day - I love that. But when you remove the mask, everything is sort of greenish for a few minutes. No biggie, just kind of weird.
I would NOT recommend them for students. One DI told me he won't let students in them because he can't see IN as well - to read their face for panic, conform understanding of commands, etc. Makes sense to me.
Just like Dee, I took a spare mask down on a recent night dive (my first...after 4 seasons of diving with the Sea Vision) just in case. I noticed no problems at depth with the SeaVision. My light cannon blazes, so I turned it off and dove with my AA spare light... I switched off masks - no biggie.
Lastly - Although I'm new to this board, and I'm confident there are a ZILLION threads on Mask Defog, we have simply found no better defog than what came with the SeaVision masks. Nothing we have used (and we've used them all...) has worked as well.
These masks are well made, quality products that actually live up to the mild hype. And its getting around, as you are seeing vermillion/rose/pink lenses emerge from the big guys now.
Enjoy -
Ken
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