See through skirts?

[northernone]

Backstory below.

Not a rhetorical question:

Why aren't clear skirts encouraged as a safety feature for team diving / guiding / situational awareness?

Sure I get black is cool, and the glare is bothersome... but why isn't having peripheral vision a worthwhile factor in mask design particularly for tec diving?

With a clear skirt I can turn my head 40° and see my feet. Can recognize my buddy in a 200° field of view without moving my head. I can spot overhead hazards and I see more sea life.

Backstory:

After 23 years I'm retiring the black skirt ovel mask (I was the second owner, the skirt is disintegrating). It gave me a nice dark sunshade for my eyes and tunnel vision blocking out distractions. Effective blinders with a 50° field of view.

After try diving ~35 masks I chose one I'll put a couple hundred dives on to see how I like it. Quite opposite ends of the spectrum. Soft skirt, low volume, clear silicone, moulded nose.

 

[CuzzA]

I'll raise you one and present you with the Panoramic Mask. I've gone back to typical masks in the pool and I hate them.

GoMask Panorama | XS Foto

 

[northernone]

I'll raise you one and present you with the Panoramic Mask. I've gone back to typical masks and I hate them.

GoMask Panorama | XS Foto

View attachment 485440

Aaah. I didn't see that coming.

; )

 

[tridacna]

I have found that very low volume masks have the same field of view no matter the color of the skirt.

 

[JackD342]

I've gone back to typical masks in the pool and I hate them.

Well that is by far the phrase I have read today that is most open to interpretation. Anyone want to start a poll on what everyone considers a typical mask? I haven't a clue.

 

[CuzzA]

Well that is by far the phrase I have read today that is most open to interpretation. Anyone want to start a poll on what everyone considers a typical mask? I haven't a clue.

Knock yourself out. There's only a handful of molds, the majority made in Taiwan, like most scuba gear. Some people think a different brand name changes the design. They pay for it too.

Anyway, it should be pretty evident that Panorama mask is unique in design compared to most masks out there.

 

[diversteve]

Or the Aqualung might appeal to someone who liked an oval mask. I'm pretty sure the same mask was around in the 80's.

Aqua Lung Wraparound Mask, Black

Cressi also makes an updated 3 window.
Amazon.com : Cressi Pano 3 Mask (Black Orange) : Sports & Outdoors

 

[Diver0001]

I have found that very low volume masks have the same field of view no matter the color of the skirt.

This is my experience as well.

R..