Specific problem with Atomic Aquatics Sub Frame Mask

[ekoast]

Let me start by saying I love this mask. It fits well, it is very comfortable and easy to clear. However, I have had a specific problem with the masks soft rubber skirt.

The issue is that invariably over time, the top edge of the mask skirt develops little nicks and tears. Atomic has been great and replaced the mask everytime it happens. I am now on my 4th mask and it's happened again. In some cases it happens within a few dives and in one case, it took almost a year.

Despite the time it takes, it seems to always happen. I absolutely baby this mask, expecially in fear of it tearing. However, no matter what steps I take to treat it extremely carefully, it happens. My buddy has the same mask and it has not happened to his mask.

The question I have is has anyone else experienced this issue? I have owned a lot of masks over time and never come across this. Let me repeat that Atomic has been great about replacing the masks. I suspect that the soft rubber compound that makes it so comfortable, also makes it sticky to other rubber compounds and the skirt has a very thin edge allowing it to catch and tear.

I'm stumped so I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has had this problem.

 

[merxlin]

I have a frameless version that I bought when they first came out and has about 300 dives, all salt, and I don't baby the mask. Not even a hint of a nick or tear. Could you be doing something inadvertently to cause the tears, like catching it in the mask box etc?

 

[ekoast]

I have a frameless version that I bought when they first came out and has about 300 dives, all salt, and I don't baby the mask. Not even a hint of a nick or tear. Could you be doing something inadvertently to cause the tears, like catching it in the mask box etc?

There's no question that I had to ask myself the same thing especially after 4 occurances. After the second time it happened, I was very concious of every step I took with it. I looked at it again the only thing I can think of is that the very edge of the skirt is beveled down to a knife blade edge of rubber. Incredibly thin, soft compound rubber.

The frame may be indestructible but the skirt seems to be another story for me.

 

[ekoast]

Anyone else out there experience something similar with this mask?

 

[bertramguy]

No, I have not experianced any problems with my Atomic Frameless mask, exactly the opposite I'm still in love with it after well over 100 dives and I'm not easy on it either.

 

[Muddy MO]

I have two of them. Not a single problem.

 

[piikki]

I have a frameless version that I bought when they first came out and has about 300 dives, all salt, and I don't baby the mask. Not even a hint of a nick or tear. Could you be doing something inadvertently to cause the tears, like catching it in the mask box etc?

I bought mine fairly early in the first wave too and none of that is happening to me. Only exception to you is that most of my 300+ dives on it are in fresh water. Never a nick and I stopped babying mine after first year.

I wonder about treatment too because I have never heard of this. Rather than accusation, let's try to find the reason - is there any possible chemical you might be using? What do you clean with? What did you use originally to clean the mask with? Where are you storing the mask? Any extra sun or heating elements that could be deteriorating the silicone and starting the nicks? Sun lotion or face creams/medications that you use?

I am harsh with mine and have used toothpaste for cleaning since beginning. I use it often because I have odd face and have a lot of leaks (steaming). Still the only problem I have is some excessive mold build up (compared to buddy) if I for any extra time forget wet/moist mask in enclosed space (box). This seems to be the only downside to this mask compared to others. (Soft silicone, more mold-prone?) I am now actually planning to get a spare because I think maybe the silicone has gone porous enough to promote the growth and I can't shock it enough - still no nicks nowhere.

 

[ekoast]

Treatment of the mask is not an issue. I have had other masks that I treated "normally" without a problem. This mask is treated 10 times better. Cleaned properly, defogged properly, no chemicals, stored inside. I still suspect that the rubber compound may be softer than the older versions.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

I had one , loved it , it is sitting on the bottom of Nootka Sound in 200 fsw . Lack of frame makes them come off a little , well a lot easier than a frame mask .

 

[Mari]

I have an Atomic Aquatic Subframe mask. I bought it in 2007 and have totally loved it. It took me 5 different masks before I found this one that fit my face perfectly so I have taken very good care of it. It started leaking really bad the during my last 3 dives. To finish the last dive I gave up clearing it and lfinished the dive with it flooded. I found a small tear along an edge tlike you referred to in first post but I didn't think it was the problem. What I did found, and it explained my problem, is that the silicone skirt is tearing away from the frame,the worst by the straps. That's where I found a large pinhole. I dive mainly in fresh water, always rinse it, and dry it in the house, out of the sun. I don't use any creams, oils, etc on my face so chemicals haven't attacked it. I wash the lenses with regular Crest toothpaste and use McNett Sea Drops. The mask is stored in a hard case. It's 3 years old. I sure hoped it would have lasted longer.