2001 Testers' Choice Masks

November 2000
By Jon Hardy

Masks Reviewed in This Article

Aqua Lung Vera Cressi-sub Superocchio Mares Opera Mares Target Mares Ventosa Ocean Master Z2 Oceanic BIVU2 Oceanic Shadow

Scubapro Frameless SeaQuest Idea SeaVision 2000 Sporasub Samurai Graphite TUSA TM-7000Q Imprex Zeagle Ebon Zeagle Ranger

Masks are another of those fit-critical pieces of gear. If a mask leaks, forget it, regardless of whatever neat features it has.

After fit comes low volume and a wide field of view, both to the sides and up and down. Low volume is better for most divers because it means less drag, easier clearing and easier equalizing, though claustrophobes may have different priorities.

Only you can test the fit of your mask because every face and every mask is shaped differently. But low volume and field of view we can measure, and did, on 94 masks from 19 companies. The following masks scored highest in both characteristics.

Many adult-quality masks are now made for children and others with small faces. Full-sized masks tend to have a width of 5 inches between the temples; children's masks have 4 inches or less. A few straddle the fence, but we've made an arbitrary division at 4.5 inches.

FULL-SIZED MASKS IN REVIEW

Aqua Lung Testers' Choice

Aqua Lung Vera Aqua Lung Vera If you're looking for low volume in a single-lens design, check out this mask, which has the lowest volume of any single-lens mask tested. Also offers excellent horizontal field of view. $75

Mares Testers' Choice

Mares Opera Mares Opera If ultra-low volume is what you're looking for, this may be your mask. One of the lowest-volume masks tested, the Opera features good side-to-side view. $69

Oceanic Testers' Choice

Oceanic BiVu2 Oceanic BiVu2 With high scores in every category, this mask tied for the top total score in our tests. Unique prisms at the bottom of the lenses provide excellent downward view. $99.95

Oceanic Shadow Oceanic Shadow With high scores all around and a perfect "10" for its excellent horizontal field of view, the Shadow is another mask that tied for the top total score in the test. $79.95

Scubapro Testers' Choice

Scubapro Frameless Scubapro Frameless The Frameless offers a good balance of vision in all directions plus low volume. The frameless design packs flat, making it compact for travel. $102

SeaQuest Testers' Choice

SeaQuest Idea SeaQuest Idea This low-priced mask combines exceptionally low volume with excellent side-to-side vision. Available in a "Lux" version with hand-painted metallic blue frame. Best Buy. $62

SeaVision Testers' Choice

SeaVision 2000 SeaVision 2000 Color-correcting lenses are standard on this mask, which received excellent scores in every category. $99

Zeagle Testers' Choice

Zeagle Ebon Zeagle Ebon The only mask to tie for the top total score and also to qualify as a "Best Buy." The Ebon received a perfect score of "10" for its horizontal field of view. $65

SMALL MASKS

Cressi-sub Testers' Choice

Cressi-sub Superocchio Cressi-sub Superocchio This small mask features exceptionally low volume and good view to the sides. $59

Mares Testers' Choice

Mares Target Mares Target Like the Cressi-sub Superocchio, the Target has an excellent horizontal field of vision and very low volume. $54

Mares Ventosa Mares Ventosa With a tall but narrow skirt, the Ventosa is an excellent choice for narrow-faced adults. The mask earned good all-around scores. $54

Ocean Master Testers' Choice

Ocean Master Z2 Ocean Master Z2 The Z2 earned good scores all-around and has some good additional features—a purge valve and a padded "Q Strap" that adjusts at the back of the head. $80

Sporasub Testers' Choice

Sporasub Samurai Graphite Sporasub Samurai Graphite This mask combines exceptionally low volume with good view to the sides. Also available in an "Elite" version with reflective lenses. $63

TUSA Testers' Choice

TUSA TM-7000Q Imprex TUSA TM-7000Q Imprex This mask with round lenses earned good all-around scores, especially for low-volume and horizontal view. $67

Zeagle Testers' Choice

Zeagle Ranger Zeagle Ranger The Ranger received the highest total score of any mask we tested in either the full-sized or small mask category. Excellent scores for volume, horizontal view, downward view and upward view. $60

Out of the Fog

A full 25 percent of respondents in our online gear survey say that they've had trouble with masks that fog excessively. Fortunately, this is one problem you can fix yourself.

• Prep it. Scrub both the inside and outside of every lens or window with a mild abrasive such as Soft Scrub or toothpaste.
• Squirt it. Apply defog solution often, rubbing all inside lenses completely and then rinsing thoroughly.
• Keep it wet. Keeping your mask immersed in water between dives will make defogging easier.
• Rinse it. If all else fails and your mask fogs during a dive, let a small amount of water into your mask and then from time to time lean forward to rinse the lens.

Mask Shopping Tips

• Bring your regulator on your shopping trip, because its mouthpiece will deform your face and affect the mask seal.
• When performing the "sniff" test, inhale gently. A vigorous inhale will make even an ill-fitting mask seal for a time, giving a "false positive" reading.
• Make sure you can easily reach around the second-stage to pinch your nose.
• Look for tempered glass lenses, a silicone skirt and buckles that adjust easily yet hold their adjustment.
• Need corrective lenses? Most two-window and four-window masks can be fitted with corrective lenses. They are usually available as a manufacturer's option. Otherwise, contact SeaVision for custom lenses.
• What color skirt? A clear skirt may seem bright and sunny in air, but all that light streaming in from the sides may be distracting in water. Most photographers prefer black.
• Downward vision: Check with your reg in your mouth to limit how far you can tilt your head. Can you read your gauges?
• Side-to-side vision: Side windows may seem to help, but often give a distorted view that's cut by a "corner post."