New to Scuba: Mask Question

[sslkrissi]

Hello,

I am in the process of doing my PADI Open Water Certification Course and have just bought my mask, fins, snorkle and wetsuit. I am wondering which is better, a mask with two lenses or one lense? At first, I purchased one with two lenses, but then returned it for one with one lense that felt better on my face. Now, after talking to a few people, I have been told that the masks with two lenses are better b/c they are easier to clear and fog less.... any truth to this???

 

P.S. Here's a link to the masks. The one on top is the one that I ended up with, while the bottom one is the one I returned: http://www.seadiveinc.com/X-FreePS.htm

 

Thanks:)

[mlitten30]

It really doesn't matter one lense over two it is a personal prefrence. The most important part is that it fits well and feels comfortable. Nothing can make a dive less enjoyable than not having a good fitting mask. If your mask fits well and has one lense stick with it. I have had both and I don't have fogging issues as I use either defog or baby shampoo, either will provide you a clear dive. Hope that helps!

[Dive Master]

I have used both one lens and two lens masks--could not tell mcuh difference. I always buy a mask with a built in purge valve--so easy to clear.I use 500 PSI defog--great suff-- espescially when your are going from 90 degrees on the boat ramp to the 52 degree chill of the underwater forrest in Lake Jocassee,SC !

[Pilot70D]

Here's why a two lens mask MAY be better than a single lens unit. I wear glasses above the water. I have diopter corrective lenses in my mask. These lenses allow me to see clearly before and after entering the water.

 

For a two lens mask the diopter corrective lenses aren't terribly expensive ranging in price from roughly $25 to $40 per lens depending on the manufacturer of the mask and the shape of the lenses. One can get a custom ground prescription single lens mask but the cost is significantly higher.

 

The War Department (aka Mrs. B) doesn't need glasses consequently her mask is a single lens type but not because she doesn't need glasses. She found a mask that fit her and was comfortable. As other posters have pointed out, the MOST significant thing is to use a mask that is comfortable and fits your face. If it fits and it's comfortable it really doesn't matter whether the mask is a one lens, two lens or four lens mask.

 

Hope this is helpful. Dive safely and enjoy that next dive.

[sunchasers64]

By all means, get the one you're most comfortable with. The dive shop I took my lessons through let me try out all the masks I wanted when I was in the pool. I tried them all, I think. LOL 2 lens, single lens, high volume, low volume, nose purge, without nose purge, with every combination of the above they had. I was then able to pick the one I was most comfortable with. The one I picked was a 2 lens, low volume, with a nose purge. I just got back from my first ocean dives with it, and it was great! See if they'll let you try out a few.