can you give me a mask rec?

Hi since we have some crazy ocean conditions to wait out, maybe someone can help with a gear recommendation. I seem to always have a small waiting list of friends or friends of one of my daughters, who want to try diving. My younger daughter and I both use Alien masks. But recently an Asian girl (pretty narrow face) found the Aliens leaked and my back up (the sporasub mystic) wasn't comfortable for her. And that reminded me that I've had this same problem before then forgotten about it rather than solved it.

I would like to pick up a mask that I could confidently pack knowing it will fit a narrow woman's face comfortably.

I'm hoping one of you guys who go with your wife or gf out, or one of you spearo gals can give me a great recommendation? pls no gear bashing, thanks!

PM AnnieareyouOK and see what she uses.

When I was looking for a new dive mask I went to the local dive shop and tried all of them on.  Only two fit somewhat good and were in the $80 range.    I bought one but it never fit great and I kept looking for a better fit.  Later I found out that some of the cheapest low volume masks fit me better and when I lost my first go pro and mask I bought two of the cheaper ones and haven't had any problems.  They don't fit everyone so having a couple different masks as back ups is a good idea if you share your equipment. 

I think they were the spear pro free brand from red triangle for around $35 but check with them to make sure as my memory sucks and there is no brand name printed on them. 

thanks Dwayne and Cabeza. I PM'd Annie and will look at the Red Triangle site. Even a harder problem than guessing for myself from a store how it will be in the water. But I'm sure you guys know how crucial the mask is when someone is just trying diving the first time!

thanks Dwayne and Cabeza. I PM'd Annie and will look at the Red Triangle site. Even a harder problem than guessing for myself from a store how it will be in the water. But I'm sure you guys know how crucial the mask is when someone is just trying diving the first time!

True but for first timers they all suck.  They don't know how tight to make the mask, their snorkel isn't on properly and it opens the mask seal inadvertently and their breathing is usually off and they fog the hell out of it anyways. 

I was hanging out at Dolphin Dive Shop waiting for some work being done on my truck across the street. The guy there showed me a 'Gimmick' mask, the Go Pro mask. It has the integrated mount on it.
I hymned and hawed at it but for fun I tried it on. Best fitting mask for me EVER. It's what I use all the time and I never have had any issues at all with it. Very reasonably priced too.

omer zero is working great for me after a few totally unsuccessful attempts.  as you know, leak may be unrelated to mask shape.  but I will say the zero is super small and seems to almost fit my 6 year old.

Hey Tote and Yowlie, I bought a Zero cubed, but sold it- too tight on my forehead. Tote are you talking about the GoPro Octoplex mask? I tried one with the camera attached and could not get used to this thing I had to keep free from kelp, much less get around to filming. I guess it might great with the camera removed, should have tried that.

Hey Tote and Yowlie, I bought a Zero cubed, but sold it- too tight on my forehead. Tote are you talking about the GoPro Octoplex mask? I tried one with the camera attached and could not get used to this thing I had to keep free from kelp, much less get around to filming. I guess it might great with the camera removed, should have tried that.

It's the one in the beginning of this video of mine.
I dive w/o the camera mounted 95% of the time. I didn't buy it for the mount but for the fit. I've had a lot of different masks over the years and this is by far the most comfortable and reliable I have worn.
I had a gopro fall off my head and didn't know it. By chance I found it.
Yea, the gopro mask with the camera does get tangled, but no more that the regular head mount.

Hi Tote, yes I think that's the one I tried except with a GoPro on it. I still haven't joined the whole GoPro movement- obviously need to get on board someday, but I think if I do it will be on a gun or something. I really don't like stuff that catches in kelp, especially around the face mask. But I totally appreciate the rec!! Thanks!

I would like to pick up a mask that I could confidently pack knowing it will fit a narrow woman's face comfortably.

I'm hoping one of you guys who go with your wife or gf out, or one of you spearo gals can give me a great recommendation? pls no gear bashing, thanks!

Well, I can offer a perspective as I actually have an Asian girl with kind of a narrow face. 

My daughter started snorkeling with me from a very young age.  As she progressed, we looked for a more advance mask, but all my old/spare masks were too big.  She really liked my main mask, an Oceanic Shadow but it was too big.  I saw that they made a "mini" version of the shadow and bought it online.  It was a great fit for a skinny 8 year old Asian girl. 

The shadow works for me.  I don't do repeated deep drops, so I don't need those pure freediving ridiculously low volume masks.  My main concerns are comfort and field of vision, with low volume a distant third.  The shadow fulfills those criteria. 

That said, it would be hard to have that "fit all" mask on hand for any guest that might show up for a dive.  Given your description, I would try the Oceanic Shadow Mini. 

Nate

Diving newb here...I know almost nothing and have only used cheap "Wal-Mart  special" goggles and masks.

My question: do all masks magnify? Drives me nuts...figured its just the cheap equipment, but figured I would ask?

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Diving newb here...I know almost nothing and have only used cheap "Wal-Mart  special" goggles and masks.

My question: do all masks magnify? Drives me nuts...figured its just the cheap equipment, but figured I would ask?

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Everything underwater looks a bit bigger.  The changing mediums air to water also offsets things at an angle due to refraction.

That little air gap in your cheap or expensive mask causes that to occur.

Diving newb here...I know almost nothing and have only used cheap "Wal-Mart  special" goggles and masks.

My question: do all masks magnify? Drives me nuts...figured its just the cheap equipment, but figured I would ask?

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I think all masks in water have the same effect?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_vision

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Diving newb here...I know almost nothing and have only used cheap "Wal-Mart  special" goggles and masks.

My question: do all masks magnify? Drives me nuts...figured its just the cheap equipment, but figured I would ask?

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Everything underwater looks a bit bigger.  The changing mediums air to water also offsets things at an angle due to refraction.

That little air gap in your cheap or expensive mask causes that to occur.

I was snorkeling around chasing 5lb bass @ Rancho Seco...until my GIANT hand passed in front of my face!

Haha!

Good times

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