Quick Mask Question!

[hogen-deifar]

Once more I bow down to your superior knowledge and ask for your advice!

It's my 40th birthday in a few weeks and I've asked for bucket loads of vouchers from my LDS. Got various things I want to buy but the first thing is a new mask. My old mask was only £15 and it served a purpose but it feels like it's cutting into my skin because it's not very soft around the edges. If I don't have it tight it leaks. So, now I've got lots of money to play with I'm going to treat myself to a new mask.

I tried on a few, the Mares Gel thingy (technical name that!) and that's about £50 and it was pleasant. Then I tried on the Typhoon Atomic at £70. WOW! It was great, in fact so soft you could almost not feel it on your skin.

As a recreational diver who just dives cos she loves it, is £70 a tad extravagant to spend on a mask? It is my 40th (sorry, have I already told you that?) so a special occasion, but still!!??

As usual, answers on a postcard, please to...........................

[Buoyant Babe]

If it's the mask you want, and it fits and suits your diving, and it's robust enough to last, and you have the money then why not? Go for it

I've made some expensive trial and error mistakes in my time, and it's taken me years to get to the kit I have now, but most things are flogable so that you can turn your 'mistakes' back into cash for your next purchase


Hxxx

[mala]

masks are like drysuits.
better to have a good comfy fit than one that is expensive and crap.

i had a brill rolls royce mask that looked the dogs but just would not fit my face.
gone back to tatty old faithfull that cost about £30.

[Scubee]

I have the atomic and love it. It won't go mouldy like some of the other masks because of the way it is contstructed. Yes, it is a lot of money, but paying that price does make you look after it! I have been tempted by the Mares too. Before I took up diving, I wa known as a bag lady because of my desire to find the perfect handbag (ha! that's impossible!). I have changed that lately to the mask lady because there is always another one out there to try!

[nigelH]

My normal advice is to start with the cheapest in the shop and keep trying (with a reg in your mouth) until you get the best possible fit.

Then agonise about the price and the colour.

After a couple of hours in the water a badly fitting mask becomes evil.

[Stesh]

If the mask that fits your face costs £70 tough you're just have to pay it. If you find a cheaper one that fits as well, great, but don't ruin your every dive in the future by trying to save yourself £20 now.

[broady]

Mmmm...So nice I bought two !!

Hey it's better to have a backup the same as your primary - thats my excuse to the wife and I'm sticking to it !

If it fits great - buy it

Graham

.

[purple vonny]

I've used a Typhoon exel since I started diving. They are about £20, it looks sh*t but fits great and never leaks.

If you have found a comfy leak proof one that you like, I'd say buy it. And it's your birthday so it's a nice prezzie.

[MartyC]

I've got two of the Beaver Atomic masks that Knackers sells, currently £20, they're soft, low volume and I love em.
As others have said, try loads out as what suits one doesn't suit another!
Don't go for cheap if the fits not good, be good to yourself and Happy Birthday (in advance)

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by MartyC

I've got two of the Beaver Atomic masks, currently £20, they're soft, low volume and I love em.

I hate mine

However Tusa Liberators seem to fit everyone. I have had two for over 10 years and have since bought another one - all black