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Omersub Aries 45
Upside: A frameless mask with color corrective lenses
Downside: Awkward fit for those with small noses
Rating: ^^^^ (4 out of 5 peaks)
Ideal User: Ideal mask for anyone with a rather narrow, hard to fit face
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Omersub Aries 45 |
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Weighing in at a mere 145 grams, this is an upgraded version of the standard Aries mask, and has been specifically designed for free divers,
as part of Omersub's "Inshore hunting line by Marco Bardi." The skirt is a soft anti-allergenic black silicone, and the mask we tested featured
the mirrored version, with lenses that have a slightly reflective purple hue when seen by others. Very cool! When worn, the diver sees a
yellow-toned "color corrective" lens that restores warm tones underwater. Cool, and functional too!
One of the best things about this mask is it can be described as - well, SEXY!
Omersub has outdone themselves with this little low-volume "frameless" beauty. Perhaps I'm getting bored of the same old look in diving equipment,
and am being overly enthusiastic, but move over Ray Ban, there's a whole new look going down!
On the practical side I simply must mention that the color corrective lens was a plus for most of the testers, who liked the
improved warm tones underwater. This mask also had an easy buckle to adjust while the mask was on the face, even though the adjustment
tabs might have been a bit larger.
This mask received the highest dry-test scores of the five masks tested. (Proving that I'm not the only one that falls for a sexy face!)
It also did very well on the wet tests (proving it's more than just a pretty face.)
While this is still a relatively low-volume mask, it seems to sit out away from the face a bit, which does give big noses
and faces more room, but reduces the field of vision a fair bit, (since the
lens sits further away from the eye) especially compared to the other masks tested here. Divers with small noses also found
that this resulted in awkwardness when trying to seal off their noses to clear ears. Imagine squeezing the nose pocket, but
not getting to your nose. There is also very little room between the nose pocket and the lenses, which makes it even harder when
cold water gloves are worn. The adjustment buckles on this mask are okay, better than several of the other masks, but could still
have larger tabs for use with gloves.
This would be an ideal mask for anyone with a rather narrow, hard to fit face, especially those with prominent features.
If you have a small nose you might find it tough to seal your nostrils to clear your ears. This might also be the mask for you
if you are looking for color correction, or just something that is gonna make you look Cool! This mask would be suitable for
both scuba and snorkeling.
My personal vote: Oh yeah! Definitely taking one of these with me on the next photo assignment.
Details
The Aries 45 is a frameless black silicone mask, available in both plain and mirrored lens versions.
Tusa M-14 Visualator
Upside: Delivers volumes of vision
Downside: A larger than normal-sized mask
Rating:^^^^ (4 out of 5 peaks)
Ideal User: Anyone wanting a larger field
of vision
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Tusa M-14 Visualator |
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The Visualator is a single lens polycarbonate frame mask that was specifically designed to reduce the distance between the eye and the lens,
creating a low volume mask with an increased field of vision. Ads for this mask claim a 250% increase in the field of vision compared to a
traditional mask (at a distance of 1 meter).
I didn't attempt to confirm the 250% increase in field of vision claim, but this mask certainly is the hands down winner in this category -
at least of the masks we tested. (And I suspect it would exceed most masks on the market.) It had a slightly wider field of vision than the
Apollo Bio-Metal (which was excellent in this category) but also had considerably more field of vision on the vertical axis than any of the
other masks. The Visualator has earned its name!
Over all this seems to be a well-constructed, quality mask with high-grade crystal silicone skirt and springless side clips. These clips
also pivot, allowing fit adjustment on the head that some divers may appreciate. Additionally, a small gap in the frame at the side of
the mask slightly improves peripheral vision for the diver.
According to the manufacturer, the fitting line of this mask was moved up to about the middle of the forehead,
increasing the field of vision, but also making it a larger mask. Some divers found it interfered more with hoods -
though this might not be an issue for you (in fact, it might be an advantage, depending on the size of your face!)
The nose pocket seems to run a bit on the small side. Alos, the buckle adjustment could be easier to manipulate with gloves on.
This mask fits a bit on the wide side, so narrow faces might have trouble, but those with a large face and average to small noses should check
it out. The single lens provides more room for the bridge of the nose (and the area between the eyes). Anyone wanting a larger field
of vision should check this mask out, it definitely delivers volumes of vision.
My personal vote: Very nice mask, but too wide for my face. In fact, it was so big on me that the top of the skirt actually ran into my
hairline. Besides, I couldn't pry it out of the hands of one of the other divers here!
Details
The Visualator comes in abyss blue, black, cobalt blue, translucent, flash yellow, and shark silver with a crystal silicone skirt.
It is also available in black silicone.
The author wished to extend a warm thanks to the volunteer divers of the Oregon Coast Aquarium, who participated in the testing and evaluation of
these masks. You are our heroes everyday!
— Reviewed & Written by Val Hodges, Dive Safety Officer at Oregon Coast Aquarium
Editor's Note: The Oregon Coast Aquarium currently utilizes the talents of 85 volunteer divers logging over 9,000 hours annually. Diving is an
important part of maintaining the 1.3 million gallon Passages of the Deep exhibit with divers doing everything from cleaning the acrylic to feeding
the animals.
The Aquarium is open every day except December 25. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Labor Day up to Memorial Day weekend and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day
weekend through Labor Day. For ticket prices or more information, go to www.aquarium.org or call call
(541) 867-FISH.
