A scuba diving mask is one of the first few pieces of diving equipment that any diver would buy. The diving mask is a crucial piece of equipment when it comes to diving, and it is impossible to dive without one. Whether you are snorkeling or scuba diving, you need to wear a mask to keep your eyes open underwater. A good diving mask gives you clear vision and makes your dive comfortable. Read on to learn everything you need about scuba diving masks.
Why Do You Need a Scuba Mask?
The main purpose of a scuba mask is to protect your eyes from water, giving you a clear vision of what is happening around you when you are underwater. Scuba masks have plastic lenses that allow adequate light to observe your surroundings well, and the lenses can be customized in case you have a special eye condition. Furthermore, certain scuba masks such as the full face mask have an integrated air supply feature, making it much more comfortable for the diver to breathe normally instead of having to grip the mouthpiece with the teeth.
Steps to Buy a Scuba Mask
The market is filled with thousands of scuba masks manufactured by various companies. Choosing the right one can be daunting unless you have extensive experience in scuba diving. However, knowing what to look for when buying a scuba mask can help you select what’s ideal for you. Here are five steps to follow when buying a diving mask in Malaysia.
1. Do Your Research
Before you buy a scuba mask, search on different websites, read blogs, ask friends, and try to understand the different types of masks available on the market. Depending on the type of diving you practice, diving masks have different specifications. Once you set your eyes on a diving mask, check its availability with your neighborhood dive store. If you can’t decide what to buy, make a list of masks that you think would suit you, and finalize your choice after sharing your thoughts with an industry expert.
2. Go Through Reviews
At present, you can easily go on product catalogs, social media pages, and various websites to read product reviews that customers have left. Before you purchase your scuba mask, read both positive and negative reviews of other customers to have an optimistic idea of what you are going for.
3. Fix Your Budget
If you are a newbie, you might think that the most expensive diving mask is the best that you can buy. However, you should know that the price is not always a reflection of the quality. After checking with several dive shops, set a budget for your scuba mask within a range that you can comfortably afford. If you are on a tight budget, push your purchase for later and opt for a rental, as buying a cheap mask from a supermarket or a random outlet can put your safety at great risk.
4. Choose a Dive Shop
The next step is choosing a dive shop. Check the availability of your desired scuba mask at different dive shops and compare the prices to win a better deal. If you are only looking for a scuba mask, the key is to go with the brand and not the dive shop.
5. Buy Your Scuba Mask
Have you checked all the specifications of your desired mask? Have you decided where exactly to buy it from? If so, the final step you have is to go ahead and make your purchase.
The Basic Factors to Consider When Choosing a Scuba Mask
If you are a novice diver who is looking for a scuba mask, these are the factors that you need to pay attention to:
1- The Fit: Your diving mask is supposed to block the water from flooding inside. It has to be tight enough to provide a good seal and loose enough not to hinder your comfort.
2- The Lens Type: Diving masks come in three types of lenses: single lens, dual lens, and tri lens. You may try and choose what suits you the best according to your preference of vision.
3- Full Face or Not: The full-face mask covers the entire face of the diver. It also integrates the air supply and provides a wider view.
4- The Skirt: The skirt is the part that seals the mask to the diver’s face. It is usually made of high-quality silicon. The skirts come in different colors, however, transparent skirts allow more light to see better underwater.
5- Volume: Volume is the amount of air trapped inside your scuba mask. Divers who wear high-volume masks may feel more open and have a wider field of vision.
6- Visibility: Another important consideration while selecting the best diving mask for you is visibility. Tri-lens masks reduce blind spots in the water, dual-lens masks are low-volume, and single-lens masks provide a wider field of view.
How Do Scuba Masks Differ According to the Types of Diving
Your ultimate dive objective will determine the sort of mask you need. Most recreational divers are satisfied with low-volume, single-lens masks that come with transparent, double-sealed skirts. Technical divers often prefer low-volume, easily adjustable masks that come with optional accessories for computer adapters for convenient communication. If you are planning to take your mask along while traveling, it is recommended to choose a lightweight, scratch-resistant, durable mask.
What to Do If You Have Sight Issues?
Prescription masks are meant for divers who have different sight issues. Prescription lenses can either be bought over the counter or get customized according to the diver’s requirements. However, customizing a diving mask lens can be relatively more expensive than buying a ready-made prescription lens.
Buy the Best Diving Masks in Malaysia
Are you looking for a reliable dive shop to buy a scuba mask in Malaysia? Scuba Warehouse MY has got your back! We have a large collection of diving masks from top-notch brands at affordable rates. Our scuba masks come in a variety of sizes and colors to suit every diver’s requirement, and they are available online as well as in-store. Check out our catalog and pick the ideal scuba mask for a safe dive.