How to choose a mask for spearfishing: expert advice. What should be a mask for spearfishing Here are tips from professionals
Spearfishing is great fun. This is a hobby that you have to immerse yourself in. In order to plunge into a lot of pleasant emotions, it is necessary to properly prepare the equipment. It includes a mask for spearfishing.
It is good visibility that guarantees excellent prey, and also helps to spend a lot of time in the water and at the same time feel good. It is simply impossible to be in many reservoirs without this detail, it is extremely harmful to the human eye.
In order to choose the right product such as a snorkeling mask. Immediately it is necessary to abandon the glasses. When immersed, they can stick too strongly to the skin and cause serious discomfort. You can buy any mask for scuba diving, but the main thing is that it be adapted to ensure perfect visibility in water bodies at any depth.
purpose
There are many different models available. It can be a snorkeling mask that allows you to dive only to a shallow depth. Some use scuba gear and then there is no need for a tube.
Sometimes there is a full-face swimming mask, it protects the skin and allows you to feel as comfortable as possible in any body of water, regardless of its purity and the number of dangers. In general, this accessory performs several tasks:
- Ensuring visibility. Thanks to the air gap between the eye and water, it is possible to accurately assess the size, shape and distance of objects.
- Normalization of pressure. Yes, great depth with the help of exhalations through the nose can get rid of discomfort.
- Improved vision, some models are offered with diopters, they are especially relevant for those who have myopia or other diseases.
Masks for swimming under water must be chosen individually. It's best to try it on first to make sure it fits your face shape and stays comfortable even after extended wear.
Design features
A mask for swimming or for spearfishing is a complex design. It has several components that are securely interconnected:
- The hard bezel is the base. It provides strength. This accessory should always keep its shape well.
- Soft body. It must be neat enough, even and not cause any discomfort.
- Too cheap and low-quality masks often leave painful marks from prolonged wear.
- Strap for fixation. It must be adjustable. Each person has a different head diameter, and swimming goggles must hold well and not let a single drop of water through.
- Portholes. It can be one large one when a full face mask is offered for swimming, or it can be divided into two options for a classic model.
Be sure to give preference only to high-quality options. For example, the easybreath swimming mask has proven itself well. There are also other manufacturers that offer durable and reliable models that are both functional, comfortable and can last for many years.
Accessory selection
Be sure to buy new masks for swimming. It is important for each person to choose their own form. In addition, used accessories of this kind can have the smallest damage, which will later appear only under water, and this can create an uncomfortable or even dangerous situation.
First of all, pay attention to the color. It is better not to choose too bright options, they will scare away the fish and may distract the hunter himself. Sometimes transparent silicone is preferred. Such a body provides a wider angle of view and allows you to see what is happening on the sides.
However, many professionals believe that there is nothing better than the classic black mask. It neutralizes glare and helps you feel confident. Also, be sure to pay attention to the base.
It can be plastic or metal, the most important thing is that a mask for diving or other underwater sports and entertainment must keep its shape well and stay in place in any situation.
The best swimming mask has high-quality windows. They must have several properties: There is a Safety marking on the glass. It defines a good level of quality
In the case of plastic, the inscription Tempered proves a similar point.
The material must withstand mechanical stress. Under water, there can be an accidental blow and the best spearfishing mask must withstand it with dignity.
There should not be much space between the windows and the eyes. Air accumulates here. In the future, he will lift the hunter up and will have to use more weights for a full dive.
Fitting
After evaluating the quality of an accessory, it is necessary to pay attention to individual features. When ordering in an online store, it is difficult to do this, but often the purchase involves trying on.
It happens quite simply. It is impossible to repeat the conditions under water, but you can understand how to choose a mask for spearfishing in the air.
The model is simply applied to the face and air is drawn in through the nose. A vacuum is formed. A good mask must be firmly attached to the face. It will not be possible to take another breath and it will hold perfectly even without wearing fasteners. If this does not happen, then you should refuse to purchase this model and consider other options.
Buying a mask may be needed most different people. These can be professionals who are actively interested in spearfishing, diving. Also among the buyers there are newcomers who want to buy good mask just to watch the fish and the beautiful world underwater.
In the equipment of an underwater hunter, every detail is significant. Consulting with experienced tricks, what should be a mask for spearfishing, you will learn that the price is not the determining criterion. To hunt under water, you have to swim for quite a long time. Being at a great depth, you need to see where potential prey is hiding.
Comfort and optimal visibility with a small internal volume are the main criteria that the hunting mask you want to buy must meet.
Quality materials and simplicity of design.
It is worth paying attention to the quality of the silicone from which the obturator is made. This material tends to harden in cold water, so silicone with a high degree of softness is required for the comfort of your face. There is no point in a transparent obturator or tinted windows. In the equipment of an underwater hunter, everything should contribute good review and the ability not to attract attention and not scare away the fish.
In our online store you can buy a mask for spearfishing, in accordance with all requirements. This will ensure the convenience, safety and high result of your dives. Our consultants will select the most suitable options for you, and your hunt will bring you pleasure and excellent trophies.
The hunter's eyes need protection, because there are many small pebbles, grains of sand, particles of silt, wood chips in the water. The best masks for spearfishing, reviews of which confirm what has been said, allow you to perfectly see and assess the situation underwater world, timely respond to potential danger.
Special lenses.
Some models have coated lenses, with them even muddy water does not interfere with successful fishing.
Farsightedness or shortsightedness is not an obstacle for the hunter to master the expanses of the underwater world. Lenses with diopters that match vision successfully cope with the task. If you are wondering how to choose a mask with diopters for spearfishing, then the selection criteria remain the same, you just need to pay attention to the lenses that can be made to suit your vision for almost any mask.
You need to try on the mask as follows. Apply it to your face without wearing a strap, take a light breath through your nose and hold your breath. The mask should adhere to the face and when inhaling under the mask, air should not ooze from anywhere. If the mask sticks during this action, then this is already an option that is worth considering. Then you need to pay attention to whether the mask is pressing on the eyebrows or the bridge of the nose, for this you can put on a mask with a strap, tighten the straps and wait a couple of minutes. By following these simple steps, you will choose a mask that best fits your face in terms of ergonomics.
In addition, when choosing a mask, you need to understand that there are masks with different amounts of space under the mask. There are low-volume masks, there are medium-volume masks and there are masks with large volume. The smaller the volume of the submask space, the smaller the distance from the eye to the lens and, accordingly, the greater the viewing angle, which is not unimportant in spearfishing. Well, the deeper we dive, the less the volume of the mask space should be. Because at depth, a mask with a large volume will compress, so that your eyes will fall out into it.))) And in order to avoid this, you need to exhale some air through your nose into the mask. If the mask has a large volume of undermask space, then to inflate this volume you will spend half of your oxygen supply. (This may now sound a little confusing - to understand why this happens - watch the video about loading a wetsuit in the catalog section "weights, belts, buckles ...", everything is described in great detail about closed air spaces under pressure).
So, to summarize: For spearfishing, you need to buy a mask with opaque silicone that fits your face and preferably with a small mask space.
If you do not have the opportunity to try on a mask, for example, you do not have a store with equipment in your city, and you order it from us with delivery, we will offer you a number of options that are suitable in 90% of cases, according to our many years of experience. And you choose from them. Well, in any case, we will give you 14 days to try on any equipment after receiving it from the transport company.
And finally, we will give you a number of very useful life hacks on how to make the mask not sweat.
- Immediately before entering the water, spit on the glass of the mask from the inside and rub it. You need to spit on dry glass. Wait 5 minutes, then rinse off the mask. Saliva contains elements that prevent sweating.
- The temperature of our body is in any case greater than the temperature of the water. And because of the difference in temperature, just the same, sweating can occur. To minimize this effect, before putting on the mask, you need to cool your face - just dip it in water for a few seconds.
- During the production of the mask, glass is soldered into silicone and silicone particles remain on the surface of the glass from the inside, which leads to sweating. To remove these silicone particles, you need to burn the mask. There is nothing difficult about this. Take a lighter and burn it. Well, here without fanaticism, so that a little soot appears on the surface of the glass.
- After the mask has been burned, it must be brushed with toothpaste (as you brush your teeth) glass from the inside. Toothpaste contains fluoride, which is the strongest anti-fog agent. Well, at the same time clean off the soot that remains from the burning.
In general, having carried out such a set of activities, be sure that your mask will never sweat.
If you have any questions about choosing a mask or any other diving equipment, please contact our specialists. They will gladly advise you.
A mask for spearfishing is, in a way, the “eyes” of a swimmer. An ideal mask has several qualities: it “sits” comfortably and softly on the face, has a good viewing angle, small volume under the mask, and is made of high-quality material. How to choose the right model? Read below.
The best masks for spearfishing - what are they?
Material. The obturator (seal) of the mask is usually made of black or gray silicone. At the same time, its color is a fundamental nuance, since through transparent silicone the glass can be illuminated by sunlight, creating a mirror effect. As you understand, in such conditions, visibility will deteriorate significantly. If this does not create special difficulties for scuba divers, then the same cannot be said about underwater hunters. Submask space. Check out reviews of spearfishing masks. Everywhere you will find recommendations for choosing a model with a small mask space. This indicator should be no more than 200 ml. When diving deep, you need to exhale more air through your nose into the mask to equalize the pressure in order to prevent facial barotrauma. Therefore, if the mask space is small, you will spend less air blowing. Ease of use. Before buying, be sure to try on the mask. Press it to your face - you should not experience any discomfort or body pressure. Viewing angle. A wide view is not a hunter's whim, but a necessity that increases the efficiency of hunting. This indicator depends on the size of the glass - the larger and closer it is to the swimmer's eyes, the wider the view opens to him. If you have poor eyesight, there is a way out - a mask for spearfishing with diopters. In such models, classic glass is replaced by diopter lenses.
How to prepare the mask for use?
During the production process, the inner surface of the glass is sawn with silicone particles. They must be removed, otherwise the product will fog up. There are several methods of cleansing: from tooth powder to burning. One of the most effective ways- hold the lighter over the glass for a few seconds. Dust from silicone will instantly burn out. And, of course, the well-known life hack - before diving, spit on the glass and rinse it with water. You can buy a mask for spearfishing on our website. We carry out delivery across St. Petersburg and other regions of Russia.
In order for the human eye to correctly perceive the surrounding space, it needs an air gap, because only at the border with air is the distance, direction, dimensions correctly determined. In water, rays are refracted, which the organ of vision interprets differently.
If water is in direct contact with the shell of the eye, then perception is disturbed, as a result of which all the parameters of the surrounding objects change. The second problem is retinal irritation and increased water pressure, which is acceptable for a simple diver to shallow depths, but for a hunter is fraught with loss of prey.
The mask allows you to create a layer between the eye and water, protect against pollution, leaves the familiar sensations of a person. This is doubly important, since other organs of touch (hearing and smell) practically do not work under water. In this article, we will consider all the nuances of choosing a vital attribute of an underwater hunter - a mask.
Mask Requirements
Let's take a look at what parameters a high-quality mask for spearfishing should meet.
Obturator
A special soft layer between the body and the skin, made of elastic material. There are two options here:
- Rubber. Used in cheap options for tourists. You can use it for hunting, but problems with tightness are unlikely to be avoided;
- Silicone. The most suitable option is black, excluding glare. It is characterized by the absence of allergic reactions, fits well to the face, has a long service life.
Hull and portholes
The rim is made of metal or impact-resistant plastic. Experts do not see a fundamental difference between them, it all depends on preferences or strength of fixation.
Portholes can be:
- Glass. In this case, you must definitely find the marking "tempered";
- Plastic. For this case, the quality is guaranteed by the inscription "safety".
Attachment strap
This element directly fixes the equipment on the head. High-quality masks are equipped with an elastic strap (usually made of rubber, silicone or rubberized fabric) that has:
- Quick adjustment mechanism. Unlike the classic buckle, such an element will allow you to tighten or loosen the equipment without removing it;
- Swivel buckles, allowing you to choose the most convenient angle for attaching the mask to your head.
Mask with diopters
And what about people with vision problems? Manufacturers have found a way out for this category of potential hunters. It is pointless to develop equipment under which glasses would be placed, and experts categorically do not recommend using lenses under water. Therefore, masks with diopters were developed. What is their peculiarity?
There are several varieties of such masks:
- Lenses instead of glasses. Such a procedure is made to order, the initial equipment includes a regular porthole. For people with good financial opportunities - this is the best choice. The master changes the optics designed for you right on the spot, and there are no problems with subsequent operation;
- Special optical adapter. On top of the usual transparent surface, lenses are inserted into special mounts. This is a cheaper option with a large selection of optics directly from a specialty store, but when spearfishing, fogging problems are likely, which greatly reduces the pleasure of the process;
- Stickers on the inside of the glasses, a kind of lens for the mask. The film is completed with a special adhesive that provides good adhesion without affecting transparency. In the price-quality category, such a way out of the situation would be optimal.
How to choose
When ordering special glasses, you need to focus on your glasses. Today, manufacturers can offer a solution for such diseases of the organs of vision:
- simple correction with reduced acuity;
- astigmatism;
- the ability to use bifocal lenses with two zones.
Optics for diving masks usually have a graduation of one diopter (rarely 0.5). It is easy to correct the perception of people with vision from -6 to +1.5. Otherwise, a custom order is required.
How to choose a mask
Now that general information We know about this piece of diving equipment, it's time to figure out what to look for when choosing. The assortment today on store shelves is quite decent, so you can easily get confused.
Let's analyze the main requirements:
- The minimum amount of submask space. This is an air gap between the face and the structure. It is considered ideal when the volume of air inside does not exceed 200 millimeters cubic. In other words, the eyelashes should move freely, but no more. Otherwise, it will be difficult to keep your head under water, and taking a horizontal position will require too much strength;
- Manufacturing material. As mentioned above, it is better to use dark silicone as an obturator and high-quality glasses with appropriate marks (see above). The frame is made of metal or plastic, this does not affect the quality;
- Face shape. There are universal options, but they are ineffective. A quality mask is available for a wide or narrow shape. The product during the fitting should not sag, press too hard. In both cases, the equipment does not suit your type of face;
- Comfortable strap. It is best to use the silicone version, but for girls with long hair neoprene is ideal;
- Correct selection of diopters. The mask should be clearly visible, this is the main indicator right choice optics. When the ideal option is selected, take the glass 1 diopter lower, so it will be clearly visible under water;
- Appearance. You must like the equipment, otherwise it will be difficult psychologically to use it.
Popular Models
Let's look at the best options:
Suitable for different types of face, equipped with high-quality silicone and glasses. It is allowed to work at a depth of up to 15 meters, although 5 is considered optimal. The main drawback is that in very cold water it starts to let water through. The average price will be 3000 - 3500 rubles.
It is characterized by a minimum mask volume, excellent insulating qualities at any water temperature. Suitable for any type of face. The disadvantage is that he really dislikes stubble, and even more so a mustache, and it is also almost impossible to pick up glasses with diopters. Suitable for all depths, but designed for deep diving. The price category is the same - 3200 rubles.
From The ideal option if you need optics. Glasses are easily located, inserted quickly. The mask fits perfectly, has a minimum internal air volume, and has excellent visibility. Ideal operating conditions are fresh or salt water up to 12 meters deep. The only drawback is that when replacing glasses, it starts to flow and you can’t do without special branded expensive glue from the same manufacturer. The price corresponds to the quality - 4600 rubles.
One of the best options ever presented in our country. Ideal to sit on the face, has high-quality components, excellent visibility. The option of inserting glasses with diopters is provided by the manufacturer, so there are no problems during replacement. No flaws were found on the forums, all claims are related to the inexperience of the hunter or the initial wrong choice of size and shape. The cost will be about 3000 rubles.
A few testimonials from equipment owners
Oleg, St. Petersburg.
Bought the Omer Alien mask. Very high quality silicone, sits well even on my rather big face. Of the shortcomings - a small viewing angle for me and at a depth of more than three meters it begins to put pressure on the bridge of the nose.
Svyatoslav, Sochi.
My choice is OMER Abyss. Fits well, good quality. During operation, it never leaked in any weather and water temperature. The classic strap design makes the mask fit well. I didn’t dive deeper than 7 meters, but up to this depth I didn’t press on the bridge of my nose.
Egor, Moscow.
Decided to replace the mask. At one time, bought Omer Alien. There are no complaints about the quality, and at the beginning there was enough visibility. But with experience I realized that the big disadvantage of this equipment is the lack of visibility. Now I'm looking for something better in this regard with the same quality.
Nikita, Moscow.
Bought Seac sub Italica. This friend advised, ordered on the Internet from Italy. Happy with the purchase so far. An excellent review, it does not let water through (although I did not dive deeper than 12 meters). The only problem is fogging, but burning the glass solved the problem once and for all.
Eugene, Novorossiysk.
Tried masks from Omer and Technisub. The visibility of the latter is, of course, an order of magnitude better, but I liked silicone and glass more in the first option. But nevertheless, a compromise was found, I settled on Technisab. Good quality, meager amount of space inside and good visibility, what else is needed for a good hunt.
Problems in use
There are standard problems that can appear when using a mask:
- Misting. Before hunting, the inside should be moistened with saliva and allowed to dry. Before putting on the mask, it is rinsed with water from the reservoir. During the hunt, it is not recommended to remove the equipment, only at the end. Well, the rule of the car, when after a strong abuse of alcohol on the eve of the glass mist up, it also works here;
- Water is leaking. A rare case when the equipment is to blame, more often the reason is in the user himself. A few steps to prevent leakage:
- We remove excess facial hair;
- After putting on, we draw the finger of a bare hand along the obturator, smoothing it, forcing the broken parts to take their natural shape;
- During the hunt, we show complete calm, a violent reaction of the facial muscles leads to the appearance of small holes between the skin and silicone. And water under the pressure of depth easily seeps there.
Should I use tinted or mirrored glass?
There is a legend that a fish quickly leaves when it sees the hunter's eyes. This is not a fact confirmed by science, because the inhabitants of the water element are more guided by their middle line. Therefore, the presence of unnecessary movements or turmoil plays a much larger role in failure.
But there are many inconveniences, the main ones are:
- deteriorating review;
- decrease in illumination, especially in fresh water conditions;
- slightest mechanical damage glass leads to visible results.
Here are some tips from the pros:
- If water gets under the equipment, then it can be removed directly without leaving the water. The steps are repeated until the liquid is completely removed. What do you need:
- head tilts back;
- there is pressure on the top of the mask;
- exhale through the nose;
- When diving to a greater depth, pressure on the eardrums increases, which causes pain. To avoid this, you need to regularly blow through according to the following method:
- cover your nose with your hand;
- blowing air out of the lungs;
- The solution to the problem of fogging once and for all is possible if there is a thin protective film on the glass that leads to the problem. Film removal options:
- the mask is dipped in Coca-Cola for an hour, then washed with water;
- non-abrasive toothpaste and brush, 10 minutes of effort guarantee success;
- burning with a match, but only for experienced hunters.