Vision and precision are everything when it comes to spearfishing. That’s why choosing the best spearfishing mask is not only a highly personal process but one that needs to take into account a number of considerations specific to the sport.
The mask you use for traditional scuba diving may not be right for spearfishing. You need to be able to hone in on your target, free from distractions to give you the best shot at catching dinner.
One of our goals at the The Adventure Junkies is to help educate you to make the right decisions when it comes to choosing spearfishing gear. In this guide, we will show you why you need a specific spearfishing mask, what to look for in a mask and our selection of the best models of the year.
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO FIND THE BEST SPEARFISHING MASK
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SPEARFISHING MASKS 101
7 THINGS TO CONSIDER TO FIND THE BEST SPEARFISHING MASK
1. PROFILE
Also known as ‘volume’, spearfishing masks should have a low profile. That means they should be smaller than a traditional diving mask, trapping less air between your face and the mask. A low volume or low profile mask will offer much better vision underwater, allowing you to see your potential targets clearly.
2. MATERIALS
Most masks are made of silicone and this remains the best choice for spearfishing and diving masks. Soft silicone offers the best fit on your face, is durable and comfortable. Low grade materials that are made of rubber will not last long and won’t offer the best fit. A good quality spearfishing mask should also have tempered glass rather than plastic lenses. Your vision is crucial to your success in spearfishing and plastic lenses are cheap, easily damaged and cannot always withstand the pressure as you descend deeper into the water. Some masks are bi-silicone, which means they have a firmer structure with softer material for comfort on the skin.
3. FIT
The right fit is important in order to be comfortable underwater as well as creating an air-tight seal to prevent fogging. Your mask should be able to stay on your face by simply breathing in through the nose and suctioning it on. If it falls off, the mask may be too big. If you buy a mask that is too small or tight, it can cause tension headaches make your experience underwater miserable.
4. COLOR
If you were to go hunting in the bush, you wouldn’t wear bright colored clothes, so why wear a bright or light colored mask when hunting underwater? Like any type of hunting, you need to remain inconspicuous, which is why black or dark camouflage colors are far better for spearfishing. Black remains the most popular.
You also need to create a bit of tunnel vision in order for you to accurately see your target. Clear masks will let in too much light, but black silicone skirts will help identify your target with focus and precision.
5. CAMERA MOUNT
These days, everyone seems to want to capture their feats – regardless of whether it’s on a mountain, in the bush or underwater. If filming your underwater hunting skills is important to you, there are spearfishing masks with camera mounts attached to them. Don’t bother with camera integrated masks – the ones with a built-in camera to the top of the mask – as they tend not to last long and do not provide clear footage.
6. LENSES
If you are long-sighted, you may wish to consider a mask with a bottom lens, if you need to be able to see things such as your dive watch close up. Some mask manufacturers and dealers are able to swap out the standard lens with a prescription, so do enquire if you have eyesight problems and don’t wear contact lenses.
These days, spearfishing masks can also come with tinted or mirrored lenses. They have the same effect as if you were putting on yellow-tinted sunglasses on a cloudy day – they can brighten up the scene. Some tints or mirror lenses can hide the hunter’s eye, which could prove useful for stalking prey unnoticed. However many hunters still prefer to use a clear lens – it comes down to personal preference.
7. PANES
Some masks have one single lens or pane which covers the entire mask while others have two. This basically comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer the increased vision with a single pane, while others choose a double pane for extra tunnel vision.
Photo by http://ift.tt/2liBsoQ
SPEARFISHING MASK REVIEWS
1. BEST SPEARFISHING MASKS OVERALL
MARES X-VU LIQUIDSKIN
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | LeisurePro
BEST FOR: Long dives, requiring comfort
WINDOW: 2 pane
COLORS: Black camo, brown camo
PROS: Excellent fit and comfort, good seal, good field of vision
CONS: Does have a tendency to leak, depending on the fit on some faces
CRESSI NANO
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | LeisurePro
BEST FOR: Advanced spearfishing and freediving, divers with small faces
WINDOW: 2-pane
COLORS: Black, clear blue, clear black, clear lilac, clear pink, clear white and clear yellow
PROS: Designed for spearfishing, low volume, bridge designed to be as slim as possible to avoid diver discomfort
CONS: Too snug for wider faces
OMER ALIEN
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | LeisurePro
BEST FOR: Spearfishing at shallow depths
WINDOW: 2-pane
COLORS: Black, Camu, Blackmoon, Seagreen, can get black mirror lenses
PROS: Designed for spearfishing, good field of view, comfortable
CONS: Not ideal for deeper dives as it can take too much air
2. BEST BUDGET SPEARFISHING MASKS
CRESSI METIS
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | LeisurePro
BEST FOR: Advanced spearfishing and diving
WINDOW: 2-pane
COLORS: Black, brown, green, yellow lens
PROS: Mirror lens available, wide strap, super low profile
CONS: Strap can be tricky to adjust at times
SCUBA CHOICE SPEARFISHING
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Beginner spearfishers, narrow faces
WINDOW: 2-pane
COLORS: Black
PROS: Affordable version of an expensive design, soft skirt for comfort
CONS: Too low profile for those with bigger faces, not suited to advanced spearfishing and free diving
3. BEST SPEARFISHING MASKS FOR VIDEOGRAPHY
XS FOTO
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Videographers and photographers needing more vision
WINDOW: Single
COLORS: Black
PROS: Built-in stainless steel camera mount, heavy duty mount, good vision
CONS: Expensive
HAMMERHEAD SPEARGUNS MV3
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Videographers and photographers needing more vision
WINDOW: 2-pane
COLORS: Black
PROS: Lightweight so easier to wear while spearing, foldability and versatile
CONS: Not as durable as other masks, better suited as a back-up mask
4. BEST SPEARFISHING MASKS FOR EXPERTS
OMER ZERO 3
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon | LeisurePro
BEST FOR: Divers wanting excellent vision
WINDOW: 2-pane
COLOURS: Black, Mud, Olive
PROS: Great field of view,
CONS: Low profile can be uncomfortable for some
OCEANWAYS SUPERVIEW
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Divers wanting better clarity underwater
WINDOW: Single frame
COLORS: Black skirt with orange or blue lens
PROS: Anti-glare coating helps with depth perception, single frame window more comfortable across bridge of nose for some divers,
CONS: Frame a bit bulky
SEAC SUB COMBAT
Check out the latest price on:
Amazon
BEST FOR: Deep spearfishing and freediving
WINDOW: 2-pane
COLORS: Camo
PROS: Unique style ideal for spearfishing, wide field of vision, good seal on face, comes with snorkel
CONS: Flimsy snorkel attachement, seal under nose could be better
The post Spearfishing Masks 101 appeared first on The Adventure Junkies.
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