Don C I had one of these mask and really liked it. I had never used it below 40" though. I did one dive down to 97' and every sense then it hearts my face very bad. Even at 30 and 40' I can no longer wear it. Any ideas? I would like to get another one but I want to figure out what happened to cause the problem with the first one. I have other mask and never experienced this before.
JEFF K There are several things to consider with a scuba mask. First and foremost is the "fit" of the mask - is this the correct size mask for your face? I selected this particular mask because I have a very WIDE face, and this is one of the widest masks that I've found (plus, it helped that I won the original in a scuba event). Second, do you have the mask strap too tight? Having excess tension on the strap will pull the frame into your face, hitting pressure points, and making you uncomfortable. Third, are you equalizing pressure properly?, meaning putting air pressure into the mask cavity while you're descending. Finally, how old is your current mask, particularly, how pliable is the silicone skirt? If the skirt is old and dried out, you may need more force on the seal against your face, increasing the discomfort. I tend to replace my mask every two to three years - due to the silicone skirt becoming dirty, stiff and starting to leak - and I generally log between forty and eighty dives per year. I am very happy with this mask, and I trust you will find the same. Jeff K.
BILL H Not had a problem at all with mine, it's a very good mask with great vision. The only thing I can think would cause the mask squeeze is having it on too tight to begin with - a little looser and it would still make good contact. Possibly it just does not fit your face well to begin with?
PETER P Don:
My experience with this mask has been very positive. Because of the ability to adjust the strap via the...
"The Visualator's 5 Angle Strap Adjustor allows for a 5-Position Micro-Adjustment on both the left and right sides of the mask. This enables Vertical (up/down) and Horizontal (left/right) Pressure on the Face to be Delicately Adjusted for the Optimum Fit."
This is how I have been able to overcome any squeeze sensation as a result of pressure increases at depth. The adjustments up/down can make a huge different in comfort, relieving leaking or squeezing. I have gone as deep as 110 Ft with this mask and found the fit very comfortable after minor adjustments.
If the need arise, I would get another pair.
Peter
JEREMY B Hi Don,
I have two of these and these are my go-to mask. I've got about 350 dives on mine and love them. I dive the Puget Sound, and regularly go below 100'.
For your situation, honestly, it sounds like you weren't equalizing your mask. As you go down, all air spaces will have pressure on them - including the air space in your mask. To equalize the pressure in your mask airspace, just exhale through your nose. You don't need to worry about leaks, if you exhale too much, the extra bubbles will escape harmlessly. Note that this has nothing to do with this particular model of mask - every mask will exhibit some squeeze as you descend.
Good luck!
JOHN Y I have taken this mask well over 180 ft with no issues. I will say that the nose area fits very snug so if you have a larger than normal nose you will find that it does not fit as well. Make sure that you are purging your mask at depth and it should not matter if you are deep or not. This is the second mask of this type that I have owned. I had a small crack in the silicone in the nose area on the first one. I liked the mask enough to purchase another.
RANDY W Unfortunately Don, I left all of my dive gear in St Vincent and the Grenadines with anticipation of being back this past year. I bought the new mask for a couple of snorkeling trips. I'll be back down to SGV next month and I will try the new mask. I'll let you know how it works out if I can get another message through. Maybe this site will let us do that.
WILLIAM B I cant think of any reason why the mask would change because of a dive
to 97ft
I have had my mask much deeper and never had a problem with it
Is the rim of the mask hurting your face or are you getting a mask squeeze
I liked the fit so much I bought 2 backups
DOUGLAS H Don, the mask should not feel any different at any depth if you are using proper equalization techniques. Are you blowing out through your nose a bit to eliminate mask squeeze as you descend? Make sure you are not getting the strap too tight as well. The Tusa M-14 has been my favorite all time mask.
WADE R I too love the Visualator and have also experienced somewhat the same issue. I think that it has such a large area lens, to keep the volume down Tusa has molded it with very little clearance between it and the bridge of the nose. I still use it from time to time, and it really is a hit of miss to being comfortable. Obvious deeper dives present more of a problem. Don't think that helped but it is too good to get rid of so I keep it in my bag as a spare and end up using it about half the time depending on the dive profile.