Good mask for Rx lenses?

[Matt S.]

I have some money left in my FSA account, and prescription lenses are a valid expense. So, has anyone been through the process of getting a mask with custom prescription lenses? I figured I would ask for advice from a local before I hit Google.

[Grateful Diver]

Yes ... been using them for years. Important first step ... pick out a mask that you know fits you properly. The lens companies will make lenses that fit the mask you choose. Some companies will only offer lenses for a limited number of masks that they carry, so you have to make sure and ask. Others will want you to ship them whatever mask you pick out. Make sure the company you choose makes lenses for the mask you want.

My first was through Bubbles Below, and he uses a local optician who makes the lenses for a mask that you buy from the shop. It worked out quite OK, although I learned the hard way to make sure and specify if you need bifocals ... otherwise it's tough to read your gauges.

The second one I ordered through NWSD (back when Chris Jacobson owned the shop) ... I believe he used this company ... http://www.prescriptiondivemasks.com/ ... once again I picked out a mask at the shop and the company made lenses to fit the mask. My only complaint was that the bifocals were HUGE ... otherwise it worked out quite OK.

My last one I ordered from this company ... http://rxdivemask.com/ ... I ordered a mask from Leisurepro that I knew would fit me (Oceanic Ion) and shipped it to the company. This was the least expensive option. In fact, I ordered a pair of masks, so that once the skirt wore out on the first one I could simply replace the lenses into the new one.

One word of caution ... if you need bifocals to read your gauges, make sure and order them as part of the lens. Otherwise you'll end up with stick-on bifocals and that's not an optimal solution.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

[spatman]

i went a similar route as bob did. i bought a mask and sent it off to have prescription lenses added. i believe my shop sent it to http://www.prescriptiondivemasks.com/. no complaints at all, and i liked being able to choose whatever mask i wanted.

you'll be hearing a few folks (tom nic, john rawlings, zendiver...) rave about their masks from http://www.seavisionusa.com/, and i'll let them sell you on that company....

[Matt S.]

Thanks fellas!

I like the idea of going in to NWSD and letting them work with the lens vendor, but because I am filling out FSA paperwork it would probably be a good idea to have the lens expense and the mask expense listed separately. I'll check out those sites.

[Pinkpadigal]

I would recommend finding a mask you love the fit of, and either make sure it is going to be around for a long time, or purchase 2 of them. The mask will probably wear out before the lenses do, and then you can just move the lenses to the new mask. If you prescription isn't stable, then I wouldn't bother.

There are 2 types of lenses you can get. You can get a standard prescription lens, (called a drop-in) which is what you can buy with most masks. They usually range from -1 to -8, with .5 steps in between. If you do not have an astigmatism, this is the best way to go. They are cheaper(usually under $80 a pair), and faster, and you can probably drop the lens into the mask yourself. You can order these through the mask manufacturer and may dive shops even have them in stock.

A custom-grind lens is one that takes your prescription and makes the lens match. These are much more expensive, but they can be made for any mask, including single lens masks. There are several companies that make them, and you can order them through your LDS. Make sure that you have a current prescription.

If you have a basic prescription with a light astigmatism, you can usually do fine with a drop in lens. I would consult your optometrist to get his/her opinion first.

I will also second what Bob said about the bifocals. It is about $50 extra to put them in your lens and you don't have to worry about them falling out. If you are a +1.0 or less, you may be fine without them, but more than that, I would go for it. The easier it is to read your gauges, the safer it is for everyone.

[Matt S.]

Thanks for the info. I have drop-ins right now and have never really been happy with them, so I am up for the expense of the custom grind. I did not know that they could even do single lens masks that way.

[John Rawlings]

Hey, Matt!

As was mentioned above, I am a real fan of Seavision prescription masks. They will grind your Rx into the lens itself, including bi-focals. I love mine!

Rather than type it all up again, check out this NWDC link: http://www.nwdiveclub.com/viewtopic.php ... ion#p81674

- John

[Matt S.]

Good info there, thanks.

Are there any restrictions on which masks they can work with? I didn't see anything like that on their site.

Obviously I prefer to try something on rather than choosing one of their designs on faith.

[John Rawlings]

Their masks are not made by them, but instead are a selection of masks readily available on the market. Somewhere on their site there should be a list. You can then go to some dive shops that carry those brands and try them on for size.

Also, according to this page on their website you can supply your own mask: http://www.seavisionusa.com/build-a-mask.html

[Dusty2]

If you prefer a single lens mask as I do the only way to go is the custom lens option. Prescription dive mask is a great company. They do excellent work and will do your mask the way you want it. No compromising with a mask that happens to be one they make RX lenses for. They give detailed info on their site on how to mark your mask to make sure the bifocal is where you want it and the pupil distance is right for your face.

[Matt S.]

Their masks are not made by them, but instead are a selection of masks readily available on the market. Somewhere on their site there should be a list.

These are the only masks they list, and they are using their own brand names so I can't figure out what they are.

http://www.seavisionusa.com/masks.html

Waitaminute--did some reading and those masks are sold under the SeaVision name? I assumed they had to be rebranded Tusas or something. Funny, I never remember seeing a SeaVision mask in a shop. I can name a half dozen other makers though!

[Biodiversity_Guy]

I wear bifocals, but also realized that much of my observing was "in close", trying to ID small fish or nudis.

Last time I went for my eye exam, I worked with my optimologist (sp)(he was very patient!).

I ended up with a "diving mask prescription" that had my left eye with the normal prescription (distance), with a bifocal for very close focus and my right eye prescription for a strength that came to a sharp focus ~ 2-3 feet away (slight more than reading glasses).

This has worked out great for me. The brain is amazing and is able to move between the two eye images to put together an image in the brain that is pretty much in focus if the item is 15 feet away or only 2.

I find I never use the bifocal as the right eye is able to focus well enough to read my gauges, and I can see easily look forward (rather than down as in bifocals) to get a crisp image of that northern ronquil.

[Tom Nic]

Also, according to this page on their website you can supply your own mask: http://www.seavisionusa.com/build-a-mask.html

This is indeed good news, and something that I was not aware of before.

I love my SeaVision mask. The way they grind the perscription actually into the mask lens (including the bi-focal) is unique among RX mask makers - at least from my limited perspective.

Every other RX mask maker that I have seen custom grinds a lens and then attaches (by glueing) it to your mask. I'm sure that it works fine for the most part, but I like the idea of having the entire lens be ONE PIECE, as opposed to a standard lens with the perscription lens glued onto it.

SeaVision does not glue a lens onto your mask but instead custom makes an entire lens for your mask, including the Bi-focal. My only complaint (not a complaint, really, just a desire) was that you couldn't send them a mask for them to fit lenses into. With my big fat face I've always wanted to play with a mask fit BEFORE I bought it and had lenses done. If this is now the case it is good news indeed.

If anyone knows different please post!

[Matt S.]

I think I saw on the SeaVision site that if you supply a mask, they do the gluing thing, not grinding. I'm trying to find out if the glued lens style differs greatly from the ground style. Both seem to have many fans.

[John Rawlings]

SeaVision uses a different method than "just" grinding your Rx into the lens - the lenses themselves are both molded and ground. The SeaVision mask lenses are designed specifically for use underwater with an underwater correction factor built in - in fact, they even extend slightly out from the lens....kind of hard to describe, but it's like a little concave "bump" on the face of the lens. You'd probably have to actually see and feel it to adequately understand what I'm trying so poorly to describe. As such, they can be a little bizarre to wear topside - kinda like if you were wearing someone else's glasses just slightly different from your prescription. However, once you get underwater the clarity is second to none and is really quite astonishing.

I have a "glued in" prescription lens mask from another manufacturer (also in a TUSA Liberator) that I use as my back-up mask. It works just fine, but when compared I feel that the SeaVision method and design are superior. I am far more comfortable looking at things and reading gauges through my SeaVision underwater than I am with the other. It literally is an "apple vs. apple" comparison, as both are the exact same mask design and both have the exact same prescription.

You can also get SeaVision lenses in clear, yellow or red. The colored lenses are useful for low-light situations, although some folks believe that is hogwash. I very much like my yellow lenses and feel that they assist me in seeing better in dim-light situations. Tom Nic also has the yellow lenses and, I believe, likes them.

- John

[Matt S.]

Thanks John, that comparison is extremely useful! Unless I have a fit problem I'll do a SeaVision.

I'm going to check out a Liberator somewhere... if I have trouble finding one (or the deep sea clarity & seadive sealynx) then I will ping you about trying on yours. Much obliged.

[Tom Nic]

SeaVision uses a different method than "just" grinding your Rx into the lens - the lenses themselves are both molded and ground. The SeaVision mask lenses are designed specifically for use underwater with an underwater correction factor built in - in fact, they even extend slightly out from the lens....kind of hard to describe, but it's like a little concave "bump" on the face of the lens. You'd probably have to actually see and feel it to adequately understand what I'm trying so poorly to describe. As such, they can be a little bizarre to wear topside - kinda like if you were wearing someone else's glasses just slightly different from your prescription. However, once you get underwater the clarity is second to none and is really quite astonishing.

OK, that's clearer, and is exactly what I failed to say. It is also the reason that I'll put up with less than perfect fit mask to have the underwater advantage presented by SeaVision.

You can also get SeaVision lenses in clear, yellow or red. The colored lenses are useful for low-light situations, although some folks believe that is hogwash. I very much like my yellow lenses and feel that they assist me in seeing better in dim-light situations. Tom Nic also has the yellow lenses and, I believe, likes them.

- John

Yes, I use and like the yellow lenses. I'm so used to them I hardly even think about it.... unless I put on someone else's mask.

In hindsight I'm only sorry I didn't get a black frame and skirt instead of the clear one with the dorky looking light blue outline. :geek: Oh Well....