HydroOptix Masks

[johm77]

http://www.hydrooptix.com/
Hi, I was wondering if anyone has used the hyrooptix line of masks. Quite pricey, but the technology intrigues me. Does anyone have any opinions about the mask? I've only been diving a few times, but I could see how an increased field of vision might make the experience more enjoyable. Please adivse.

-johm

[ScubaToys Joe]

I have somewhat good eye sight so I haven’t tried it, But I have heard it is well worth the money if your prescription is in the range -3.5 to -5.0 and I have a few customers that even put positive contacts in their eyes to allow them to dive the HydroOptix Mega 4.5 DD Mask, They claim it is well worth the hassle. <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />

What is your optical prescription? If it don’t fall in that range they are coming out with a new -3.5 D mask later this year!


Thanks


Joe

[CompuDude]

I've heard they're worth the hassle. I've tried one in the dunk tank at the Scuba show, and it was an impressive demonstration of peripheral vision.

I know two guys who wear them and swear by them (even though they have to use contacts). Sadly, my vision is not quite bad enough (did I just say that?) to wear them without contacts... and I've worn glasses since gradeschool and worn contacts for two 2-year stints and just simply always hated contacts. So I'm afraid they're not for me.

But if you're not someone who loathes contacts like I do, they seem like an incredible option!

NB: The -3.5D mask is a good option for those with good vision. The 4.5D mask is good for those with really bad vision. For me, falling in between and thus needing contacts for both... well, I'm glad I got a good deal on my X-Vision mask here at ScubaToys!

[johm77]

Luckily (or maybe not), my eyes are R: -3.5 L: -4.0, so I guess I fall within the range. I haven't looked into whether my lopsided prescription will affect anything, but i would guess not.


I'll definitely want to try a product like this underwater before buying, and I haven't seen these at any LDSs in northern Virginia yet. I'm going to southern california for the next 2 months on business, so I hope to try them while I'm there.

[Joew]

I've been curious about this mask as well. I think my eyesight is just bad enough to work without wearing contacts, but I'm worried that it would hinder the field of view through my camera's viewfinder. Are there any photographers out there who have used this mask successfully?

[frankc420]

I think SeaYoda from Scubaboard uses this mask... He takes awesome photos!

[Rabb]

I would love to be able to try this mask somewhere. Keep hoping I will run into a situation where I can. But, im not going to buy this as a "pig in a poke"

[PlatypusMan]

Originally Posted by johm77

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<div></div>http://www.hydrooptix.com/
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<div>Hi, I was wondering if anyone has used the hyrooptix line of masks. Quite pricey, but the technology intrigues me. Does anyone have any opinions about the mask? I've only been diving a few times, but I could see how an increased field of vision might make the experience more enjoyable. Please adivse.</div>
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<div>-johm</div>

Yes--I use one, and without contacts (my 'scrip is -4.5, which is perfect for the mask as designed).

It performs exactly as the folks at Hydrooptix claim it should, but I did have a problem with the purge valves: they leaked just a dribble, and as a result a pool of water would run down and collect right in front of my eyes when looking down. Certainly, this was unacceptable.

So--what to do?

My answer was to take some Aquaseal and fill in the openings that are the purge valves completely--both inside and out. Now the bottom of the mask is totally even internally and when I blow it clear, it stays clear!

I will soon be contacting the folks at Hydrooptix to see if they will make the mask available without the purge valve option in the future.

Getting to the question of using it with a camera--I recently used it on my Grenada trip with my PlatyCam video rig with no problems at all seeing through the viewfinder of the camera in my Top Dawg housing.

Hope this helps!

[somewhereinla]

I have tried them and didn't like them. I like very low volume mask.

[Joew]

Originally Posted by somewhereinla

I have tried them and didn't like them. I like very low volume mask.

Did you dislike it because it was high volume? Did you need to equalize it more often than a regular mask. I was wondering about that myself. I, too, prefer low volume masks mainly for the greater vield of view, but also because it' easier to clear and equalize.