Black vs Clear mask skirt

[Darmok]

Hi!

I'm very very new to scuba diving (I'm going to do my OW in 2 weeks). I'm shopping for the basic gear and reading opinions... I have a question regarding clear skirts vs black skirts, what's better for a beginner? I would like to get into taking pictures later on and I've heard that the black skirt is better for that, but I dont really understand why the light coming in the mask would affect so much... any suggestions?

[mwhities]

Just go black.

Michael

[TAH 73]

A clear mask can be a little "brighter" underwater and can be a little better for people predisposed to claustrophobia, whereas a black skirt doesn't turn yellow over time.

[Zenagirl]

Try both, see which one you like. If you're buying a mask from an LDS they should let you try them in the pool so you can see if you have a preference. I have one of each and don't feel there's much of a difference, so just pick whichever one I feel like wearing at the moment.

My husband is an underwater photographer and he wears a mask with a clear skirt, but prefers a single lens mask instead of the double ones.

[BSea]

I have used both. I like the clear skirts. But there really isn't much of a difference. I know the "ALL BLACK" crowd don't like the clear with color, but to each his own.

[Darmok]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

Try both, see which one you like. If you're buying a mask from an LDS they should let you try them in the pool so you can see if you have a preference. I have one of each and don't feel there's much of a difference, so just pick whichever one I feel like wearing at the moment.

My husband is an underwater photographer and he wears a mask with a clear skirt, but prefers a single lens mask instead of the double ones.

My LDS said I can't try things in their pool because everything is new (not sure what that means), I'm leaning towards the Mares X-Vision without liquid skin after everything I've read, and after trying it in a LDS. It seems to fit well. I guess I won't know until I get in the water. I did a Discover Scuba class in Cancun about 3 weeks ago and I had no problem with the cheap mask that they gave me (all of us got the same mask basically), I'm not sure what it was...

[Subaqua]

Maybe if you just try it in the shop (not in the pool) you can see what you like the most. I used to have a clear mask and I just tried a black one last week. I don't think there so much difference. Maybe you can feel the difference in clear water though as I was in very poor visibility. One negative thing about the transparent skirt is that it will turn yellow.

[tnfireman]

I have both, I only use the clear skirted mask for a backup. The black mask is more comfortable (fits better).

[DivingsInMyBlood]

go black if you want some cool points (look like a sea ninja kitted all out in black) or go clear if you want to let that little tiny bit more of light in.

[scubasavvy]

Clear skirts tend to get spotty and later on they get yellow. Go with the black, you'll look cool and it won't turn nasty colors...