New diver looking for lower volume mask. Any advice?

[specialone]

I bought a TUSA Visualator mask from ST last year for snorkeling. I absolutely love it, no leaks, and great field of view.

I just recently began a Scuba certification class, and I'm having a hard time clearing the mask because the volume is so large and I am so inexperienced. It is taking me 2 or 3 attempts to get all of the water out. When I try lower volume masks, I am clearing them easily. Does anyone have a recomendation for a mask similar in fit to a Visualator that is lower volume? I don't have a LDS that has any variety to try on, so I'm hoping somebody here might have a few ideas. I'm confident that I will figure out with time, but would like something a little easier to start out with.

Thanks in advance

Eric

[PTAaron]

I like the Mares Demon mask a lot - fits my large head/face very well.

Many people also like the Atomic frameless or subframe masks. Both of those are too narrow for me.

On the mask clearing - one trick I found very helpful was to clear the mask with a slow exhale through the nose while gently holding the top of the mask and looking up rather than a "blast" of air. I saw a video of someone doing multiple mask clears on a single breath that way, and found it works well for me too - even in a high volume mask.

[fisheater]

Best mask advice is to try on a whole bunch, and then dive with the ones that seem to fit. Most LDS will let you "try before you buy" in their pool.

Also, bring along a reg or snorkel when you try them on. Your face shape changes when you have an air source in your mouth and that often affects fit.

[Grizbear98]

mines a blue reef mask, I'm not sure what model it is because I won it in a scuba club raffle, but it's smaller and definitely has less volume, no trouble clearing it at all.

[specialone]

Thanks. I looked at my LDS and they just didn't have much that appealed to me. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with other Tusa models that may be easier to purge?

[Defman]

Originally Posted by specialone

Thanks. I looked at my LDS and they just didn't have much that appealed to me. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with other Tusa models that may be easier to purge?

Try to forget about the style and get one that fits. Also as previously mention, practice clearing with long slow exhales.

[Flatliner]

I recently bought a Hollis M1. First mask that ever fit me right and super easy to clear. BUT fit is everything so advice from the board is pretty useless.

[Skred]

Originally Posted by specialone

Thanks. I looked at my LDS and they just didn't have much that appealed to me. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with other Tusa models that may be easier to purge?

Try the Tusa Liberator Plus. Low volume and very easy to clear. And inexpensive. It just plain works.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Skred

Try the Tusa Liberator Plus. Low volume and very easy to clear. And inexpensive. It just plain works.

My first mask is still alive and kicking around here, it's the Viewtrek M23 - super low volume, fit great... They have changed it to the M26, but it looks very similar...

The mask I currently use is an Atomic Subframe - beautifully constructed, exceptionally clear, and seems to fit most everyone...

[specialone]

Thanks for the help. I'll try a few of those models as soon as possible.
Eric