Framed Vs Frameless Masks

[@HubbHubbs]

I've had the same single lens frameless mask for 20 years, amazed it still seals perfectly and hardley shows any signs of aging at all.

[@divewithderek]

I bought 2 Hollis M1 masks and still on the first one after 150 dives. Bring the additional one on deeper or wreck dives. A great mask and frameless. Fits me really well.

[@HellrazorDogsnDives]

Hi James! Met you bout 2 years ago in FL. I have a SPECIAL mask(you can't buy it anywhere). It is a Custom design personally ordered by my 1st Instructor in DC. Mike Parker from SPE Dive School orders them CUSTOM! from SeaVision. I have a custom skirt specially made for people with thin long faces, and I have a Color-Correction filter on the lens, cost me 130 dollars. it is my 1st and Last mask. My face is thin, and pretty much 95% of all masks dont fit me. I went to Scuba Outlet in Key Largo, couldn't find 1 mask that fit me among 100s. This custom one fits perfect, I can scratch my eye during a dive without flooding mask. its sweet. Mike makes 4 masks types that regular masks dont cover. LOL Great video. Liked.

[@HellrazorDogsnDives]

Seriously, call him in DC, SPE Dive School (Older than PADI) GET A CUSTOM MASK WITH A FILTER! you wont regret it 👍👍

[@marksaxby607]

Totally agree on the mask being the most important piece of equipment - As you say, if you can't see, there's not much you can do effectively. I always carry a spare mask now, but I'm amazed how many experienced divers, often banging on about redundancy in their other kit, don't!

[@adamh1478]

Protip: The DiveRite ES155 is a DR branded Taiwanese OEM. This is the same mask as the DGX Frameless which can be had for about half the price.

[@adamh1478]

​@S. M. I have a lot of respect for the R&D work that Dive Rite is doing in other domains (like rebreathers, bcd systems and so on). Not every company can specialise in everything and I would rather see them spending their time in truly innovative domains. It's a fantastic mask and I'm not sure that Dive Rite themselves could have done a better job of making one.

[@zach7j]

The Dive Rite ES124 is now the Mares Sealouette for what its worth. Good mask for smaller faces.

[@DrippyWaffler]

Same as the poseidon and Xs scuba one too. And very similar, but different, to the xdeep radical one

[@moocowp4970]

Good timing, just going to buy a new mask tomorrow

[@518Regulators]

Dive Gear Express Ultra View Frameless has been my favorite mask. It seals well even with a mustache and others have used it with good sealing. Best part is the price, currently $45 (used tp be $35 no thanks to recent inflation) Downside is that I've come to needing gauge readers and had to shift to a Sherwood Oracle+ (a framed mask). The Oracle+ doesn't seal against my mustache so well, I need to trim it down some under the nose and rub some lanolin into the top of my mustache to keep it leak free. And the Oracle+ set me back about $120. Tried the Trident gauge reader inserts. The glass on those is good, but the glue is garbage. Hazes up and when left in the sun for a few minutes softens the glue allowing them to pop off. My next stop is to try and get some Trident lenses professionally glued into the Dive Gear Express Mask. Or bite the bullet and send it off to to a prescription dive mask company. Yes that's expensive, about four times the price of the mask, but the mask is that good. Perhaps VSP will cover it?

[@diveguernsey6521]

The biggest reason for me is that frameless masks pack flat and have far less to break when used as a back-up.

[@celine8811]

I've been wondering about that. Can you actually fold the silicone to store a back up mask during a dive? Won't this break it rather quickly (in which case it wouldn't be of much use)?

[@BlackPawGaming]

Framless is actually weaker than frame.

[@doubledark2]

nice explanation; greetings from Adelaide :)

[@leopoldbloom4835]

There’s some equipment that is underrated by beginners and a backup mask is top of the list.

[@pacojones7009]

On the topic of masks maybe you could speak about prescription lenses?

[@EfeCemElci]

my only experience with prescription lens inserts was with my tech diving instructor. At one point in the dive, he started motioning to something ahead of and above us. I'm trying to figure it out and he's getting frustrated. Finally back on the boat, he said "didn't you see the anchor chain of our boat that I was pointing out for you to swim to?". He thought he was pointing to it but because of his inserts he was actually not and it created confusion. Nothing that his slate couldn't have solved but still...

[@josephdracula7487]

👍thanks again James good information 😎

[@zach7j]

Like wiping your butt with 2 $100 dollar bills. I am constantly in search of the best mask for my face, small/narrow. I have an ever growing collection.

[@oittisallen4057]

Thankyou mate. This was informative

[@myscubavideos]

Diving with Aqualung Zoom with dioptric lenses from when this was still Technisub (~ 20 years), replaced a couple of straps, but frame and skirt are still good.

[@Dreoni_]

I dive with prescription lenses so framed masks are my only option unless I go for custom ones but those are very pricey

[@AquaticRod]

Dive sight in the UK will make you a prescription frameless mask... good too

[@jameshuke354]

@@AquaticRod do you have a link?

[@amadeuss3341]

The best mask is the one you didn't forget to bring with you to the dive site.

[@EfeCemElci]

Same experience with the apeks vx-1. One dive no issues, next dive unexplainable unsolvable leak that bothers me the whole dive and totally ruins it

[@mikesbigadventures194]

Agreed. I have an Oceanic that’s 1/3 the price that works better

[@nosmosisprod]

I‘m convinced.

[@glennberger9797]

I like frameless for a larger vision

[@antoniomelchor7003]

Nice video as always. Are there any double lens frameless mask? I need visual correction lenses

[@jfranciscompany]

How deep can go go with a single glass mask ? Are they more suitable for shore dives ect ?

[@eddy2pointzero]

Nice throw! Haha 🙂

[@T800CS101]

I am about to buy my first mask. Is there a frameless model that has two separate eyes, so you can install prescription?

[@scubacro5758]

3:35 What!? Its 200$ in US, in croatia they sell it for 75$. Can somebody say how much do you pay for Apeks xtx50 with DST fist stage in US ?

[@YouTube_user3333]

Buying a “scuba” mask, the prices are ridiculous. Buying a snorkel or free diving mask. They are way cheaper.

[@JimmyJo-ol9lp]

Good to know thank you James. One thing could u turn down or turn off the music in your background pls. I found it somewhere annoying trying to listen to you and having playing in the background.

[@Yggdrasil42]

I love my xDeep frameless but have to find one that supports prescription lenses no, because I can barely read my computer anymore. Unfortunately that means switching to a framed mask and I have yet to find one that fits me well or that provides the same wide FOV.

[@RogierJanssen]

I never noticed that my VX1 is actually not really frameless. It looks and feels like it is. I am very surprised at the price you mentioned for it though. Is it really that expensive in the US? I got my VX1 UV half a year ago here in the Netherlands for only €79, which is just over US$80. In other stores it retailed for about $100 or so, definitely not anywhere near $200.

[@DrippyWaffler]

It's crazy expensive compared to masks of even better quality. Was disappointed to see from apeks, I recommend all of their regs

[@joshlutter9814]

Is the bridge not a weak point on a single lens mask? I had one shatter into my face once so solely use two lens designs now.

[@mel-inspired]

Any mask recommendations for an asian small nose? The masks I’ve tried, I can’t pinch my nose to equalize 😢

[@timgosling6189]

Frameless masks look great but they aren't for me as every now and then I have to swap out the prescription lenses. But no leaks from my two Tusas so the additional failure points seem to be robust.

[@BrianMazza]

James, I'm curious, did you contact Apex? If yes, did they offer to refund you or at least, replace the mask?

[@kevin916587]

hi may i ask, can i use freedive mask with low volume, those widely available on the market, for scuba diving purpose? i couldnt look into this in google or any forum.

[@stevedhatch]

Hi James, love your content and have a really off topic question for you. Can you talk about full face masks? Specifically what to look for, the good and bad. Also, in your speciality course video from a few years ago you had them in the "Add on" category. Is a training calls for them necessary? Thanks!

[@MRFISHPIG27]

For all the homies in the comments who need glasses to see. One issue I always had was framed masks digging into my face above my nose. If you have this issue or like frameless masks you can also use contacts! I’ve never had an issue with them popping out or getting funky underwater. 10/10 a big improvement over framed masks.

[@js4120]

I bought a NEX size 7 mask at the beginning of the year started off super comfortable, don't know if the silicon has somehow gotten stiffer or degraded but has seemed to become less comfortable over time

[@Driftworkzworld]

I have a OMS tattoo mask frameless . What is the maximum depth for this

[@bobrice3957]

So is there a frame less prescription lens mask? Just asking for those of us who are shortsighted and like to see what is there.

[@EricBoren]

How soft is the skirt on the Dive Rite mask? I recently bought the Fourth Element Scout mask and while I generally like it, the skirt is so soft that I have to use both hands to hold on to the skirt around the top and sides in order to clear it, otherwise the exhaled air just escapes wherever the skirt isn't held down.

[@captainpanda5533]

Are frameless masks always a single lens?

[@davegink9222]

Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that I am going to be sticking with framed masks. I had a atomic frameless fall out of a dive locker from about 3 feet, hit on the edge, and the lens just shattered. Fortunately, I was able to save the prescription lenses, and put them into a Hollis framed mask.

[@Robert_H_Diver]

The dive rite didn’t fit me but the Hollis M1 fits perfectly.

[@adamcollinge9021]

Did Apexs replace the mask ?

[@DiversReady]

Apeks don't answer the phone or answer emails.

[@benheckendorn2696]

I thought the mask would still have warranty? 😢

[@celine8811]

Nice video. I'm a rather new diver and despite all the usual efforts my mask still fogs up. It's been suggested to me that it might not be the right mask. It fits nicely though. No flooding ever. Can the mask be "wrong"? Not sure what else I can do. On some dives it fogs up more than on others. I've used toothpaste like 3 or 4 times (let it dry over night, then either rinsed it out, scrubbed with my finger and a little water, or with a toothbrush). None of this helped so I burnt it following youtube tutorials. And before each dive I use those antifog drops or spit. And no sunscreen or other chemicals on my face and I cooled my face in the water before putting the mask on. What else can I do?

[@paulgee8253]

a drop or two of baby shampoo smeared around inside and then gently washed out just before you dive works for me. I tried all other techniques from kelp to spit to commercial stuff. Cheap too.

[@HBMCHAT]

Try some more cleaning with the toothpaste mate, my brand new holis m1 needed about 10 goes with the toothpaste rubbing it in with my finger for a good few minutes to get all the crap off, it's an excellent mask now no fogging once I add my no fog drops. If you wet the mask and immediately breathe on the glass it shouldn't fog, any fog still there is glass that needs to be cleaned

[@celine8811]

That's the thing. Baby shampoo works for one, drops for someone else. There should be something like a universal solution. Well, I'll rub some more toothpaste. How do you rub it though? I've tried different version and am not sure which one's best: let it dry over night and then rub without any water? Add a bit of water and rub? Use a brush? Anything else?

[@HBMCHAT]

@@celine8811 toothpaste straight on and rub while it's fresh, I just rub it all around for a few minutes(my fingers were sore as by the time I was done) wash it all out, do the breath test, then go again as needed and repeat. No need for it to dry, I think people use baby shampoo because it's extremely cheap, it's also not the best thing to be putting into the ocean though probably either is the drops, the drops work well for me they won't work on a mask that hasn't been prepared though as I found out the hard way with a new mask.

[@scottd4563]

Just bought a VK1.... hmm

[@19Pred]

Anyone else who experienced the same issue with their vx1? I just recently ordered this mask and now I'm thinking if I should just cancel the purchase.

[@blakeharr6091]

1year worth of use and that isnt considered a "warranty defect"?

[@BlackPawGaming]

I cant find any frameless masks that fit asian face and nose. Cant do equalising with it. So frame mask is best. Tusa mask. Very comfotable silicone.

[@YouTube_user3333]

If you can’t see, you can do anything? The blind surfer disagrees Cave divers who are in zero viz also disagrees. Best mask is one that doesn’t fog or leak. Scuba mask are ridiculously overpriced. Free dive masks are best imo

[@moocowp4970]

I guess for 99+% of divers it's a fair statement though. I know I personally wouldn't bother going on dives if I couldn't see anything for the whole dive. Could I technically still operate my gear without sight? Well, for the most part, yes (seeing gauges is somewhat important though). Will I enjoy the dive? No. As for non recreational divers, i.e. commercial divers, I'd doubt anyone would want someone doing commercial work if they couldn't see (it's hard enough in the terrible vis they have to deal with, let alone diving without a mask)

[@YouTube_user3333]

@@moocowp4970 are you talking about the commercial divers that dive in sewers? They don’t see shit the whole dive 😆 I dive in zero viz and search for outboard motors that are lost. The only way to see your spg is to go to the surface. Do I enjoy it? No, of course not. I’m not doing it for my enjoyment. I’ve had masks fail, just because they were heavily used. I replace my masks regularly. Stops failures. Practice your skills, swimming without a mask should be a comfortable thing. If it’s not, you need to practice more. Education, training and practice are essential.

[@YouTube_user3333]

@S. M. I advertise but mostly word of mouth. Most small motors are only thumb screwed on and vibrate loose.

[@bloodymarvelous4790]

Send it back to Apeks. They stand behind their products.