September 2001
By John Francis

Masks Reviewed in This Article

Akona Cool Frog Akona Nica RS Apollo Bio Metal Aqua Lung Quartz 2 Aqua Lung Quartz 3 Cressi-Sub Big Eyes Dacor Razor FL Deep See Mini Funview Genesis Icon Genesis Islander H2Odyssey Alpha 2 Purge H2Odyssey Delta MS-4 H2Odyssey Omega MS-14 H2Odyssey Onyx Mares Mariner (Medium Skirt) | Mares Mariner (Large Skirt) Mares Zero 9 Oceanic Avalon Oceanic Caribe Oceanic Frontier Oceanic Lite Vision 1 Oceanic Lite Vision 2 Oceanic Mini Shadow Oceanic Mirra Oceanic Spring Sporasub Dessault Scubapro Fino Scubapro Trivent XQ Sherwood Magnum EX Purge TUSA Platina M-21 Purge |

Last year I reviewed 20 masks for small faces and 74 full-sized masks. Here are 29 more, including models introduced since my last test and a few I missed. And one, the Cressi-sub Big Eyes, has been tested again because last year's results were wrong.

What's a "Small-Faced" Mask?

Most masks intended for adult men measure close to 5 inches across, from one tip of the skirt (where it seals on your temple) to the other. Those measuring 4.5 inches or less I'm calling smalls for kids or those with unusually small or narrow faces. If most masks you try leak at the temple, try one of these.

How I Tested Them

I measured all the masks for volume, peripheral vision to the sides and view upward and downward, and gave scores for each, just as last year. You can compare a score this year with one from last year.

In measuring vision to the sides, I did not include the view through the side windows of 3- and 4-window masks, because they are almost always small, distorting and, in my opinion, useless. One exception is the Scubapro Trivent. Its windows are large and clear and I did include them in my evaluation.

Vision scores for small masks are probably low because they didn't fit well on my full-sized face, so use these for comparison with one another, not with full-sized masks.

You'll note that prices are all over the map, ranging from $23 to $150. Yet all these masks have silicone skirts, tempered glass lenses and easy-adjust straps. A few have extra features like purge valves and trick straps, but there's no obvious quality difference that accounts for the huge price range.

How To Use This Information

Step one is to try on masks until you find those that fits that seal to your unique face. If a mask doesn't fit you, it's not good for you regardless of its score. Forget mail orders you need to try on the masks before buying, and take your regulator to the store with you because the second stage distorts your face when it's in your mouth. Don't suck too hard trying to make the mask stick to your face. If a light inhale won't do it, the mask will probably leak.

Once you've found a group of masks that fit, you can consider other information like the scores here, how the mask looks on your face, the color and features. Think about what you like; most divers prefer a small-volume mask because it is easier to equalize and clear and less likely to be knocked from your face, but some like a little more space between their eyes and the lens. Some diverswant two front windows so they can add corrective lenses, but others object to the divider between their eyes and want a single front window. Some like black skirts to exclude extraneous light, some like clear skirts for a brighter feeling inside. Some like purge valves and some don't. The point is, there's no right answer to these questions, so find what you like.

In general, I'd suggest a mask with a score of 8 or better for volume and view to the sides, 4 or better for upward view and 3 or better for downward view. Those scoring 26 or better this year I rated Tester's Choice, but remember: the best choice for you depends on whether it fits you.

7 Masks for Small Faces

Akona Cool Frog

Akona Cool Frog

Price: $33 with snorkel
Skirt width: 4.4 inches
Purge: No
Case: None

Comment: Single-window style. Marketed for kids, this mask comes packaged with a matching snorkel. Best Buy.

Volume: 9
Horizontal View: 7
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 2
Total: 23

Deep See Mini Funview

Deep See Mini Funview Price: $23
Skirt width: 4.4 inches
Purge: No
Case: None

Comment: Single-window style. Lowest volume of any mask tested this year, though that is deceptive since it has a small, kid-sized skirt. Best Buy.

Volume: 10
Horizontal View: 7
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 2
Total: 23

Mares Mariner (Medium Skirt)

Mares Mariner (Medium Skirt) Price: $49
Skirt width: 4.5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: The Mariner has a full-sized frame with either a large or medium-sized skirt.Both have low volume and a wide view for a single-window mask.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 2
Total: 22

Oceanic Frontier

Oceanic Frontier Price: $40
Skirt width: 4.4 inches
Purge: No
Case: None

Comment: Single-window style. Strap adjustment is easy for kidss the strap slides with little effort, and releases when you touch a button.

Volume: 9
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 2
Total: 23

Oceanic Mirra

Oceanic Mirra Price: $60
Skirt width: 4.5 inches
Purge: No
Case: None

Comment: Single-window style. Another mask with a strap adjustment that's very easy for kidss no effort to tighten, easy to release.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 3
Total: 23

Oceanic Spring

Oceanic Spring Price: $45
Skirt width: 4.4 inches
Purge: No
Case: Soft

Comment: Single-window style. Also with a kid-friendly strap adjustment and pivoting buckles.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 2
Total: 23

Sporasub Dessault

Sporasub Dessault Price: $72
Skirt width: 4.5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: Lenses are coated to look like mirrors from the outside; way cool. This mask tied for lowest volume tested this year. Tester's Choice.

Volume: 10
Horizontal View: 10
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 2
Total: 27

23 Full-Sized Masks

Akona Nica RS

Akona Nica RS Price: $37
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: Single window is farther from your face than many other masks, so it should fog less. Also, claustrophobes may be more comfortable. The skirt is clear.

Volume: 6
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 3
Total: 22

Apollo Bio Metal

Apollo Bio Metal Price: $150
Skirt width: 5.2 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: Two-window style with a lean, clean look. Has a thin aluminum frame that minimizes the nose bridge.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 3
Total: 24

Aqua Lung Quartz 2

Aqua Lung Quartz 2 Price: $80
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: Two-window style. Strap adjusts in normal manner, and pushing the round button quick-releases the whole strap assembly from the frame without changing the adjustment. Nose bridge is small for minimal obstruction.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 2
Total: 22

Aqua Lung Quartz 3

Aqua Lung Quartz 3 Price: $90
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: This is a three-window design, though the view through the side windows is distorted and not very useful. The window is far from your face so it will fog less, and claustrophobes may be more comfortable. The strap quick-releases from the frame.

Volume: 4
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 2
Total: 20

Cressi-Sub Big Eyes

Cressi-sub Big Eyes Price: $69
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: Best downward view of any mask tested this year, thanks to lenses with exaggerated points at the bottom. Corrective lenses are available in this unusual shape. Excellent view to sides, fairly low volume, though upward view suffers. Retested, as last year's results were erroneous. Tester's Choice.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 10
Downward View: 6
Upward View: 2
Total: 26

Dacor Razor FL

Dacor Razor FL Price: $132
Skirt width: 5.1 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: Four-window design with side windows that are fairly clear but small. An unusual strap has a quick-release in back that extends the length of the strap so the mask can hang around your neck. With an odd "spaghetti-strap" attachment to the frame, the strap cannot be replaced by a generic strap.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 4
Total: 24

{mospagebreak}23 Full-Sized Masks - Continued

Genesis Icon

Genesis Icon Price: $60
Skirt width: 5.2 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: Small goggle design is stylish, but has a nonstandard strap, and a generic spare strap won't fit. Lenses are not as close to your face as other goggle-style masks, so fogging should not be as much of a problem.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 2
Upward View: 2
Total: 20

Genesis Islander

Genesis Islander Price: $70
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: A three-window style, though the side window view is small and distorted. A squarish shape to the front window gives good vision toward the corners.

Volume: 5
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 3
Total: 20

H2Odyssey Alpha 2 Purge

H2Odyssey Alpha 2 Purge Price: $49
Skirt width: 4.8 inches
Purge: Yes
Case: Hard

Comment: Exceptionally low volume for a purge mask. Good all-around scores and a low price. Tester's Choice. Best Buy.

Volume: 9
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 3
Total: 26

H2Odyssey Delta MS-4

H2Odyssey Delta MS-4 Price: $39
Skirt width: 4.8 inches
Purge: No
Case: None

Comment: Two-window style. Square window shape gives good view to the corners. Good all-around score and low price. Best Buy.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 3
Total: 24

H2Odyssey Omega MS-14

H2Odyssey Omega MS-14 Price: $44
Skirt width: 4.8 inches
Purge: No
Case: None

Comment: Designed for smaller faces, though it falls just above my arbitrary cutoff in width. Squarish windows give good view in the corners. Good all-around scores.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 2
Total: 22

H2Odyssey Onyx

H2Odyssey Onyx Price: $49
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: None

Comment: Frameless style packs flat. Has low volume and good vision for a single-window design. Tester's Choice. Best Buy.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 10
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 4
Total: 26

Mares Mariner (Large Skirt)

Mares Mariner (Large Skirt) Price: $49
Skirt width: 5.1 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: The Mariner comes with either a large or medium-sized skirt. Both have low volume and wide view for a single-window mask.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 2
Total: 24

Mares Zero 9

Mares Zero 9 Price: $84
Skirt width: 4.9 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: The metal frame is very narrow for minimal intrusion in your field of view. Good overall scores, especially in horizontal view. Tester's Choice.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 10
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 3
Total: 26

Oceanic Avalon

Oceanic Avalon Price: $70
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Soft

Comment: Single-lens style. Buckles swivel. Five colors: citrus (shown), clear, lucent blue, black, titanium.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 2
Total: 22

Oceanic Caribe

Oceanic Caribe Price: $60
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: None

Comment: Single-window style. Good vision up, down and to the sides, and fairly low volume for this type of design. Tester's Choice.

Volume: 8
Horizontal View: 10
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 3
Total: 26

Oceanic Light Vision 1

Oceanic Light Vision 1 Price: $125
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Soft

Comment: Single-window style. LEDs on the frame flash or glow when a button is pushed. They are bright enough to read instruments by.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 3
Total: 23

Oceanic Light Vision 2

Oceanic Light Vision 2 Price: $125
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Soft

Comment: Another with LEDs on the frame that flash or glow when a button is pushed. Two-window style accepts corrective lenses. Also available in a three-window design (last year's Lite Vision 3).

Volume: 9
Horizontal View: 9
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 3
Total: 25

Oceanic Mini Shadow

Oceanic Mini Shadow Price: $75
Skirt width: 4.8 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: This is a frameless design that packs flat and is very lightweight. It has a fairly small skirt, but large window for good view in all directions. Tester's Choice.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 10
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 4
Total: 26

SCUBAPRO Fino

SCUBAPRO Fino Price: $68
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: No
Case: Hard

Comment: Top score of all masks tested this year, with the lowest volume and the widest view. Buckles swivel. Tester's Choice.

Volume: 9
Horizontal View: 10
Downward View: 5
Upward View: 3
Total: 27

SCUBAPRO Trivent XQ

SCUBAPRO Trivent XQ Price: $109
Skirt width: 4.7 inches
Purge: Yes
Case: Soft

Comment: Three-window style. Side windows are large and flat, so they give an unusually clear view. The purge directs bubbles to the sides, away from your line of sight. Huge volume, though.

Volume: 4
Horizontal View: 10
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 3
Total: 21

Sherwood Magnum EX Purge

Sherwood Magnum EX Purge Price: $75
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: Yes
Case: Hard

Comment: This is a three-window style, but small side windows give a distorted view. The purge vents to the sides to minimize bubbles in your vision.

Volume: 6
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 3
Total: 21

TUSA Platina M-21 Purge

TUSA Platina M-21 Purge Price: $83
Skirt width: 5 inches
Purge: Yes
Case: Hard

Comment: This is a two-window style with a small nose bridge. The purge valve is located in the cheek to minimize the size of the nose pocket, so volume is fairly low for a purge-valve mask. A vent directs bubbles away to the side, so vision is not obstructed.

Volume: 7
Horizontal View: 8
Downward View: 4
Upward View: 2
Total: 21