newbie looking for a prescription mask

[pimp.daddyo]

Hi everyone, im completly new to snorkelling and i would like some advice.
My wife and a few friends are off to cuba in just over a week and im looking for a mask which i can fit prescription lenses. my prescription is pretty normal -2.75 and -3.00 which from what i've read on the web is not going to be a issue. the problem i have is where i can get the mask and lenses from? i need to try masks on so i can find one that fits correctly but they also need to stock the lenses too. does anyone know where would have them in stock ? im located in corby, northants. the closest shop i've found is stoney cove in leicester. i've emailed them but not had any responce yet. there seems to be quite a few dive schools/centers about but not too many shops and the ones that do have websites dont seem to have much infomation on them. so any advice anyone can offer will be super helpfull.

many thanks

[Dean coote]

Hi ya
Aberdean watersports sell stick ons , cost about 20 squid.
Give them a call . Jason is there main man .

Dean

[pimp.daddyo]

Hi ya
Aberdean watersports sell stick ons , cost about 20 squid.
Give them a call . Jason is there main man .

Dean

thanks for the quick response. i was thinking of replacemnt lenses as quite a lot of people seem to have issues with the stick on ones coming off when they come in contact with water and as a newbie im pretty sure that will be me.

[Ding]

The stick on lenzes are a waste of £20.....I know this as I have gone down this route..

Try
http://www.aquaeyewear.com/

http://www.activeaqua.com/section.php/10/1/prescription_goggles___masks?gclid=CKC9kOCdvpgCFUI w3godBAKTYQ

http://www.axisoptical.co.uk/products1.htm

http://www.simplyscuba.com/products/TUSA/MinusLens-TUSALiberatorPlusMask.aspx

http://www.mad-divers.co.uk/products/Sherwood-Mag-4-Bi%252dFocal-Gauge-Reading-Silicone-Mask-with-Ice-Blue-Frame.html

[large-ugly-greeny]

my dad got them from mares i believe if your getting them get 2 (if you drop one over the side or loose it) and sometimes they will drop some of the cost

[Chris_M]

thanks for the quick response. i was thinking of replacemnt lenses as quite a lot of people seem to have issues with the stick on ones coming off when they come in contact with water and as a newbie im pretty sure that will be me.

Go to a website like Simply Scuba and see what masks they have that have lenses. Then go phone your nearest dive shops/schools to see if they have the masks. If they do, go to the shops and try them on. If they fit, either ask them to order and fit the lenses or go back to the online shop and buy the stuff off their.

I have a Tusa Liberator mask with prescription lenses in. I already had the mask so didn't need to try it on, I just gave simply scuba my details of prescription and they did the rest :)

Dive schools may have shops there but not an online one, so its worth checking. Also if you do go to a dive shop to try stuff on, buy something while you are there, even if it is a tshirt or a snorkel. That way they can keep operating.

[Tony Dwyer]

Go to a website like Simply Scuba and see what masks they have that have lenses. Then go phone your nearest dive shops/schools to see if they have the masks. If they do, go to the shops and try them on. If they fit, either ask them to order and fit the lenses or go back to the online shop and buy the stuff off their.

I have a Tusa Liberator mask with prescription lenses in. I already had the mask so didn't need to try it on, I just gave simply scuba my details of prescription and they did the rest :)

Dive schools may have shops there but not an online one, so its worth checking. Also if you do go to a dive shop to try stuff on, buy something while you are there, even if it is a tshirt or a snorkel. That way they can keep operating.


What he said. I too have a Liberator with my -7 lenses in. Don't bother with stick ons for -2.75 & -3.00, it would be a total waste of time.
You should be able to get the lenses you need 'off the shelf'. One of my local shops keeps a range of TUSA prescription lenses in stock.
Alternatively, you might try disposable contact lenses. I often use them and have no trouble. Quite good as one acquires the 'long arm syndrome' due to age related close focus issues. I use a close up lense in my left eye and a distance one in my right (which is dominant). Strangely, my brain sorts out the iimages and I see just fine. I can read my instruments and see distant views normally.

[ChristianG]

My wife and a few friends are off to cuba in just over a week and im looking for a mask which i can fit prescription lenses.
If you're going to do it properly it's not quite as easy as it might seem.

As someone said, stick ons are to be avoided, they're more trouble than they're worth.

• Your first job is to find a (tempered glass) mask that fits you and with which you're comfortable. Importantly, permanently affixed lenses come second, any of them will do in a proper mask, incompatibility is not a consideration where that is concerned.
• Your new lens should be about one strength more powerful than you need. This future-proofs the mask, at least to an extent and given the relatively little time that you use it that is (a) desirable and (b) will have no bearing on your sight, effectively you're using a slight magnifying glass.
• Sadly it is highly doubtful that you will be able to do this within the week that you have available.

Do remember, though, that underwater and using a mask everything is about 1/3rd closer than on land anyway.

[Tony Dwyer]

As a long time prescription mask user and a long lifetime as a person of short sight, I would strongly suggest that you don't buy lenses with a stronger prescription than you need. As Christian rightly points out, there is a magnification effect under water (refraction!). This would enable you to wear a slightly weeker prescription if you wish. If you have a stronger prescrition, the mangification effect will be increased. I've been there, done that and it wasn't pleasant.
You will still want to be able to see well on the surface (boat? what boat? Ow!!) so your mask should be work for you in air too. A prescription that is too strong will cause strain and may trigger headaches. Even when worn for a fairly short time.

[ChristianG]

As a long time prescription mask user and a long lifetime as a person of short sight, I would strongly suggest that you don't buy lenses with a stronger prescription than you need.You will still want to be able to see well on the surface (boat? what boat? Ow!!) so your mask should be work for you in air too.
Ahhh, stupid here forgot that there might be people, not myself, who require glasses for distance vision rather than reading. And then, of course, there are some that require both.

Realisation has dawned, silly me. It just goes to show the care that has to be taken to think things through - and in this case I didn't do exactly that, I simply, and only, considered my own situation.

My apologies. :( :o

[SUNDODGER]

My two pence worth.

As you have such a short time left and it is such a hassle getting it right - try my method.

I use vari-focal glases and was thoroughly pi55ed off trying to get lenses for masks, et al. Spent loads of dosh, all had a fault or problem of some kind.

The solution - SIMPLES!

Take the arms off an old (slightly scratched?) but wearable pair of glasses. You'll find that they will fit inside the skirt of your mask a treat and stay there! The bit that goes on the bridge of your nose sits very nicely on the nose bit of the mask. I use mine for diving ALL THE TIME, however you should be even better if 'only' snorkelling, as I find the entry sometimes dislodges the glasses, so it's off mask, re-align and mask clear - no probs! I have had some weird looks, but then people ask to look at my set up once they see it worked. Also, in the boat back, if it is rough or raining, pop on mask, can still see! It's a miracle Lord!!

Best of all - as I'm Scottish - it didnae cost a groat!!!! Just try it! ;)

[Peter W121SoM]

Being new to snorkelling I thought of the same solution as Sundodger because I suffer with my arms not being long enough to read the newspaper. Due to my profession I need to read the car instruments and have a seemless change to view up the road. I couldn't find my old but serviceable vari-focals so I took the arms off a pair of shop bought reading glasses, Foster Grants 1.25. Go to a shop selling these reading glasses and choose a pair that are just not strong enough.

Anyway, seeing as no one replied to Sundodger's excellent idea I thought I'd bump it up.

[Bishbosh]

Mag 4 are around £40 great for age related eye problems.
Most dive shops will sell them i use them.

http://www.mikesdivestore.com/1919/Sherwood-Mag-4-Dive-Mask.html