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    Posted: 03 Sep 2023 at 10:19am
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Titanium
Titanium
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Joined: 20 Jul 2002
Location: New Zealand
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Hi.
Have snorkeled before ages ago with cheap Warehouse gear.
Would like to get back into it.
Any advice on a reasonable quality mask and snorkel?
Full face or split?
Tempered glass versus acrylic?
Three types of snorkels seem to abound now.
Dry, semi-dry and the old standard plain tube.
Mainly surface with a little diving.
Recommendations?
Not going deep or serious, however, long lasting and comfortable would be the go.
Appreciate any help or advice.
Cheers.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (2) Likes(2)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 2023 at 11:05am
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Titanium
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Location: Northland
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1) Fit is everything with a mask. Don't try and go cheap. It's worthwhile popping in to a proper dive shop to get some advice and fitting.

2) I've no experience of full face snorkel masks, but you can't equalise your ears with them, so just in case you do decide to do some duck diving, I'd go for for a traditional mask.

3) Definitely tempered glass. Acrylic scratches easily.

4) After trying every snorkel design out there, I've come back to the plain old tube. Not much to go wrong.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote v8-coupe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 2023 at 1:53pm
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Titanium
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Originally posted by MB MB wrote:

1) Fit is everything with a mask. Don't try and go cheap. It's worthwhile popping in to a proper dive shop to get some advice and fitting.

2) I've no experience of full face snorkel masks, but you can't equalise your ears with them, so just in case you do decide to do some duck diving, I'd go for for a traditional mask.

3) Definitely tempered glass. Acrylic scratches easily.

4) After trying every snorkel design out there, I've come back to the plain old tube. Not much to go wrong.

Ty. 👍
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote e.m.p! Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Sep 2023 at 9:48pm
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Platinum
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After testing some masks I bought one that fitted me well, but was roughly $30 to 40 dearer than the rest on the shelf. That mask is now in use for 15 years, even bought a spare one in case they're getting discontinued (they're still available). And yes, old J - shaped snorkel is the most reliable and comfortable.
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Titanium
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A bit more info for you. Once you get your new mask, there's a couple of tricks to stop it fogging up in the water. Either clean with toothpaste or heat the glass (only!) with a lighter.


Have you thought about exposure protection? The typical open cell wetsuits that freedivers and spearfishermen use are the warmest and most comfortable, but they come at a price of requiring copious lubrication to put them on. The interior of the suit is also easily damaged. Closed cell wetsuits are easier to put on, but aren't as warm or as comfortable. Depends how much you feel the cold.    
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote v8-coupe Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Sep 2023 at 6:57pm
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Titanium
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Joined: 20 Jul 2002
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Originally posted by MB MB wrote:

A bit more info for you. Once you get your new mask, there's a couple of tricks to stop it fogging up in the water. Either clean with toothpaste or heat the glass (only!) with a lighter.


Have you thought about exposure protection? The typical open cell wetsuits that freedivers and spearfishermen use are the warmest and most comfortable, but they come at a price of requiring copious lubrication to put them on. The interior of the suit is also easily damaged. Closed cell wetsuits are easier to put on, but aren't as warm or as comfortable. Depends how much you feel the cold.    

Ty MB. Will keep that in mind.
Cheers.
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