Gauge Reader Mask

Had cataract surgery (both eyes) a while back and cheaped out on replacement lenses that gave me excellent distance vision, but I couldn't see squat up close. For diving I bought the DIY diopters that, when installed properly, stay put in my old XS Scuba Fusion mask, which is so very comfortable, but those readers were too darned small to make it easy to read my gauges and dive computer.Since our original XS scuba mask is so comfortable I hoped this mask would be too. It definitely is! This mask is, I guess, a "generic" size. I don't know what size my head is but this new one fits great. I can put it over my face (strap not used), breathe in, and it stays put. This mask doesn't have a purge valve; ours did, but we never used it, so no problem here. And the diopters in this mask? Easily 50% bigger than what I installed in my other mask, and it made reading my gauges so very much better, even though the diopter that this mask is available with (+1.75) is a little weaker than the +2.0 my ophthy doc recommended. I think that the fact that these "reader inserts" are tilted down a bit also improve close-up focusing. So, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Nice fit, good quality construction. The bifocals take a little getting used to but truly helped in actually seeing the depth gauge! I had to "burn in" the lense after it continuously fogged up the first day of diving, but that is not unsusal. A little bit of toothpaste over night helped as well. Had a minty-fresh, fog-free dive the next day! My only complaint is the nose cavity could be a little bit bigger (my schnozz is normal size, really).

XS scuba makes these bifocal gauge readers so scuba divers can READ their settings for AIR and DEPTH. If XS scuba reads this review, please make MORE of these, and in different colors. I would like to buy another, in the color red. I have several XS scuba products, and for scuba diving, they are reliable and can last a good while. This company has been good. This particular mask is packaged in a plastic box, that is sturdy and can travel with me, in the suitcase, in the dive bag, on the boat. I got more than just a mask, I got a chance to read my dive computer better. How nice is that! The fit on my face is comfortable. The strap is durable, and will last much longer than you or me. There is so much to see in the blue ocean. Just remember to scrub off the lens with toothpaste, as directed in the INSTRUCTIONS.Have a nice day, please.

Just finished a week long live aboard scuba trip with my new mask and my only regret is that I didn’t buy this years ago! The readers work great. I can easily read all info on my dive computers while normal vision is ,well, normal.I read previous reviews where there were complaints about the bifocal line and the need to look up over or down through to use them: if you are ordering this mask you already wear bifocals or readers and you already have to make these adjustments sooooo it’s the same.Huge plus: The mask is very comfortable and fits my face well with no leaks. I love the soft seal which was way more comfortable than my old mask with my reg and had no mask/reg upper lip pinch. Had no fog probs (with of course usual antifog measures.)I have for years been reluctant to buy a new mask because my old one has never caused me any probs and that’s huge in the scuba world. I had placed reader inserts in my old mask and they worked but far from perfectly and the inserts have started to get fuzzy and foggy so it was time to do something proper.I’m going to buy a second one I love it so much.

I was glad to get a new soft silicone mask as it's been several years since the last purchase.The reader lenses were a bit of disappointment. Too low to bottom of mask and too small a lense so that I didn't really utilize the reader lenses.But a good value all the same.

I have an earlier version of this mask that is about 15 years old that I still use and like a lot. I wanted a backup and also to try the black skirt. This ended up being my primary and I love the dark skirt for surface snorkeling to block out light and make taking pictures much easier to see the lcd screen of my camera. The readers are at a bit of a severe angle for me but still useful and I really liked how well they worked out. This is my new favorite mask.

These do make it easier for me to see close-up items under water (as advertised). Where I struggled was shifting from the reader sections of the mask to looking off in the distance. I assume if a person used the mask for long enough one would get used to this transition. But I found it too distracting so went back to my stock mono vision mask.

It is a great mask, just what I need, I think. I haven't acutally tried it yet in the water, but it is missing the snorkel clip. I need to get one of those before I use it.