Lens with Built-in Anti-Fog
Cressi made the A1 with built-in anti-fog technology. When opening this mask, a sticker states that the A1 does not need to be pre-treated to remove a manufacturing film, nor should you use anti-fog. Though this mask claims to guarantee a fog-free dive, our reviewer was a little skeptical to try this technology out on a dive aimed to see hammerheads in the Galapagos Islands.
There should have never been any doubt—Cressi’s A1 did not fog up once! The lens remained perfectly clear throughout the trip. Not only did the built-in anti-fog stand up, but the mask also did not leak. This win-win makes this the default mask for this reviewer on future dives.
Increased Visibility
One thing to note, though, is that Cressi does not state how long the anti-fog technology will last. If properly taken care of, though, the lens should continue to remain fog-free.
The A1 is a single lens mask, providing a wider field of vision than a double lens mask.
The lens is shaped like an inverted teardrop, which increases downward visibility. This design made it easy to glance down at a dive computer and gauges while diving.
However, because this is a low-profile mask, the field of vision is not quite as wide as other single-lens masks like the TUSA Freedom HD.
The A1 lens is available clear or with a yellow UV 420 sun-protection coating. The UV 420 coating helps protect the eyes from sun damage and also increases the contrast and vibrancy of colors underwater.
Attractive Mask Design
In short, the A1 is a super-cool looking mask. Low-profile masks, like the A1, have less air space and sit closer to your face, allowing you to clear water out faster than from masks with a larger volume. This low-profile design not only makes the A1 look sleek on your face, but also makes it easy to clear.
Because this is a low-profile mask, it might put a little pressure on the brow of some divers. When testing a mask’s fit, make sure it sits comfortably on your face and does not apply uncomfortable pressure to your brow or cheeks.
The A1 comes in pink, black, and blue with a black skirt, or white with a white skirt. The frame has a flat, metallic-looking finish, which makes it look expensive—without the high price tag. Note that because of this finish, it’s easy to scratch the color on the frame, so it’s important to keep this mask in its carrying case between dives.
Sealing Skirt
The Cressi A1 mask skirt is made of a soft silicone that claims to be adaptable to most face shapes. However, this mask may offer a better fit for small- to medium-sized faces due to the mask’s low profile and the size of the skirt.
The nose pocket of this mask is flexible, which allows the diver to more easily and quickly equalize during the dive.
The skirt is generally comfortable, though the portion below the nose pocket could be softer to allow more flexibility when using a mouthpiece. After several dives, the reviewer noticed a little discomfort in their upper lip compared to masks that have a varied-thickness silicone skirt, like TUSA’s Freedom HD and Paragon masks.
Easy-to-Adjust Buckle System
The A1’s buckle system is easy to adjust, even with one hand. To do so, simply pull on the strap. This feature is extremely helpful for divers with long hair who have experienced hair pulling while trying to adjust a mask that does not have an easy-adjust system. The buckle system proved to be easy to adjust while wearing gloves as well.
The easy adjustment for the A1 was similar to the TUSA Paragon mask, though the Cressi A1 may be slightly smoother when pulling on the straps.
Price/quality ratio:
The Cressi A1 mask is comparable in price to similar single lens masks, but offers built-in anti-fog and an optional protective UV lens. This mask also looks expensive without the steep price tag associated with high-end masks.
Do we recommend Cressi A1:
We recommend the Cressi A1 mask for both scuba divers and freedivers. Overall, the A1 performed well, did not leak, and it was easy to equalize while wearing it.
One of the best features of this mask is the built-in anti-fog technology. However, even if this mask did not have the anti-fog technology, it is still a solid, high-performing mask at a reasonable price. Its sleek design looks great on a diver’s face and its buckle system allows for smooth strap adjustment.
Specs & Features
| Single lens | |
| Tempered glass pre-treated with anti-fog technology | |
| Hypoallergenic, soft silicone strap and skirt | |
| Low profile | |
| Soft nose pocket | |
| Push-button buckles |