Better Than Contacts
For anyone with myopia–near-sighted and using a minus prescription in glasses or contacts–the Promote Spectrum might be the best entry point for a prescription dive mask.
It’s going to be ideal for those with full or half magnification values (eg.: -2 or -2.5) as there are no quarters when ordering from the Get Wet Store. On the other hand, one of our testers uses a -1.25 in the right eye and didn’t have any reason to complain with just the -1.00.
It’s a low-profile mask, which means the bonded lens sits closer to the eyes, limiting distortion. The bonded glass lens with the magnification seems the exact size of the two teardrop tempered glass pieces as well, hiding the fact that this is a prescription mask.
Some toothpaste, used initially for defogging, might make it into the crevice between, but not much.
As far as the sizing goes, at 4½ inches wide by 3¼, this mask will fit most faces. The soft silicone skirt is also a bit forgiving on smaller faces too, but it’s not for bigger facial profiles.
The buckles on the silicone strap are equally forgiving, cutting down on hair pulling and providing a quick release when egressed.
Ordering a Mask with Prescription
When adding RX info—the prescription—there aren’t too many options on the product page. Choose a value for the right eye, add info for the left eye.
Far-sighted, or hyperopic divers, should be a bit wary of adding an RX with too high a value. To put this another way, a pair of strong reading glasses aren’t great at helping focus when driving. Similarly, a +5.00 prescription in both eyes will help read gauges, but not in identifying fish beyond 5 feet away.
The Value of Sight
A +1.00 in left and right eyes, on the other hand, will sharpen up the digits on your dive computer a bit without making it too difficult to focus further afield.
For astigmatisms or bifocals, a custom product is always going to be best. The Apeks VX1 from Prescription Dive Mask is very good at getting more complicated prescriptions installed. It’ll cost more, but we can attest to this mask being excellent optically.
We recommend this prescription dive mask for snorkelers and divers with less-complicated RX profiles. Simple spectacles, especially, will be easy to recreate.
But astigmatisms and/or any need for bifocals will require an alternative (and more expensive) mask and lens setup.
Additionally, myopic divers are going to be best served and more comfortable. Take note also that it is usual for divers older than 40 to have difficulty changing focus from near to far. There are bifocals in other masks we’ve reviewed that would be more appropriate for this demographic.
The surprising quality and comfort of the mask and lens setup for the 45-year old, near-sighted diver who tested these, however, is clear. For that, we can attest to the value of the Promate Spectrum prescription dive mask.
If there are any concerns about this, consult an ophthalmologist. Additionally, DAN has some info on related subjects for those curious.
Specs & Features
| Nearsighted | -1.00 to -10.00 |
|---|---|
| Farsighted | +1.00 to +4.50 |
| Volume | Low |
| Framed or Frameless | Frameless |
| Bifocals | No |
| Astigmatism | No |
Take a moment to look at this.
