Cressi Pano 3 Mask: Pretreat Or Not?

The Cressi Pano 3 scuba diving mask is a unique model that offers divers a widened peripheral view with its side windows. The mask features a singular front lens, a soft silicone skirt, and a sturdy frame. It is known for its comfort, ease of adjustment, and excellent value for money. However, it does not accept prescription lenses and has an average downward field of view. Before using the mask, it is important to treat it to prevent fogging, which can be done using toothpaste or a commercial agent.

How to prevent the mask from fogging up

Preventing your Cressi Pano 3 mask from fogging up is simple and can be done in a few different ways. Firstly, it is important to pre-treat your mask. This is because residue from the manufacturing process can be left on the lens, which will cause fogging. To do this, you can use a commercial defogging solution, a mild baby shampoo solution, or even spit.

Another way to prevent fogging is to ensure your face is dry when putting on the mask. It is also recommended to keep the mask on without adjusting it once it is in position. After use, be sure to rinse the mask with lukewarm or cool water and pat it dry with a clean towel.

The benefits of a three-window mask

The Cressi Pano 3 is a three-window mask that offers several benefits to the wearer.

Firstly, the three-window design provides a wider field of view, enhancing the wearer's peripheral vision. This is achieved through the inclusion of side windows, which are rare among dive masks, and a singular front lens that offers an uninterrupted view. The side windows are especially advantageous when diving in locations with sweeping expanses, such as coral reefs or wall dives, as they provide a broader perspective.

Secondly, the Cressi Pano 3 is designed for comfort and ease of use. It features a soft silicone skirt with a double feathered edge, ensuring a perfect seal on a wide range of face shapes and sizes. The mask's frame sits between the skirt and the lens, enhancing durability and providing a more stable fit. The strap is also made of soft silicone and has a wide split at the back for even distribution, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit. The buckles on the strap are easily adjustable, allowing for effortless manipulation even while wearing gloves.

Additionally, the Cressi Pano 3 offers excellent value for money. Despite its high-quality features, it is one of the cheapest scuba masks on the market. Its affordability, coupled with its exceptional performance and comfort, makes it a favourite among divers.

Lastly, the three-window design of the Cressi Pano 3 allows for more light to enter the mask, which can be beneficial for divers who feel claustrophobic or prefer a brighter underwater experience.

The benefits of a frameless mask

The Cressi Pano 3 mask is not frameless, but there are many benefits to using a frameless mask.

Frameless masks are popular with spearfishers and freedivers due to their low-volume design, making them less buoyant and easier to equalize. They are also lighter, more flexible, and sit closer to the face, allowing for a better field of vision. They are also easier to clear because of the lower volume. Low-volume masks are easier to dive with and are a must-have for freediving. Frameless masks are also less bulky and easier to pack for travel or fit into your gear as a backup.

The frameless design has some disadvantages, however. The mask cannot be taken apart for cleaning or maintenance, and there is a lack of variability in the lenses. Frameless masks are also more expensive on average due to the specialised materials required for their construction. They are also less durable than framed masks, as they have no frame for the glass lens to seal to, and the strap clips are attached to the frameless skirt.

The benefits of easy-adjust buckles

The Cressi Pano 3 scuba diving mask is designed with easy-adjust buckles, offering several benefits to the user. Here are some advantages of this feature:

Secure and Customizable Fit:

Easy-adjust buckles allow divers to customize the strap fit according to their head size and preferences. This ensures that the mask remains securely in place during dives, providing a comfortable and stable diving experience.

User-Friendly Adjustment:

The prominent adjustment button releases on the Pano 3 make adjusting the strap effortless. This user-friendly design ensures that divers can quickly and easily modify the strap length, even when wearing gloves or in challenging underwater conditions.

Reduced Stress on Skirt:

The placement of the buckles further back on the mask's skirt reduces the stress exerted on the side skirt. This design choice contributes to a more even distribution of pressure across the diver's face, enhancing comfort and reducing the risk of leaks.

Enhanced Peripheral Vision:

The Pano 3's side windows, in combination with the easy-adjust buckles, maximize the diver's peripheral vision. This unique feature expands the field of view, allowing divers to see more of their surroundings without needing to turn their heads.

Comfort and Stability:

The soft silicone strap, along with the easy-adjust buckles, provides a snug and comfortable fit. This combination ensures that the mask remains stable on the diver's face, reducing the chances of leakage and enhancing the overall diving experience.

How to prepare a new mask for scuba diving

So, you've just bought a new scuba mask and can't wait to try it out. But before you take the plunge, there's one important step you need to take: preparing your mask to prevent fogging. New masks often have a thin layer of silicone on the lenses from the manufacturing process, which can cause fogging issues. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing your new scuba mask:

Step 1: Choose a Cleaning Agent

You can use a commercial agent like Softscrub or common white toothpaste (paste, not gel). Avoid whitening toothpaste, as it may contain small crystals that can scratch the lenses.

Step 2: Apply the Cleaning Agent

Take a bead or thimble-sized amount of your chosen cleaning agent and apply it to both the inside and outside of the lenses. Make sure the lenses are dry.

Step 3: Scrub the Lenses

Use your fingertips to scrub the cleaning agent vigorously all over both sides of the lenses, paying extra attention to the inside. Be sure to scrub every inch, but avoid using a textured sponge or steel wool, as these can scratch the glass.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the lenses thoroughly with fresh water, making sure to remove all traces of the cleaning agent. Then, dry the lenses with a clean towel or rag.

Step 5: Repeat

Repeat the above steps 5-7 times for the best results.

Step 6: Store Your Mask

Once you've finished treating your lenses, let your mask dry completely and store it back in its original plastic box.

Step 7: Use Defog

Even after removing the silicone layer, it's important to use a defogging agent before each dive. Apply a drop of defog to each lens, rub it around, and then rinse before putting on your mask. If you don't have a commercial defog, you can use dish soap, shampoo, toothpaste, or even saliva!

By following these steps, you'll ensure that your new scuba mask is ready for your next underwater adventure, with clear and fog-free lenses.

Frequently asked questions