Astronaut in the Ocean
I have used various full-face masks (FFM) working at the aquarium, and I have tested all the FFMs that come into my local dive shop, so I would consider my experience with this sort of equipment to be fairly high. I do not prefer to wear them on fun recreational dives; I can’t really wear one as an instructor; and having to switch gases while tech diving makes using a FFM a moot point.
That was until representatives from OceanReef paid a visit to my dive shop to host a demo day. The Neptune III provided by far the most comfortable and largest field of view of any full-face mask I have ever donned.
My biggest personal complaint about any FFM is that after a day of work while wearing one, my neck is extremely sore and tired from fighting the positive buoyancy the whole time. And that was my biggest question heading into this demo. OceanReef is not lying when they say the Neptune III is almost half as buoyant as its competitors. I didn’t feel as though I had to fight the mask at all.
With other FFMs, you just have to adjust to not being able to see down or look sideways without moving your head—not so with the Neptune III. The field of vision is so wide it felt like I was a cartoon cat with his head stuck in a fishbowl. It was really that easy to look around.
Spec Breakdowns & Features
The OceanReef Neptune III is full of handy standard features. The second-stage regulator is fully integrated into the mask, making incidental bumps less likely to cause a malfunction.
The Neptune III also comes with the most accurate anatomically designed oral-nasal pocket. This, combined with the redesigned visor, means less dead air space inside the mask.
Standard with the package are equalization plugs in three sizes, with three separate post sizes meant to fit any face shape and make your dive as comfortable as possible.
While not entirely proprietary, OceanReef has its own radio frequency that can be used with the GSM Mercury, making all communications confidential without the hassle of interference.
Accessories
Some of the neatest accessories that you can have on the Neptune III (or any FFM for that matter) are the communications devices. The arrangement options for the comms are nearly endless—diver-to-diver, diver-to-surface, hard-lined-surface-supplied, and even diver-to-diver where the second individual doesn’t need comms. There is even a retractable speaker the lead diver can hold up to the other diver’s ear and speak to them.
You can also have the OceanReef Rails placed on the Neptune. This is a mounted system wherein any accessory you want can be attached. During the demo, I was able to use both a flashlight and a Shearwater NERD attached to these rails.
Price/Quality Ratio
This is a pricey unit, especially including the entire package. It costs more than twice what the competitor’s model costs, but the quality is roughly double as well. It would be like asking if a certain sports car is worth twice as much as your grandma’s car.
Put it this way—if you intend to dive in a FFM more than half your time, this is the unit you want. Any other competitor out there is an “if I have to wear this for work, ok,” while the Neptune III will make you feel lucky to be wearing it.
Do we recommend the OceanReef Neptune III full-face mask?
We do recommend the Neptune III if you are looking for a full-face mask for the majority of your diving. This is the highest quality, highest performing, largest field of vision, least buoyant FFM on the market.
If you only plan to dive with a FFM part time or only during the few months when it’s exceedingly cold, it might not be worth the cost.
Specs & Features
| Mask | Silicone rubber |
|---|---|
| Lens | Polycarbonate plastic |
| Regulator | Pneumatically balanced |
| Bag | Nylon and mesh fabric |
| Hose thread | ⅜ inch |
| Hose length | 32 inches |
| Head strap | six-point spider strap |
| Communication compatibility | GSM Mercury |
