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snorkel gear


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#1 Guest_frogwhacker_*

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Posted 23 July 2011 - 07:06 PM

OK, so I've been reading the conversations about snorkeling and seeing pictures taken while snorkeling. I've never tried it yet, but I feel like I'm already hooked. I'd appreciate any advice on what kind of snorkeling gear works best. I really know very little about it. I'll be going in the Little Muskingum river. It's small and rocky in some places, yet has some deep pools with mud banks in other places. It can get a bit turbid, but does clear up somewhat late in the summer and fall. As I said, I've never tried it yet, so I know very little about what kind or brand of snorkel or mask I need. If there is a big difference in some of them, I'm willing to spend a little extra money to get something I know I'll like. I know this is old stuff to most of you and I appreciate your patience. I'm just a lifelong fisherman wanting to see fish and other native aquatic life as they are on their own turf. Thanks.

#2 Michael Wolfe

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  • North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 23 July 2011 - 08:01 PM

If your just getting into it, I wouldn't worry too much about brand or style... I mean avoid the obvious kiddie stuff at Kmart... but any medium good mask and snorkel will work. Some of us are getting prescription masks... and others are thinking about bifocals... But these things are not of primary concern... just get something that has a nice silicone skirt on the mask for comfort and good seal.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

#3 Guest_frogwhacker_*

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Posted 23 July 2011 - 08:13 PM

If your just getting into it, I wouldn't worry too much about brand or style... I mean avoid the obvious kiddie stuff at Kmart... but any medium good mask and snorkel will work. Some of us are getting prescription masks... and others are thinking about bifocals... But these things are not of primary concern... just get something that has a nice silicone skirt on the mask for comfort and good seal.



Wow, a prescription mask would be nice. Do you know if there is a prescription mask that corrects for astigmatism? I was checking out some snorkels on line earlier today. I'm assuming that I wouldn't need a "dry" snorkel? Not sure what the differences are, but I'm guessing my best bet will be to buy online.
Thanks for the reply.

#4 Michael Wolfe

Michael Wolfe
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  • North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage

Posted 24 July 2011 - 07:09 AM

Wow, a prescription mask would be nice. Do you know if there is a prescription mask that corrects for astigmatism? I was checking out some snorkels on line earlier today. I'm assuming that I wouldn't need a "dry" snorkel? Not sure what the differences are, but I'm guessing my best bet will be to buy online.
Thanks for the reply.

If you are looking on line, you probably have found out by now that the only limit is how much you are willing to pay. But I will say I know a couple fo people that have the prescription masks where you get the mask for about $60 and then get the lenses for about $20 each (right and left) and you can pick your diopter reading in like 0.5 diopter intervals. And people that have done that a very satisfied with the masks even if the prescription is off by 0.25 or even though it does not correct for astigmatism. To get exact prescriptions or correct for astigmatism the lenses have to be custom ground just like glasses... and then the costs goes up crazy.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin

#5 Guest_farmertodd_*

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Posted 24 July 2011 - 01:37 PM

From what I understand, contacts will correct for astigmatism much better than the mask. The properties of water itself will also offer some correction. But please don't just take my word... If I were you, I'd spend a little bit of time surfing the marine dive sites to see what they say.

What I do know is this... I have a prescription mask, and yes, it's worth every last penny :)

As for the bifocal aspect, that's why I haven't bothered with getting my eyes corrected yet. My nearsightedness is a blessing when examining detail, and it's easier to slide my glasses down my nose, than carry around reading glasses, no matter how much it makes me feel like I'm turning into my Dad :)

With your location, and that you already feel hooked just looking at the pictures, I would invest, I don't think you'll regret it. The Little Muskie will be great, as are many of the streams northward along the flushing escarpment and across the Ohio in WV. Brian Zimmerman has enjoyed snorkels in Little Beaver and Yellow Creeks, I personally know that Captina Creek upstream of the coal mess is gorgeous, and these will be our candidate snorkel streams at the 2012 Convention next fall.

Good luck, let us know what you learn! :)

Todd

#6 Guest_frogwhacker_*

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Posted 25 July 2011 - 10:59 PM

With your location, and that you already feel hooked just looking at the pictures, I would invest, I don't think you'll regret it. The Little Muskie will be great, as are many of the streams northward along the flushing escarpment and across the Ohio in WV. Brian Zimmerman has enjoyed snorkels in Little Beaver and Yellow Creeks, I personally know that Captina Creek upstream of the coal mess is gorgeous, and these will be our candidate snorkel streams at the 2012 Convention next fall.

Good luck, let us know what you learn! :)

Todd



Thank you for the response and suggestions. Considering that I have to be 12 inches from the screen to read this without my glasses, it will probably be a good idea for me to go with prescription lenses. I'm hoping to get my daughter interested in this too. We homeschool and this would be an awesome educational experience for her. Her eyesight is much worse than mine so I know I'd have to go with prescription lenses for her also. By the way, do you happen to know the dates of the 2012 convention next fall yet?

Thanks again;

Steve.

#7 brannon67

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  • NANFA Guest
  • USA

Posted 12 November 2014 - 12:06 PM

Once you do it, you may be hooked, so watch out...



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