Oceanic DataMask Review by Richard Reid (DentonDivers.com)

This evening I went to ScubaToys in Carrollton for their DataMask pool party. I arrived shortly before 6:00 PM with swim trunks and towel in hand, as I wanted the chance to dive with this new computer/mask combination. The party was attended by appx. 20 - 30 persons, of which 10 - 15 took advantage of diving with the DataMask. ScubaToys provided pizza and soda while customers were able to talk with the Oceanic reps Darryl and Doug. Around 7:00 PM we were all taken back to pool area and Doug gave a short program on the development of the DataMask for the military, and explained its features/use to us. In brief, the DataMask has two buttons on the right side of the mask that control its displays and functions. The “side button” turns the display on and off. The “top button” scrolls through the different displays and is also used to set features such as display brightness, air/nitrox selection, nitrox mixture, alarms, etc. After the briefing, we were invited to gear up and try out the DataMask for ourselves.

My overall impression of the mask/computer is a positive one. The display (white characters on a blue background) was clear and very easy to read. This was a great concern to me, as my eyesight isn’t what it used to be. I currently have to use “readers” to be able to read my dive computer. With the DataMask all you need do is glance down and to the right and all your info is there in a very easy to read format. Depth, tank pressure, dive time remaining, etc. Scrolling between the displays was also easily accomplished by a press of the top button, although I would have liked to have also tried it with gloves on, and/or in cold water (like the lake Murray dive this past weekend) to see if there was any/much of a difference as compared to a 85 degree pool. During my time underwater, I partially flooded the mask, and cleared it with no problems. I then removed the mask entirely, replaced it and cleared it, again with no problems. The display remained clear and readable after each mask clearing. I would also point out that the DataMask fit well, with little or no leakage of water in the mask while I was wearing it. With my beard and mustach mask leakage is often a problem for me. The DataMask felt completely comfortable and natural while I was wearing it.

On the down side… the DataMask has a side view window on the left that I found to be of very limited use in the pool. While I could look to my left and see the window there, it is so small that I couldn’t really see anything through it. Perhaps in an open water environment this might be different. My only other problem with the mask was I had a feeling of “tunnel vision” while using it. I am not sure if anyone else testing the mask this evening had the same problem…. or if it was just me.

Another limitation of the DataMask is that it does not accomadate gas switching, and if I remember correctly (and I may be wrong on this point) it can only be programmed for nitrox up to 50%. This will limit its use for those into more technical aspects of diving, but according to Darryl, future versions of the DataMask will have a third control button, and should allow for gas switching. At this time, the DataMask comes in one color only…. your basic black. While this is just fine by me, I know that my wife will want to know if she can get hers in pink!

The bottom line: Like a number of divers, I am a lover of “tech toys”, and the Datamask fits that bill very neatly. The DataMask has some very attractive features, and I would love to be able to test it further in “real world” diving situtations. When the time comes for me to replace my current dive computer (a Suunto Vytec DS), I know I will take a good long look at the Datamask. But I might want to wait a bit to see what improvements are made to future versions of the mask/computer. I would also like the price to come down a bit. $1500.00 is quite a bit to spend on a dive computer (and that is what you are buying when you purchase a DataMask) that doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you could get out of other wireless computers for the same or less money.

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