Scuba pro D-Mask & Franklin Bifocals
It is no secret that the scubapro d mask has recently become one of my favorite dive masks for prescription dive mask lenses. I recently wrote a post just detailing the d mask. Below are my reasons for loving the d-mask:
- 3 sizes available to fit the vast majority of people. If you order a size and it doesn’t fit, we can move the lenses quickly to a different size as they all share the same lens size.
- UV coating to protect your eyes at the surface of the water.
- Slight color correcting tint to bring some red coloring back at depth.
- Supports a wide range of prescriptions INCLUDING very strong prescriptions.
For some divers, the reading /near vision lens portion in the standard bifocal just is not enough area for the tasks they are performing underwater.
What are bifocals for in a dive mask?
In a recent post, I reviewed bifocal dive mask options and I went over the different types of bifocals available in scuba diving masks.
The term bifocal can be confusing and divers often confuse it with our reading lenses. Bifocal lenses correct for both distance correction and near vision correction. Our dive mask reading lenses only provide correction for near vision and we normally install them in the bottom third of the dive mask (here are some reading lenses we installed in to an atomic venom frameless mask). Our bifocal lenses can also include correction for prism and astigmatism.
For dive mask we offer three main bifocal options:
- Standard (ST-28) bifocals
- ST-35 Bifocals
- Frankling Bifocals
The ST-28 and 35 refer to the lens being a straight top bifocal (lens design) and the width of the bifocal segment in each eye. It is really important to keep in mind, the width of the bifocal segment is before the lens is cut for the dive mask. Different pupillary distances and dive mask design mean all bifocal segments will be a bit narrower than in the uncut lens.
The end result with the st28 or st35 dive mask bifocal is a lens that contains a half moon segment for near correction at the bottom of the mask. The difference between these options and the franklin bifocal is the franklin bifocal includes separate lens that spans the bottom of the mask for a large amount of near vision correction.
The franklin bifocal advantage when scuba diving
In the above two images, you can see the two major different styles of bifocals. In the left image, we installed a st35 bifocal lens. You will likely need to click on the image to view it larger in order to see the bifocal line, but you will see a near vision segment that extends across about the bottom two thirds of the mask (in width). In the franklin bifocal on the right, you can see the near vision segment of the lens is a completely separate lens from the distance vision lens, and the reading/near vision area of the lens extends all the way to the bottom of the mask and all the way across the mask.
For divers who engage in activities such as professional photography or cinematography, it is important to have a much larger near vision correction area. The franklin lens is also completely customizable. Some divers want the split to result. in a larger near vision area. We have made franklin dive mask bifocals that are 70% near vision and only 30% far vision. Depending on the diver’s needs, we can customize the lens sizes. If you only need bifocals to see your gauges or dive computer, the standard bifocals are a more economical option.
Another benefit of the franklin bifocal is the ability to use high index lenses for those with strong prescriptions resulting in a thinner lighter lens than if we had done a traditional bifocal in crown glass.
How much are bifocal lenses and how to order
Our standard bifocal lenses are available for order on the order page (seethesearx.com/ordering). Standard bifocals start at $295.00 + dive mask. The scubapro d mask costs $185.00.
The franklin bifocal is a fully custom option and is not available for order online. To set up an order for a diving mask or goggles with franklin lenses, please give us a call at 18003567190.
Josh
Josh is an optical technician and owner of See the Sea RX. He is a PADI instructor and has been involved in diving for more than 20 years. He has also worked as a sergeant at the Harris County, Texas, Sheriff's Office, which included time as the instructor for the dive team. Josh also holds a masters degree in data analytics from Texas A&M.
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