Product Review: The Apeks VX1 Mask
After many years of diving and being a big fan of Apeks, I am absolutely ecstatic about the release of Apeks’ new and first ever dive mask, the VX1. The dive mask market is definitely the most saturated in the diving industry and with a lot of great masks out there the bar has been set quite high for the competition. Apeks has a reputation for producing specialty cold-water dive equipment that is a cut above everyone else, and they seriously delivered with the release of the VX1. Let’s take a look at what this mask offers and why it really stands out in the world of dive masks!
The first thing that caught my eye after receiving our initial shipment of Apeks VX1 masks is the very spiffy, semi-rigid hard shell case it comes in. These cases are about the same size as the tradition plastic boxes that most dive masks come in and uses a zipper to close the case. This means that it won’t take up any additional space in your gear bag and you don’t have to worry about losing the lid. Because the case is semi-rigid, it has a much higher tolerance against impact damage as compared to traditional plastic boxes which have a tendency to crack and break if they’re dropped or squished.
Inside the case we are presented with a couple of goodies. The first thing I noticed is that the mask comes with a spare neoprene strap. This is nice because most masks only come with the regular silicone strap and leave the neoprene strap as an optional upgrade. This is one add-on that I recommend for any diver or snorkeller. If you are diving in warm water with a neoprene strap you don’t have to deal with the regular silicone strap pulling on your hair. If you’re diving in cold water while wearing a hood and thick gloves you don’t have to fight against the lack of dexterity and feeling while putting your mask on. In both cases you don’t have to worry about dealing with a mask strap that is folding over or rolling on your head which can cause weird pressure points and a general decrease in comfort.
And then of course, we have the mask itself. The Apeks VX1 currently comes in two colors, all black (which kind of looks like Darth Vader) and white with black trim (which looks a lot like a Stormtrooper). There are also two options for lenses, clear and UV coated which cuts out only certain light wavelengths that can be hard on the eyes while at the surface. Both lens options are made out of Apeks Pure Clear optical grade tempered glass which contains fewer impurities than regular glass. This means the lens offers a view free of any optical distortion and actually lets in more light. Now that’s pretty neat!
4 Different Colour/Lens Options:
The Apeks VX1 is a single-lens frameless mask, which means the lens is built directly into the silicone mask skirt. This allows the mask to fold down completely flat, making easy to store in a BCD or leg pocket, making it a good choice for a backup mask. Due to the frameless design the Apeks VX1 is a very low volume mask which makes it easy to clear and equalize but not so low volume that the lens comes into contact with your face.
The skirt on the Apeks VX1 is made out of premium surgical grade silicone, making it one of the softest mask skirts on the market, especially around the nose pocket. The mask features Apeks “advanced skirt geometry” and the edge of the skirt is slightly rounded which offers a smooth and even point of contact. On the inside you will notice a separate silicone flap, referred to as a double skirt. This increases the surface area of the seal, which allows the mask to fit a much wider range of face shapes and creates a better seal overall. On the outside of the skirt you will notice that areas near the forehead and nose pocket are more of a textured matte color where the rest of the skirt is smooth and shiny. Apeks incorporated this feature in those locations because they are the most common places a diver places their fingers when going to clear a leaky mask. The slightly rough texture allows for improved grip while wearing thick gloves.
The last note-worthy feature of the Apeks VX1 is the design and construction of the strap buckles. The first thing you’ll notice is how Apeks is using a stainless steel roller pin where virtually every mask out there uses plastic pins. It’s not terribly uncommon to have the plastic pins break after a period of time. This is why I am very excited about the stainless steel pins on the Apeks VX1. The last thing worth mentioning is the size and location of the strap release button. Apeks has placed a large button on the top of each buckle to allow for effortless adjustments of the strap’s micro-ratchet system. Thanks Apeks!
When Apeks first announced that they were releasing a new mask, I have to admit, I was a bit sceptical towards how it could be any better than the competition. However, I am thoroughly impressed with this very well thought out and ultra high quality dive mask. Apeks never fails to produce top notch cold-water diving equipment and they have certainly raised the bar in the dive mask market forever more!
