Cressi PANO4 DRY Snorkeling Mask

Cressi PANO4 DRY Snorkeling Mask

Cressi PANO4 DRY Mask

A poorly fitting mask causes leaks, poor visibility, fogging, and general diving frustration. I think that no underwater hunter would like to face this.

Cressi PANO4 DRY Snorkeling Mask Silicone Skirt Four Lens Review

Not every diver knows this, but it’s amazing how much of a difference one or two lenses on a mask can make during a dive. In this article, we will review for you an incredibly high-quality Cressi Panoramic Wide 4 mask with four lenses and maximum peripheral vision and light transmission. Keep reading and we will tell you in detail why this mask is so good and why you should buy it!

General Overview of the Mask

The Cressi Pano 4 mask has an additional set of lenses on either side of the main lenses so you can see underwater from below, above, and to the sides. The classic teardrop lens design provides the diver with a wide primary and peripheral field of view. This was perhaps the main reason why this mask has been in the top 5 and top 10 best snorkeling and diving masks over the past few years.

You begin to notice the difference as soon as you dive into the water. The mask is made to Cressi’s highest quality standards, so it has extra durability with an extra-soft silicone seal. Of all the masks I’ve tried, this one has been one of the tightest and most leak-proof of all time. It’s also great that I had virtually no issues with fogging because many masks have this problem and it’s very annoying for many divers. Cressi’s mask proved to be excellent, so I didn’t even have to resort to brushing with toothpaste.

Cressi Pano also has more comfortable and wider strap buckles than other models. It’s something similar to the atomic Acuatis masks, only wider and thicker. This makes adjusting the mask as easy as possible and saves you from fiddling with small belt clips for a long time. In addition, the strap itself is very wide and does not put pressure on your head when you are in the water, ensuring a secure and snug fit of the mask to your face

It is worth talking about the snorkel in the kit separately. It works exactly the way you expect it to. The dry snorkel system will keep you out of water when you are on the wave, and even if water does get in, you can easily blow it out with the purge valve. It’s not the most complex snorkel design, but it’s surprisingly comfortable and easy to set up. You will not feel as if you are holding a silicone expander in your mouth. The jaw will not get tired even during long dives.

Pros And Cons

Cressi Panoramic Snorkel Kit

Pros

  • One of the highest quality kits at an attractive price

  • 4 lenses provide excellent visibility

  • Superior snorkel with wave protection and convenient top valve

  • Very soft mouthpiece at the snorkel, which will suit even professionals

  • The mask does not let water through and does not fog up

  • The snorkel does not strain the jaw and does not cause a feeling of fatigue and numbness

  • The arm that connects the mask and snorkel is easily adjustable and rotates according to the position of the snorkel. Very convenient and helpful

  • Easy to clean and use

Cons

  • There are still slight light distortions at the seams of the lenses

  • For some people, the silicone skirt may sit too low and cause discomfort

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Cressi Panoramic Dry Snorkeling Mask – Detailed Review

Cressi Panoramic Wide View Mask Dry Snorkel Kit

Now let’s break down each component of this mask and talk about what makes them so great and why they combine to make this mask an incredibly high-quality product.

Mask & Lenses

With this mask, you can forget that you will only see what is directly in front of you in the water. The side lenses fit very closely to the main lens, and with this mask, you get a clear, unblurred image from any side you look at. Also, the lenses here are made of tempered glass, which ensures durability and comfort. You can not be afraid that after a couple of months the glasses will be covered with scratches, they are really strong here.

As in all previous Cressi models, drop-shaped lenses are installed here. This allows for a better field of view and a “wide aperture” picture at the expense of good peripheral vision.

The mask itself fits very snugly to the face, without pressing too hard and leaving almost no marks even after long dives. For the most part, this is achieved through a soft and wide skirt, which is made of 100% high-quality silicone. Very soft and pleasant to the touch material. Besides, the skirt has double feathers for a snug fit to the face. This is one of the best masks in terms of not letting water through. In all the dives that I have done with this mask, I have never had water inside. And many users say the same and appreciate this model precisely for its good insulating properties. I also never had any fog or fogging of glasses inside thanks to good insulation.

Belts & Buckles

The second distinctive feature of the Cressi Pano 4 mask is high-quality and wide belts and buckles. They are incredibly easy to adjust. This has saved me several times when during a long dive I needed to loosen the mask a little to give my face a little rest and relieve the pressure. All I had to do was loosen the big wide straps with a ratchet and the mask was already adjusted. With cheaper goggles, I’ve always experienced either a long fuss with loosening the straps or fogging up the lenses and water inside because the straps loosened more than I wanted.

Dry Snorkeling System

The dry snorkeling system is something in this mask. With this system, you don’t have to worry about water getting into your snorkel or mouth and having to float up and cough up salty seawater. The top valve on the snorkel perfectly protects against waves and water entering the snorkel. Besides, even if water somehow gets inside, a purge valve is installed in the snorkel, which greatly simplifies the cleaning of the snorkel from water.

Main Features of the Mask

  • Four lenses for good direct and peripheral vision
  • 100% silicone skirt
  • Tempered glass lenses
  • Frame made of polycarbonate
  • Skirt with double feathers
  • Quick-adjust ratchet buckles
  • Teardrop lens design

My Experience With This Mask

This model has 90% reviews for 4 and 5 stars on Amazon for a reason. The first thing I want to point out is how sharp the panoramic lens in this mask is when I look through it. I can keep my head underwater for more than 30-40 minutes without water getting into the snorkel and any jaw fatigue.

The first time I was amazed at how long I could stay underwater without coming up to the surface for air. With proper care, the lens in this mask will never fog up. Only sometimes I have to treat the glass with toothpaste. To keep the mask as tight as possible when I need it, I can tighten the straps at any time during the dive in less than a minute! The ratchet mechanism that the manufacturers put in the Cressi Pano 4 is incredibly convenient.

Disadvantages of the Mask

The most common complaint that users have is that the silicone holder breaks, causing water to enter the mask. Other clients have said that the frames hit the bridge of the nose and that they can’t get a snug fit. A couple of buyers also mentioned that they couldn’t breathe through the snorkel due to a torn rubber piece on the bottom.

FAQ

Cressi Panoramic Mask Dry Snorkel Kit

Many readers of my blog often ask me questions about the Cressi Pano 4 mask and similar models. Therefore, I decided to collect everything in one section, so below you will find answers to all your questions.

What is the difference between Cressi Pano 4 and Cressi Pano 3?
The only difference between Pano 4 and Pano 3 is the number of lenses. Pano 4 has 4 lenses and, accordingly, a better peripheral view than Pano 3. Pano 3 has only 3 lenses. The rest of the design, including straps, frame, and snorkel, is the same.
How to properly clean a mask?
Keeping the mask clean is very important. Because it is constantly in contact with your face and eyes. And if you do not clean the mask regularly, then there is a high risk of infection or skin irritation. Therefore, in addition to the standard freshwater rinse, it is recommended to disinfect the surface of the mask.

I soak the mask in dishwashing liquid for a couple of minutes every few months. After that, I take out the brush and lightly rub all the cracks and crevices, this will help remove all the dirt and germs from the crevices. I also wipe the surface of the mask with an alcohol wipe after every dive.

How To Defog A Mask?
There are several ways to keep your mask from fogging up. The first and most common is the toothpaste method. To do this, you need to apply a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste to the inner glass of the lens and wipe the entire surface with it. For rubbing, you can safely use your finger or a brush with delicate bristles.

Be sure to spread the paste over all the corners, otherwise, the glass will still fog up. After application, gently rinse the paste with tap water, rubbing as you go, until all the paste is rinsed off. Repeat until you can put on the mask and breathe through your nose without fogging up the glass.

The main problem with toothpaste is that this method requires several applications. And you will have to spend quite a lot of time rubbing in enough paste to keep your mask from fogging up. The second and easier method is to use fire.

Just take a lighter (it is best to use long-necked ones) and bring the flame to the inner glass of the mask. You will see how a black coating forms on the glass. Don’t be scared, it’s normal. Just keep heating the glass until the black substance stops forming. Then simply take the mask to the sink and wash off the black residue with running water using a cloth or soft brush. You can additionally use a scrub, this will speed up the cleaning process. This method will also leave your mask free of fog and allow you to see sharp and clear in all conditions.

The main disadvantage of this method is the danger of damaging and burning the delicate silicone along the edges of the glasses. But if you’re confident and careful enough, or if you have someone who has defogged glass this way, you can safely try this method. If not, then it is better to choose the method with toothpaste.

Another way is to use detergents and solutions. We take any of the detergents in your kitchen, dilute it with water and dip the mask into this solution for a couple of hours. Or just put a few drops of the product on the glass of the mask, rub it over the entire surface, and finally rinse with water. The main disadvantage of this method is that it is only enough for 1-2 dives, so you need to carry out the procedure again.

And the most expensive, but reliable way is to use special anti-fogging sprays or liquids. Basically, antifog is used by professional divers and snorkelers, as well as in the pool for processing glasses. The spray is non-toxic and hypoallergenic. The liquid is also applied to the glass from the inside and finally washed with water.

My Final Recommendations

Although outwardly this mask is almost indistinguishable from most similar models on the market, it has a completely different quality. Thanks to the panoramic view, you will be able to see underwater like never before. With a price tag of less than $50, it’s a great option for beginners and experienced divers alike.

Since the mask is equipped with a 100% silicone skirt, polycarbonate sides, and tempered glass lenses, you can be sure that you will not go wrong with this model.

The Cressi Panoramic 4 mask and snorkel give you many diving opportunities. So why not use them?

Have good diving!

Sergio Smirnoff
Sergio Smirnoff
Professional fisherman with 40+ years of experience.
Fishing and the ocean is a passion of my life. I am passionate about all kinds of sea fishing: fishing from the shore (spinning, float, baitcasting), from a boat, and spearfishing day and night.

I live in Tenerife (Canary Islands) for the last 10+ years and share my daily fishing experiences on my website. Many years of personal experience as a fisherman and the vast experience of my friends allow me to write professionally on any fishing topics (from choosing a flashlight and equipment to deep-sea fishing).

All of my advice is based on practical real-world experience and will be useful to both novice anglers and professionals. Read more about the author.

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About the author: Each article is verified by the fishing expert Sergio Smirnoff. The articles are written by professional and amateur fishermen with 20+ years of fishing experience.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency. The articles are for informational purposes only, share your opinions in the comments and join the fishing discussions, let's share our fishing experiences together!

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