By: Ami Everett
We gave our Gear Lovers one job:
Find the best and most popular products and review them.
Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews.
The Freedom HD, TUSA’s latest design with its patented Freedom Fit Technology, features a single lens with an incredibly wide field of vision, offering divers the ability to see not only what is in front of them, but in all directions as well.
Designed to fit a variety of face shapes and sizes, the Freedom Fit of the Freedom HD helps this mask seal to the diver’s face while reducing skin tension. It also features the 180° Rotational Buckle System, which accommodates various head sizes to make the mask more comfortable.
One of DIVEIN’s favorite features is the design of the mask’s strap and buckle system. The strap is made of the same soft silicone as the skirt and sits securely on your head. The quick-adjust buckle system makes this mask easy to put on, adjust, and take off.
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
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Buckle system accommodates various head size -
Wide field of view
-
Comfortable skirt
-
Five-angle strap adjuster allows diver to easily adjust strap position
-
Easy to tighten or loosen strap
-
Comes in multiple colors
Things we don't like:
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Wide skirt may come up to the hairline for some divers -
Large frame may not be the best fit for all divers
-
Does not have built-in anti-fog technology or treated lenses
Specs & Features
- Single lens
- Dimpled mask skirt
- 3-D mask strap
- Rotating mask-strap buckle
- Multi-positional angle strap adjuster
- Quick-Adjust Buckle system
- Round Edge silicone skirt
- 3-D silicone mask strap
Freedom HD Features
The larger version of the TUSA Freedom Elite, the Freedom HD is designed to provide panoramic views for divers who want a large-frame mask.
The Freedom is available in multiple skirt color options, including clear or black. These can be paired with various frame colors and finishes, including an option for a metallic frame finish. There is also an indigo silicone version of this mask, a color option that you don’t commonly see on other masks.
One downside is that this mask did not come pre-treated, as compared to the Cressi A1, and it does not feature treated lenses that protect against UV, like the TUSA Paragon. However, the field of vision in the Freedom HD is much wider than these other mask options, so divers who choose the Freedom will be able to see more of their surroundings. The panoramic nature of the Freedom HD makes this mask good for divers who suffer from neck pain while diving, allowing them to see more without having to strain their neck to look around.
Freedom Fit Technology
The Freedom HD is the latest design for TUSA’s Freedom Fit Technology. The Freedom’s skirt was designed to reduce the pressure and discomfort associated with wearing a typical mask. To accomplish this, the Freedom HD’s skirt has a dimpled texture along the forehead and cheekbones to provide a better seal. The skirt also features stability ridges around the cheek bones to minimize compression as water pressure increases, and varied silicone thickness around the nose pocket to improve the mask’s seal while using a snorkel or regulator mouthpiece. This is one of DIVEIN’s favorite features of this mask and other TUSA masks featuring Freedom Fit Technology.
TUSA’s varied silicone thicknesses really do provide enhanced comfort under a diver’s nose by being both soft and by reducing the pressure on the upper lip as mouthpieces push the lip up. Both the Freedom HD and Paragon masks had a better mask fit and comfort under the nose than other comparable dive masks.
Like the TUSA Paragon mask, the Freedom also has a rounded skirt design. The skirt on both these masks extends farther from the mask’s frame than on other comparable masks by brands like Scubapro and Cressi. Therefore, the TUSA masks may not offer the best fit for divers with a smaller face or low hairline.
Quick-Adjust Buckle System
Like the TUSA Paragon, the Freedom HD also features a 3-D designed mask strap, which fits snugly against the head, and quick-adjust buckle system, which makes the Freedom extremely easy to adjust without yanking on the straps to tighten.
One unique feature of the TUSA Freedom HD buckle system is its ability to rotate 180 degrees across the vertical axis. This allows the mask to accommodate various head sizes and take pressure off the side of the face. The ability of the buckle to fold, combined with the low volume of the mask, makes the Freedom HD a packable mask.
Price/quality ratio:
The TUSA Freedom HD mask is comparable in price to similar single-window masks. TUSA makes high-quality, durable dive gear, so you can expect to get your money’s worth with this mask. Before choosing a mask, ensure that it seals properly to your face. This mask is a good choice for divers who want a mask designed to fit larger faces and head shapes.
Do we recommend the Freedom HD:
We recommend the TUSA Freedom HD mask for divers who require a larger, framed mask or those who suffer from a stiff neck while diving. The Freedom HD is a no-bells-and-whistles mask design, but does have some features that set it apart from other comparable masks. Notably, the foldable buckle, which improves fit and packability of this mask.
Related Reviews
Our Overall Review
We have thoroughly tested - and read reviews from other experts and users. In summary, this is what we think:
Things we like:
-
Buckle system accommodates various head size
-
Wide field of view
-
Comfortable skirt
-
Five-angle strap adjuster allows diver to easily adjust strap position
-
Easy to tighten or loosen strap
-
Comes in multiple colors
Things we don't like:
-
Wide skirt may come up to the hairline for some divers
-
Large frame may not be the best fit for all divers
-
Does not have built-in anti-fog technology or treated lenses
Frequently asked questions
The Freedom HD is the larger version of the Freedom Elite. The Freedom HD was designed for divers needing a larger mask with a frame. The Elite was designed for divers needing a medium- to large-framed mask.
Every mask fits a little differently. It is important to choose a mask that provides a proper fit for your face to avoid leaking. Here are some guidelines for testing a mask’s fit:
- Remove or loosen the strap so that it is not holding the mask in place. You want to make sure the mask seals to your face without the assistance of the strap.
- Make sure there is no hair under the skirt—even the smallest amount can break the seal of a mask. Place the mask on your face, gently breathe in through your nose, then let go of the mask. iIf it has a good seal, it will stick to your face for several seconds.
- Make sure to repeat this test with a snorkel and regulator in your mouth to make sure the seal holds when your mouth is distorted by a mouthpiece.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to choosing between a single or double lens scuba mask. However, most often it comes down to personal preference. Here are a few differences between the two styles:
- Corrective vision: You may want to choose a double lens mask if you are thinking about swapping to corrective lenses. For double lens masks that are compatible with corrective lenses, divers can easily swap out the regular lenses for corrective lenses. However, single lens masks are not typically compatible to swap with corrective lenses.
- Mask fit: When choosing a mask, it all comes down to fit. Double lens masks may work better on a narrower face. Other considerations are the size and shape of your brow. Double lens masks typically offer a larger nose pocket, whereas a single lens mask typically reduces pressure from a mask frame on a larger brow.
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