Why SeeDeep dive glasses are over the top
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Image Credit: SeeDeep Diving Optics
Text and Article Credit: Steve Weinman on July 10, 2023 at 9:22 am
Scuba divers grappling with less than perfect 20/20 vision have often resorted to purchasing prescription dive masks, which can be equipped with bifocal lenses or other alternatives like stick-on magnifying lenses. However, the effectiveness of these options can be quite variable.
Enter the SeeDeep glasses, a promising innovation that aims to provide a solution for long-sighted divers. While these glasses are not yet in production, the concept is intriguing. Similar to how reading glasses are used on dry land, long-sighted divers can don SeeDeep glasses underwater for close-up vision. What sets them apart is their versatility – they are designed to effortlessly fit over any style of dive mask, as envisioned by inventor Jos Groeneveld, and are secured in place by an adjustable rubber strap.
The lenses themselves are constructed from robust polycarbonate material, boasting an anti-scratch coating to withstand the rigors of underwater exploration. Divers can select from four different diopters, including +1, +1.25 +1.5, +1.75 +2.0, +2.5 and +3.0, catering to a range of vision needs.
During a dive, users have the flexibility to adjust the glasses up or down on their dive mask. This adaptability allows divers to shift their focus effortlessly, whether it's to examine an instrument below or to catch a glimpse of a pygmy seahorse above.
SeeDeep has also incorporated a clever design feature – an adhesive silicone surface on two soft pads located on the reverse of the glasses. This innovative design ensures that the glasses stay securely in the diver's chosen position through friction, adding to their reliability and usability.
Intriguingly, patents are in place to protect this promising innovation in the world of scuba diving optics, ensuring that SeeDeep glasses could potentially revolutionize the underwater experiences of divers with varying vision needs.
The SeeDeep glasses offer a range of options to cater to divers' preferences and needs. They are available in standard aluminum, coming in both blue and grey shades, as well as stainless steel and titanium variants.
What's particularly convenient is that these glasses can be easily removed when they are no longer needed during the dive. For instance, when a diver moves away from a reef or encounters a situation where close-up vision is unnecessary, the glasses can be safely stowed in a soft neoprene case. This case is thoughtfully attached to the diver by a karabiner, ensuring that the glasses are readily accessible and secure.
But what about situations that require clearing the mask? Jos Groeneveld, one of the minds behind SeeDeep Diving Optics, offers clear guidance: "First take the glasses off your mask (and put them in the soft case) and then clear your mask the usual way." It's essential to ensure that your mask doesn't have any leaks, as this process requires a mask in proper working order.
The SeeDeep Diving Optics team, comprising Groeneveld and designer Bas Millenaart, is based in Gouda, Netherlands. They have embarked on a crowdfunding campaign for their dive glasses on Indiegogo, with the aim of entering full production by August 2024.
For those interested in acquiring these innovative glasses, the projected price is £59 for a pair of standard glasses framed in hard-coated anodized aluminum, available in anthracite grey or blue. Additionally, there will be a "premium edition" in stainless steel priced at £75 and an "exclusive edition" in titanium priced at £119.
All models, including the standard glasses, come with the convenient neoprene case. The special editions, on the other hand, offer an extra hard case suitable for use on dive boats and while traveling, enhancing their practicality and protection.
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