What Makes the Hollis M1 Frameless Mask Different From Other Masks?
The ocean opens up a world of beauty and fascination for scuba divers. To fully experience the wonders of the underwater realm, you need a mask that provides maximum visibility and comfort. The Hollis M1 Frameless Mask aims to fulfill that need with its innovative design and high-end optics.
As a pioneering frameless mask, the M1 provides an extraordinarily wide field of view unobstructed by the frame and skirt components found in traditional masks. This panoramic visibility enables you to fully take in the marine landscapes around them. The mask also features Hollis’s proprietary Saint-Gobain Diamant glass lens lauded for its clarity, light transmission, and scratch resistance.
Let’s take a closer look at these innovative features of the Hollis M1 Frameless Mask as well as assess its real-world performance.
Frameless Design
The Hollis M1 Mask has no frame or edge to provide the widest picture possible. This structure eliminates the field-of-view restrictions in traditional framed masks, allowing you to feel completely immersed in your surroundings – a significant advantage when exploring new dive sites.
Also, the absence of a frame reduces its weight making it easy and comfortable to use on long dives. The low internal volume and flexible skirt allow for quick pressure equalization during descent and make clearing the mask easy.
Saint-Gobain Diamant Glass Lens
One of the standout features of the Hollis M1 Frameless Mask is its lens made with Saint-Gobain Diamant glass. This high-quality tempered glass is known for its exceptional optical clarity, light transmission, and scratch resistance.
The lens is also designed with a special anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and provide a more natural view of the underwater world. This feature makes it easier to spot marine creatures and navigate through different dive environments.
Comfort and Fit
In addition to its impressive visibility, the Hollis M1 Mask offers superior comfort and fit. The skirt is made of a high-grade silicone material that conforms to your face’s contours, creating a tight seal to prevent water from entering the mask.
The strap is also adjustable and has a wide range of motion, allowing you to find the perfect fit for your head shape. The M1 mask comes in two sizes (regular and small) designed to accommodate different face shapes and sizes.
Manufacturers Specification
Frame Type: | Frameless |
Lens Configuration: | Single Lens |
Glass Type: | Ultra Clear Saint-Gobain Diamant Tempered Lens |
Internal Volume: | Low |
Skirt: | 100% pure silicon skirt |
Face Size Compatibility: | Average, Wide |
Corrective Lens Available: | No |
Our Rating: Hollis M1 Review
Overall Score
4.5/5
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4.5
Comfort and Fit
It features a soft, flexible silicone skirt fits a wide range of faces very well. The low-volume design and comfortable strap add to the overall comfort and feel. However, some divers with very small or narrow faces may find the nose pocket a bit too large.
5
Field of Vision
The Hollis M1's large, single-lens design and frameless construction provide an unparalleled panoramic view, especially in the downward and peripheral directions.
4.5
Build Quality and Durability
The frameless design eliminates weak points, and the Saint-Gobain Diamant glass is tough. The buckles are robust, though some divers note the strap can occasionally come unthreaded when adjusted harshly. The all-black aesthetic is a matter of preference but adds to its utilitarian, durable feel.
5
Mask Clearing and Equalizing
With its exceptionally low internal volume, the M1 is one of the easiest masks to clear. It requires minimal effort and is perfect for freedivers or those who need to equalize frequently.
5
Value for Money
The M1 sits in a mid-to-high price range but is widely considered a worthwhile investment. Its high-quality glass, comfort, and performance justify the cost, making it a "buy once, use for years" kind of mask.
What We Like:
✅Exceptional Clarity
The M1’s greatest strength is its optical quality. The low-iron Saint-Gobain Diamant glass truly makes a noticeable difference, especially in low-light conditions, by providing a distortion-free and color-rich view. Unlike standard masks with a subtle green tint, the M1's lens offers "true color" vision, which is a major advantage for underwater photography and spotting marine life.
✅ Wide Field of View
The frameless design brings the lens much closer to the face than traditional masks. This, combined with the large, single pane of glass, eliminates the central seam and frame obstruction of twin-lens masks. The result is a massive, unobstructed panoramic view that allows for excellent downward and peripheral vision, helping divers feel more connected to their surroundings.
✅ Comfortable & Secure Fit
The soft, 100% pure silicone skirt with a double-feathered edge is highly flexible and adapts to a wide variety of facial contours. It creates a watertight seal without the need to overtighten the strap, reducing pressure marks and discomfort. This flexibility is a significant benefit for divers with facial hair, as the skirt can more easily conform to the face and prevent leaks.
✅ Low-Volume
The minimal space between the lens and the diver’s face means the mask holds very little air. This low internal volume makes the mask incredibly easy to clear with just a small puff of air from the nose. It's a highly desirable feature for both scuba divers who need to clear their mask quickly and for freedivers, who need to minimize air consumption.
✅Excellent for Packing
The frameless design allows the M1 to be flattened and folded, making it extremely compact. This makes it an ideal travel mask and a perfect candidate to be carried as a backup mask in a BCD pocket, where it won't take up much space.
What We Don't Like:
❌Fogging
A common complaint from new owners is the stubborn factory film on the lens, which can cause significant fogging until it is thoroughly scrubbed off. This requires diligent cleaning with toothpaste, a commercial mask cleaner, or even a light flame from a lighter (a technique used by experienced divers) to properly prep the mask before its first use.
❌Limited Options
The M1 is only available in a matte black silicone skirt, which may not appeal to divers who prefer a clear skirt or a splash of color to match their gear. The frameless design also means that the lens is permanently sealed, making it incompatible with prescription lenses.
❌Nose Pocket
While the soft silicone skirt fits a wide variety of faces, some divers with very small or narrow faces have noted that the nose pocket can be a bit large. This can make pinching the nose to equalize a bit awkward and may compromise the seal in that area for some users.
❌Strap Adjustments
The strap's buckle system is generally robust, but some users have noted that the strap can come unthreaded from the buckle if it is pulled too forcefully during adjustment, which can be an annoyance.
The Verdict
Despite a few minor drawbacks like the initial fogging and lack of color options, its outstanding clarity, comfort, and robust build quality make it a standout choice and a fantastic long-term investment. If you're a diver who values function and clarity above all else, the Hollis M1 is a definite must-try.
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Hollis M1: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Hollis M1 Mask is an excellent choice for experienced and beginner divers alike, due to its superior visibility, comfort, and ease of adjustment. However, given its high-end price point, beginners should consider if they plan to dive frequently enough to justify the investment.
Unfortunately, the Hollis M1 Mask does not support prescription lenses. If you have vision needs, you may need to purchase prescription lenses separately or consider other mask options that offer this feature.
The Hollis M1 Mask is designed to fit a wide range of face sizes and shapes due to its flexible silicone skirt and adjustable strap. However, fit can vary from person to person, and trying on the mask before purchasing is recommended when possible.
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Hollis M1 Frameless Mask
Explore the depths with the Hollis M1 Frameless Mask. Experience unmatched visibility and comfort for an exceptional diving adventure.
Product Brand: Hollis
4.5
Pros
- Ultra-clear glass enhances colors.
- Frameless design provides a huge, unobstructed view.
- Soft silicone seals well on many face types.
- Low volume makes clearing easy.
- Frameless design makes it a great backup mask
Cons
- Some initial fogging issues may require extra treatment.
- Only available in black and not compatible with corrective lenses.
- May be too large for some smaller-faced divers.