Introduction
C4 Carbon has started since a couple of years a product range widening process wanted by its new owner, Marco Ciceri. With the acquisition also of the historic brand H. Dessault, Ciceri is aiming for a net increase of market share in the international freediving and spearfishing sector. This process has also seen the creation of the C4 masks offer with three interesting solutions, first the Plasma, then the Plasma XL and finally the newly launched Falcon. We have received the Plasma XL and the Falcon.
Plasma XL – The largest of C4 masks
Construction and compactness
C4 Carbon has not started with an easy task, as with its first masks, the Plasma and the Plasma XL, has chosen a double lenses frameless solution. This is quite logical considering the positioning of the brand in what can be considered the premium segment. We have received the Plasma XL, which is definitely well designed and refined. It is also compact but, as the XL indicates, not to the extreme. In fact, this version is 10% wider than the standard Plasma mask to obtain an even better comfort. The two lenses are quite large and close to the eyes for a great field of view. The internal chassis is quite flexible in the center. This logic differs considerably compared to the one of other brands like Salvimar, who designs the frameless masks with a very rigid central part of the internal chassis. C4 indicates the internal volume of the Plasma XL equal to 123 cubic centimetres. We will check this value and the field of view in the coming weeks.
The skirt
The C4 Plasma XL is made of nonallergic silicone with matt surface both internally and externally. This solution reduces light reflexes towards the fish and the eyes of the diver. Only the silicone frame around the lenses and the C4 logo are glossy, for a cool look. At the base of the nose internally the skirt has the nowadays classic protuberances. These permit to better position the mask and also fill the space to reduce internal volume. Centrally and internally between the lenses the skirt has a concave area. This is designed to best adapt the upper part of the nose to the mask, eliminating possible pressure areas. A full range of colours for the skirt are available, such as black, white, grey, camo med (brown base) and camo ocean (blue base).
Rear strap adjustment and design
The rear strap has a very nice and elaborated radial design. As the skirt, it is made of matt silicone on both sides. The side buckles have an excellent micrometric adjustment system with opposing buttons. These act on the the strap and appear very easy to operate. The connection of the buckles is directly on the skirt through a horizontal pin.
Dimensions and weight
The weight we measured of the C4 Carbon Plasma XL is 175 grams. The lenses are designed with a smooth external profile with rounded sides. The upper profile is just slightly angled moving up from the center to the external of the mask. The lower part of the profile of the lenses has a curved V shape line. The lenses are 54 mm wide and 54 mm high as maximum values. The frame without the buckles is 15.7 cm wide and 7 cm high. The skirt is 12.5 cm wide and 10.2 cm high in the center.
Falcon – The most compact of C4 masks
Construction and compactness
The design of the most recent among C4 masks launched on the market by the Italian company, the Falcon, is once more a frameless solution. The internal chassis, just as for the Plasma XL, is easily flexible in the central part between the eyes. This new product brings to the extreme the compactness, focusing especially on deep dive spearfishermen and freedivers. C4 Carbon indicates the internal volume equal to 95 cm3, a net reduction compared to the Plasma and Plasma XL. We will verify such value in the next weeks. The general feeling is of an extremely compact mask. It will probably be less adaptable to any face compared to the Plasma and Plasma XL, but with better performance in terms of equalization and water penetration.
The skirt
The C4 Falcon has really beautiful colour patterns in the various versions. We received the red and black Firestone, but also grey, black and white skirts with different colour chassis are available. Also, a cool back version with white skulls is available (the Falcon Pirate). The skirt is in soft 50° Shore A hardness silicone, with variable thickness areas and what C4 defines as velvet inner finish. In fact, even though external and internal surfaces of the silicone skirt are both matt, the internal one is different. The feeling when touched gives the impression of a more “sticky” surface compared to the external one. Definitely, this has the aim of obtaining the best sealing effect. The skirt in the small internal area between the lenses has a special concave shape to eliminate as much as possible pressure on the high part of the nose. The two lateral areas of the nose are made with an extremely thin silicone to help the equalization process. This is very evident by the light passing partially through the silicone.
Rear strap adjustment and design
The rear strap of the Falcon and the side buckles are just the same as the very neat and high quality solution we have seen on the Plasma XL.
Dimensions and weight
The weight of the C4 Falcon is 140 grams, extremely low. The two lenses are 5.1 cm wide and 4.2 cm high. Definitely low values, especially the vertical one, which have the aim of obtaining the maximum compactness and also high hydrodynamicity. C4 assures the field of view is still extremely good and adequate for spearfishing. We will verify also such value. The skirt is 9.5 cm high in the center and 12 cm wide. The maximum width of the chassis is 13.8 cm, and the height 6.5 cm. So, in general, the C4 Falcon has normal dimensions in its width, but is extremely narrow for what regards the lenses and the chassis.
