A few companies have launched in 2025 masks with Antifog system, but the first one has definitely been C4 Carbon. Their system is different from others, such as SEAC. In fact, C4 Carbon, at least with the Falcon and Condor masks, both Best Choice 2024 and 2025 by Apnea Passion respectively in the freediving and spearfishing categories, uses a special internal antifog film, a system we have already presented. We have tested it, with Luciano Morelli, Erika Berardi, and our Director Carlo Forni, both as new, and after some time of tough and rough use of the masks.
Antifog system when new
As said, we have already presented the Antifog system by C4 Carbon, with the internal, substitutable film positioned on the lenses and creating a protective layer which avoids any fog being created on the lenses. When the system is new, the result is spectacular. There is no way one can create fog on the internal surface of the lenses. Even breathing on them, or at warm pools like the Y-40, there is no way any fog can cover the lenses, both of the C4 Falcon and Condor. This is a fact and really impressive.
Antifog after intense and long use
Both with the C4 Falcon and the C4 Condor we have then started a long testing process, stressing the masks, both in general and specifically looking at the Antifog system. We have used the masks in the worse way possible, never cleaning them or washing away salt water, leaving them under intense sun and storing them in humid compartments on the boat. This is what we found after four months.
The internal film on the lenses of the two masks was perfectly intact. Considering the challenging conditions we have used to stress the masks and their antifog system, this is quite impressive.
At the same time it was evident that fingerprints and general dirt had created an additional layer on the internal films of the lenses. We tried them out. The lenses got a little foggy and the system was not working properly anymore. This is why, many users on social media have criticized the system, not only the one by C4 Carbon, but also the Antifog systems of other companies utilizing another solution with a special treatment of the lenses. So, is that the conclusion? Does the system work only for a few weeks and then loses its antifog capacities? No, not really.
Old Antifog system cleaned
Fog reason and treatement
The fog that si generated on the lenses of the masks is determined by mist which forms on the surface of the glass. If the lenses are clean we simply need to use some saliva to generate a thin layer of water that avoids fog to lay on the lenses. If the internal surface of the lenses is dirty, especially with greasy material, be it silicone deposits coming from the facial of the mask during the production process, or be it simply the grease that our hands have naturally, the lenses will become foggy.
The system by C4 Carbon using an internal film avoids the contact of the deposited silicone or any other dirt between the lenses and the humid air. When the film is clean the mist does not deposit on the surface. But once dirt and grease cover the film, eventually simply due to the user wrongly touching the internal surface of the lenses with his fingers, eventually after touching the facial of the masks, always able of leaving silicone residues, then the game changes. The film loses its antifog capacities.
Cleaning and renewing process
What si there to do then and what did we do? We at first tried to do what we should always do before a dive, the basic procedure, spit in the mask and rub the saliva well on all the internal surface of the lenses. Doing this a lot of the roughest dirt comes off and the Antifog system by C4 with its films start to work again, but not completely.
It was clear that the films had been so badly treated that the cleaning should have been more thorough. We decided to use a dish soap to take away all the dirt and grease in the films. Even though C4 states on the instructions of its Antifog masks not to use any spray or soap, but only soft paper and water to clean the mask, they have not considered that masks are used in many ways, the lenses touched with fingers and dirt deposits are created. Of course, with the Antifog films you definitely don’t want to use a lighter to clean the lenses, nor toothpaste, but indeed dish soap worked.
The lenses and their film were regenerated and clean, and the Antifog system started working again almost as when new. A great result which cancels many critics to the system. Be aware though, that not all soaps are equally aggressive, and so try just with a few drops before being sure to use it on the antifog films!
What now
Even though our solution of deep cleaning the internal Antifog films on the C4 Falcon and Condor masks worked, we have not stopped. As Apnea Passion Magazine, we want to go deeper in this test. We will continue to stress the two Antifog masks by C4 in the next months and will update you in the duration of the film and in the capacity of the Antifog system to continue guaranteeing its function, also after a few cleaning processes with dish soap, which of course can be aggressive on the film after some time. The test continues and, as always, we will keep you updated with the total truth. We will, by the way, do the same with other interesting systems like the one used by SEAC.
