Estimated time difference using --increment vs. mask length?

[v3rd1ct]

That makes sense now, thank you. So with the --increment it is using a mask = (?1?2?2?2?2?2?2?3). 

Just so i understand this fully, by adding "-1 ?u?l?d!@#$" I am defining the character range only for the ?1 in the mask above.

What will ?2 and ?3 in the mask above use?