Surefire Earpro EP series Sonic Defenders

[gdog]

Anyone use these? Is the EP-4 better than the EP-3 or is just a different model? The dB rating looks the same. Just wondering what your experiences are with them. I am currently using Peltor muffs but I like the idea of the lighter weight. I have read reviews where people use them under their muffs but I want an in ear to eliminate the muffs. I can do that with the cheapie foam plugs. Are there better items out there that would do the job?

[gizmo7718]

I bought a set to try out. They would never hold their seal and I had to keep pushing them back in. After the 2nd range trip and the same result, I just went back to the foam plugs. IMO, waste of money.

[Ricky-Ray]

I bought a set to try out. They would never hold their seal and I had to keep pushing them back in. After the 2nd range trip and the same result, I just went back to the foam plugs. IMO, waste of money.

I had the same problem with the medium EP3. I switched to the EP4 large and works just fine for me.

[jhaselton]

I use the EP4s every time I shoot. I never have problems with them falling out. I give them a big

[inbox485]

EP-3 has two flanges, EP-4 has three flanges.



Get the right size and either will fit just fine.

Most Caucasian males are size large but can make do with medium. Most Caucasian females are size medium. They work great for outdoors in the open and reasonably well outdoors with close side berms, but are inadequate by themselves indoors. Indoors or out, they make good backups to electronic ear muffs. IMO you should always stuff and muff when shooting indoors.

[gdog]

EP-3 has two flanges, EP-4 has three flanges.



Get the right size and either will fit just fine.

Most Caucasian males are size large but can make do with medium. Most Caucasian females are size medium. They work great for outdoors in the open and reasonably well outdoors with close side berms, but are inadequate by themselves indoors. Indoors or out, they make good backups to electronic ear muffs. IMO you should always stuff and muff when shooting indoors.

You have used these?

[inbox485]

You have used these?

Yup. I use large. My wife uses medium. Outdoors I generally use only these plugs in the plug out mode. Basically they have two modes. Plug in they are basically glorified silicone ear plugs. Plug out, you can hear normal conversations and noises with a very slight muffle while loud noises are reduced in the direction of 85 decibels. They work as advertised, but they are not as good as foam plugs for extremely loud noise and get overwhelmed for indoor use. You can use them in plug in mode for indoor use, but I'm a big believer that anything short of plugs and ear muffs (stuff and muff) isn't good enough indoors. You can get cheap electronic muffs in the $30 range and use these under them so that you can still hear noise from the electronic muffs.

[gdog]

Excellent. Looks like more people with good experiences than bad. For the money I think I'll try a set and see how they do.

[Shawn L]

They work great for me.

[CaliB&R]

I use the EP4 with the plug in for indoors with no muffs and they work pretty well. Its still loud, but not ear ringing loud. Just make sure they are seated well. I've yet to find muff that doesn't get in the way shooting rifles, so I wear only the EP4s.

[C_1]

I have a set of the EP3s. They work ok, and wouldnt recommend them as main ear pro's in an indoor range, but its fairly comfortable and easy to pack. Also, no big ear muff to get in the way of your glasses or cheek weld..

[Kelvrick]

I double these with a pair of howard leight electronics. Love them.

[inbox485]

I use the EP4 with the plug in for indoors with no muffs and they work pretty well. Its still loud, but not ear ringing loud. Just make sure they are seated well. I've yet to find muff that doesn't get in the way shooting rifles, so I wear only the EP4s.

I'd imagine it depends on the range. The couple ranges I've been to, even foam plugs don't cut it.

[POWG]

I'm new here, but I thought I would provide some experienced based information.

First ...my disclaimer & credentials.

I am a lifelong shooter ...with 35 years of quality, intense shotgun competition - Skeet, International Skeet, International Bunker & Wobble Trap, Sporting Clays and Live Pigeons.

I am also a professional, certified instructor (shotgun & pistol) and since 1994 a dealer/rep for ESP hearing protection.

I am absolutely not trying to sell anyone anything - rather, I am just providing information as I have seen 1,000's of ears & made 1,000's of ear impressions.

Second - my opinion:

Ears are like navels and opinions... everyone has em & frequently, too many choose to share them. They also vary in size, shape & content e.g., quality of content... wax, hair & other debris. I now drop "navels" from the discussion!

Third - "in ear protection"

The best "plugs" for short term economy & proven/tested 26-28db reduction, are the $1.00 foam ones ...with however, several caveats in the following order of importance - (a) the size and shape of the ear canal; (b) whether or not the user really understands how to use/insert them correctly; and (c) whether or not the user understands that they are "disposable" and are good only for a couple times at best. Understand foam plugs are designed to be "throw-away" and each time removed and re-inserted they loose their sound reduction capabilities. With that said it seems reasonable to say that these are really not that good ...or economical after all.

"Baffled" type plugs such as those you tried are generally a crapshoot. Unless the "user" is endowed with relatively straight & consistently sized ear canals (most people are not) the fit, e.g., "seal" and the sound reduction will be problematic. Personally and professionally, I have found comfort is generally an issue increasing exponentially with wax, hair and debris issues. I am one "blessed" with large, straight and consistently sized canals ...and have considerable hearing loss because all of the issues inherent to foam & baffled plugs that I used ...or failed to use for too many years.

In my opinion ...Your best and most economical alternative is to procure a set of "custom molded" ear plugs from one of the many vendors out there. In so doing you will have as perfect a fit as is possible, each and every time you use them. After using them a couple times you will find them to be comfortable ...and they should be as they represent an internal "cast" of your ear.

Depending upon your ear canal and the quality of product/service received - custom molded protection should consistently provide 24-30 db of sound reduction and you will be protecting your hearing in all but extreme situations.

Most all are available in a variety of colors and are washable ...by hand in warm soapy water, towel dry and put them back in the case they should come with. You will likely lose them before they wear out! Some vendors offer a "tube/baffle" insert (hole) in the plug designed to allow the user to hear "conversation". In my opinion conversation & gunfire represent sound and "leakage" of sound through a hole is not good, especially because your inner ear cannot tell the difference between these "sounds".

As customs "fill" the inner ear bowl and have more mass (mass provides protection) than foam or baffle style plugs. You should immediately find them to provide better & more consistent levels of protection. Put them in before you begin shooting and take them out when you are done. Understand ...if you have them "partially out" in order to "hear better" you have just enough protection to tolerate gunfire ...and are therefore damaging your hearing. Don't do that - If you need to hear conversation explore other types of protection.

Price for custom molded "while u wait" plugs ranges from most vendors is $50 to $65

Good luck & remember...the key to success in all shooting is "Quality - Practiced - Repetitive - Actions"


Pat