Hearing protection, surefire EP3s any good?

[Bobula]

I'm looking for some sort of inexpensive hearing proection that I can still hear people without them having to yell, when I stumbled across these.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/surefire-ep3-sonic-defender-earpieces.html

[ar15barrels]

9db is not a lot at all.
I think my Peltor 6s are 21 and that's quite low for muffs.
They are electronic though and you can turn them up to actually hear better than without them, but they still cut out the noise of the shot really well.

[Bobula]

9db is not a lot at all.
I think my Peltor 6s are 21 and that's quite low for muffs.
They are electronic though and you can turn them up to actually hear better than without them, but they still cut out the noise of the shot really well.

I'm looking for something to wear while hunting. My hunting buddy hunts with a .338win mag.

[Bowser]

9db is not a lot at all.
I think my Peltor 6s are 21 and that's quite low for muffs.
They are electronic though and you can turn them up to actually hear better than without them, but they still cut out the noise of the shot really well.

How are the Peltor 6S'? Do they have a long delay when the sound comes back? Any clicking noises? I am debating over the Peltor or the Howard Leight Impact Sports.

[ar15barrels]

How are the Peltor 6S'? Do they have a long delay when the sound comes back? Any clicking noises? I am debating over the Peltor or the Howard Leight Impact Sports.

Very good.
No delay coming back on.
You don't even notice the cut-out.

If I were a hunter, I would certainly wear my 6s in the field.

Turn them up and you hear things you normally would not.

If someone is walking up on me while I am shooting alone somewhere, I will hear the crunch of gravel and the keys in their pocket better with the muffs on than with them off.

If you have never used electronic muffs, you really should try a set.
You might be suprised how nice they are...

They also keep your ears warm if it's cold out.

[DedEye]

Go for electronic ears; 9db is next to nothing as far as hearing protection is concerned. They might be good for doubling up underneath your muffs though.

[Mac Attack]

I have been using my SF plugs for a few years now. I think for outdoor shooting especially with a rifle they are fine. I shoot mostly bp rifles and just the SF plugs are enough. However if I am shooting indoor I use my SF plugs and my peltor 6s muffs.

For hunting I normally don't wear plugs or muffs since I hardly fire my rifle but when I do the sound of the shot is hardly noticable... I am usually so hyped up that I hear my heartbeat and nothing else before the shot. Those who hunt know what I mean. I hunted for the past 6 years with either a 30-06 or .270.

[DedEye]

I have been using my SF plugs for a few years now. I think for outdoor shooting especially with a rifle they are fine. I shoot mostly bp rifles and just the SF plugs are enough. However if I am shooting indoor I use my SF plugs and my peltor 6s muffs.

For hunting I normally don't wear plugs or muffs since I hardly fire my rifle but when I do the sound of the shot is hardly noticable... I am usually so hyped up that I hear my heartbeat and nothing else before the shot. Those who hunt know what I mean. I hunted for the past 6 years with either a 30-06 or .270.

Tunnel hearing still causes hearing damage. Please do yourself a favor and wear ear protection whenever shooting.

[SJgunguy24]

The sonic defenders work very well. I wear em' all day when i'm working. They have some type of baffle that knocks out the high impulse sounds. I nhaveto listen for my nextel and for any warnings horns people. When i'm driving a Gradall i keep them in. You don't have to shout to talk. Loud to me is a 2 stroke deck saw 5 ft from your head and there are only outer walls and no insulation. Really effn' loud. If your gonna hangin' with ma deuce all day than get the squishy's, but these things are perfect for hunting.

[Voo]

I actually own a set.. They're not that great for hearing protection...

I shoot both indoors and out, and depending on where you're standing and the firearm being used, they're passable- this is if you're outdoors..even then, more often than not, im having to turn away or cover the ear closest to the shooter...I tried to 'man up' and use these at my indoor range.. i had to go outside and ask for additional muffs to cover over them.. they just wernet useable at all for indoors. I finally gave up on them and went back to my walmart 31NRR rated foam plugs.. cheap and disposable...

I only use these now when i ride my motorbike.. they cut out just enough of the wind noise to be useful..other than that, i wouldnt recommend them over a 20 pack of plugs you can get at walmart for about $6 bucks...

As for shooting without plugs.. the perception of 'pain' or damage is deceiving. You're really risking permanent hearing damage every time you shoot without hearing protection. You may want to rethink this.. or maybe it's already too late...

[r08ert209cali]

grab the ones they sell at j&r guns in livermore.79.99 and work great.you can try mine.

[-hanko]

I have not tried SureFire's...

I checked Peltor, Midway's house brand (Caldwell/Tipton/I forget) and Sordin. Sordin worked the best, that's what I use. A big fail on the "inexpensive" requirement though.

-hanko

[Bobula]

any recomnedations for actual plugs? Ear muffs screw with my glasses fitting comfortably.

[Voo]

the highest rated plugs that fit your ears comfortably... i thought about investing in some 'molded' ear plugs but blah.. walmart sells these little purple ones that have a 31 NRR rating.

They work great for me and they're emminently disposable. I dont care about losing them as they're cheap. Some shapes work better for me, but it's all a personal thing as your 'ear' will dictate what is most comfortable for you.