Earpiece recommendations?

[JS89]

Hi all,

I have recently been looking into getting a earpiece for my radio. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to go or what to stay away from?

Thanks!

[Rogue187]

Whats your location?
Depends upon where you are..

[nickbackouris]

I use the surefire one, can't remember the specifics. Even in the loudest spots I can still get enough volume to hear radio traffic.

[CinnamonBear723]

Our department hires a lady in mission viejo who puts a gel in ur ear so you have a piece perfectly molded to you. She's a little pricy but I'm glad I did it. If I remember correctly it's called earplugsusa. Not sure where your at but she's located in Orange County

[cop1211]

1800earphoneconnection.

[JM2012]

Find a hearing aid shop. Most of them will do radio ear molds. A little more expensive than ovet-the-counter, premade ear pieces, but they fit much better and last a long time. Well worth the money if its going to be shoved in your ear 10-12 hours a day.

[RedVines]

Get a molded earpiece. Worth every penny.

[IrishJoe3]

http://www.earphoneconnect.com/

[IlDuche]

If you are in the north bay there's a place, think its called PCL. Decent stuff. Depends on what you want. On patrol I have a Motorola XTS 3000. I use a single wire earpiece, screws into my regular mike attachment at the radio. Then I use the regular mike. Reason being is twofold. 1, the smaller two wire deals are nice, hidden and clean looking. But if one of the thin wires busts then you're SOL. And 2, if I'm in a fight it's easier to grab that big old mike and broadcast what I need to. Those smaller 2 wire mikes can be hard to grab in a tussle. And if dispatch hears a mike keying up a bunch with no transmission or fight sounds they figure out who and send help. Just something to chew on.

One of my FTOs was in a fight and the cronk ripped out his small 2 wire cords. Couldn't transmit or hear. Luckily a passerby called 911. But I won't rely on that.

[IrishJoe3]

If you are in the north bay there's a place, think its called PCL. Decent stuff. Depends on what you want. On patrol I have a Motorola XTS 3000. I use a single wire earpiece, screws into my regular mike attachment at the radio. Then I use the regular mike. Reason being is twofold. 1, the smaller two wire deals are nice, hidden and clean looking. But if one of the thin wires busts then you're SOL. And 2, if I'm in a fight it's easier to grab that big old mike and broadcast what I need to. Those smaller 2 wire mikes can be hard to grab in a tussle. And if dispatch hears a mike keying up a bunch with no transmission or fight sounds they figure out who and send help. Just something to chew on.

One of my FTOs was in a fight and the cronk ripped out his small 2 wire cords. Couldn't transmit or hear. Luckily a passerby called 911. But I won't rely on that.

Good things to consider, though I haven't found them to be something to be excessively concerned about. I use the two wire mic and earpiece. Never had an issue with the wires breaking, nor had difficulty broadcasting 10-35 / code 20 etc. Also, the PTT button on the side of the radio always works regardless if the wires are broken or not.

You can also get a blutooth mic/earpiece. blutooth clips onto radio and connects with lapel mic/earpiece. Result is no wires that could be broken.

Adversely, the old coiled shoulder mic could, in a physical fight, very easily be wrapped around an officer's neck and used to strangle him, something that can't be done with a two wire ear piece and mic.

This is the set I've used for a couple years now, no complaints at all. Served admirably through many foot pursuits and scuffles.

[IlDuche]

IrishJoe- also a valid point. And I now I totally want to do that to a guy in a fight. Curious what my Sarge will say....

[HP911]

If you are in the north bay there's a place, think its called PCL. Decent stuff. Depends on what you want. On patrol I have a Motorola XTS 3000. I use a single wire earpiece, screws into my regular mike attachment at the radio. Then I use the regular mike. Reason being is twofold. 1, the smaller two wire deals are nice, hidden and clean looking. But if one of the thin wires busts then you're SOL. And 2, if I'm in a fight it's easier to grab that big old mike and broadcast what I need to. Those smaller 2 wire mikes can be hard to grab in a tussle. And if dispatch hears a mike keying up a bunch with no transmission or fight sounds they figure out who and send help. Just something to chew on.

One of my FTOs was in a fight and the cronk ripped out his small 2 wire cords. Couldn't transmit or hear. Luckily a passerby called 911. But I won't rely on that.

I've got the exact same setup for the exact same reasons. I also ditched the funky department issued swiveling holster they gave me in the academy. My radio would always seem to go flying off my belt during DT/PT.

[Rogue187]

A two wire setup is good for moderate patrol..not intensive..
I am a dealer for PCL..
Most of the guys who buy the two wires are set up for easy use..they don't fight alot..
If you find yourself getting into more physical stuff then the two wire is really not for your use..you could use it but you stand a better chance of it getting ripped out..
Most guys just use a listen only setup and use the department speakermic because the dept won't let them use anything else.

There is a bluetooth speaker mic available..there are no wires..but the speaker head can be dropped..I've sold a few of them..the officer who bought those have never complained..I've used one myself..it works as long as you remember to charge it up..

As I asked the OP...where is he located..I can give him a dealer to help him.

Why go to a hearing aid place to get a mold done..then you have to send it out..

Most of the guys I know are a one shot deal..we take the mold and get you the completed wire setups..

Hit me up on PM and I'll get you the info.

[The Bacon Eater]

+1 for the Hawk that IrishJoe posted. Ive been using mine for a year and no problems.

[eclipse]

I used the hawk in the past but just switched back to a listen only setup with the large mic. The small hawk mic is way too easy to get pulled off (happened a couple times).

I use the tactical ear gadgets listen only now, but the quality is poor. Currently looking for a listen only setup for Motorola XTS 5000 radio if anyone has suggestions. Any listen only setup will work if 3.5mm threaded plug.