Looking for opinions on good ear pro, specifically earbud style devices that allow low dB noises to still be heard reasonably well. I’ve heard a lot about the Surefire EP3 but unfortunately ‘EP3’ can’t be searched here so didn’t find much…
What’s the word on the EP3’s in terms of overall protection and ability to hear normal conversations? I already have a cheap pair of electronic muffs which are OK, but are real bulky and leave a lot to be desired. Will the EP3’s offer me the same performance but without the bulky package? Comfort is a HUGE issue, too…I usually have a hard time wearing silicone style hearing-pro, at work I always stick to the foam plugs else I go nucking futs.
What other options are out there like the EP3?
I’ll be using these in classes and matches, handgun, rifle and shotty. So needs to offer good protection from the long guns, too. Won’t be doing any magnum rifle shooting or anything like that with these.
The Ear Pro EP-3 Sonic Defenders by Surefire work well for outdoor use - best ear plugs I have used to date. I also have some AOSafety/Peltor Indoor/Outdoor Range E-A-R Plugs and while they work they are not as nice as the EP-3s. In the .mil there were times where the disposable yellow plugs were used and while they worked okay I would not recommend them if you have other options. For indoor use I never use just plugs.
I use the EP4 version in the large size. Not to gross you out, but I lick them before I put them in and they seal a lot better. The EP4s have a smaller plug in the main plug to let voices thru better. I usually just close the little plugs if I’m shooting a rifle indoors. They are only like $14, try a pair.
I found the EP3s were too small for my ear canals. I ended up replacing them with the EP4. They are awesome and work as advertised. I have used them at indoor and outdoor ranges without a problem and have encounter everything from 22’s to 308. I also wear them when I’m on my motorcycle. It definitely cuts down on the exhaust and wind noise. Gotta save the hearing.
I have been using a set of these for a while now and have been pretty happy with them. I like the fact that they allow me to have a conversation with them in(with the center plugs out) during cease fires. I try to keep my ear muffs close by for times when someone steps up to the line and starts unloading their 44mag right beside my head. They didn’t quite do the job in that case:D Overall, they are effective, comfortable, and cheap ear pro. I have the EP3 model, it looks like theEP4 model offers a bit more db protection.
•16dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) for EP3 Sonic Defenders with stoppers in
•19dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) for EP4 Sonic Defenders Plus with stoppers in
Both 3 and 4 come in medium and large, but if you need small I think you can only get it in the 3. The size difference is not so much the stem that goes into the ear canal, but more the size of the earpiece that goes in the ear lobe; or what they call the “helix bowl”.
I have small ears and my father-in-law has big ears, but we both wear size medium. Surefire claims that Medium should fit most people.
I’m going to try and grab a pair this week before the match next weekend…I’ll try the 3 and 4’s and see which works best, if the 4’s fit OK I’ll certainly like the extra attenuation.
Perhaps the 3s were size small and the 4s were size medium? Or the 4s were size large, in which case the stem that inserts into the ear canal does have 3 flanges instead of 2. Maybe 021411 can give us sizes to go with the models he tried.
Has anyone used these in training or in places where there are multiple gun shots being fired rapidly? Just curious if it is good enough under those conditions as well.
Thanks,
I read it again and it still says the same thing it did before. That you were in Afganastan and you used them and they were excellent.
It doesn’t give me a feel for the level, duration and frequency of loud noises (i.e. gunfire) you were exposed to. Since I don’t know what you did in Afg it leaves that up to my imagination And my imagination rarely tells me what I need to know hehe.
If you would like to elaborate I am sure I would find it useful!
In my post I went from the -3 to my Flents (33db) when I was at the busy range (constant rifle next to me and all down the line and handguns at the far end).
I used EP4s at an indoor range with the stoppers in and found them to be usable standing in the booth next to a guy firing an AR with no muzzle device doing controlled pairs for an hour. I chose to throw my muffs on over them to further reduce some of the blast because he was making me flinch. I spent 4 hours total using them with various AR toting club members filtering in and out of the range. Some of them chose to ignore range policy of no rapid fire, either that or they were part of a special class that was going on and were given the ok.
With the stoppers out, ARs indoors still sting a little but my ears don’t ring afterward. Outdoors they work much better with ARs, I can use them without the stoppers and not hurt at the end of the day. I can shoot 9mm indoors and outdoors with the stoppers out but prefer to have the stoppers in on indoor ranges. Doubled up with muffs, they seem to provide MUCH more protection for my ears than foam plugs.
I’m very grateful for them considering how abused my ears are already after years of playing in jazz bands and firing without ear pro on many occasions while out camping in rural Alaska. I really don’t want to be any more hard of hearing than I am.
I do not think that they are enough for 45acp.
Even outside, but that is just my opinion. They are very comfortable, and when shooting inside I often use them in addition to electronic muffs.
