Custom Electronic Ear Plugs.....
- Thread starter BigPat
- Start date
KEITHKILVO1
Well-Known Member
Interesting read on all people’s opinions, can anyone give me feedback on the offerings from Vario and Mercury electronic earplugs?
What has been the problem? Holding in, comfort, effectiveness? Have you tried the ordinary passive foam or flanged plugs in your ears before?
Have you tried using the Aloe Vera Gel when fitting them with any of the plug types? I have mentioned that on earlier in-ear plug threads
I have a tube of Aloe Vera Gel and use it when I remember, which is about 30% of the time...but it does make me unaware of them sooner, if you see what I mean.
It was a tip from the Siemens site for the plugs they used to make.
Alan
Part holding-in but just not getting meaningful/sufficient sealing. An un-moderated 243 is still way too painful.
I used passive "roll-your-own" yellow foam plugs for many, many years when working in a refinery so I do now how good they can be and how to fit them. In fact I was at one point so use to them I would often find them still in position some 8-hours after showering and sitting at the bar!
K
Orion
Well-Known Member
Probably not much help but the things that come to mind...
Are you used to the electronic shut-off type muffs or have you only used passive muffs or plugs with that rifle?
I know you said it was actually way too painful...but I didn't trust the first active muffs I had for quite a while until I realised that they did actually work okay. Quite bizarre concept to be able to hear bird song and conversation clearly either side of the actual shot which took some getting used to...it was confused partly by my expectation and the fact that I couldn't believe at £25 they could be any good.
My cheapo muffs give far less passive protection (SNR 25dB) than the LEPs but were okay for moderated guns. I wear them both doubled up if there is someone shooting with a muzzle brake
Have you compared the LEPs when they have been turned off with good passive foam plugs?
Have you tried them to see if they are actually working with a moderated gun or clapping a couple of planks together to give a sharp crack?
Although the lack of achieving a seal does sound a dealbreaker.
Can you hear the various volume levels change etc. so you have no reason to think they are just plain faulty and not shutting down above 80dB?
Alan
The LEP200s passed that test with flying colours. Also Peltor bundle one example of 5 different eartips so you can find the one that matches your audio canal profile best. I am trialling a few to see which profile affords best long term comfort. But I am impressed so far.
You earlier post reminded me that the guy flogging the electronic muffs at the shooting show demonstrated them by getting me to put them on and then clapping a couple of bits of 2 by 1 together.
Alan
caorach
Well-Known Member
Actually shutting the car door is enough to have mine throw in a bit of attenuation, this then means that I go back to check if the door is shut because it didn't sound like it was, forgetting of course that I have the plugs in
I do it every time, and feel like a complete idiot every time.
caorach
Well-Known Member
It is worth being aware that the ear tips for the Cens MINO plugs will also fit them, if you want other options:
CENS Digital
Also the ear tips I have for my Etymotic in ear monitors fit as well, though they are not rated for protection against noise, but is is possible that other Ety tips will fit.
Comply make ear tips which MIGHT be the same as the Cens ones, I don't know. I haven't tried the Comply tips and so can't say for sure if they fit but they are available in a wide range of sizes and if you are stuck for fit then one of their "mixed sizes" packs might be worth a punt. You should note that you can't compare the US NRR figure (29dB for the Comply) to the SNR figure you may see used more often here in the UK, the NRR will be lower than the SNR figure, often by a significant amount.
Canal Tip
Choose Comply Canal Tips for superior sound in high-noise settings. Use these Comply tips with communication devices from top brands, such as CavCom and OTTO.
www.complyfoam.com
Bushwear have a shooting show special price on the Walker electronic necklace/plugs of £100 which may be of interest to some...the NRR is 31dB which seems very high.
The bottom of the linked page shows some Walkers in ear ones as well, but they look to have the same impossible to rotate volume control as the old Walker ones I used to have which had the stupid batteries which lasted for a couple of days whether you used them or not...
Alan
www.bushwear.co.uk
The bottom of the linked page shows some Walkers in ear ones as well, but they look to have the same impossible to rotate volume control as the old Walker ones I used to have which had the stupid batteries which lasted for a couple of days whether you used them or not...
Alan
Walkers Razor-X Earbud Headset
The Razor X incorporates a neck worn device featuring retractable digital ear buds that provide incredible comfort for all day shooting. The behind the neck design allows for ZERO interference with you or your weapon allowing you to focus on your target. These remarkable patent pending buds...
www.bushwear.co.uk
As a final follow-up to my field testing of the LEP200s, please note me wearing them whilst shooting an unmoderated .500 Jeffery in the clip below. They worked perfectly: zero impact to my hearing.
I wore the earplugs for up to 4 hours at a time whilst stalking plains game in Africa earlier this month: they are comfortable and you forget you are wearing them. And they definitely protect very well. On the one occasion I was not wearing them, I was aware of an increase in tinnitus post [moderated] 6.5x55mm shot.
The only performance detraction would be this: The human ear's scoop design grants phenomenal directional awareness. Wearing active earplugs like the LEPs can actually improve your hearing but some of the directional accuity is lost. I suspect I may not wear the LEPs when firing my moderated .17hmr: in the pursuit of rabbits and foxes it serves me to locate movement noise accurately.
I wore the earplugs for up to 4 hours at a time whilst stalking plains game in Africa earlier this month: they are comfortable and you forget you are wearing them. And they definitely protect very well. On the one occasion I was not wearing them, I was aware of an increase in tinnitus post [moderated] 6.5x55mm shot.
The only performance detraction would be this: The human ear's scoop design grants phenomenal directional awareness. Wearing active earplugs like the LEPs can actually improve your hearing but some of the directional accuity is lost. I suspect I may not wear the LEPs when firing my moderated .17hmr: in the pursuit of rabbits and foxes it serves me to locate movement noise accurately.
So my new lep-200 have arrived, batteries charged as per instruction manual, tried the various plugs that come with the kit. I found that all 3 of the silicone Christmas tree ones were totally useless! I then tried the foam ones ( Not sure what they are)
They seem to be better but even with the units turned off (no sound amplification) I can still hear, all be it not as well as when they are on the lowest of settings but I expected silence or in my case tinnitus high pitched ringing...
Am I doing something wrong or do I need a different style of tip/bud?
Thanks
They seem to be better but even with the units turned off (no sound amplification) I can still hear, all be it not as well as when they are on the lowest of settings but I expected silence or in my case tinnitus high pitched ringing...
Am I doing something wrong or do I need a different style of tip/bud?
Thanks
If I just rub my finger and thumb together in front of my nose I cannot hear it with the plugs in when they are turned off and in passive mode. They are as effective as the best passive foam plugs I have used in the forge, all sound is reduced. With them turned on at every volume setting they never get louder than 85db even though you have the volume turned up to amplify all sounds below it.
If you found the spiral foam "Skull Screws" comfortable then that is lucky because they afford the best attenuation. I found them too big for my ears so have ended up with the smaller foam tips from 3M as mentioned in earlier posts.
Alan
If you found the spiral foam "Skull Screws" comfortable then that is lucky because they afford the best attenuation. I found them too big for my ears so have ended up with the smaller foam tips from 3M as mentioned in earlier posts.
Alan
The smaller foam tips are 3M CCC-GRM-25 middle weight tips and were ordered in for me by earshot communications....I have only found them available in bulk 25 pair pack. I can't send a pair for you to try at the moment but someone else might...
Alan
3M Peltor Triple-C Communicaiton Eartips CCC-GRM-25 Pack of 25 Pairs - Earshot Communications
3M™ PELTOR™ Triple-C Communication Eartips, CCC-GRM-25, helps provides long-lasting comfort and clear communication. This foam eartip is compatible with select 3M™ PELTOR™ in-ear products. Designed for comfort, no roll down required. For long-lasting comfort and clear communication, try 3M™...
www.earshotcommunications.co.uk
Alan
caorach
Well-Known Member
There are two possibilities, one is you have the largest ear canals of any known man and they aren't forming an airtight barrier to sound and the other that you simply aren't inserting them fully into your ear. If you roll the foam plug between your fingers and maybe lubricate it a little it should then get pushed into your ear until the electronic bit is sitting right in your ear such that it is almost invisible to someone standing in front of you. The foam should be right into your ear canal. Your problem is most likely that the foam plugs are too big to fit and getting a good fit is key and often takes a while. I'm away just now but if you want a few pairs of the 3m ear tips drop me a pm towards the end of the week and I will send them on.
Have a look at ACS. They make lots of custom plugs including ones for shooting. They’ll also make them with a lanyard so you don’t lose them. We use their products in work and they’re very comfortable and have excellent attenuation. Company are very accommodating too.
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