Peltor EEP 100 in-ear electronic plugs

[SimpleSimon]

I've seen in a few other threads folk are recommending these and I'm quite keen to give them a go, just wanted to get some direct feedback here please before I splash the cash.

I've been using a set of custom-moulded plugs for the last few years which have the pressure activated filter arrangement. The moulds themselves are comfortable enough, although slightly harder than some. The problem is the noise filter. It works very well for gunshots, and only muffles normal speech, etc slightly. BUT in the field it's no good. I struggle to hear people who are talking quietly, or people talking normally if they aren't directly next to me, and when there's a breeze that seems to activate the filter and shut it off completely. Fine for standing on a peg or shooting rifles off a bench, but poor for the rough/walked up shooting I do mostly.

People say the Peltors are good. Is the volume easy to control, can you turn them up to amplify quiet sounds? Does wind noise interfere much with the microphone (I'm thinking average breeze, not gales)? I understand they come with several different "tips". Are these just for size/comfort? Are they comfortable and easy to wear? Do they stay in?

I'd be using them mainly for shotgun shooting, but I also have some aspirations to own a 45-70 lever action (maybe I've been watching too much Yellowstone...) for woodland deer and plinking which would definitely require some ear protection, I suspect!

 

[Utectok]

They work well in most conditions. If it’s really wet I’d give them a miss bit otherwise fine

 

[wytonpjs]

Candidly, I’m not that impressed. I was encouraged by the late Alantoo’s views but the reality has not matched my expectation. None of the supplied tips are a good fit for my ears but I have followed advice on here from others and bought third party tips which are better (senior moment - I cannot remember the brand but they produce their own in-ear devices). The amplification works well and the volume control is in steps with a differing tone so you know you have them set level. Mine tend to fall out after a while so I’m glad I went with the set with a very lightweight linking cord but that “ratchets“ on clothing and helps to dislodge them. Wind-wise, I have not had a problem and they come with a set of stick on foam pads to cover the input hole - I have not used them yet. However, I only wear them on ranges as I hate over-ear hard shell ear defenders contact with the stock. I ought to wear them out stalking but I simply cannot wear them continuously. That said, I’m totally unlike my children who are always wearing AirPods - in-ear headphones has simply never worked for me so I suppose I should not have been surprised. Don’t get me wrong - they are very near pieces of technology and I love the charging storage case but we are unhappy bed fellows and I only use them when I must use some form of protection. I paid slightly extra for the orange set (easy to find when they do drop out) which I thought were optimised for gun shots unlike the green ones which are for industrial noise. 3M’s advertising is not good on making clear the differences between the various models.

 

[Cottis]

They have little buttons which you press to increase the volume amplification. 3 steps from memory which incrementally increases the unit ability to increase sounds you hear. There is no other volume control. The same button turns them on and off via a long press. All works fine.

A bang or snapping your fingers sharply next them with shut off amplification totally meaning they stop sound totally. This functions well and does not impede your ability to listen to people or hear pigeon wings or stuff like that. I have never felt that they have stopped me hearing unnecessarily.

Wind noise can be a problem with them if it is either windier than normal or if you are standing in such a way that the wind is blowing directly in to the microphone or whatever bit controls the sound volume. I think you can get a wind deflectors but I have never bothered as generally if does not bother me. This is an issue with any electronic ear protection I have worn.

Comfort wise, I personally find them included rubber things fine for me in terms of in ear fit and comfort. They are designed for fit to your inner ear. The overall unit is designed to fit the general outer ear and fits in to my ear ok and seems to friction fit and plug as designed but I imagine everyones ears are different. It is certainly more comfortable to not wear them but I prefer them to over ear protectors if I want to be able to listen to sounds while I shoot (I only use them for shotgun shooting while on the move) If I am shooting multiple rifle shots at targets, I wear standard in ear plugs which basically render you deaf. I have some that are really comfy but they are useless if you want to hear as well. I sometimes wear them with a beanie hat over the top. The rubbing of the material on the outer of the units can make them work loose but this does not happen when wearing them without a hat. There is however a sense they might fall out but they never do.

I dislike hearing protection generally and the Peltors are not perfect but they are the best of a bad bunch, especially when you factor in the size, the brilliant charging case and length of use you get from a charge.

 

[DVS1]

I use the 100's and like them tremendously. Not used any other style of electronic ear pro but these are comfy and effective at stopping loud noise. As said before a,snap of the fingers will activate them also.

Volume levels is 3 operated by a single button.

 

[Dalua]

I have rather narrow earholes, and I find the foam tips work best for me (though they need replacing after a couple pf days), with the narrowest silicone ones next-best. Rather than pay for a special 3M string, I made a small loop in each end of a length of narrow dayglo cord to keep them together.

I'm happy with them for (shotgun) shooting, and for the odd rifle-shot or two (as on German 'moved-game' shoots). My sole reason for using these in the field instead of my usual Sportac ear-defenders is my preference for a brimmed hat, rather than a cap, when there might be persistent rain/snow.

 

[Lampwick]

I bought a pair recently and got on really well with them shooting .303 Enfield’s on the range. A bit of messing about to get the best fitting plug at first however I forgot they were in after a while!

 

[scotch_egg]

I have been using the EEP-100’s for a couple of years now. I’m clearly in the minority in that I find them so comfortable I’ll pop them in at the start of the day and not remove them until I put the rifle or shotgun away. I use the foam tips and make sure I insert them correctly. This means pinching and rolling as tight as they will go and then when inserting pulling the ear up and back at the same time to open the ear canal to ensure full insertion. They have to go deep into the ear canal. Once in light pressure on the unit while the foam regains its shape and moulds to the ear canal. You can choose the correct size foam tip for your ear so they don’t exert too much pressure when trying to over expand. Getting the right size is very important for comfort and ensure they are a tight enough fit.

Sound suppression is on par with any external electronic ear protection I have used. Peltor and the MSA sordin.

Wind noise has only affected me once and that was standing out on a game shoot with a stiff breeze. I do need to look up the wind shields to prevent this happening again.

Overall as far as ear protection goes I am very happy. I can’t stand over ear protection, it just doesn’t work for me.

 

[fizzbangwhallop]

None of the supplied tips are a good fit for my ears but I have followed advice on here from others and bought third party tips which are better (senior moment - I cannot remember the brand but they produce their own in-ear devices).

These were the Cens Minos tips from Puretone… I couldn’t get on with/like the originals.

I’m still using the original Minos tips I bought however many months/ years ago and the foam is still good, although I did have to superglue the foam back to the core after the foam got left in my ear when I took the plug out once last year….easily extracted by someone with a handy pair of needle nose pliers. No problems since and they do get well squeezed for insertion.

I actually washed the tips before using them last month… that’s twice in their lifetime!

cheers
fizz

 

[SimpleSimon]

I use the foam tips and make sure I insert them correctly. This means pinching and rolling as tight as they will go and then when inserting pulling the ear up and back at the same time to open the ear canal to ensure full insertion. They have to go deep into the ear canal. Once in light pressure on the unit while the foam regains its shape and moulds to the ear canal. You can choose the correct size foam tip for your ear so they don’t exert too much pressure when trying to over expand.

Sounds just like the disposable type foam ones, I used to use them a fair bit and, as you say, if I paid attention when I put them in they were very effective. What is the foam like on the EEP? Presumably re-useable?

 

[scotch_egg]

Sounds just like the disposable type foam ones, I used to use them a fair bit and, as you say, if I paid attention when I put them in they were very effective. What is the foam like on the EEP? Presumably re-useable?

Yes it’s reusable. The only thing that causes me to replace them is when they get grubby as I don’t like inserting muck into my ears. A wipe from a wet wipe after use helps keep them clean though.

 

[Island]

I have been using the EEP-100’s for a couple of years now. I’m clearly in the minority in that I find them so comfortable I’ll pop them in at the start of the day and not remove them until I put the rifle or shotgun away. I use the foam tips and make sure I insert them correctly. This means pinching and rolling as tight as they will go and then when inserting pulling the ear up and back at the same time to open the ear canal to ensure full insertion. They have to go deep into the ear canal. Once in light pressure on the unit while the foam regains its shape and moulds to the ear canal. You can choose the correct size foam tip for your ear so they don’t exert too much pressure when trying to over expand. Getting the right size is very important for comfort and ensure they are a tight enough fit.

Sound suppression is on par with any external electronic ear protection I have used. Peltor and the MSA sordin.

Wind noise has only affected me once and that was standing out on a game shoot with a stiff breeze. I do need to look up the wind shields to prevent this happening again.

Overall as far as ear protection goes I am very happy. I can’t stand over ear protection, it just doesn’t work for me.

I agree with the sentiment above about them being comfortable. After a couple of years use I am yet to find any negative points compared to over-ear-defenders.

One question if I may? Where do you source the foam tips? I have a decent fit with one of the supplied silicone buds but would be happy to try the foam versions.

 

[wytonpjs]

One question if I may? Where do you source the foam tips? I have a decent fit with one of the supplied silicone buds but would be happy to try the foam versions.

Puretone Mino CENS Archives

There is a minimum order charge but I bought a few to try different colour sizes to get over that.

 

[Island]

Puretone Mino CENS Archives

There is a minimum order charge but I bought a few to try different colour sizes to get over that.

Much obliged sir, I am in your debt

 

[25 Sharps]

Have had mine about 3 years now, indoor and outdoor range use, pigeon shooting and un-moderated stalking.

Really like them!

 

[Dave Lakes]

I really like mine and can’t find any fault with them. Wind noise issues are comparable with any electronic ear defence.

The various tips are just versions of the cheap in-ear passive protectors you can buy, but adapted to allow the output of the eep “speaker” to get through to your ear. So you could buy a load of the tips cheap and see how they fit your ear before you commit to the full units.

 

[fizzbangwhallop]

Puretone Mino CENS Archives

There is a minimum order charge but I bought a few to try different colour sizes to get over that.

When I bought my Minos tips I did find another version of the Puretone website that offered free postage..... I had a search for it last summer when the core came adrift from the foam but no joy, just had another look and still no joy..... the £6.98 postage for something costing £2.50 is too steep and luckily my originals are still going and I have a spare set.

If I remember I might just ask a local Hearing stockist if they can get me some tips on their next order..... would be worth a call to Puretone too, you never know they might agree just to stick them in an envelope with a stamp?

Cheers

Fizz

 

[Klenchblaize]

Don’t make the mistake of believing/thinking they are suitable for range use. At best the occasional rifle shot when out stalking where any attenuation is better than none.

It’s a pity as I prefer a brimmed hat to baseball caps.

K

 

[Dave Lakes]

Don’t make the mistake of believing/thinking they are suitable for range use. At best the occasional rifle shot when out stalking where any attenuation is better than none.

It’s a pity as I prefer a brimmed hat to baseball caps.

K

Sorry Klench but the figures disagree, even if you are just comparing within the Peltor range, the eep give some of the high heat level of attenuation out there

 

[Oh6]

Puretone Mino CENS Archives

There is a minimum order charge but I bought a few to try different colour sizes to get over that.

They do a multi tip bag to get you started with finding the right size plugs:

Mino CENS Kit Bag - Puretone Shop

Contains a mix of sizes of replacement foam tips for your Mino CENS, along with 2 wax guards and 2 wax guard tools used for the wax guard replacement, and a brush for cleaning.

www.puretone.net