Customer Reviews

Surefire EP3 Sonic Defenders Medium (Clear)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

These work great alright for the right application. I've been using them for about two years now and as mentioned in the other reviews, great for tactical applications, and decent for motorcycling. For plain open range they're great. For CQC/tactical applications it's not quite perfect but the best I've used so far. I've also used Peltor SWAT Tac but found that the stereo noise amplifier at low levels didn't work as I'd like it. During training evolutions, I often heard noise coming from one direction that were in fact coming from another, very bad. This never hapens with the EP3s as they are not amplified. They' don't offer as much dB protection and firing in closed quarters will leave your head buzzing. But I'd rather have buzzing ears after the fact than not hearing someone coming from around a corner. A quick removal of the "Hocks Noise Braker filter" also allows the inserting of generic sound tubes and makes for a solid comms ear piece. I must be on my fifth or sixth set now (simply because I lose them) and will continue to use them until something better comes along.
P.S. If you wonder what size to order, go for the medium. We purchased all three sizes to outfit our team (16) and all but one (large) use the mediums.

I was really looking forward to trying out this product to see if it lived up to all the great reviews. Especially because I, like you, did some extensive research before deciding to buy it. I went to the range today and here is what I found... I properly inserted the plugs and did a suction test to make sure the fit was good, and it was. I did not close the little plugs on the EARPRO, so I could see if I could truly stomach the sounds of all the shooting. I stepped out of my car and stood on the firing line with people shooting handguns and hunting rifles. I talked to the Range Master and had a short 5 sentence conversation. I could hear him just fine, but the gunshots were starting to get beyond uncomfortable. I had to go back to my car and plug up the little plugs on the EARPRO, as the noise was too uncomfortable. I stepped back out, and it was way more comfortable. I was talking to the Range Master again, and I could understand him just fine but with a little less clarity than when the smaller plugs on the EARPRO were open. I would guestimate you have an improvement of hearing conversation of 1/3rd clarity over standard military ear plugs with the little plugs on the EARPRO closed. So, that part kinda works. The overall effectiveness of the plug is not as good as the military ear plugs, as some noise still wafts through theses Surefire plugs. So, I only kinda recommend these plugs, especially as the price is waaaaay to high. I suggest they should only cost $5 and come with a descent carrying case. If you are looking for a plug that will be a miricle cure to gunshot sounds on the range, look at one of those electronic headsets that filter out high decibels. These aren't really it. BUT if we were in a W.R.O.L situation (essentially WWIII) and you were on patrol with your buddies, then get these plugs, as you will be able to hear good enough while you are doing your "shoot, move, communicate," bit. That, in my opinion, is what these are best for, not for the "hey, I think I'll go to the range today for 4 hours and sight in my AKs." Patrolling: yes, Range: no. But, since I bough 4 pairs, I'll just use them for the range after all. Besides, after buying that many, I might as well get my money out of them, if possible.

Got these in the mail today and WOW! Little background: I work for the railroad and am no stranger to earplugs. My company supplies the cheapo earplugs, from foamies to soft rubber plugs, to the soft rubber plugs w/ flanges. None of which are all that great. Foamies get nasty after pulling them in and out a few times (especially with dirty hands). The rubber ones seem to create an uncomfortable pressure in your ear and require messing with them a bit to get them comfortable. Typically when you do get them in your ear without the extra pressure, you don't have proper seal for protection, and often can't get an even seal. Maybe its just me, but those issues really bother me, and I end up only wearing them when I absolutely have to.

I stumbled across the EarPro EP3's last week online. Read a few reviews (including reviews on Amazon, my "Goto" for consumer reviews!) and decided to buy them. So far I am super happy about this purchase... only a couple hours in! Yes, hard to give an accurate review this early but I was so impressed I wanted to write a first impressions review!

So first off, they came in a nice clean package. As always, great, fast shipping! Inside the retail package the earplugs were encapsulated in a clear, cheapy plastic case. Not sure if the case was meant for long term or not, but I'll definitely be using it to keep these in until I find something better. Per one reviewers suggestion, I went with the medium size plugs (that and Amazon didn't have "small" size for sale when I looked). In my experience with audio devices I find I use small size plugs (2 sets of Shure in-ear headphones, Skullcandy headphones, Jawbone 2 & Jawbone Prime earpieces). I was skeptic, but I was very pleased when I found they fit my ears. These are SO comfortable I can see wearing them for long periods of time. Looking forward to this weekend when I take out my new rifle & really test these earpieces out!

First impressions: I will totally recommend these to friends. Infact I will most likely be taking these to work to show them to the bosses and the safety team to see if we can start ordering for all our employees! IMO the best PPE (personal protective equipment) is the stuff you'll USE! I bought these to use when I go shooting, but think I'll be taking these to work with me too.

These work very well. I used to use commercial and military Peltor amplified and electronic hearing protection. They always felt wierd over the ear and did not allow for conversations or normal cheekwelds on rifles. These allow you to wear them with the caps closed blocking most sound and open allowing for conversations. They are comfortable and can be worn for long periods of time. There are also adapters available allowing for comms compatibility. Great for a radio headset that must stay in while doing serious work. I rigged this along with a Motorola throat mic and it works very well. Used with Icom IC-F43GT UHF radios, Yaesu VX-7R radios, and military MBITR's. Get several pairs of these, as you will probably lose them before destroying them. The case needs a string or something to clip it to belt loops. Use a military green case if you have one. That is the only thing they should change, include a plain black plastic case with a lanyard of some kind.

I bought these about 6 months ago, and have used them several times at the range. They work great, and unlike foam earplugs that after you stick them in your ears you have to wait for them to expand, these are ready to go the second you get them in your ears. I don't have any experience with these at an indoor range though, and have read that some people say they are not adequate enough. The one thing I have found is that on a hot day, after about 15 minutes of wearing them, I get a popping noise in my ears when I talk or walk. It's probably just persperation in my ears, but it can get slightly annoying. Overall its a good buy, and they are cheaper on here (including shipping) than I have found at gun shows.

I have been looking for a pair of ear plugs to wear under my full-face motorcycle helmet. I ride a sport bike and the there is quite a bit of wind noise/buffeting starting at about 40 MPH. Here is what I have tried so far:

Hearos Ultimate Softness foam plugs. (Would not stay in my ears)

ETYMOTIC RESEARCH ER20BP High Fidelity Ear Plugs. (Great plugs, but the stems stick too far out for use under my HJC helmet and they become uncomfortable after about 30 minutes)

Hearos Rock 'n Roll Ear Filters (Almost too quite. These plugs are nice and soft but they are air-tight. This means if you have almost any change in altitude they can become very uncomfortable, especially when you take them out. Great for mowing lawns or maybe sleeping with a snorer though.)

Now for the SureFire EarPro Sonic Defenders. What can I say. I really wanted to like these. They were suppose to block out loud noises while letting you hear sounds at normal volumes. Like talking to someone while stopped at a traffic light. They just didn't work well for me. Maybe I should have gotten the larger size but these would seal in my ears, but only for about 15 or 20 minutes. Even with the mini-plugs in the small holes in the end of these, they let in WAY too much sound. I tried these while riding my motorcycle several times and mowing the lawn once. They were not even close to the noise blocking levels of the ETYMOTIC or HEAROS plugs. They were comfortable though.

My next try will be the Koss Sparkplug earphones that I will test with my intercom system.

I use these for every possible application i have thought of. i use them on the range, i use them under my shooting muffs (on occasion), during yard work, i also wear them at work because i work at a very loud night club and we use these as ear pieces for our radios but i tend to wear both plugs because they keep me from going deaf but i am still able to talk to customers and other employees without having to continually ask them to speak up. they bring radio transmissions through loud and as clear as you can be in a club as loud as ours. they're comfortable enough i can wear them for the entire 7 hours im at work. i can even put them in on the way to work and still be able to hear traffic sounds and drive safely. great overall plugs. i highly recommend.

I got these plugs after reading mostly positive reviews on the Internet. I have to say the positive reviews are accurate, ans so are the negative reviews. The performance of these earplugs really depends on the applications and your expectation.

I mainly use these earplugs for work, on both ambulances and fire trucks. For this application, it works like a dream. The volume of the sirens and air horns are effectively reduced and leave conversations inside the truck crystal clear. It also works during rescue operations where it blocks out loud generator noise and still able to communicate with the team and patients.

On the range, you'll have to adjust your expectation. It works with the stoppers out if you can stand it. Personally, I can't so I have to leave the stoppers in the whole time. I don't think the plugs are designed for you to be in the range for hours with thousands of rounds going off.

Cons? I lose them frequently. I wish they sell them in a smaller and more afforded bulk package, like pack of 5 or 10.

I just got these in the mail yesterday. I'm a guy with relatively small ears and the Medium EP3's fit like a glove. Until now, I've been using disposable foam earplugs and haven't been satisfied with the fit and overall noise reduction, but the EP3's seem to cut most machine noise while still allowing you to hear yourself and speak at comfortable levels. The ear canal stems on the the EP3's might be a little long for some people (I had to pull them out a little because I started to get chocked up) but ensure a snug fit. I got these for about $15, an excellent price for something that will be used frequently.

good price. work well blocking out loud noises but i can still hear people when they talk to me. works best at med to med-high noise levels. tried them at the gun range and didnt offer enough protection(for me) i like them for work. around heavy machinery and compressed air. comfort: 6/10 not bad at all but cant wear them for more than 3hrs at a time