Surefire EP3 SonicDefenders?

[Guest CK1]

Anyone use these before? thinking I'll order a pair to check out unless they're junk... EarPro EP-3 Sonic Defenders®- EP3 from SureFire

[G27]

Probably not junk, but definitely not enough reduction to use them alone with firearms, indoors or out.

[Mike.357]

I have them, they seem to work fine for .22's or pistols. But 30-06 or .308 made my ears ring. Kind of hard to tell as they ring all the time anyway.

I do think they are worth the 17 bucks or whatever is was they cost. But double up with some muffs if you are shooting big rifles.

[Guest CK1]

Probably not junk, but definitely not enough reduction to use them alone with firearms, indoors or out.

Yeah, kind of wondering about that... Outdoors at IDPA matches and such I usually wear good ol' -29dB foam earplugs and they are as good or better than my Howard Leight L3's which I usually wear to indoor ranges, in fact, outside with the plugs, shots seem to be real quiet, much more so than at any indoor range I've been to... thought it would be cool if I could get by with a a set of these when outside (I'm not a fan of muffs for running around outside or I'd just get an active set, a passive plug with the Hocks Break would be just perfect for me if they attenuated enough)...

[G27]

Well, these offer 10dB less protection than your foam plugs, which means your ears will be subjected to levels that are acoustically about twice as loud.

That's not good.

If I were you, I'd stick with the foam.

[Erik88]

I have them, they seem to work fine for .22's or pistols. But 30-06 or .308 made my ears ring. Kind of hard to tell as they ring all the time anyway.

I do think they are worth the 17 bucks or whatever is was they cost. But double up with some muffs if you are shooting big rifles.

I would like to buy a pair but I have no idea what size to order.

Mike what size do you have? I would hope my ears are smaller:D

[grumpy.old.1]

I have them and use them outdoors while shooting IDPA. Comfortable enough to wear for extended periods. I have used them indoors while soming was shooting a 44 mag and it wasnt very fun. Would not recommend them for shooting anything over .45

[Mike.357]

most people wear medium according to the website, I had to trim just a bit off the left ear piece.

These plugs also have channel with an attatchment for blocking more noise, when I plug in the attachment they are good IMHO. Not sure if the rating is with the channel open or closed.

[G27]

These plugs also have channel with an attatchment for blocking more noise, when I plug in the attachment they are good IMHO. Not sure if the rating is with the channel open or closed.

• 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
  

Not trying to get preachy, but firearms are very dangerous wrt your hearing. I obviously have to be extremely careful as my career depends on my hearing, but even the 'average Joe' should pay attention. IMO, 19dB isn't enough, even outside, for any center-fire firearm as they all generate somewhere in the vicinity of 150dB SPL. Anything over 120dB SPL causes immediate, irreparable damage (which is cumulative and may take years to manifest), so IMO, 30dB NRR plugs are the minimum you should use if you value your ears.

I use 33dB plugs with muffs with zero ill effects, but that combination yields a cumulative >50dB noise reduction.

[Kegger]

I use 'em underneath my Peltors. They work great and are crazy comfy to have in for a long time.