Surefire EP3 Sonic Defenders - anyone used these

Sigma 40 Blaster · September 2, 2008, 01:21 PM

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/...ssupandreg-sup

These plugs from Surefire look like they are comfortable and seem sufficient for use at an indoor or outdoor range. I was curious if anyone had any real experience with these good or bad as I couldn't find anything about them using the search feature of the forum.

spacemanspiff · September 2, 2008, 01:47 PM

I have a couple pairs of these. One set I keep at the office for when the buildings fire alarm system gets tested (seems like thats a monthly occurrance). Another I keep in the truck for when I go to work at concerts. The third is in the range bag.

Yes, they are good enough for the range, both pistol and rifle, I would guestimate that they offer just a little less protection than the regular muffs. But they give enough protection that standing in front of the speaker stacks at concerts such as Megadeth, 36 Crazyfists, MxPx, and Elton John (yeah, i know, kind of out of place there) is comfortable on the hearing, no ringing in the ears after.

I have seen pricing on the EP3 range from $8 to $20, so maybe ordering them directly from Surefire is a good idea.

I must have really small ear canals, cause the mediums are really tight in my ears.

Jermtheory · September 2, 2008, 02:22 PM

they work really well.

they seem to protect as much as any plug ive used,but they allow you to hear lower db sounds than regular plugs.after 10-15 minutes i sometimes forget im wearing them.

they work especially well underneath some electronic muffs that amplify sounds.double the protetcion,with excellent ability to hear ambient noise.

Sigma 40 Blaster · September 2, 2008, 10:54 PM

Thanks guys. I got a set for 9.50 on EvilBay.

Looking forward to trying them out. I moved to plugs because it was too hard for me to shoot rifles with the big Wal-Mart muffs I bought. I'll give these things a try, worse case I'll just get some low profile muffs to go with 'em.

halo2304 · September 3, 2008, 11:15 AM

I bought a set at a local Cop shop and have been trying them out. They seem to work alright. I thing the little squishy foam plugs give a little more protection but you have to take them out to listen to other people talk.

I've been using them at work as well as the range. On the range they are pretty good. At work where the noise level is a constant level, they work fine, but not nearly as well as the foam plugs.

Teufelhunden · September 3, 2008, 11:36 AM

I found the EP-3's to be more comfortable than the EP-4's. I've had half a dozen sets of EP-3's over the last year or so, and they're great. I got the EP-4's a couple of months ago since they're supposed to offer better sound attenuation, and they get uncomfortable faster. They do block sound a little better though.

-Teuf

ckd · September 15, 2008, 08:16 AM

Finally tried the EP3s at an outdoor range, and in the heat & humidity I was very comfortable, with adequate/good noise reduction; superior to any other ear plugs I've tried. Paid $10, it was a bargain, and fit in my pocket. Was told that most people are a medium size - spot on.

Scale of 1-10, ten being a top rating, it deserves a "10".

September 2, 2008, 01:21 PM	#1
Sigma 40 Blaster Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 997	Surefire EP3 Sonic Defenders - anyone used these http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/...ssupandreg-sup These plugs from Surefire look like they are comfortable and seem sufficient for use at an indoor or outdoor range. I was curious if anyone had any real experience with these good or bad as I couldn't find anything about them using the search feature of the forum.

September 2, 2008, 01:47 PM	#2
spacemanspiff Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2002 Location: alaska Posts: 3,498	I have a couple pairs of these. One set I keep at the office for when the buildings fire alarm system gets tested (seems like thats a monthly occurrance). Another I keep in the truck for when I go to work at concerts. The third is in the range bag. Yes, they are good enough for the range, both pistol and rifle, I would guestimate that they offer just a little less protection than the regular muffs. But they give enough protection that standing in front of the speaker stacks at concerts such as Megadeth, 36 Crazyfists, MxPx, and Elton John (yeah, i know, kind of out of place there) is comfortable on the hearing, no ringing in the ears after. I have seen pricing on the EP3 range from $8 to $20, so maybe ordering them directly from Surefire is a good idea. I must have really small ear canals, cause the mediums are really tight in my ears. __________________ "Every man alone is sincere; at the entrance of a second person hypocrisy begins." - Ralph Waldo Emerson "People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use." - Soren Kierkegaard

September 2, 2008, 02:22 PM	#3
Jermtheory Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2007 Posts: 1,283	they work really well. they seem to protect as much as any plug ive used,but they allow you to hear lower db sounds than regular plugs.after 10-15 minutes i sometimes forget im wearing them. they work especially well underneath some electronic muffs that amplify sounds.double the protetcion,with excellent ability to hear ambient noise. Last edited by Jermtheory; September 3, 2008 at 12:53 PM.

September 3, 2008, 11:36 AM	#6
Teufelhunden Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 115	I found the EP-3's to be more comfortable than the EP-4's. I've had half a dozen sets of EP-3's over the last year or so, and they're great. I got the EP-4's a couple of months ago since they're supposed to offer better sound attenuation, and they get uncomfortable faster. They do block sound a little better though. -Teuf __________________ "We sleep safely in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm." -George Orwell "One hundred rounds do not constitute firepower. One hit contitutes firepower." -Gen. Merritt Edson, USMC

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September 2, 2008, 10:54 PM	#4
Sigma 40 Blaster Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2007 Location: East Texas Posts: 997	Thanks guys. I got a set for 9.50 on EvilBay. Looking forward to trying them out. I moved to plugs because it was too hard for me to shoot rifles with the big Wal-Mart muffs I bought. I'll give these things a try, worse case I'll just get some low profile muffs to go with 'em.

September 3, 2008, 11:15 AM	#5
halo2304 Member Join Date: December 24, 2006 Posts: 55	I bought a set at a local Cop shop and have been trying them out. They seem to work alright. I thing the little squishy foam plugs give a little more protection but you have to take them out to listen to other people talk. I've been using them at work as well as the range. On the range they are pretty good. At work where the noise level is a constant level, they work fine, but not nearly as well as the foam plugs.

September 15, 2008, 08:16 AM	#7
ckd Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2007 Posts: 249	Finally tried the EP3s at an outdoor range, and in the heat & humidity I was very comfortable, with adequate/good noise reduction; superior to any other ear plugs I've tried. Paid $10, it was a bargain, and fit in my pocket. Was told that most people are a medium size - spot on. Scale of 1-10, ten being a top rating, it deserves a "10".