This review is for the Decibullz Molded Percussive Filters, I have been using the filters for several range visits and they are very good. I can still hold a conversation but they dampen sounds when rounds are fired, exactly what you would want in a product like this. I have only used them at outdoor shotgun ranges so I cannot comment on their use in an indoor range setting.
The fit is excellent, they are extremely comfortable due to the custom fit and are a huge improvement to the active earmuffs I used previously. They do not interfere with mounting my shotgun and therefore do not adversely affect my scores (but also eliminate one of my excuses when I have a poor round).
The noise reduction seems to be in line with the stated values, and I can hold a conversation at normal levels while wearing this product. The product seems to live up to it's claims and I'm very happy with my purchase.
The only issue I had with this product was the instructions for molding the pictogram instructions are not very clear about what part are supposed to be boiled. It is very clear that the percussive filters need to be removed, but what was not clear is that the filters and the, I'll call it the stem, can be separated and the stem is boiled with the molds and orange triple flange tips. Once I found their video on youTube, the process was much more clear and understandable.
I highly advise anyone that purchases these to watch the video before molding, you won't over mold one set of your Thermo Fit Molds beyond use like I ended up doing. Yes, the can be remolded, but if the hole in the middle closes, they're pretty much toast. Luckily, Decibullz includes a bonus pair of Thermo Fit molds with the percussive filter set, so I wasn't dead in the water, but I do wish their instructions were more clear regarding this part.
The second issue I had was not with the product at all but with the Add-ons that Amazon suggests when you purchase the Decibullz Percussive Filters. They seem to suggest the carrying case and the Lanyard. First of all, the Decibullz Percussive Filters come with a case (although it isn't readily apparent from the product description on Amazon), so if you purchase one you end up with two, and are out around $10 for the privilege. The second suggestion from Amazon is the Decibullz Lanyard, the issue if you purchase it is that it completely defeats the percussive filter properties and you end up with ear plugs. According to the Decibullz website, they are working on a lanyard specifically for the Percussive Filters, but the suggested one will work, but you won't be able to hear much.
If you follow Amazon's suggestion and purchase and install these, you're essentially creating a Decibullz ear plug with no Percussive functionality, at a $50+ premium. So buyer beware on the suggestions from Amazon, sure you can return the items, but since there is nothing wrong with them, you have to pay return shipping. That policy doesn't seem right to me when Amazon is making purchase suggestions that make absolutely no sense for the item you are purchasing, so research those before you add them to your cart.
Otherwise I'm very happy with my purchase, I just wish I had watched the video before attempting to mold the Thermo Fit Molds.
The ideal user for the Decibullz custom molded percussive filters would be someone who needs hearing protection from short loud noises. As an avid hunter these percussive filters are ideal for me because I am exposed to a lot of gunshots. Another aspect that is nice is the ability to hear ambient noise and communicate with my hunting partners. Safety is a priority for me because at the end of the day returning home is the most important. Before purchasing this product I used regular earplugs that blocked out all sound. They were effective in protecting my hearing but did not fulfill all of my needs.
Criteria used to evaluate this product.
• Durability
• Comfortability
• Hearing protection
• Relative cost
Durability
This product is made from a moldable hard plastic and is made to hold up for a long time. These filters will hold up significantly longer than regular earplugs.
Comfortability
The filters are custom molded to fit in your ear for a secure fit. The directions are easy to follow and if you take your time you will end up not even noticing that they are in most of the time. I routinely wear them for half of a day while siting in the duck boat and have not had a issue with my ears hurting. I regularly had issues with my previous earplugs hurting my ears after about an hour.
Hearing Protection
The main purpose of this product is to protect your hearing and it would be useless if it did not. At the end of the day, this is the best product I have found to suit my needs as a hunter needing hearing protection.
Relative Cost
Compared to similar hearing protection products this one is moderately cheap. I like the fact that I do not have to worry about batteries as I would with an electronic version. Some electronic products can cost upwards of a couple hundred dollars. This product is well worth the money at just seventy-five dollars.
I bought these because I love the non-percussive ear pro this company makes. I’m a PRS shooter and have a small face, so muffs are not an option for me. The non percussive were great, but I had a hard time hearing what ROs were saying during matches and wanted the extra protection of the percussive filters. These blew me away at the last match. I was exceptionally pleased with how well they worked and I could hear all commands and other shooters talking.
If you already have the non percussive ear pro from Decibullz, you can pull out and replace the insert in your already molded ear pro. As a side note, if you choose to mold them new, you can pull out the percussive filter and still mold without them in there. If you do put the percussive filters in the warm water when you mold them, just know they they will dry out and you’ll be able to hear people talking better afterwards. I was concerned at first since that’s how I molded mine and I couldn’t hear people talking like I thought I would be able to.
I recommended them to several other shooters. I would definitely buy these again.
As an avid Sporting Clay shooter tired of sweaty ears and not being able to easily converse with my companions when shooting I decided to give this product a try before biting the bullet and getting some $1000+ electronic hearing aid/protectors from an Audiologist. Very glad I did! Outstanding turn around from the time I placed my order to receiving it. Even better is how well the Percussive Filters work. I wore my filters this past Saturday when I worked a trap station for the 2018 Alabama State 4H Sporting Clay competition. During the course of the day I pulled over 1200 clays total, with me standing immediately behind each shooter, every shot. At the end of the day I was worn out from the “beating” I received from the concussion of each shot fired so close by but my ears were honestly not affected at all. No sweaty ear canals, no ringing, no pain and hearing as good at the end of the day as the beginning. You really have an awesome product. In fact, after the tryout I gave them, when I got home I ordered my wife a pair to replace her current hot and hard Brand "R" plugs, and for myself a backup set I'll keep handy in the event of a loss. So, as for those $1000+ electronic hearing aid/protectors .... don't need them now! This is really a savings of over $900 for me right out of the gate! Awesome product! Very happy I found and tried them!!
These worked great at the range. I used them for the first time in a hunting situation last week. In North Dakota for early season goose, we were field hunting in layout blinds. I was surrounded by other hunters in close proximity - about 6 feet away on either side. The filters worked great blocking all the shooting noise. More impressively, I was able to hear all the whispered conversations and distant geese honking! With 7 guys in the field , I was the first to hear the geese on many occasions. It's virtually impossible to call effectively with standard ear protection. I was able to call , shoot, listen to conversations up and down the line and didn't have to worry about batteries going dead in the middle of the hunt (which happened to one of the group!). These plugs are a must for Waterfowl and Upland hunters who need to hear normally but must have ear protection when the shooting starts! They make target shooting or clays much more enjoyable. These are the real deal! I even find myself checking to see that they haven't fallen out when there is no shooting going on!.
Feature Product
- IMPULSE PROTECTION: Decibullz top rated DIY Thermo-fit Molded Earpieces combined with percussive filter technology. The NEW Decibullz Custom Molded Percussive Filters protect users from the peak sound pressure of gun shots, artillery fire and explosions, suppressing them to safe levels and protecting users from potential long term hearing damage.
- SOUND WHEN YOU WANT IT, PROTECTION WHEN YOU NEED IT: Developed for shooting and military use, the Decibullz Percussive Filters feature optimum protection from high level impulse and percussive sounds. The filters are ANSI IPIL certified up to 166 dB. When no damaging noise is present, the Decibullz Filters provide a low attenuation, permitting voice and ambient noise to be heard. The allows for situational awareness not provided by traditional hearing protection.
- NO BATTERIES: Decibullz Percussive Filters use a physical percussive/ impulse filter providing superior hearing protection with no need for batteries. This means Decibullz Impulse Filters are always ready to protect you when you need them.
- CUSTOM COMFORT: Decibullz Custom Molded Earpieces are easily and quickly shaped by the user to the exact shape of their ears creating a noise isolating earplugs that is secure and comfortable. Decibullz earpieces are re-moldable.
- IDEAL FOR ALL DAY USE: Unlike electronic hearing protection the Decibullz Percussive Filters retain sound directionality and spatiality, this is crucial in hunting and combat situations. The filters also allow air to enter the ear decreasing ear canal irritation. Combined with its small size and Decibullz Thermo-fit molded earpieces the filters are ideal for all day use and easily fit under communications headsets and earmuffs.
Description
Decibullz top rated DIY Thermo-fit Molded Earpieces combined with percussive filter technology. The NEW Decibullz Custom Molded Percussive Filters protect users from the peak sound pressure of gun shots, artillery fire and explosions, suppressing them to safe levels and protecting users from potential long term hearing damage. Developed for shooting and military use, the Decibullz Percussive Filters feature optimum protection from high level impulse and percussive sounds. The filters are ANSI IPIL certified up to 166 dB. When no damaging noise is present, the Decibullz Filters provide a low attenuation, permitting voice and ambient noise to be heard. The allows for situational awareness not provided by traditional hearing protection. Shaping the Decibullz Thermo-fit Earpieces is easy. Simply warm the earpieces in water and shape them to your ears. If the desired fit is not achieved the first time the earpieces can be re-heated and re-shaped. Unlike electronic hearing protection the Decibullz Percussive Filters retain sound directionality and spatiality, this is crucial in hunting and combat situations. The filters also allow air to enter the ear decreasing ear canal irritation. Combined with its small size and Decibullz Thermo-fit molded earpieces the filters are ideal for all day use and easily fit under communications headsets and earmuffs.
I've worn these on a duck shoot in Czech and a hunt in Romania. The duck shoot my ears were a bit irritated but I was taking them in and out several times throughout the day as we moved from pond to pond. They did provide adequate protection while shooting my 12 gauge. In Romania I found them to be a bit more comfortable as I was leaving them in for 3 to 4 hours at a time. The left one seemed to try to push its way out and I may just need to change the tip to a smaller size. Again these provided adequate protection when firing my 30-06. I did feel that ambient noise was muffled a little too much while stalking through the mountains. These did a decent job and were fairly comfortable but they are not as good as electric noise cancelling hearing protection that boost ambient noise. The molding process was fairly easy and straightforward. The instructions provided were decent and the available online videos helped as well.
So far so good. This is my second purchase for this specific type of hearing protection. The first purchase I bought for myself and liked them so well that I bought another pair as a gift for Christmas. I shoot sporting clays and earmuffs make your ears hot and you bump them with the stock when pulling the gun up to your shoulder, expanding foam works but voices around you are muffled and causal conversation can be difficult sometimes. With these you can carry on conversations at a fairly low level and still hear the other person as well as other shooters around you. I am not exactly sure how they work so well in regards to hearing so clearly yet blocking out the gun blast, but I really like them and it has made my shooting experience a lot better. It's nice to be able to be protected but not have to constantly ask someone to repeat what they have said. Well worth the price
Just before Thanksgiving of 2018 I got a new job. In this shop I'm required to wear hearing protection. I purchased theses custom molded heard protection because I do not like ear plugs in the ear canal and my ears sweat too much with earmuffs on. I was hoping I could just mold them in to my ear and not have to use the foam or rubber earpieces. Luckily I didn't have to use them. I will say useing the foam or rubber earpieces does help a lot with keeping the noise down.
When molding them in my ear I followed the directions quite closely. I did use the foam piece for the molding. I thought that it was going to feel uncomfortable putting the hot ear piece in but it's not bad at all. I also used a mirror when molding just to see what I was doing. I only molded them once before wearing them for a ten hour shift. That was not a good idea. Although I did learn where I needed adjust them. So maybe wear them for a few hours to figure out where you need to adjust them. After a few re-molds they fit very well.
I have been wearing them for a few months now and I'm pleased with them. The only thing I dont like is that my ear sweat but that just might be me.
Wow these do a super job, on the trap line and on the tower. I can hear the shooters request for a bird but the shotgun sounds are blocked out. When I shoot I can here normal conversation and no shotgun noise. I like how you boil them to mold them (have a helper fit them)to fit. They come with different size tips and different style tips seem to stay in with no problems.
I was a little skeptical after reading some reviews as to how well these ear plugs work but I went ahead and got some anyway. I have a couple pair of electronic muffs but I don’t like using them because safety glasses break the seal and let a lot of sound in. I have gotten to the point that I use standard ear plugs but I have to remove them when talking to someone. After seeing these, I figured why not give them a shot? Instructions are pretty simple, remove the filters, install the correct silicone tip, and drop them in hot water for 5 minutes. After reinserting filter just put them in your ear, just kinda mash them down to form them to your ear and let cool. They are very comfortable and easy to insert after forming. There is a little sound reduction at normal levels but not as much as regular ear plugs and you can still hear speech at normal talking volume. I tested these on an outdoor range with a 6mm Creedmoor that has an Area 419 hellfire nuzzle brake so it’s quite loud. I was pleasantly surprised after the first shot, the sound was reduced to a comfortable level and I could still hear hits on steel targets all the way out to 850 yards. Overall I would give these an A rating because of ease of use, they don’t get in the way, and you can comfortably wear shooting glasses with them. I cannot comment on indoor range use but you can order solid filters for them that turn them into 31db plugs for a few dollars that would work well for that environment.
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