CCA

So, I'm looking to get some custom ear plugs made. I don't think I'm going to go for radios just yet. but the molds will be made should I need them later. I want to make sure I get ones that are comfortable with the helmet on. Since, I'm going to have to replace my old helmet for next season, should I just wait on these until I have the new helmet in hand? I feel my current one is wee bit loose, so I'm guessing the new one will be a little more snug. Also, anybody know of a brand/style the works well?

Leigh2

I use http://www.speedcomracing.com/ They sent me the mold kit to make custom ear buds and they keep the molds on file so that you can reorder at any time

f1rocks

Got mine from Samson radios and they sent me the molds to keep if I need to make another set. IIRC it was less than $90 with my earbuds.

You can also check with a local hearing aid place, they may fit you there and make the molds for just a set of ear plugs.

Regardless of helmet they'll stay put if you fit them right.

dmwhite

imo, it's all about who does the mold...getting the right person to do them can make all the difference...definitely get an ear specialist/doctor to do the mold...

i had a set of radio earbuds done this year by Marilyn at http://plugup.com/ and they are pretty amazing...they have the highest noise reduction of any ear bud or ear plug i've ever used. that combined with the transducers she uses mean i dont have to turn the radio way up to hear it (compared to having to crank the radio up with other earbuds i've used)...her molds/earbuds go further in to your ear than others i've used/tried which takes a little bit of getting used to...she's based in the miami area but i think she goes to a few events a year (like the sebring 12hr) to make molds...

i also reccommend the folks at speedcom but i'm not sure if they do the actual molds...they are always very helpful and great to work with

i had a set done at racing electronics a few years back and i don't reccommend them...

CCA

Good fit is important. I have an old set of customs that are a bit bulky. I don't think they will do well with a helmet putting pressing on them. Really want to make sure I get a set made that is fits well and doesn't cause any pinching or pressure points with the helmet on. That's the reason I was thinking I should wait until I choose the new helmet.

Is there a big price jump going from just plugs to radio pieces? If it's not too bad I could just get those and get an adapter to use them with my Chatterbox when instructing.

mglobe

I got mine from Samson, they send you a kit to make the molds, then you send them back, and they send you the finished product. Mine came out great. Comfortable and effective.

Circuit Motorsports

Speedcom runs the VIR shop so next time you're down there you could have them do it.

dan212

Custom fit is the way to go, but the Howard Leight (http://www.uline.com/BL_1023/Max-Ear-Plugs-NRR-33 ) UN-Coreded soft red plugs fit very well and are VERY effective. I can really get them in there before I pull my helmet on and they don't come loose. The corded ones always pull away because of the harness. They are cheap.

CCA

I'll be down there on Halloween for the Chin event.

syncspeedinc

Almost none of these companies make the ear pieces ( Marilyn @ Plug up is an artist and makes the best molds I have seen) , we almost all use Precision Labs (http://www.precisionweb.com/ ) in FL. You can order the mold kits directly from them if you are looking to do it yourself. That said, I agree that it is all about the quality of the molds and not who you buy the kit from.

MJR911

+1... whatever SyncSpeed tells me. Chris helped me get SWEET ears done late last year. Get the molds done by a proper audiologist. Dawn @ eareverything.com did my ears once I sent her the proper molds.

SoClose

We have ours replaced every 2-3 years. We just go to any local audiologist/hearing aid store and they'll shoot the mold free of charge. Done properly, by a professional. They can have the final product done if you aren't putting the speakers in, or send them out yourself.
Realize that these shrink a little bit every season. If you replace them in 3 years you won't believe the difference, as it is a slow and insidious degradation.

Bill Lehman

I use a set of Insta-Mold plugs when shooting sporting clays. Check here http://www.earinc.com/ for local dealer.

CCA

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'll get an audiologist to do the molds. They'll have a lot more experience doing it properly than I will. Not yet sure whether I'm going to do plugs or speakers. I'll have to look at the price difference of the headset and wiring the helmet for a mic over just getting ear plugs. Mostly doing just DEs and instructing (so I could use them with Chatterbox) and hope to get in an enduro or 2 next season.

Seth Thomas

I second what Dave said. These are the best custom earbuds I have used and the speakers are the best quality. Just looking at the quality of the wiring used with these you won't pay for any of the others again. They are the same price as any of the other stuff offered too.