Cosd Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I've been using Sonic II hearing plugs whilst shooting for some time and whilst I thought I was protecting my hearing, yesterday I felt otherwise. I recently had custom CENS Passive moulds made for a very reasonable £90. That includes going to an audiologist to have impressions made, them being sent off and custom plugs sent back. You get a smart carry pouch and they even laser your name onto the plugs which is a nice touch. On my first day out yesterday with Herr Plinker who also had the same plugs made, it was very apparent from the off that these worked well. Gun shot was no more apparent than normal conversation we were having whilst sharing the hide. The Sonic's muted gunfire to a degree, but nothing compared to these. This post isn't to put the Sonic plugs down as the price difference alone makes the comparison unfair, but more to say how good these CENS passives are. Conversation is muted somewhat as you'd expect, but after a while you tune in to the volume and hearing somebody whilst sharing a hide was good. Using a walkie talkie or mobile phone isn't an issue either whilst wearing the CENS. Comfort wise, you can't tell you've got anything in your ears, it's that simple, even after 8 hours you just forget you are wearing them. I don't get on with headphone type protection, especially in the summer. These seem perfect for me now, and there is always the option to replace the passive inserts with active ones at a later date if you want to. If I get a chance tonight I'll post a couple of photos...... Cos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I'm looking at getting these or the ACS sonic ones. Price about the same. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried both or can make a comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr-Sheen Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I'm looking at getting these or the ACS sonic ones. Price about the same. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has tried both or can make a comparison. Got the sonic valves earlier this year and they are fantastic! The conversation is very slightly muted but i mean very slightly! When the gun is fired it comes as a surprise almost when you hear nothing but you soon get used to it! Good product and good service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lampwick Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Ive been thinking about changing from my Howard Leights. any thoughts re a comparison? Also where abouts did you get hem from? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleeh Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 When you say going to the chap to have them made, did you go to his house, or did he have a shop? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 The acs are done by boots among other places. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 interesting post cos. another question though. is the £90 a final payment or do you have to pay maintenance/ calibration at further service intervals. i know you can't put a price on your hearing,but just trying to whey up the pro's and cons. currently getting pressure off the missus to protect my hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 what mikky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 The £90 are not electronic - the only maintenance is cleaning. The electronic ones are £500 upwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 interesting post cos. another question though. is the £90 a final payment or do you have to pay maintenance/ calibration at further service intervals. i know you can't put a price on your hearing,but just trying to whey up the pro's and cons. currently getting pressure off the missus to protect my hearing. These are passive so no maintenance whatsoever. £90 covers all the cost from start to finish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 thanks for the info. very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 i have a set of cens pro flex, and would recommend them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karpman Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I would lose em no doubt about it. I'm sure there absolutely fantastic but would defo lose em. Karpman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southeastpete Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 what mikky hahaha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aga man Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 what mikky pardon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyxologos Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Have you used the Peltor Sport Tac? Hw do they compare to your new toy? I have been using the Sport Tac for a few years and I find them amazing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UGM Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 Got the sonic valves earlier this year and they are fantastic! The conversation is very slightly muted but i mean very slightly! When the gun is fired it comes as a surprise almost when you hear nothing but you soon get used to it! Good product and good service Sounds good, I know Boots in Belfast City Centre do them over here. Couldn't find anyone that did the CENS. Think that I will get a set of ACS once the FEO has been out for a visit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted February 9, 2013 Report Share Posted February 9, 2013 I went with ACS as they had a hearing place close to me, Cens at the time did not cover Cornwall. I have been very impressed with mine I use them on pigeon, rough, driven days and clays with no problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Sounds good, I know Boots in Belfast City Centre do them over here. Couldn't find anyone that did the CENS. Think that I will get a set of ACS once the FEO has been out for a visit. I bought the voucher on line direct from CENS, they replied back after a couple of days giving me details of a local audiologist, she hadn't done work for them before. She just took impressions and sent them to Puretone who made the CENS and posted them back. Very simple process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Sonics only reduce the noise a bit, I use them and accept that, but for clays or repetitive shooting I now have Emtec moulded passive plugs. They work brilliantly and are comfortable enough to wear all day long, but you can't really hear much in the way of conversation with them in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted February 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Here a couple of photos I promised. This is what you get in the package. There are loads of colours you can get including camo if you want it; I went for matt black moulds with black inserts. You can see each mould has a colour dot for left and right. And a nice touch, they laser your name on both moulds too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Sonics only reduce the noise a bit, I use them and accept that, but for clays or repetitive shooting I now have Emtec moulded passive plugs. They work brilliantly and are comfortable enough to wear all day long, but you can't really hear much in the way of conversation with them in. What do you mean they only reduce a bit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 I mean they aren't as effective as moulded plugs or cans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) I mean they aren't as effective as moulded plugs or cans. Ah ok, I thought you were referring to he acs sonic which are moulded :-) I was intending to use moulded ones with cans on top. Belt and braces! I'm just curious as to how these valves in the moulded plugs work. Do they somehow activate with loud noise? Edited February 10, 2013 by aris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Plinker Posted February 10, 2013 Report Share Posted February 10, 2013 Agree with Cos re the CENS. Great noise reduction and uber comfortable. Have been using the MSA Sordin pro's, while great ear defenders they can make your ears sore after a while and in the summer get sweaty (maybe that's just my ears). Forgot I had the CENS in my ears. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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