Warning! Today I tried the Radians Custom Molded Earplug Kit. I followed the instructions completely. After carefully mixing the two parts as directed I carefully pressed the mixture into my ear. After a 1 hour wait (not the 10 minutes recommended)the gooey mixture was exactly the same as when inserted - a gooey sticky mess. There was no hardening at all. Let me tell you trying to get that gooey mess out of your ear is VERY DIFFICULT! Nothing like when is has hardened as it is supposed to. In fact in is literally impossible to completely remove it. I tried for a couple hours and even tried washing out my ear with a syringe. I did get most if it out but there is still a sticky coating of the stuff in my ear canal which will have to just slowly come out through the normal clearing of ear wax. I STRONGLY recommend that if you want to try this product you MUST try a small portion of the contents as a test plug out side your ear first. I would never use this product again without proving that there really was the correct combination of plastic and hardener that would successfully work outside my ear first. This need to be put in the instructions on the package from the manufacturer.
Warning! Radians Custom Molded Earplug Failure
- Thread starter JCUMM2
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wheelgun6T9
Member
Nasty stuff
Thanks for sharing this - I probably should have done the same thing with a topic. I tried the Radians product about a week or so ago and it was horrible. I was hoping it would be good protection while shooting the high power rifles at the range. Ear phone type won't work...due to weld... and the foam type are okay but not great.
Anyway, I mixed it exactly as directed. Kneaded it exactly as directed - then left it in my ear for an additional 30 minutes more than recommended (because it still felt really tacky)...I finally said "enough" and pulled it out. It was like soft sticky chewing gum. I had to get it out with a Q-tip and it was really rediculous.
I would never try this product again. I could understand it not meeting the claims for the hearing protection level but for the product to not even set up.... Two hours later is was still sticky and soft.
Buyer beware... - wheelgun6T9
Thanks for sharing this - I probably should have done the same thing with a topic. I tried the Radians product about a week or so ago and it was horrible. I was hoping it would be good protection while shooting the high power rifles at the range. Ear phone type won't work...due to weld... and the foam type are okay but not great.
Anyway, I mixed it exactly as directed. Kneaded it exactly as directed - then left it in my ear for an additional 30 minutes more than recommended (because it still felt really tacky)...I finally said "enough" and pulled it out. It was like soft sticky chewing gum. I had to get it out with a Q-tip and it was really rediculous.
I would never try this product again. I could understand it not meeting the claims for the hearing protection level but for the product to not even set up.... Two hours later is was still sticky and soft.
Buyer beware... - wheelgun6T9
Thanks! I've been considering something custom-fit so this is good to know.
I did find some reusable plugs that I like and may just stick with them. The brand name is EarPro. I often have trouble getting the foam ones to seat properly, so the EarPro plugs are actually quieter to me than the foam plugs even though they're only rated at 24 DB. They have an outside soft rubber "frame" I guess you would call it, that fits in the outer ear and helps hold things in place. I think I paid about $17 for them. They also have an insert in the plug that can be opened. I may try that when I use them with amplified 'phones - when not bench shooting. One tip - don't try to open that insert with the plugs in your ears. I tried this and thought I was opening the cap - turned out I had pulled the insert out. Never did find it.
I did find some reusable plugs that I like and may just stick with them. The brand name is EarPro. I often have trouble getting the foam ones to seat properly, so the EarPro plugs are actually quieter to me than the foam plugs even though they're only rated at 24 DB. They have an outside soft rubber "frame" I guess you would call it, that fits in the outer ear and helps hold things in place. I think I paid about $17 for them. They also have an insert in the plug that can be opened. I may try that when I use them with amplified 'phones - when not bench shooting. One tip - don't try to open that insert with the plugs in your ears. I tried this and thought I was opening the cap - turned out I had pulled the insert out. Never did find it.
fireman 9731
Member
So did anybody try calling them and see what the company had to say?
marv
Member
If you want fitted ear plugs go to a hearing aid vendor. They will make a plaster casting of your ear (after first plugging your inner ear canal to prevent it from running clear thru your head). Then they use THAT to make a mold to pour the ear plugs with whatever material you choose.
Mikey Idaho
Member
Sorry for your bad luck, I have about 5 pairs of em spread between cars and bags, anywhere I might need em. They've all worked amazing for me. Plus I love that they're low priced, work well and are custom so no one else will use em and misplace them lol.
wheelgun6T9
Member
I did email as well. They will very likely offer another pair - which is perfectly fair. I'm not saying they are a bad company, but for me, the product is poor. I did a little interweb research and they work for some folks (probably the majority) but I see an aweful lot of examples where the product did not set up at all. Something is wrong there....that's more than a major exception from a quality perspective. Don't ask me for compiled data lol.... my opinion is all.
Maybe I'm wrong - if it works for you, that's great.
Maybe I'm wrong - if it works for you, that's great.
dprice3844444
member
try mineral oil to get it out
Claude Clay
Member
still interested in fitted plugs--
check CASS / SASS at area ranges.
usually once or twice a year a member will be making ears for the posse.
cost was $35 and they last till your ears internally change shape or they dry out.
they do not completely replace a good set of ears, but are fine when you are shooting your match and have your hat on.
check CASS / SASS at area ranges.
usually once or twice a year a member will be making ears for the posse.
cost was $35 and they last till your ears internally change shape or they dry out.
they do not completely replace a good set of ears, but are fine when you are shooting your match and have your hat on.
Sorry to hear about that, I've had some custom ones made at gun shows that worked just fine...don't remember what the product name was, pretty sure it wasn't Radians.
MacksEarplugs.com makes reusable/one time use disposable silicone ear plugs that conform to your ear and reduce the noise level by 22db's. I use them now and again and find them effective to a point. $3-4 bucks for a package of 12, very reasonable.
MacksEarplugs.com makes reusable/one time use disposable silicone ear plugs that conform to your ear and reduce the noise level by 22db's. I use them now and again and find them effective to a point. $3-4 bucks for a package of 12, very reasonable.
cleardiddion
Member
I actually got mine done at a vendor's booth at the Orlando gun show a few years back. They work really well but I can't say I really like their bulk. I still crack them out for when I get to play with anything super loud though.
When the guy made them, he used a syringe to put a similar type of gel into my ear (after putting in a small plug) and it hardened up in about 10mins. Cost 10 bucks and I figure they were worth it even though I don't really use them.
When the guy made them, he used a syringe to put a similar type of gel into my ear (after putting in a small plug) and it hardened up in about 10mins. Cost 10 bucks and I figure they were worth it even though I don't really use them.
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