[Top_Shot_31]

I need help finding an earpiece that doesn't continually piss me off.

I've gone through 3 of these since May.

http://www.amazon.com/MaximalPower-RHF-617-1N-Surveillance-Transceivers/dp/B0062FZ32C

Their build quality and sound are actually very good for the price, but every single one eventually had the same issue. One day, the sound output randomly got cut to about 25% what it was, for no reason, and never recovered. I'm currently borrowing a coworker's earpiece (with my own ear mold) and it's the one Kenwood makes specific for our radios. It's ok, but it's shorter in length than the last one, and I constantly feel like if it's not pulling out of my ear from being so tightly tucked into my shirt, it's lifting off my ear and coming out from not being tucked enough.

I want to/should buy a TCI TactLite earpiece with a straight wire, but they're $100. I had a 25% off code that came with my vest and was good for anything from safariland group. I was gonna use it to order my 7360 but found it way cheap elsewhere. Unfortunately I lost the code.

I'm also interested in a 3-wire mic/earpiece combination. I'm doing T&E on our new uniforms and they have built-in pass through a for that setup.

So, help me out. What do you all recommend? Must be a 3.5mm jack, by the way.

 

[msu_grad_121]

I've been using a Fox earpiece for the last year plus with no problems whatsoever. Prior to that, I owned a couple from Cobalt AV. Really good build quality and their customer service is second to none.

Good luck, hope you get what you're looking for.

 

[x_out86]

I'd also suggest Fox. Our entire agency uses the Hawk with the QD, since a grant covered the purchase of one for every deputy.

http://www.earphoneconnect.com/product_industries_filter.asp?Prod_IndustryID=196&IndustryID=11
Here is a link to their listen only stuff:

http://www.earphoneconnect.com/product_industries.asp?IndustryID=13

I also own a Surefire which I LOVED. Not sure why they don't make them anymore. The sound quality was awesome and the Kevlar jacketed wires never tangled.

 

[Newcop761]

When you're tired of stuff breaking:

https://shoppcl.com/store/

I've been using them for 13+ years.

I bought a new one because I wanted a two wire system. My 13+ year listen only still works fine.

I've had other brands (Otto communications) that didn't hold up.

 

[sos4364]

I have the Fox with the mic and the quick detach. To me the Quick detach is a must. Makes removing your vest much much easier. I have a special slit cut in my vest so the mic pops out right in the center and the wires are all hidden.

I have also used Tactical Ear Gadgets. Which is the one XOUT 86 recommended. My previous one from them lasted 7 yrs I am on year 5 with the Fox using it in some pretty rough and tumble areas. I am on the radio quite a bit with both and come in loud and clear. I just burn through the clear, rubber, ear molds like crazy. They tend to wear out, but I have very oily skin.

 

[ottomatic]

Take your existing unit to a place that works on hearing aids. Good possibility it is only contaminated somewhere. They can probably show you how to (user-) service it. Not a guarantee, but it can't hurt.

 

[collim1]

Gave up on earpieces, they just don't last long enough. One of our guys' wife is an audiologist who makes hearing aids for the hearing impaired. She has made some for some of our guys, but they are not cheap.

I gave up and am just accustomed to adjusting my collar mic volume as needed.

 

[COLOSHOOTR]

Don't give up on the one you have already. Have you tried blowing out the tube with a compressor or a can of compressed air?

When moisture gets down the tube it will have reduce the quality and volume of the earpiece. If you blow it out they are usually good as new for awhile. It's just something you have to as semi regular maintenance with them.

The only one I've never had to blow out on a regular basis was the one I got from Free Linc that had a hearing aid speaker built into the tube. I don't know who made it though. I also don't recommend doing business with Free Linc just to get one because they have absolutely horrible customer service and probably wouldn't care about you at all unless you made a very large agency order.

 

[Newcop761]

That's Pacific Coast Lab's "Soundwaves".

http://shoppcl.com/store/soundcompare.php?osCsid=7vrgm6prn79gbqh1raf3bu7va4

The Patented SoundWaves Ultra Light technique is to place a hearing aid quality speaker directly behind the ear where it can provide the most benefit.

The SoundWaves Ultra Light has a polyurethane jacket cable with a Kevlar filler. Sound pinch-off and condensation are eliminated.

The 2 inch tube that sits over the ear is a super elastic tubing which resists breakdowns due to body acids.

They have good customer service. Order direct.

 

[azlooker]

I have used these a couple of times:

http://www.earpieces.com/

 

[Cochese]

I have a Bluetooth earpiece if I'm working a concert or MMA overtime.

Otherwise, I've become a true old man and just keep my radio on my belt and pull it out of the holder and talk directly into it. I got rid of my mic too.

I got in one too many foot chases and fights where my mic came flying off my shirt (no matter where or how I clip the ****er) or my earpiece went tits up at exactly the wrong time or bugged the crap out of my ear canal.

No more.

Most of the time, I can key my radio while its still on my belt (the PTT is huge) and just talk and my radio picks me up crystal clear.

The older I get, the less gadgety bull**** I have use for.

 

[Bushido5150]

I have a Bluetooth earpiece if I'm working a concert or MMA overtime.

Otherwise, I've become a true old man and just keep my radio on my belt and pull it out of the holder and talk directly into it. I got rid of my mic too.

I got in one too many foot chases and fights where my mic came flying off my shirt (no matter where or how I clip the ****er) or my earpiece went tits up at exactly the wrong time or bugged the crap out of my ear canal.

No more.

Most of the time, I can key my radio while its still on my belt (the PTT is huge) and just talk and my radio picks me up crystal clear.

The older I get, the less gadgety bull**** I have use for.

This makes me sad...I have been following this thread looking for ideas...when I saw that you posted I thought "Ah good Cochese always has good thoughts on gear"...now what am I supposed to do?!?!?

 

[dano1427]

The transducer on he Amazon Maximal earpieces are garbage, and blow out. The transducer is the round piece where the acoustic tube is connected.

PCL is the best. Otto is good, also.

 

[Cochese]

This makes me sad...I have been following this thread looking for ideas...when I saw that you posted I thought "Ah good Cochese always has good thoughts on gear"...now what am I supposed to do?!?!?

Listen-only ear pieces

 

[Cochese]

FWIW, the Surefire EP110 is still the gold standard for wired listen only.

They haven't made them for years, but every now and then they pop up on the internet for sale. They are $100+ usually, even used.

The good thing is used ones can be entirely refurbished as long as the core wire is okay. Surefire makes replacement ear canal inserts that work across most brands as well.

http://www.surefire.com/ep1-commear-comfort.html

http://www.surefire.com/ep2-commear-boost.html

Here are some for $6.91

http://www.manventureoutpost.com/pr...ABCEzhZvHOVHrEbnA-MX9ZHXmw_7Wku1SNy2iinizxsyzII1RoCzSnw_wcB#.VkDTRVNltm0.google

 

[lndshark]

The older I get, the less gadgety bull**** I have use for.

Who are you? And what have you done with Cochese?

 

[Cochese]

Who are you? And what have you done with Cochese?

I'm getting old, fast.

Another disability impairment rating this week.

The less weight and complexity, the better.

I still like quality gear, I'm just shifting away from toys and shiny things as I enter the curmudgeon stage.

 

[lndshark]

I've had a Cobalt A/V listen-only (KLSH-series) for 5 years now without any issue whatsoever. msu_grad recommended them (see his post above) and that's why I went with them. $30...simple and cheap.

 

[x_out86]

FWIW, the Surefire EP110 is still the gold standard for wired listen only.

They haven't made them for years, but every now and then they pop up on the internet for sale. They are $100+ usually, even used.

This.

I still have my EP100 and loved it. I only stopped using it because i wanted a 3 wire instead of listen only.

 

[golls17]

As far as the ear piece itself, I went to a local place called Audio Implements. They'll take orders via email and send you a kit to mold to your ear and send back. A few weeks later, you get a custom-fit ear piece. Best $60 I ever spent.

The wiring, however, is just what's on Amazon. I'm on my 3rd wire since March. I need to find a more durable brand for that.

I love having an ear piece and can't see myself going away from it as long as I'm patrol.

ETA: I just do the listen only and use my regular mic.