Hearing protection GHS 25 I Item number 577793 $180.00
New product from Festool. First of all, what this is, is a rebranding of these ISOtunes buds. Of course, the Festool label increases their awesomeness manifold.
I've been searching for the ideal ear protection in the shop. Over-the-ear doesn't work much of the year here due to the heat. I wanted active Bluetooth earbuds that I could play sound through if I wanted to—or not.
A little history: I have a pair of Apple AirPods Pro. They could be ideal. They have three modes; transparency, passive, and active noise suppression. You switch through the modes pressing on that stem you see hanging out of all of the nerd's ears. I used transparency and passive in the shop, since I do not want the sound of the tool completely suppressed, only reduced. Two problems for me with them was that they don't feel secure in your ear, and it was a nuisance to have to remember to switch modes before I used a tool.
These Festool GHS 25 I ear buds are an ideal solution. They're OSHA approved, which means (as I understand it) they will clip all sound at 85 dB. Some complain that limits the music volume more than they want, but it's a comfortable listening level for me.
The way they work is that they will let sound through—and even amplify it—but clip abrupt noises at 85 dB. If it becomes a sustained loud noise, they automatically switch to a passive mode with a sound reduction of around 25 dB—just what you'd get with ear plugs. But at no time are you subjected to sound above the OSHA limit. I tested it with my table saw, and it works.
You can adjust the volume of the ambient noise from off, to an amplitude that allows you to hear your surroundings and carry on conversations.
Finally, it comes with an assortment of tips that should fit any ear. I mentioned the Apple problem—well it's not a problem here. The tips that fit best for me are comfortable and secure. At no time do I feel the ear bud might come loose.
Time for a few photos. Let's start with the variety of tips that come with it. Again, these buds are the same as the ISOtunes linked above, and you can find replacement tips cheap on Amazon by searching for that brand.
And the rest from my camera:
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
Looks good! I very much enjoy my Apple EarPods, but mine fit awesome so I don’t worry about them going anywhere. That said, I don’t actually use them in the shop very much. Maybe I should more…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
Thanks, Petey. I added the price to the review. I have some Dillon Precision shooting muffs that I've used in the shop, but here in the heat, they get very uncomfortable. Ear plugs or buds are best for me.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
I'd worry about Festool taking over your brain and getting you to assemble sanders over night. Are you sore in the morning after using those, feel like you didn't get any sleep? Hmmm?
Seriousness aside, the capabilities of these modern "ear plugs" is amazing. I have a set of shooting muffs I wear when using the lunchbox planer (can make your blood curdle), but yes, sweaty ears is no bueno.
Same with some of the older "active" headsets. In the ear is the way to go if you can find a good fit.
Shooters with the foam roll em in as doubled protection at times. Rich I will look into these again thanks for the review. Martin we need a review section. Pleased
Because I am also protecting my ears, vision, and airway I usually use my EYE MUFFS with a 3M classic 1/2 mask, and unless I am really in the chit, then I swap for my full face 3M mask for eyes and airway, and wear the ear muff portion of my eye muffs. Usually processing a lot of MDF or other similar "dusty" work is getting done is where I pull out the FF mask.
I can wear the usual Eye Muffs over my glasses, and with the easy 1/2 mask and puff filters for hours without thinking about them, Comfort, and no issues with them on. I get kinda claustro with the FF mask on after an hour or so, and wanna get it off. I've been known to walk out of the shop, up to the house, and forget to remove the safety stuff until my Wife points at her face, and shrugs, like hey dummazz you have too much stuff on..........
For the number crunchers my Eye Muffs have a NRR of 33, which is the only way I have ever been able to asses if they are worth a chit for hearing protection. Using something in the range of 33 to 35 NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) is where you want to be, to stop damage from loud noise. I do see a lot of products using all manner of other numbers to suggest their product will protect your ears. What I am suggesting is to have them tell you a real life NRR, if they have crap to do with OSHA they have to have that information, or it becomes a lot like the word HEPA, it's used a lot more often than it's actually supplied. Not saying these Green tool ear buds aren't, but I haven't seen a NRR for them, do find that out before you buy. Generally an "ear plug" scores lower, and those "sweaty muffs" can score higher.
In the end the info is out there, it's down to what you want to make of it. Shop hazards are real, protecting yourself from them is doable, and sometimes makers of "devices" sometimes use omission, and outright lies to sell their products. All of these are true, it's up to you to pick and choose.
I really like the yellow foam roll-ups for just about anything that has a sustained noise (chainsaw is probably the most used for). I can still hear people talk, but they almost magically let in the low volume stuff and clip the loud. Darn cheap too.
I've got a new way to get bluetooth and hearing protection. I have a pair of Shokz Openmove headphones that work by conduction instead of than fitting in or over your ear. I find them very comfortable. They do not give you great audio fidelity but when I am exercising or in the shop, noises are often going to degrade the audio anyway. When I need hearing protection, I just insert some comfortable ear plugs. I like this style but any type will work. Because the conduction head phones do not work through the ear canal, I can still hear the head phones but other noises in the shop are blocked by the plugs. I have some Isotunes noise blocking phones but after a while, having them in my ears gets annoying.
--Nathan, TX. Hire the lazy man. He may not do as much work but that's because he will find a better way.
So similar to the cheaper priced yellow roll ups Bruce is using. As I suggested above plugs are usually less protection, while muffs can offer higher numbers. I sort of figured that, but for 180 bux you have to have hopes they actually are top end protection. Sadly just more green cool aid product.
I hear............. there is a huge market for them though...... I however, am not in their market planning. :-)
Yeah, if 25 dB noise reduction is inadequate for your needs, these are not a good choice.
I've been wearing them in the shop, and so far they are ideal. They are comfortable—although not as comfortable as nothing at all. I really like the way they're programmed to clip sharp noises, and go passive if the noise persists. It's barely perceptible other than things get quiet, and if music is playing, it still sounds great.
I see reviews that complain that, in a noisy environment, the microphone is useless for phone calls. That's not an issue for me.
So far, I'm happier than a pig in shit. I love these things, and having Festool in my ear makes me a better person. I'll post an update if my opinion changes.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
That’s good to hear Rich. I’ve been using regular ear plugs for years, and they work just fine, but I wonder how much noise reduction I’m getting? Also, it would be nice to not have to take them on and off all the time…
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I’ve also got these. 31db. Which work really well, but are a bit bulky and don’t always stay put on my head. Most of the time they stay put, but sometimes slip down to my neck…the ear parts stay in place just fine, so it doesn’t effect the hearing protection. They’re an interesting design that allows certain frequencies through so you an hear stuff you should be hearing, but not the bad stuff…black magic I tell you!
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
I've used those too, Ryan. They are great. For something to keep handy in your pocket, Eargasms can't be beat. They come in a machined aluminum case and are excellent at noise reduction. The problem is, I can't carry on a conversation with them in.
They're pricey, but twice WOOT! has had them half off, and I bought the limit of three each time.
Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner
