earplugs for long distances?

[braddo]

What are people's thoughts on using earplugs on long motorway journeys to cut noise levels? I reckon less noise would make an Elise less fatiguing over long distances but in the past I've thought that earplugs might be a bad idea if they prevented hearing what's going on around you (e.g. like when I've seen people using personal stereos while driving). Then again, maybe it's no worse than having the car's stereo cranked up.

I've seen a photo of a couple each wearing full cans while driving their track prepped classic to the ring, which I thought was a bit extreme...

Brad

[bogie]

yep - always used to use them myself ...especially for roof off high speed motorway cruising ...100db of wind noise will send you deaf with just a couple of hours per day...quite common for bikers to wear them too

I always remember the 1st years run to LeMans and arriving in a daze, like id been in a nightclub for hours

[Grinnders]

I must admit I've got a walkmany phone and when I'm expecting calls whilst driving I use the walkman on that nad have the plugs in... that way I get soem relief from noise but I'm also handsfree for the urgent call.

BTW... very much recommend the w910i + headphones.... It's the first time I've ever been able to have a lucent conversation in the Elise and actually the sound quality is better than my Nano+Etyomics!

[heebeegeetee]

I've used ear plugs a lot (but not for an elise ) on long journeys. They only kill the white noise, they don't blank everything out, and you can still even listen to the stereo.

They make your car go much faster as well.

[braddo]

Thanks all, I'll be trying some out.

[Beachbum]

I've seen bikers use ear plugs that have a small hole that runs the length of the ear plug. It seems to reduce the annoying noise, but still allow for conversations to be held by the wearer, with no difficulty

[DamienCBR]

When i used to ride bikes i always used ear plugs. IT is amazing the amount of damage that can occur at prolonged period of time when on a big at even 30 mph, at 60mph i think they say it is as little as 10 minutes and you can cause permanent damage. I know this is not the same as driving a lotus but gives you an idea.\

D

[F.C.]

Ear plugs are your friend.
I use them for long stints to lemans and Spa 24hrs on a bike etc, absolute life saver definately reduces fatigue and allows 100% concentration where you would have been too tired without them fitted.
I can see no real reason for not using in a car. (you can get plugs with intended different noise stopping ability).
F.C.

[jondude]

I used ear plugs all the time when biking, but rarely in the Elise. The problem for bikers is the crash helmet helps create a wind tunnel effect right by your earhole, and the frequencies made are the most damaging of all. ( Bit like changing soft wind noise to a concentrated whistle noise directly into your ears )

They are excellent and will not affect your ability to drive or hear traffic around you.....but they are very annoying when you fill up, need to stop and talk to people for a few moments. For if you keep taking them out, your fingers will quickly fill them with loads of sh.it, and you could end up with a serious ear infection.

If you do leave them in all the time, as I did when biking, then you MUST practise with a mate or the wife on how to keep your voice at a decent level when talking. You will still be able to hear people close to you, but an untrained earplug user will frighten the hell out of everyone as you will bawl back to folk at football yob levels.

Not good if the young blonde you've met while filling petrol has asked if she can drive with you in your sexy car...and you scream ' YEAH, COURSE YOU CAN.IT'S A LOTUS, INNIT????'....and watch her run away, ears bleeding, thinking you are an absolute nutter.......

[Incredible Sulk]

I use earplugs on long trips, for two reasons. One is that my engine is heavily modded, and the induction 'bark' off the DTH TB's is very loud when you put your foot down. Second reason is that I tend to either have the roof off, or the window open due to the pretty poor cabin ventilation. (Modded engine produces more heat, I think). As previous posters have said, in the open air, the noise levels are such that your hearing would be affected in short order if you don't use plugs.

I can't understand why people spend wodges of money on upgrading stereos and speakers in S1's in particular. Complete WOFTAM. I wouldn't be able to hear the radio above 30 MPH, so I don't have one.

One other benefit from using plugs is that you stop hearing the rattles, squeaks and other funny noises that are all part of the Elise experience!

[CooperS]

What about Cans which also give you comms to your passenger?

[F.C.]

CooperS said:

What about Cans which also give you comms to your passenger?

Err yeah but then you'll look like dave double decks and everyone will stare and point.

[CooperS]

F.C. said:

CooperS said:

What about Cans which also give you comms to your passenger?

Err yeah but then you'll look like dave double decks and everyone will stare and point.

Wont they anyway if your car is so loud that you need earplugs?

If your on the motorway no one will se you and tbh who care what others think!

I would love to have an S1 Exige and have to wear cans as i drove to the shops?

[piooly]

You can also hear the steroe much better when wearing ear plugs on the motorway as it drains the road noise away )

[braddo]

piooly said:

You can also hear the steroe much better when wearing ear plugs on the motorway as it drains the road noise away )

Which earplugs are good for this? Are you talking specialised ones aimed at musicians etc or just the generic squashy foam jobbies?

Thanks

[bordseye]

I first got earplugs for the bike - and paid out for the made to measure ones they flog at the bike show. complete with little passageway to allow you to hear speech.

latest set dont even have that passageway, and are beautifully quiet. use them on long journeys in the lotus and sometimes in other situations like strong winds when sailing (wind howling through the rigging really gets to me) or sailing club discos that are way too loud.

all in all £40 or so very well spent. recommended

[piooly]

braddo said:

piooly said:

You can also hear the steroe much better when wearing ear plugs on the motorway as it drains the road noise away )

Which earplugs are good for this? Are you talking specialised ones aimed at musicians etc or just the generic squashy foam jobbies?

Thanks

Jut the cheap yellow ones. At 80mph I cant hear the stereo at all really and I have a loud kik ass stereo with 10" sub. ou can feel it, just not hear it lol.. Car is noisy anyway, sports cat, Eliseparts noisest exhaust. Anyway with the ear plugs in, I can hear the stereo very nicely and all the road drone, exhaust etc is gone !

[S Works]

If another vote was needed, I concur with all above... just get the cheapy squidgy in ear ones. Perfect. Either that or spend nothing and use in-ear headphones if you've got some already

[bordseye]

disagree - in my experience the made to measure ones really are worth the dosh. and you can get them equipped with miniature high fi speakers if you wish.

[Marvindodgers]

Can't hear the stereo in my S1 either, so on long journeys I use my iPod and a pair of Sennheiser in ear headphones.
http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/icm.nsf/root/500830
Cuts out the constant noise/drones and you can have the volume on the ipod at a sensible volume, enabling you still hear sirens etc (although you should have spotted blue flashing lights in your mirrors long before you hear any emeregency vehicles sirens).
Obviously this is no good if you have a passenger (or at the very least rude) so we then just brave the noise together and shout at each other!