If tried it without, didn't like it, even with GOOD strings, I just didn't feel it came bag as perfect as a tubed peep did, so I went back to the "tubed" peeps on my set-ups. I use Silicon tubes which are far better than the old rubber tubes, and have had no problems with any of them in the several years I've been using them. I replace the tubing yearly or more often, so no issues of failure due to age.