Electronic ear muffs?

[Milkmaster]

Decided that I want a set of electronic ear muffs. I tried a pair from a friend at the range and liked them very much. At the time I was ony shooting a .22, so they worked easily. However, I am concerned that I may accidentally buy a set that will not be proper protection for hearing when shooting say a .357 pistol or large cailber rifle. I usually use nice ear plugs while shooting trap. Any specific things I should know? Are most of the popular modern electronic ear muffs ok to buy? I see them for $25 and also $200. I am just interested in your experiences and maybe things you wished you had considered after you bought your first pair.

 

[drband]

A lot of folks recommend the Howard Leight electronic muffs. I have their Impact Pro model and it is very good but bulky. About $60-70 on sale. NRR 30. Their other electronic model (very compact), Impact Sport, is about $40 on sale. NRR 22. With either I would wear foam plugs underneath and turn up the volume so you can hear conversation.
I see a lot of Peltor electronic muffs at ranges. Also a very inexpensive set of Caldwell electronic muffs.
Best advice, find someone who owns a brand like you want and ask them to try them out. If not possible, read all the customer reviews on Amazon and elsewhere and make your best choice.
I really like the Impact Pro muffs and find them effective, even in an indoor range next to a shotgun or AR shooter. As noted, I double up with plugs--especially indoors. I have tried them without plugs outdoors and was pleased there, too. Good luck.

 

[figment]

My brother bought me some HLs for xmas. We shoot skeet a LOT and it makes the game much more fun being able to hear each other.

 

[FL-NC]

I got the HW impact ones from amazon the above poster mentioned. They work fine, and I have used them with 300 WM. In fact, they work as good for hearing protection and low noise amplification as my military grade peltor com-tac set that I used in the mil in combat firing 50 cal machineguns, gustav 84mm recoiless rifle, breaching charges, etc- just not as ruggedized, and not $600 or designed to work with mil radios.

 

[joem1945]

I have Sordin muffs. They are great but expensive.

 

[dcloco]

Buy the highest NRR rating you can find.

Make sure the muffs don't use weird/expensive batteries.

26 NRR is a good start....and keep going higher.

 

[hso]

We have had a lot of threads on electronic ear muffs you should check out.

I'm a safety professional and I only recommend electronic muffs from industrial hearing protection manufacturers like Howard Leight, MSA and Peltor since I have complete confidence in their performance. I've used the Peltor and Howard Leigh and MSA products and for the price I prefer the Howard Leight Impact Sports worn over foam plugs because accessing the batteries is far easier than the Peltors. You can find the HL and Peltors on sale for ~$50.

 

[Candyman87]

Highly recommend the Howard Leight Impact Sport model. Can be found for roughly $40 on sale and regularly for just a bit more. They're a very solid fit and quite comfortable.

I have the Caldwells too, cheap but they feel it. Bright red light on the side when they're on and no auto off feature so they eat through batteries when you forget to turn them off in your range bag.

I'll typically double up foam plugs under them so I can pull the one earpiece back to get a better cheek weld on my rifles.

If you go to a range around here, almost everyone has the Impact Sport. A few Peltors and a couple Caldwells. The HL models are some of the best bang for your buck, IMO.

 

[Milkmaster]

Thanks for the input guys. I bought the Howard Leight Impact Sport from amazon last night. I will give it a whirl and see how they do. I already have some custom ear plugs. The electronic muffs are just easier to deal with. I guy near me at the range was shooting a Barrett 50cal recently. I used my plain muffs and my ear plugs during that time. The sound as well as the impact cmoning off the muzzle brake made me stop until he was through. Whew!

 

[Nu2U]

Thanks for the input guys. I bought the Howard Leight Impact Sport from amazon last night. I will give it a whirl and see how they do. I already have some custom ear plugs. The electronic muffs are just easier to deal with. I guy near me at the range was shooting a Barrett 50cal recently. I used my plain muffs and my ear plugs during that time. The sound as well as the impact cmoning off the muzzle brake made me stop until he was through. Whew!

I wonder what that guy was wearing for hearing protection!

 

[AzShooter1]

I recently bought 2 sets of Howard Leight's. They work great. They replaced my Dillon muffs and Pro Ears. Much cheaper but still all the advantages of electric muffs.

They allow me to hear my friend's talking to me and to hear the Range Master's commands when it's time to stop shooting.

I'm sure you will enjoy your pair. Good luck and good shooting.