Electronic hearing protections..what does THR think

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I got an el cheapo set.

Works great. Good for hunting so you can talk with people but blast pigs.

Destroys direction ability though so its hard to tell where a sound is coming from.
 
Peltor

I have the Peltor Sporttac Tactical Sport Headset w/ Standard Black & Orange Cups MT16H210F 479 SV.

http://www.opticsplanet.com/peltor-sporttac-tactical-sport-headset-mt16h210f-479-sv.html

I purchased them with credit card points at Bass Pro for close to $200 about 4 years ago. Way too expensive, but they are a quality product and I am glad I got them.

I use them for both shooting and riding on my tractor. I just changed the batteries for the first time about 2 months ago.

They are compact enough to fit in my range bag without issue, the ear muffs fold up into the head piece. I've dropped them multiple times without any negative affects.

The noise cancelling is really good. The only drawback is I have to keep my shooting glasses out from under the earpiece foam or noise gets in.
The volume control is useful to raise conversation level to where I can hear better with them on than off. They are comfortable enough to wear for several hours at a time.
 
You'll find the Howard Leight Impact Sport is very popular here.
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Yeah, the noise reduction rating isn't the best, but they're fine for outdoor shooting. Can pick 'em up on sale for sometimes under 50 bucks. I just don't like the way they adjust (have to pull out/push in the forks of the muffs, not an adjustable band) and depending on the shape/width of your head, they sometimes don't offer the best fit.

The electronic Peltors is what I have to loan out; again, the NRR isn't too high so indoor ranges might require doubling up with some foamies underneath.

Frankly, I splurge on the Pro Ears Gold. You get what you pay for, and they're extremely comfortable and reliable.
 
Howard Leight Impact Sports for around $50 are the best reasonably priced electronic muffs
Peltor's Comtac II at nearly $400 along with the MSA Supreme Pros at $370 are the best high end.

No "cheap" hearing protection is worth the risk.

BTW, everyone should double up with plugs AND muffs.
 
If you want directional hearing ability with them, they cost almost twice as much. Most of them only have the "valve" in one ear. I love mine, cause I can hear better with them on than without them. :) Read John Ross's book, UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES about the value of them in a combat role. You'll love the book, guaranteed. No gun person doesn't.
 
I've owned Peltor, Howard Leight, Pro-Ears and currently have a pair of MSA Sordins (with gel cups). The MSA Sordins obliterate the others and are well worth the extra coin.
 
I don't believe the Impact Sports are adequate with a NRR of only 22.

When the electronics shut off the sound to your ears, all you have left protecting you is that measly NRR of 22.

My hearing is 75% shot. I can protect what's left, but otherwise it's too late for me. What's your hearing worth?

John

edited to add: I've had good success with my Pro Ears Pro Mag Gold NRR 33. And they use CR123 batteries.
 
JohnBT,

There aren't very many low profile electronic muffs that have NRRs above 20. The higher NRR muffs are difficult to fit long guns to.

If you only shoot pistols, the Peltor Pro Tacs with an NRR of 26 or the Howard Leight Impact Pros with an NRR of 30 provide more protection.

Again, no one should shoot without doubling up with plugs and muffs AND the highest NRR should be used whenever possible (it just isn't always possible to shoulder a long gun and get a cheek weld with full size muffs of any sort).
 
Isn't that down in cotton ball territory?
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Good Lord, no.

Most low profile muffs will give you 18, 19, or 20-21 dB of reduction. To get higher levels you need to go to a full size muff.

While the MSAs are great electronic muffs their real strength isn't in the NRR. They have excellent sound reproduction through the microphones, incorporate communications capability, extremely long battery life, durable construction, comfortable ear pads, easily operated controls, ... BUT the size of the cup, the insulation in it, and the flexibility of the pads are the key components to absorbing sound. You can get the same NRR out of a $20 pair of "dumb" muffs from Big Box Home Store.

If you want to maximize the NRR of electronic muffs you need the full size muffs that don't fit with long guns.

Wear good plugs under your muffs and you'll get the best of all worlds.
 
Had a set of Champions from Wal-Mart, and they worked great until the batteries leaked goo inside the muffs during our Texas summer heat.

Just purchased the Ryobi Tek4 muffs that they sell at Home Depot. 40 bucks, work great, and have a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery. they are too big for a good cheekweld with long guns, but using a squared up stance with an 870P or AR they work fine.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
I have several pairs- none high dollar, some from Midway (Caldwell?) and some WalMart Winchesters.
They work pretty well, in fact when not muted they actually improve hearing since they have gain. I can hear someone walking up behind me with them on that I couldn't without them. Both types being stereo I don't seem to lose my direction determining ability like I do with one Harbor Freight mono one I have.
 
Caldwell EMAX, $20 +-, 23db, excellent battery life, low profile ''rifle''.

When I go big boom, I add a set of plugs.

I would buy a more expensive set if the sound quality & db rating were better. Really can't justify the extra$$ vs. an extra set of plugs under these muffs :)
 
I've been wearing a set of Peltor Tac-7s for many years. I wouldn't buy electronic muffs that are not stereophonic--I like to be able to tell the direction sound is coming from. And I often double up with plugs.
 
After a couple trips to the range using cheap earpro and getting some ringing in my ears, I found a pair of Pro Ears Tac Plus Gold (NRR 26) cans on sale (~35% off) somehow and they've been great. If not for that smoking deal I probably would have tried the Peltors or Howard Leights and double plugged if needed.
 
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