You gotta read the fine print: check the response time
I think the technology is probably matured, and it now comes down to how cheaply it can be made. So, look for not only NRR, but other specs, such as battery life, battery type, and shutdown response time. Over a nominal fifteen year period, I'm on my 4th pair of electronic muffs.
The first pair, a set of high-end Silencios, used 9-v. batteries; a later pair from (the name escapes me--top end, about 1997) used 'N' batteries, but had much faster response time. They were great at a summer camp where I oversaw about 40K rounds of .22LR being shot.
The preceding year, the slow cutoff time of the first-generation Silencios kept the muffs generally "shut down" on a range where up to twelve campers were firing at will.
Then two years ago, I picked up a new set, major brand, but cheaper--obviously made in China. They use AAA cells--IIRC, four of them. Interestingly enough, these had a slower response time, and were 'mushy' . They were also cheaply made. So, I looked again--I wanted a new set of of more "ergonomically" designed muffs--e.g., something I could comfortably wear under a hat to protect my now-mostly-bald head.
This latest set is the "Impact Sport" by Howard Leicht. Again, better electronics--two AA batteries this time. One-third the price of the 1997 muffs (not corrected for inflation). Not quite as crisp cutoff as those 1997 muffs--but just fine for my handgun shooting. The quality of assembly and materials is excellent. Were I running a firing line again, I would probably look for "better" ones again.
Are there reviews out there? That would be the only way I would know to get at least a specification of the cutoff time.
Jim H.
