Electronic hearing protection - what do you recommend?

[Flame Red]

Hi Folks,

Wanted to get some opinions on some new electronic hearing protection. I currently have two sets, and they both have their draw backs.

The first one I got are the Pro-Ears Dimension 1. They suck because they run thru 4 N batteries quicker than crap through a goose and start buzzing even when the battery has a lot of juice left in them. Plus the N batteries are hard to find and expensive compared to AA or AAA. They also unseal from my ears with my rifle cheek weld because they are so thick - so sometimes using a rifle they become useless. And they are expensive! Only positive things I can say about them is they are comfortable to wear for long range sessions and when they work they are very effective.

Second pair I tried is make by Impact Sports. They use AAA batteries, and are thin, but they are VERY uncomfortable to ware for a long range session. After an hour or so, it feels like they crushed my ears and my skull and it actually is sore after they come off. They don't seem to provide as much noise reduction as the Pro-Ears. If it were not for them being so uncomfortable, I would stick with them.

So which electronic ones do you find optimal, in that they are comfortable to ware for an extended range session (say, like 4 hours), use inexpensive batteries, are thin enough so they don't interfere with your cheek weld and provide effective noise reduction?

 

[General Geoff]

Cheek weld is an individual thing; a pair of muffs that work for me may not work for you.

That said, I use Peltor TacSport muffs for my outdoor shooting. I have 30dB rated non-electronic muffs for indoor shooting, though.

 

[hso]

Peltors

Howard Leight Impacts

Wear plugs and muffs.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Electronic ProEar muffs.
Separate left/right controls to independently adjust the L/R headset volumes. As soon as a gun is fired, they cut out.

They are great for shooting with others as you put foam earplugs in first, then turn the volume way up so you can hear naturally with the foam earplugs, then, when you fire, the amplification muffs cut out.

Expect to pay about $250. They have a 5 year warranty.

OK, after I posted, I see you have a problem with yours.

That's funny, I have not changed my batteries yet, and mine are over two years old! I use them whenever I shoot and all during deer season and black bear season. I would estimate I use them on average of several hours a week.

It sounds like you are either leaving them on, or there is some defect which is causing them to continue using power - even if you have them turned off. Do your left and right volume/off/on switches both seem to "click" off when you turn them all the way counterclockwise?

I never have had "BUZZING" at all.
I suggest you stick with ProEars and arrange to ship them back for repair or replacement, you definately have a defective pair.

 

[killchain]

I only use Peltor Tactical 6-S electronic muffs.

They are excellent. I wouldn't use anything else unless I had to.

 

[Toml]

Eight year-old Peltor ComTac MT15H68FB-02.

http://www.peltor.co.za/us/Product.asp?PageNumber=151&ProductCategory_Id=36&Product_Id=19

No problems.

 

[waterhouse]

I use Peltor 6S over a set of custom molded in ear plugs. I like them, nice and slim, and in combination with the in ear plugs seem to keep everything quiet.

 

[Flame Red]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll get the Peltor Peltor ComTac II. Reviews seem to say that Peltor ComTac II provide good cheek weld. Uses AA battery and has decent battery life. Not as good sound reduction as the thicker muffs, but better than most of the thin ones. I see Botach has them with a 15% promocode. Looks like a done deal.

Does anyone know if the ComTec II power off after two hours automatically?

 

[WardenWolf]

I like Howard Leights. Most people I know who have used them do as well. My local gun club (a very high-class place) sells Howard Leight products exclusively. They're an Australian brand, and they provide an often-superior product at a dramatically lower price point.

 

[Kyle1886]

What ever you wear, double-up as HSO suggested. I use Peltor Tech 6-5 and plugs. ...and don't do like I did two weeks ago. The plug was not seated correctly and instead of going into the lobby (indoor range), I just popped the right muff off and unpluged the plug. Booom. The fellow in the next cubicle to my right, cranked off a 308. My mistake. The only thing I can hear out of that ear now is a hissing, buzzing sound 24/7, not good.

Otherwise the Peltors have worked well.

Respectfully
Kyle

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

After reading this thread I just ordered a pair of Peltor Tactical 6S. Midway has them at $20 off through July. Thanks for the info.

 

[nicholst55]

this

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

??????????????????

 

[CHEVELLE427]

I PICKED UP 2 PAIR OF EL CHEEP AT HARBOR FREIGHT they have done great so far no trouble and take reg batteries, think they were on sale for $10-12 a pair

 

[jcwit]

Well my hearing is worth alot more that $10--$12, in fact the hearing I have left is worth $3000 per ear, cost of each hearing aid.

Think about it.

 

[Flame Red]

Actually, I found that BoTach has a 15% off promo code so I ordered a set of MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X with gel packs. I had read several reviews that compared the Peltor to the Sordin. They cost about the same, or are at least close. They will all from guys in the sand box. They were unanimous that the Sordin are constructed a bit better, have better electronics and better battery life. They all stated the need to double up.

Hopefully I will like them too!

 

[Hangingrock]

Cup seal lift off is always problematic. I have two sets of Pro-Ears. I’ve not experienced battery life problems with either set. As for rifle shooting I’ve gone with the MSA 10082167 Supreme Pro-X. That said they’re used in combination with foam ear plugs. Even with the slim profile there is on occasion partial lift off so the ear plugs are a prudent measure.

Can you hear me now? Please speak up. Pardon me. What noise you talking about?

 

[Defense Minister]

Howard Leight Impact Sport. You could spend more and get the Peltors, but you'd be wasting you money paying for the name.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

why is the dollar a factor for what ear protection cost as long as it works.

just like the auto darking welding shield , i have the el cheep one and no burnt eyes, my buddy has the high dollar one (3 times the cost) and I'm catching him with mine on more and more.

as long as a product works and you didn't have to hock the farm to buy the top shelf one .
just to find out the high dollar one is no better or worse.

if the cheep one is junk you will know fast enough to be able to return it and go on.

so far my $10 head sets have not failed me and i shoot all kinds of guns up to 50ae and 460.

sometimes high dollar items are not as good as we hope.

off topic IE:

years ago i worked in a grocery store we had our brand bread that sold for 3 loafs for a dollar.

sunbeam at that time was around .50-65 cents. funny thing is when the bread truck came in our bread came from sunbeam also, all baked in the same bakery

found the same thing with a black and decker cordless drill when they were just coming out, picked up a snap on drill that was the same except one had a snap on sticker the other a black and decker and one cost $75 more,

 

[hso]

It's less about price and more about reputable manufacturer with a known reputation for quality. This isn't as important with white bread or cordless drills as it is with safety equipment. If the equipment came from the same manufacturer, built to the same standards, subjected to the same QC and the only difference were the labels, it would seem silly to pay for the sticker. The only problem is that we don't always know that.

Your inexpensive set of electronic muffs may provide as much protection as reliably as a pair of Howard Leight "Impact" muffs do, but we actually know the Impacts will provide the protection needed. The problem is that the less expensive no name brand may not.

 

[WoofersInc]

why is the dollar a factor for what ear protection cost as long as it works.

just like the auto darking welding shield , i have the el cheep one and no burnt eyes, my buddy has the high dollar one (3 times the cost) and I'm catching him with mine on more and more.

as long as a product works and you didn't have to hock the farm to buy the top shelf one .
just to find out the high dollar one is no better or worse.

if the cheep one is junk you will know fast enough to be able to return it and go on.

so far my $10 head sets have not failed me and i shoot all kinds of guns up to 50ae and 460.

sometimes high dollar items are not as good as we hope.

In the case of the Pro Ears, more dollars does equal better. Most of the lower priced electronic ears out there have noise reduction ratings of anywhere from 19 up to 25-26. The Pro Ears I have are rated at 33 decibels of noise reduction. This is a big jump from the others. Currently it is also the highest rating in the industry.

For the OP I would call the manufacturer. As others have stated, I have not had any issues with battery life or any buzzing like you say you have. As far as the N batteries, every Wal-Mart carries them in the camera department for a reasonable price.

 

[killchain]

I think since the OP bought Peltors, and we all recommended Peltors, Peltor owes us rechargeable batteries.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

HSO,

AGREED SOMETIMES YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. and i have no idea who or were they were made, but like the bread and drill example some name brand company might make both,

I'm sure the first time users of some Howard Leight "Impact" muffs had there doubts on if this will work or not and worth the price.

I'm not trying to push cheep crap on anyone just an FYI on what i have used for a few years now, but I'm sure some can afford high dollar items and some cant ,but even if the cheep ones are only 75% as good as the good stuff but 100% better then the foam plugs and 1/10th the price this might be something someone else might want to try out.

but with a few thousand rounds of big gun noise and no ringing ears they seem to be working for me

i do know there way better then the little form ear wax catchers or the plastic plugs most use,

i don't depend on much that harbor fright sells but some of that cheep stuff does work most is junk.
but i have had this pair for around 2 years now and changed batteries twice , i was bs-ing once and had forgot i didn't have them on once and light off a desert eagle 50 with no protection under a tin roof shooting house , it most defiantly is a loud gun, and it will make you remember the ear protection next time.

even the volume control works good when nobody is shooting you can talk normal with someone, JUST MY .02

some pay big bucks for a 1911 and some dont , some high $$$ 1911 dont shoot any better then the cheep ones.

see my sig line

 

[Radium]

i can only praise peltor, i got myself a pair of sportacs, only changes batteries once under 3-4 years and i use the alot. cant understand how many thousands of hours those bat's hold :|

 

[Flame Red]

Actually, I found that BoTach has a 15% off promo code so I ordered a set of MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X with gel packs. I had read several reviews that compared the Peltor to the Sordin. They cost about the same, or are at least close. They will all from guys in the sand box. They were unanimous that the Sordin are constructed a bit better, have better electronics and better battery life. They all stated the need to double up.

Hopefully I will like them too!

Range report. The MSA Pro-X (stand over the head) is worth every penny. I am not totally sure if these provide as much db reduction as the Pro-Ears that I had before, but it beats broken Pro-Ears that whistle, buzz and consume expensive batteries! These Sordins are built like a tank.

I can definitely say that the gel pads are a worthwhile investment as they are much more comfortable than the stock pads. These are much more conformable to ware than the Pro-Ears, but you get just as sweaty in the Florida inferno. I did not yet shoot them with my 50BMG which is the ultimate test on how they impact cheek weld. But they were very fine for shooting 500 S&W with makes a bit of a racket as far as db reduction. Put I would certainly double up with some foam ear plugs on the 50BMG platform.

Had to get them for SR Tactical because no one else had them in stock. Too bad, BioTech was much cheaper but they did not have them in stock as it turned out.