Recommend electronic earmuffs or plugs/buds?

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westernrover

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I normally wear the high NRR foam plugs and often double-up with non-electronic earmuffs. I shoot alone in a remote area so I'm not trying to have any conversations.

Now I'm looking to start taking classes and I need to hear the instructors. Can anyone recommend electronic earmuffs or plugs/buds that they've found to be better than others?

For now, I'm looking at the Howard Leight Impact Sport. Is this the right choice?
 
Good point. I'm glad I asked. It looks like the Caldwells are also -20 to -23 dB and their "max" version is -25. I like the H-L Impact Pro's so far.

I'm also looking at Pro Ears and MSA.
 
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Pro Ears in the high NRR ratings are very nice, but more expensive. I have a pair of their passives that are comfortable.
The MSA Sordin X gets a lot of ink but it is another low NRR device. I don't know about their other muffs.
 
Right. I figure the advantage of the low NRR headsets are their lightweight and low profile that potentially won't interfere with rifles, carbines, and shotguns as much. I would double them up with foam plugs and turn the amplifier up. I have high NRR passive muffs now and they're pretty bulky and don't work with a rifle. Immediately, my primary interest is for handguns, so a higher NRR set of muffs is probably better for that.
 
Can anyone recommend electronic earmuffs or plugs/buds that they've found to be better than others?

No, but I use some fancy rubber things with a mechanical disc that blocks impulse noises. They're heavy in the ear so no good all day.
And they don't seem to be much better than regular rubber ear plugs (3M brand) - with which I can hear conversation and music etc, and tend to wear most days when engineering, or at bike races.

Unless you're shooting inside or...? I haven't felt the need to double up.
 
Caldwells for me as well. I shoot a .22LR steel challenge, every Monday, and can keep my muffs on through the whole thing. Hearing conversation during, is great. I also keep them behind me while I sleep. If I have to get up to investigate during the night, I use them.

When shooting anything over .22LR, on the range, I simply use my Decibel Defense muffs. Nothing better.
 
I rather not have a headband over the head and in hot weather muffs become uncomfortable.
I've been using the neckband Walker Razor XV earplugs. Not as expensive as some of the separate earplugs. I'd rate them as just "OK". Not spectacular. But heck of a lot better than muffs for long days of competition.
 
There may be better, but I bought a set of these last Fall at our local Sams club. I've been very pleased.

https://www.samsclub.com/p/walker-r...g-protection/prod22411127?xid=plp_product_1_1

These work very well. I just bought two pair for my two oldest great grand girls. That's a great price for them to boot but it's over 100 miles to the nearest Sam's Club for me plus I had no idea they were available from Sam's.

I just purchased the Walker Razor VX. Got it Monday and have been experimenting with it outside. The sound is sort of cheesy but I bought it to hear voices, not music, so that's good as it has plenty of volume. I find all earplugs uncomfortable to some degree and so far this is no different. I haven't used it shooting yet so I don't know just how well it's going to work with sound suppression. Here's hoping it's good but I have my doubts for any thing louder than rimfire..
 
Caldwells for me as well. I shoot a .22LR steel challenge, every Monday, and can keep my muffs on through the whole thing. Hearing conversation during, is great. I also keep them behind me while I sleep. If I have to get up to investigate during the night, I use them.

When shooting anything over .22LR, on the range, I simply use my Decibel Defense muffs. Nothing better.

Agree completely
 
I had the Caldwell for a while and I concluded they just weren't effective enough.

I have the Howard Leight Pros and they're really excellent. Great noise reduction and excellent ability to hear conversation/instructions. They are big and can be hot. I do find them fatiguing when using them in hot weather. They also can interfere with stocks when using long guns. But I've found I can wear them a little high on my ear so they don't conflict with the stock too much.
 
I used the Caldwell muffs for several years. The electronic muffs were ok outside and marginal inside. This past spring I bought some Walker R600 ear buds. They say NRR26 on the pack. They are much better than the muffs. You barely know you have them on, very comfortable. I use them indoors weekly, and although I really have not had them log enough to know how they'll last over years of use I like them so far.

-Jeff
 
I've had a set of Peltor electronic muffs for many years. I don't know the model and they were expensive when purchased. Several of us bought into a Dillon group buy sale for like six for around $100 each.
 
Hard to beat Howard Leicht Impact PROs. The 30 dB electronic muffs.
 
I was struggling with this decision earlier this year. I liked the slim profile of the Impact Sport but wanted the protection of the Impact Pro. I went with Walkers' XCEL instead, they have the slim profile of the Sports but have a NRR of 26. I've only shot with them a few times but I like them so far. They are more expensive, but all things considered it's not bad for something that hopefully lasts be a decade or so.
 
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