Opinions on electronic ear muffs?

[Kram12085]

I'm looking at the Peltor tactical line. Anyone have any experiences with them? Is 19dB enough protection? My hearing is very sensitive and already slightly damaged. Also looking for input on behind or over the head.

Suggestions on other brands welcome too, I'm looking for one that it would be comfortable to shoot a rifle with. PTT a plus

[racko]

I bought the cheap ones from cabellas $42 with shipping. I like them alot because I can hear conversations between shooting without removing my headset.

[maxicon]

I don't have much experience with electronic muffs, but it's important to consider that their protection is no different with the electronics on or off. That is, you need to look at the base rating of the muff, as that's the maximum protection it gives.

Turning the electronics on doesn't help reduce loud sounds any, it just amplifies low level sounds so you can hear through the muffs. Some are choppy, and cut off the beginning of the sounds, which can be annoying.

If hearing protection is your main goal, look for the best NRR rating you can get. I haven't seen any Peltor electronics (or any electronic muffs) with better than 26 NRR, and I like to use muffs with a rating of 29 NRR, like the Peltor Ultimate 10. They're bulky, but they work great.

A rating of 19 is too low for me. If you're shooting outdoors, a lower NRR may be acceptable, but for indoors, I don't like to go lower than 29. Unfortunately, the high NRR rating muffs tend to be bulky, which can be a problem with a long gun, depending on your cheek weld. For that, I use lower NRR muffs along with earplugs.

[JOEKILLA]

Howard Leight Impact Sports has 22dB, it has a slim profile and priced good at around $50.

I love mine, and will probably get another one for my wife.

I have them ready by my bedside at night along with my HD tools

They really amplify the sounds in your surroundings too and you can adjust that with the volume knob.

[deez]

I used to work at an indoor range, and 19dB is definitely not good enough for shooting indoors! I'd definitely wear ear plugs underneath to provide additional protection.

It's fine for outdoors though.

[CAB]

Hearing Protection

Hi
I use a pair of Silencio slimline electronic muffs, they are fine for me indoors and outside. Inside a pair of plugs does help (if your in Vegas with a rented full auto subgun), but I like the fact that I can use them without my rifle butt stocks banging into them. I got mine from CDNN. Just my 2 cents.

CAB

[The SoCal Gunner]

I bought cheap $18 ones at Harbor Freight. Returned them because they were cheaply made but being able to hear conversations was really cool. If I could get a more expensive pair I'd go for it.

[Josh3239]

I use regular earplugs that have a rating up 29db and those work great indoor or outdoor.

[Timberwolf]

It depends on what type of shooting you're going to be doing and where. I wear Elec Earmuffs all weekend long as an RSO at our range. I have a pair of Peltor 6s, Impact Sports and Pro Ears Diminsions Plus. Of the three my Pro Ears are the most confortable and reduce the most noise. They do eat batteries and mine take the N size (kinda hard to find sometimes). I wear them constantly at work, but they are a little too thick to comfortably wear when shooting my precision rifle.

Of the remaining two I like the Impacts for shooting, they are slim and have good sound reduction and amplification. They're only about a month old so we're still getting used to each other.

That leaves the Peltors, they are seemingly the mainstay of the industry but 6s have their quircks such as a left ear that cuts in and out. Known problem to the company but one that is a hit and miss when you buy a pair of muffs unless you test them. Mine crackle when they need a battery change. They stay in my pack and are used mainly at matches though I'll probably change over to the Impacts for next season.

[esskay]

Sordin Supreme Pros are awesome. When I researched electronic ears a year or two ago they were considered the best on the market. But they're pricey.

[kicker72]

I use some of the full size Peltors. They are over 10 years old I think I purchased them in 1995 and still going strong.

[45R]

Sordin Supreme Pros are awesome. When I researched electronic ears a year or two ago they were considered the best on the market. But they're pricey.

They are worth every stinking penny I saved

[-hanko]

They are worth every stinking penny I saved

+1. Going cheap on ear protection is like using the cheapest dentist

-hanko

[xrMike]

I wear the Peltor Tac 6's. I think they only give 19 dB of protection. That by itself is not enough for me, even outdoors, so I also wear foam plugs inserted deep into the ear canals.

I used to just wear the foam plugs. Those by themselves are good enough protection. But then you can't hear anybody talking (which some might say is a good thing), and if you don't take 1 out during cease-fires, you're yelling at people and saying "WHAT???" all the time.

The good thing about wearing electronic muffs + foam plugs is that you can turn the muffs up all the way and get great protection, and still be able to hear everything around you.

[Kram12085]

I wear the Peltor Tac 6's. I think they only give 19 dB of protection. That by itself is not enough for me, even outdoors, so I also wear foam plugs inserted deep into the ear canals.

I used to just wear the foam plugs. Those by themselves are good enough protection. But then you can't hear anybody talking (which some might say is a good thing), and if you don't take 1 out during cease-fires, you're yelling at people and saying "WHAT???" all the time.

The good thing about wearing electronic muffs + foam plugs is that you can turn the muffs up all the way and get great protection, and still be able to hear everything around you.

That's exactly my problem. The amplification is enough that you can hear through the foam plugs? I'm considering the Howard Leights since it's 22dB and slightly cheaper, but I might do it with foam plugs now. Great suggestion.