Which Ear Muffs Work Best

[happyharold4]

Are these 3 acceptable ones??---Thanks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Bilsom-Thunder-T3-Ear-Muffs-NRR-30-1010970-/221331794204?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item338867291c

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Howard-Leight-R-03318-Leightning-L3-Shooters-Premium-Earmuff-/360743879988?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53fe02c

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=howard+leight+r-03318+l3&_sop=15&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xhoward+leight+r-01523&_nkw=howard+leight+r-01523&_sacat=0

Happy

[capitol]

Gosh, they both seem to be rated the same at NNR 30

[Dinosaur Jr]

I use these: Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391932207&sr=8-1&keywords=howard+leight+sport+impact

A few valuable benefits I've noticed...

-Low profile ear cups work with handguns AND rifles
-No need to "double-up" with ear plugs
-You can clearly hear range commands
-You can have comfortable conversations with other shooters
-Significantly reduces embarrassing incidents of wrongly believing that other people's guns are too loud...at the shooting range

I like them and would buy them again. Worth every penny of the extra cost. Hearing damage is cumulative.

[Merc1138]

I use these: Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391932207&sr=8-1&keywords=howard+leight+sport+impact

A few valuable benefits I've noticed...

-Low profile ear cups work with handguns AND rifles
-No need to "double-up" with ear plugs
-You can clearly hear range commands
-You can have comfortable conversations with other shooters
-Significantly reduces embarrassing incidents of wrongly believing that other people's guns are too loud...at the shooting range

I like them and would buy them again. Worth every penny of the extra cost. Hearing damage is cumulative.

The NRR on those isn't very good to start with, and the slightest change in the seal around your ear from glasses or a rifle stock makes them pretty worthless. About the only thing those are good for by themselves is if you don't have anyone else nearby or you're on the rimfire only line at a range like sunnyvale. It's hilarious that you mention there's no need to double up, but then go on to point out that hearing damage is cumulative.

[WARTFROG]

Muffs? Lol
No muff too tuff.
Ear pro. Howard the duck

[SB1964]

I gave up on the Leight electronic muffs. I seem to fidget with them more than the dudes with their jammed AR 22's. Right now for me it's earplugs, consistent NR & no hassle. I'll spend a few hundred after trying out my buddies high end electronic models, if I like them.

EDIT, forgot to answer your questions, sorry. I cant tell you which are best.

[fknauss]

I keep a selection of hearing protection around.

Foam plugs are cheap, and easy to add under muffs if you're at an indoor range with someone firing of hot handloads next to you.

I've been through a number of active muffs - I haven't found one that does everything perfectly, so you'll have to decide your own tradeoffs.

For over the ear passives, I like the Peltor Shotgunner, because it doesn't interfere with a rifle. It's a bit light on the NRR, which is part of why I also carry plugs. I keep two in my bag, just soe's I can loan one if need be.

The one that surprised me in being effective is the Allen sound sensor - It feels a bit rickety, and I was worried about it keeping a proper seal, but once I got used to it it worked as well as any other muff of the same rating. The bonus is that it is non-linear, so that it attenuates louder noises more than quiet ones, so you can still have a mostly normal conversation while wearing it.

Guns are loud. Ears are sensitive. You'll have to decide for yourself what your target dB level is. (Mine seems to be about in the 105-110 range). It helps that gunfire is intermittent compared to, say a jackhammer or a Seahawks game, but it doesn't help that it's also 15-40 dB louder

[Furncliff]

Here is a link to Midway, they have a wide selection,along with reviews. The very first one is a good choice, good protection comfortable fit, inexpensive. I have many pairs of muffs for shooting and the wood shop, these are as good as any for the price. If you have a Sears nearby they have a 30 dbb muff for about $29 that works well.

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?newcategorydimensionid=20828

[Dinosaur Jr]

The NRR on those isn't very good to start with, and the slightest change in the seal around your ear from glasses or a rifle stock makes them pretty worthless. About the only thing those are good for by themselves is if you don't have anyone else nearby or you're on the rimfire only line at a range like sunnyvale. It's hilarious that you mention there's no need to double up, but then go on to point out that hearing damage is cumulative.

Then I guess it's an impossible twist of the universe that I am able to use them as intended and they work beautifully. Perhaps you shouldn't be so smugly full of yourself when you haven't used them, on my ears or yours?
I've benched next to plenty of guys shooting 308 & 30-06, with brakes, and have been completely comfortable. By golly, I must have bought the only set that fits & works...
Your personal "review" must by why these are among the top-rated muffs on many web sites...

[dyson]

I have the Howard Leight 30 NRRs in the OPs links and the Howard Leigh Impact Sports with 22 NRR. The 30 NRRs are solid and work well indoors, you wont be able to hear much else. The cans also get in the way of your cheek weld.

The Impact sports are crap on their own, but doubled up with ear plugs and they work great. You can also crank up the volume of the Impact Sport mic to hear talking through your ear plugs. I use this combo the most since its also low profile.

Just want to add you'll be hard pressed to find an ear muff with a high NRR, electronic mic, and low profile that is inexpensive.

[Merc1138]

Then I guess it's an impossible twist of the universe that I am able to use them as intended and they work beautifully. Perhaps you shouldn't be so smugly full of yourself when you haven't used them, on my ears or yours?
I've benched next to plenty of guys shooting 308 & 30-06, with brakes, and have been completely comfortable. By golly, I must have bought the only set that fits & works...
Your personal "review" must by why these are among the top-rated muffs on many web sites...

Why are you assuming I haven't used them? I actually have a pair sitting in my range bag right now, as they're the ones I prefer if I'm going to be at the range with people and I need to be able to have a conversation with other people. It just so happens I still wear my custom earplugs underneath them and crank the volume on the things(works perfectly fine that way).

They also happen to be built better than the flimsy caldwells, but the electronics in the caldwells are faster. You've also not paid much attention, as the primary reason they're the top-rated muffs on websites is because they're cheap compared to others. That doesn't make them the best, additionally a lot of reviews on websites are worthless due to the "I own this, therefore it's the best" mentality that you seem to have.

The difference between you and I, is that I made no assumptions about what you've owned, while all you've done is make an idiotic assumption about what I do own, and know absolutely nothing about the list of products that I've tried, how often I've used them, or how long I've owned them.

The NRR on the howard leight impact sport only being 22 is a damn joke and should not be relied upon for extended periods of time by themselves because of how important it is to protect your hearing.

['ol shooter]

Foam industrial ear plugs.

[Dinosaur Jr]

Why are you assuming I haven't used them? I actually have a pair sitting in my range bag right now, as they're the ones I prefer if I'm going to be at the range with people and I need to be able to have a conversation with other people. It just so happens I still wear my custom earplugs underneath them and crank the volume on the things(works perfectly fine that way).

They also happen to be built better than the flimsy caldwells, but the electronics in the caldwells are faster. You've also not paid much attention, as the primary reason they're the top-rated muffs on websites is because they're cheap compared to others. That doesn't make them the best, additionally a lot of reviews on websites are worthless due to the "I own this, therefore it's the best" mentality that you seem to have.

The difference between you and I, is that I made no assumptions about what you've owned, while all you've done is make an idiotic assumption about what I do own, and know absolutely nothing about the list of products that I've tried, how often I've used them, or how long I've owned them.

The NRR on the howard leight impact sport only being 22 is a damn joke and should not be relied upon for extended periods of time by themselves because of how important it is to protect your hearing.

The HL Electronic muffs work just fine for me and I was sharing my experience. Obviously your experience is different. You might want to look into expressing yourself differently, so that you don't come off as a condescending and insulting, know-it-all jerk who believes his opinions are "universal facts". I never said, "Buy these because they are the BEST." I did say that I use them, like them, and would buy them again - all true facts, all based on my experience. Apparently, reading for comprehension is not a strong point of yours and you have an overwhelming need to always be "right". I know folks who are just like you and avoid them like the plague. Have a great day anyway.

[Bushwack44]

I use these: Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff

http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391932207&sr=8-1&keywords=howard+leight+sport+impact

A few valuable benefits I've noticed...

-Low profile ear cups work with handguns AND rifles
-No need to "double-up" with ear plugs
-You can clearly hear range commands
-You can have comfortable conversations with other shooters
-Significantly reduces embarrassing incidents of wrongly believing that other people's guns are too loud...at the shooting range

I like them and would buy them again. Worth every penny of the extra cost. Hearing damage is cumulative.

I use both a typical NNR30 muff and the muff mentioned above. IMO both work best when using additional protection (ear plugs). I feel the 30NNR is best used outdoors. Either muff will not negate the 'vibration' of another large caliber firearm being shot a few feet away from you (or at in indoor range).

With that said, if cost is an issue buy the 30NNR and a set of ear plugs. Together they will save you $15.00+ and you'll be a happy camper.

[Merc1138]

The HL Electronic muffs work just fine for me and I was sharing my experience. The difference between you and I is that I don't assume others experiences are garbage and ridicule them. Since you're so darn smart, I'll assume you already know what you can do with your know-it-all attitude.

You really should quit being butthurt. You made the assumption, don't complain when your incorrect guesses get thrown right back into your face. The only ridicule in this thread was directed to the silly assumption you made, not about anyone's experience with the earmuffs.

Of course now I'm left wondering why you want to act like you have some vested interest in those particular earmuffs *cough* FANBOY *cough* to the point of pretending that the product is somehow perfect without a fault and failing to understand why it sells so well compared to some of the competition that runs $200-$300. If you don't want your own lack of knowledge exposed(which is also something you're making out to be a bigger deal than it really is), don't make assumptions about other people next time when all they did was post their experience and a couple of simple facts.

If you're not concerned with protecting your hearing, fine. I don't plan on being that old dude at the range who has to swap out his earplugs for hearing aids 40 years from now.