Electronic ears, school me

[fritztkatt]

I've been seeing them a lot lately and think they would really be useful.

What's everyone's take on the HL impact sport, tacticals, versus peltor? I'd say the only ones I've seen are peltor and impact sport, and people are pleased with them.

I see they do have the limitations of being muffs, and only nrr 22, when I typically wear 30+ plugs. I'd like to use them in open areas, mostly when not on the line, or in conjunction with plugs indoors.

What say you, calguns? School me.

[MarikinaMan]

People use them so they can talk to each other without issue.

Some of the high end stuff provides higher level of protection with active noise cancelling.

That's about it.

[TKM]

Mine are 30.

The only things that the lower rated ones do is let you hear each other say "Oh, F!" when the guy next lane over breaks out his 500.

[Soginator]

What is your budget? You can get a Sordin for ~350. Cry once imo

[bigbearbear]

I wear the Impact Sport and double up with 3M Peltor ear plugs (yellow side) when shooting pistols and rifle. The nice thing is that you can increase the mic pick up on the Impact Sport to hear conversations / range commands easily while the ear plugs provide additional protection from loud noises.

[Harley]

MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X ...

[CGT80]

Pro Ears Gold 33db are great but also around $300. They work as well as my passive HL 33db muffs and the audio does not cut out when shots go off. The pro tac gold is lower db and I think they really suck for blocking noise. Under the 33db muffs, I also use 33 db plugs, and then turn the volume up all the way on the muffs. I wish the volume went a bit higher, but I also have some HF hearing loss. Doubling up really helps with the blast from the bigger guns.

Rifles and shotguns aren't that big of a deal for me to shoulder with the huge muffs and I would rather protect my ears than get a better cheek weld and have less protection.

[orangeusa]

Double up with foam and crank them up. I have Howard Leight, and they are inexpensive. Amazon sells them for cheap. I never understood the audio in jack. Yeah, MP3 or phone audio, but I guess it makes sense for farmers or construction, not shooting.

BTW - it is quite easy to put them on backwards, the mics are on the head phones and should face forward.

Indespensable in a pistol course. Very handy at the range. You can talk. Battery life is very good.

.

[bigbearbear]

I never understood the audio in jack. Yeah, MP3 or phone audio, but I guess it makes sense for farmers or construction, not shooting.

Its useful if you have to use a walkie-talkie, like when you're working as a range safety officer. It lets you talk using your radio easily.

[foxtrotuniformlima]

I have used the Peltor 6S and really find them comfortable but if you don't remove the batteries, they eventually leak and ruin them. That is a real PITA.

I picked up a set of the Peltor Tactical 100 and like them too.

[hermosabeach]

pass

MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X ...

The 85 db is the sound they make... not the NRR

http://srstactical.com/all-products/headsets-and-hearing-protection/msa-sordin-supreme-range/msa-sordin-supreme-pro-x-lds.html

18Db is lower than the $50 peltors

Two separate, waterproof microphones with excellent sound quality and perfect directional hearing
Rated for 300 hours of battery life from 2 x AAA batteries
AUX input (3.5mm) for connection to hunting radio, dog tracking devices, CD players. Mono cable included
Waterproof battery compartment. Flexible and shape-stable headband
5 years warranty on electronics
NRR rating - 18dB

[hermosabeach]

http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/minesafetyappliances/0900-84-MC_Hunt%20Shoot%20Hearing%20Protect%20-%20EN

http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/minesafetyappliances/IAC-09-014-Z04-ANSI_CAL_r1

[fritztkatt]

Looks like the best buy is the impacts sports, since budget isn't going to let me drop $300.

I could probably swing for $100

[-hanko]

Looks like the best buy is the impacts sports, since budget isn't going to let me drop $300.

I could probably swing for $100

I thought that prior to switching from foamies and / or a cheapo set of ear muffs.

After less than a minute, I remembered that hearing loss from loud noise is cumulative, and $300 to protect your hearing is both cheap and great insurance.
Same as not going cheap on safety glasses, kevlar chaps used with chainsaws, motorcycle helmets, etc.

[WartHog]

I have used the Peltor 6S and really find them comfortable but if you don't remove the batteries, they eventually leak and ruin them. That is a real PITA.

That's why I buy Energizer or Duracell AA's & AAA's - they will replace a device or refund you the retail value if the batteries leak and cause damage. Like you say though, it's best to remove them when not using to avoid the extra hassle.