Electronic ear muffs

303hunter

303hunter

Loves Tommiegirl
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Looking muffs for the wife and I, and looking for feedback on what you consider best for the price. I’ve been looking at the Caldwell E-Max low profile. Thoughts?
 
What kind of shooting and where?

Larger ear cups can interfere with a good cheek weld on a rifle stock.
Smaller ear cups tend to have low protection ratings are can be insufficient for rifles with brakes.
Pistols in pistol caliber don't make much difference what you get, they all work to some degree.
There's different electronics in them. Some just clamp shut at any loud noise, others attenuate the volume down and up. The type that attenuate the volume are by far the better way to go.

Gel cup rings are superior to foam.


I use the peltor tac pro model and recommend them https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006968Y...olid=373HXRE07EPPW&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
 
I have the HL Impact models also, I recently purchased the new Walkers BT model at Midway on promo, still on promo today $139
Recharge them in the caddy, caddy recharges via USB cable. Links to your phone with the app.
I use them when shooting rifles, the ear muffs get in the way when wearing my progressive eyeglasses.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019881191

 
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Timfoilhat said:
What kind of shooting and where?

Larger ear cups can interfere with a good cheek weld on a rifle stock.
Smaller ear cups tend to have low protection ratings are can be insufficient for rifles with brakes.
Pistols in pistol caliber don't make much difference what you get, they all work to some degree.
There's different electronics in them. Some just clamp shut at any loud noise, others attenuate the volume down and up. The type that attenuate the volume are by far the better way to go.

Gel cup rings are superior to foam.


I use the peltor tac pro model and recommend them https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006968Y...olid=373HXRE07EPPW&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
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Rifle and pistol outside, no brakes. I’m tired of taking muffs on and off, and had a couple occasions when people didn’t warn me when they were going to shoot. Trying to eliminate the latter.
 
303hunter said:
Rifle and pistol outside, no brakes. I’m tired of taking muffs on and off, and had a couple occasions when people didn’t warn me when they were going to shoot. Trying to eliminate the latter.
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You can probably get by with the Howard Leight model that's affordable at about $50.
That model only has a NRR of 22. I like a higher NRR rating of at least 26, but I've lost a bit of hearing from gunfire, glass packs, and concerts in my days.
If anyone is around you at the range with a brake you're gonna want to double up with foam plugs too.
 
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Howard Leight Impact Pro’s are my go to ear pro. Have been using the same pair for about 3yrs now and they’re still going strong. These offer a little more noise suppression over the sports. I can shoot an AR with a brake at an indoor range and be just fine with these.
 
I replaced the hard vinyl ear pads on my HL with these gel filled pads that have recess for my eyeglass temples. https://noisefighters.com/
Based in Western Michigan and are U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran owned and operated.

Round_Pad_on_HL_large.JPG
 
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Pink_Vapor said:
Last Christmas my surprised me with new safety glasses, a range bag, HL electronic muffs and a nifty case for the glasses an muffs.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B074CWQJH9/ref=sspa_mw_detail_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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@zuerjoha (I think it’s you) what gel ear ads do you have?
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Mine are Noisefighters. Cost as much as the muffs, but well worth it. I used to always double up with the standard inserts but now I can shoot my ARs with muzzle brakes with just the muffs.
 
I have the Howard Leight Impact Sport, they're alright, the sound amplification is very cool when hunting. The way they cut out loud sounds is pretty unobtrusive. The ear cups will harden over time, there's a bunch of gel options for them these days, I got these ones, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0822RGZH8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I'm cheap, and I like that they clip in like the OEM. Way more comfortable, also considerably more heavy. If you have a really big melon the Leights may not work for you, I believe I am on the very edge of their fitment, I wear an XL helmet.

I also have Peltor Tac Sport 100s. Not awful, ear cups are a little shallow, my ears are pressed into the foam. Headband is maybe not as tight as the HLs. Noise cancelling is compression or whatever, it is obnoxious, it is slow to recover and bumping a bench, dropping a mag, basically any sharp sound triggers it. I wouldn't really say they do amplification, they can just make safe sounds like they'd be without earpro, so if you double up they do next to nothing for your awareness.

I've warrantied a pair of each, had HLs that never turned off, they'd hum all the time and there was something odd with the volume. First pair of Peltors were dead out of the box, tried several sets of batteries to make sure. Both Honeywell and 3M warranties kinda suck in my opinion. You have to go thru the vendor you purchased from which is only painless if your inside the vendor's return policy, otherwise you get to explain the warranty to them, and you'll probably get to eat some shipping.
 
Beef15 said:
I have the Howard Leight Impact Sport, they're alright, the sound amplification is very cool when hunting. The way they cut out loud sounds is pretty unobtrusive. The ear cups will harden over time, there's a bunch of gel options for them these days, I got these ones, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0822RGZH8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I'm cheap, and I like that they clip in like the OEM. Way more comfortable, also considerably more heavy. If you have a really big melon the Leights may not work for you, I believe I am on the very edge of their fitment, I wear an XL helmet.

I also have Peltor Tac Sport 100s. Not awful, ear cups are a little shallow, my ears are pressed into the foam. Headband is maybe not as tight as the HLs. Noise cancelling is compression or whatever, it is obnoxious, it is slow to recover and bumping a bench, dropping a mag, basically any sharp sound triggers it. I wouldn't really say they do amplification, they can just make safe sounds like they'd be without earpro, so if you double up they do next to nothing for your awareness.

I've warrantied a pair of each, had HLs that never turned off, they'd hum all the time and there was something odd with the volume. First pair of Peltors were dead out of the box, tried several sets of batteries to make sure. Both Honeywell and 3M warranties kinda suck in my opinion. You have to go thru the vendor you purchased from which is only painless if your inside the vendor's return policy, otherwise you get to explain the warranty to them, and you'll probably get to eat some shipping.
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How old are you gel pads, and how often do you use them? For $27-$35 pads I’ll want them to last a long time.
 
I have Howard Leight and I find that I never turn them on. Just no reason for me plus I also use foam earplugs so I'm not sure turning them on would matter. My tinnitus from the service is bad enough as it is.
 
Jim1392 said:
I have Howard Leight and I find that I never turn them on. Just no reason for me plus I also use foam earplugs so I'm not sure turning them on would matter.
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Same. I don’t even have the batteries in mine. They’re loose, sitting in the ears, so I have to set them down whenever I pull the muffs from the bag.

I have some of the DIY custom fit plugs (Radians? whatever the brand is) that I leave in all the time. I shoot by myself ~50% of the time. And I’m shooting suppressed a majority of the time...other than some concealed carry drills (when just plugs are fine).

So the electronic muffs come out only when others are there and shooting unsuppressed rifles.
 
Jim1392 said:
I have Howard Leight and I find that I never turn them on. Just no reason for me plus I also use foam earplugs so I'm not sure turning them on would matter. My tinnitus from the service is bad enough as it is.
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I got mine originally so I could wear them over plugs and still hear people reasonably well without anyone needing to yell. The HLs don't even have to be maxed out to make that happen.
 
I like the HL when I'm alone at Frontline Defense, easy to hear a person walking on the gravel or thunder in the distance.
 
303hunter said:
Rifle and pistol outside, no brakes. I’m tired of taking muffs on and off, and had a couple occasions when people didn’t warn me when they were going to shoot. Trying to eliminate the latter.
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As you probably saw at B.Oaks, mine stay on my head all the time, I just turn the switch on when I'm in the shed so I can hear people, but even if I leave the sound up, they keep shots from being obnoxious, and I feel fine with the protection they give. They seem to muffle shots somehow, I never feel like my hearing is being compromised, and I can carry on a conversation with them on.
 
Millie said:
As you probably saw at B.Oaks, mine stay on my head all the time, I just turn the switch on when I'm in the shed so I can hear people, but even if I leave the sound up, they keep shots from being obnoxious, and I feel fine with the protection they give. They seem to muffle shots somehow, I never feel like my hearing is being compromised, and I can carry on a conversation with them on.
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That’s why I want to get new muffs for Tommie and myself. Most people let you know when they’re about to shoot, but not everyone. The electronic muffs will take care of that situation.
 
303hunter said:
That’s why I want to get new muffs for Tommie and myself. Most people let you know when they’re about to shoot, but not everyone. The electronic muffs will take care of that situation.
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They will.
I try to let the guys know when I'm getting ready to fire a gun, but sometimes I forget, because I just keep my ear pro on all the time we're down at the range, and I guess I think everyone else does too.....lol.
 
Millie said:
They will.
I try to let the guys know when I'm getting ready to fire a gun, but sometimes I forget, because I just keep my ear pro on all the time we're down at the range, and I guess I think everyone else does too.....lol.
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Last time we were at B. Oaks, I think we were the only ones without electronic muffs. I remembered I had a set and dug them out. They’d been stored for so long the batteries were corroded, and the electronics were shot.
 
Millie said:
I can carry on a conversation with them on.
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I guess I need to buy these.

I’m unable to carry on a conversation without them. :(
 
I don’t think you’ll find electronic ear pro with any higher NRR (noise reduction rating) I researched it a couple of years ago. These have significantly higher NRR than Howard Leight Impact Sports.

Howard Leight Impact Pro

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Amplification-Electronic-R-01902/dp/B007BGSI5U/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MLINPB6TL5JQ&dchild=1&keywords=howard+leight+impact+pro&qid=1586551806&sprefix=howard+leight+,aps,158&sr=8-1

I used to have to double up with plugs and Howard Leight Impact Sports at matches running a squad all morning, especially if we had stages where you have reflected sound from hard cover close by. I no longer have to do that. I will say they are cumbersome for shooting long guns, but great for shooting pistols.

And if you get these, they're even better, and way more comfortable.

Gel ear pads

https://www.amazon.com/Valholl-Gear-Replacement-Impact-Headphones/dp/B0719D35HM/ref=sr_1_6?crid=WLKVWZY9Y5IS&dchild=1&keywords=gel+ear+pads+for+howard+leight+impact&qid=1586551937&sprefix=gel+ear,aps,152&sr=8-6
 
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I shoot outdoor exclusively, and the HL sports work well. I've had them 8 years now maybe. They always work. The stock ear cups are absolute crap. Invest in the gel cups.
 
I like the Peltor 6s neckband style. Especially in the heat...

But honestly, I have Howard Leights, Peltors, Walkers, Caldwell's, you name it... They're all fine.
 
Button Pusher said:
I replaced the hard vinyl ear pads on my HL with these gel filled pads that have recess for my eyeglass temples. https://noisefighters.com/
Based in Western Michigan and are U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran owned and operated.

Round_Pad_on_HL_large.JPG
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Pink_Vapor said:
How old are you gel pads, and how often do you use them? For $27-$35 pads I’ll want them to last a long time.
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I just got these for a set of Peltor Tactical Sport (not Sport Tactical) and love them. I think they have a 1 year no questions warranty. I used to want a pair of Sordin's, but with this combination, I'm happy now.
 
My gel pads are about two years old and look and function as new.
 
I have a pair of Walker's Razors now and really like them. Thin and quite comfy. Long battery life. Typically shoot outdoors and the amplification feature is very nice. At 23db rating they aren't terrible to wear at the indoor range, either, though sometimes I'll double up with foam plugs if I'm bringing any of my braked rifles. Also, my buddy's five-year-old son DEMANDS he get to wear them every time they come over to visit, so that's a fun and silly bonus.

I had a pair of Caldwells before these and one of the speakers suddenly died during an outdoor range visit. Those didn't last very long and I was unhappy with the overall quality.
 
IUHoosier429 said:
I have a pair of Walker's Razors now and really like them. Thin and quite comfy. Long battery life. Typically shoot outdoors and the amplification feature is very nice...
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Me too. This thread inspired me to do an inventory. The last three sets I bought have been Walker's Razors. They all still work. They're slightly slimmer at the bottom of the cup where it sometimes matters. I like 'em. Before that I used HL Impact Sport. Found one pair here that works, I know I threw one away a while back that crapped out. Should be one more around here somewhere. I think.
 
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