electronic ear muffs--recommendations?

longeyes · April 18, 2002, 11:36 AM

What's the best value out there in electronic ear muffs? What's best in terms of noise suppression? What about battery life? Any advice appreciated.

Legionnaire · April 18, 2002, 11:42 AM

longeyes, I can't comment on what is "best" either in terms of value or overall noise suppression. Nor have I scientifically measured battery life. I will say that I've used Peltor Tac-7s for a number of years now, with total satisfaction on all counts.

Double Naught Spy · April 18, 2002, 02:26 PM

Since just before X-mas, I have been using Peltor's ComTacs and find them to be very good electronic muffs. They are NRR at 25 which is better than most of the electronic muff competition. They run on a couple of AA batteries that are said to last for 250 hours. The circuitry is such that there are four volume settings and if you leave the muffs on by accident, they will shut off automatically and so your batteries don't die. If you have ever been to a class and seen either participants or instructors taking off their muffs and turning them off to save batteries, well that is an action you won't need to perform. There is no reason to remove the muffs and turn them off while you are at the range.

Regardless of the brand and rating of the muffs you buy, it is very essential that you wear plugs with the muffs to assure that you don't accidently get exposed to high noise levels due to leakage (hair, glasses, etc. will not all muffs to seat 100%) or because you have taken off the muff and some yahoo shoots. Well, at least you will have the plugs to prevent as much damage as would happen on exposed ear drums.

The nice thing about the ComTacs and plugs is that you can turn of the volume so that ambient sound is loud enough to penetrate the plugs and hence you can hear very clearly all the way down to leaves crushing under your feat, range commands not spoken loud enough to hear with muffs or a combination of muffs and plugs in place, yet not get hearing damage from gun shots that will not be broadcast in the muffs. Hearing range commands is very important and relevant.

The really nice aspect is that you are not as likely to get that accidental loud noise exposure wearing ComTacs because you will have no reason to take them off as many do in order to save batteries.

Oh, and the fold up quite nicely into a small ball.

The best price I found on these at the time was at...
http://www.shootersoasis.com/Hearing_Protection.htm

The people there were terrific.

longeyes · April 18, 2002, 06:52 PM

Thanks, guys, exactly what I was looking for.

OF · April 18, 2002, 07:07 PM

I have a pair of Peltor Tac-6S's and they're very comfortable (very light too) and sound pretty good. The one thing is that they don't have enough attenuation by themselves, IMO. It's like 16 or 19dB. I use them with a pair of custom 15dB plugs I had made years ago. It's perfect.

- Gabe

KSFreeman · April 18, 2002, 07:08 PM

Long, I like the Tac-7s for pistol but for shoulder weapons I prefer a slimmer profile. Look at Tac-6s or Pro Ear catalogue.

Just back from a class in Tejas. Used Remington R2000. Hated them. The wind was gusting and those do not have wind screens over them. Since I use both plugs and muffs I could not hear the rangermaster without him sounding like a Hendrix album.

I'll report back when I find something better.

Dave AA · April 19, 2002, 12:25 AM

I don't spend alot of time yakking on the "net" , but I have one thing to say. Pro-ears. Do your research.

RenegadeX · April 19, 2002, 01:22 PM

I have Tac-7s and love them. But the word is the Pro-Ears are the best.

dZ · April 19, 2002, 01:24 PM

OF · April 19, 2002, 01:49 PM

And then sometimes, you just got to go with you got.

- Gabe

dZ · April 19, 2002, 02:21 PM

i hope that primer is tightly swagged in that live round stuck in his ear!

OF · April 19, 2002, 02:24 PM

The Ultimate in Active Hearing Protection!

- Gabe

PKAY · April 19, 2002, 02:38 PM

At one time I recall a thread like this where "Wolf Ears" were touted as the best. Anybody use them?

Double Naught Spy · April 19, 2002, 06:47 PM

Boy, that is tough. Do I use the .223 cartridge or borrow Ramroth's ComTacs he is wearing?

Chief Jones · April 19, 2002, 09:25 PM

Peltor Tac 7's. Excellent job of reducing noice. As far as battery life, they last quite a while so long as you remember to turn them off before putting them away....... The newer ones I've seen are easier as far replacing batteries, too.

April 18, 2002, 11:36 AM	#1
longeyes Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2000 Location: True West Posts: 1,350	electronic ear muffs--recommendations? What's the best value out there in electronic ear muffs? What's best in terms of noise suppression? What about battery life? Any advice appreciated. __________________ "You come far, Pilgrim." "Feels like far." "Were it worth the trouble?" "Ah...what trouble?" ~Jeremiah Johnson

April 18, 2002, 11:42 AM	#2
Legionnaire Senior Member Join Date: July 25, 2000 Location: Central TX Posts: 1,503	longeyes, I can't comment on what is "best" either in terms of value or overall noise suppression. Nor have I scientifically measured battery life. I will say that I've used Peltor Tac-7s for a number of years now, with total satisfaction on all counts. __________________ Cogito, ergo armatus sum.

April 18, 2002, 02:26 PM	#3
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Since just before X-mas, I have been using Peltor's ComTacs and find them to be very good electronic muffs. They are NRR at 25 which is better than most of the electronic muff competition. They run on a couple of AA batteries that are said to last for 250 hours. The circuitry is such that there are four volume settings and if you leave the muffs on by accident, they will shut off automatically and so your batteries don't die. If you have ever been to a class and seen either participants or instructors taking off their muffs and turning them off to save batteries, well that is an action you won't need to perform. There is no reason to remove the muffs and turn them off while you are at the range. Regardless of the brand and rating of the muffs you buy, it is very essential that you wear plugs with the muffs to assure that you don't accidently get exposed to high noise levels due to leakage (hair, glasses, etc. will not all muffs to seat 100%) or because you have taken off the muff and some yahoo shoots. Well, at least you will have the plugs to prevent as much damage as would happen on exposed ear drums. The nice thing about the ComTacs and plugs is that you can turn of the volume so that ambient sound is loud enough to penetrate the plugs and hence you can hear very clearly all the way down to leaves crushing under your feat, range commands not spoken loud enough to hear with muffs or a combination of muffs and plugs in place, yet not get hearing damage from gun shots that will not be broadcast in the muffs. Hearing range commands is very important and relevant. The really nice aspect is that you are not as likely to get that accidental loud noise exposure wearing ComTacs because you will have no reason to take them off as many do in order to save batteries. Oh, and the fold up quite nicely into a small ball. The best price I found on these at the time was at... http://www.shootersoasis.com/Hearing_Protection.htm The people there were terrific. __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

April 18, 2002, 06:52 PM	#4
longeyes Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2000 Location: True West Posts: 1,350	Thanks, guys, exactly what I was looking for. __________________ "You come far, Pilgrim." "Feels like far." "Were it worth the trouble?" "Ah...what trouble?" ~Jeremiah Johnson

April 18, 2002, 07:08 PM	#6
KSFreeman Senior Member Join Date: June 9, 2001 Location: Lafayette, Indiana--American-occupied America Posts: 5,418	Long, I like the Tac-7s for pistol but for shoulder weapons I prefer a slimmer profile. Look at Tac-6s or Pro Ear catalogue. Just back from a class in Tejas. Used Remington R2000. Hated them. The wind was gusting and those do not have wind screens over them. Since I use both plugs and muffs I could not hear the rangermaster without him sounding like a Hendrix album. I'll report back when I find something better. __________________ "Arguments of policy must give way to a constitutional command." Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573, 602 (1980).

April 18, 2002, 07:07 PM	#5
OF Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2000 Posts: 2,239	I have a pair of Peltor Tac-6S's and they're very comfortable (very light too) and sound pretty good. The one thing is that they don't have enough attenuation by themselves, IMO. It's like 16 or 19dB. I use them with a pair of custom 15dB plugs I had made years ago. It's perfect. - Gabe

April 19, 2002, 12:25 AM	#7
Dave AA Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 1999 Posts: 407	I don't spend alot of time yakking on the "net" , but I have one thing to say. Pro-ears. Do your research. __________________ Take with food or milk

April 19, 2002, 01:22 PM	#8
RenegadeX Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2001 Location: Texas Posts: 265	I have Tac-7s and love them. But the word is the Pro-Ears are the best.

April 19, 2002, 01:24 PM	#9
dZ Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: Exiled, Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,548	__________________ "O tell the Lacedomecians to damn the torpedoes." BOTR, Chapter V: Some Monsters

April 19, 2002, 01:49 PM	#10
OF Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2000 Posts: 2,239	And then sometimes, you just got to go with you got. - Gabe

April 19, 2002, 02:21 PM	#11
dZ Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 1999 Location: Exiled, Fetid Swamp, DC Posts: 7,548	i hope that primer is tightly swagged in that live round stuck in his ear! __________________ "O tell the Lacedomecians to damn the torpedoes." BOTR, Chapter V: Some Monsters

April 19, 2002, 02:24 PM	#12
OF Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2000 Posts: 2,239	The Ultimate in Active Hearing Protection! - Gabe

April 19, 2002, 02:38 PM	#13
PKAY Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 1999 Location: L.A., CA, USA Posts: 911	At one time I recall a thread like this where "Wolf Ears" were touted as the best. Anybody use them? __________________ Safe shooting - PKAY

April 19, 2002, 06:47 PM	#14
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Boy, that is tough. Do I use the .223 cartridge or borrow Ramroth's ComTacs he is wearing? __________________ "If you look through your scope and see your shoe, aim higher." -- said to me by my 11 year old daughter before going out for hogs 8/13/2011 My Hunting Videos https://www.youtube.com/user/HornHillRange

April 19, 2002, 09:25 PM	#15
Chief Jones Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2002 Location: Wewahitchka, FL Posts: 218	Peltor Tac 7's. Excellent job of reducing noice. As far as battery life, they last quite a while so long as you remember to turn them off before putting them away....... The newer ones I've seen are easier as far replacing batteries, too.