[vindibona1]

It's been a (long) while since thinking about ear protection. I still have my original Peltor head set, a full size with NRR 28 rating. When I bought these electronic head gear didn't exist. I thought it time to update. As I was going to take my (adult) daughter to the range with me I wanted another headset and on short notice actually got one at Harbor Freight Tools for around $14. And yeah, it's electronic. NRR at -22db. Electronics are fair and comfort is ok- for about an hour. It's ok as an extra and if it weren't only $14 I'd have returned it. The problem with this set and my Peltors is that they are wide and not so great with my AR. When I get a good cheek weld the butt stock tends to push the right ear piece off of my ear a bit and so the noise protection sometimes isn't so good. I plan on doing some tactical training, both pistol and rifle soon and would like to get this sorted sooner rather than later.

So what's the best VALUE in electronic hearing protection for firearms? Comfort is key along with noise/sound reduction, then price, with electronics quality in the mix somewhere but excellent responsiveness. Income is limited right now, but I don't want to have buyer's remorse either. So if you advising a friend on a new shooting headset that works well with both pistols and rifles, what would you be recommending your friend buy?

 

[Dadclown]

This brings up a question driving me nuts. I bought earmuff protection. Whatever they’re called. But what’s wrong with the earplugs issued to us in the Army? We hired 8” cannons with them. You don’t know loud unless you’ve fired a cannon.

 

[Tvov]

From what I've seen at ranges, 1/2 of the electronic hearing protection is a mishmash from different companies.

All the rest? Howard Leight hearing protection. They seem to be the best value - go much cheaper and, well, you get cheaper.

Nothing wrong with ear plugs, they work best. But if you want to be able to hear range commands, electronic is the way to go... and today's electronic muffs are pretty darn good.

Many people, my son included, wear ear plugs AND electronic muffs. Turn up the volume on the muffs to hear people talking "through" the ear plugs, then excellent sound reduction when you shoot.

 

[Bren]

Walker's Razor. Better and cheaper than all of my Peltors.

 

[Grabbrass]

Walker Razor and Howard Leight Impact Sport are both in the same price ball park, probably made using the same internals, have some minor external cosmetic differences. Both get the job done well. Both have earpocket spaces that are way too small for my ears, but so far I've just put up with it. It's a big jump in $$ to get an appreciable improvement.

 

[boilergonzo]

I agree. Howard Leight Impact Sport are a great low price point entry. Just 22NRR (so for louder guns, wearing plugs under may be wise), but pretty solid. They have directional sound, function well, and are relatively slim. For under $60 they are tough to beat in my book. They are not a premium entry with better electronics and higher NRR, but I like them for what they are.

 

[Grabbrass]

I agree. Howard Leight Impact Sport are a great low price point entry. Just 22NRR (so for louder guns, wearing plugs under may be wise), but pretty solid. They have directional sound, function well, and are relatively slim. For under $60 they are tough to beat in my book. They are not a premium entry with better electronics and higher NRR, but I like them for what they are.

The only way to go with these is foam plugs plus wear the Howard Leights with the internal sound turned all the way up. With that arrangement, you can hear conversations in the next booth, but gunshots clip out.

 

[J_Rico]

I like the Walker Razor. Bought a few so talk to kids at range without yelling.

Been testing a set with Bluetooth from Mpow. They feel kind of cheap, but work ok so far.

 

[Orive 8]

I am now using the Howard Leight Impact Pro Electronic Earmuffs they have a 30 dB NRR. Used to have Peltors before that.

Impact Pro Electronic Earmuff | Howard Leight Shooting Sports

 

[vindibona1]

The only way to go with these is foam plugs plus wear the Howard Leights with the internal sound turned all the way up. With that arrangement, you can hear conversations in the next booth, but gunshots clip out.

I have custom made professional musicians ear plugs with interchangeable filtration. Right now the filters are -25db supposedly strong enough reduction for rock metal concerts but not enough for pistol shooting indoors. I typically wear muffs over the plugs. In actualilty my cheap HFT electronic muffs work but not very comfortable and not so good when trying to cheek weld on a rifle.

I am now using the Howard Leight Impact Pro Electronic Earmuffs they have a 30 dB NRR. Used to have Peltors before that.

Impact Pro Electronic Earmuff | Howard Leight Shooting Sports

Those Impact Pro's can be had at a good price. But my concern is, with bigger ear muffs pushing them off of seal with cheek weld on my AR's butt stock.
Anyone try these??? They're supposed to be pretty comfortable but more expensive than Howard Leight and Walkers Razor... AKT1 Sport Sound Amplification Earmuff

I noticed that so far most replies are in the Howard Leight camp. Are they better than the Walker's Razor?

 

[NewWaveGuy]

Many people, my son included, wear ear plugs AND electronic muffs. Turn up the volume on the muffs to hear people talking "through" the ear plugs, then excellent sound reduction when you shoot.

I do that, too. Works really well!



Sent from my moto g(6) play using Tapatalk

 

[Nannyhammer]

I've used Pro-Ears Gold for probably 15 years without any issues in fact I'm on my second pair after breaking my first ones. For hunting I wear just the muffs but for range use I wear both foam plugs and the muffs. These don't clip the sound, they compress it to a safe level. Many times it's possible to actually hear the bullet when it hits the deer.

 

[vindibona1]

I've used Pro-Ears Gold for probably 15 years without any issues in fact I'm on my second pair after breaking my first ones. For hunting I wear just the muffs but for range use I wear both foam plugs and the muffs. These don't clip the sound, they compress it to a safe level. Many times it's possible to actually hear the bullet when it hits the deer.

Those are probably really good ones, but for my anticipated usage the Pro-Ears Gold seems like budget overkill. If I were on the range or in the field every day training it would be a different story. Based on suggestions and some preliminary research, If I had to choose right at this very moment it would probably come down to two finalists: the AKT1 ($92) and the Walkers Razor ($47). If I weren't shooting a rifle as much as a handgun I'd probably be all over the Howard Leight Pro's which are selling dirt cheap in a few places. But the profile on those would almost definitely make contact with my rifle's buttstock. I did get to try on some AKT1's for a few seconds and found them comfortable but can't report more than that.
Thanks for your input.

 

[collim1]

The Howard Leight are good for the money but the NRR is lacking for indoor ranges with loud guns. I wear plugs underneath them indoors.

I can still hear the microphone through the plugs. But it’s not ideal. I wish they had a higher NRR.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Howard Leight's or Walker's, which ever one pick up a set of gel ear pads. Much more comfortable and better seal around the glasses.

 

[Grabbrass]

I noticed that so far most replies are in the Howard Leight camp. Are they better than the Walker's Razor?

Nah, just been around longer. I bought my Howard Leights about 10 years ago, and I don't think they were new on the scene then. And as you're probably aware, Glocktalk is commonly referred to as GT, which stands for geezer tightwads.

 

[ffr1910]

I have two Caldwell's and one Walker's. I like the Walkers better. All of them have been purchased on clearance from Midwayusa. There are some Walkers right now on their website for 50% off. ffr1910

 

[chinomalo]

I have MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X for most of my shooting needs.

I have Leights and Peltors as additional ear pro at work and around the house.

I found this product which are replacements for the ear cups and have a channel for eyeglass arms. This helps so the ear cup doesn’t create an area for sound to leak in.

They are really comfortable in heat/cold. I’ve trained with them indoors and out. A couple of times I had them on during breaks forgetting I had ear pro on. The product adapts lower priced ear pro to higher priced items like the MSAs.

Noisefighters | Hearing Protection & Night Vision Accessories

Noisefighters delivers premium hearing protection and night vision accessories to those serving on the front lines.

noisefighters.com

 

[jimcorbin]

Another vote for Walker’s Razor. Excellent value.

 

[Walk Soft]

Many people, my son included, wear ear plugs AND electronic muffs. Turn up the volume on the muffs to hear people talking "through" the ear plugs, then excellent sound reduction when you shoot.

That’s what so do. It works great.