Electronic Hearing Protection--Opinions?

[carcass]

Hi,

I've been looking at the various electronic noise-canceling hearing protectors for a while now and am considering getting one. I'm partial to the in-the-ear ones, since I don't usually like wearing muffs when shooting shoulder-fired arms.

Can anyone offer opinions as to the quality, reliability, and longevity of these? I'm also wondering about the Walker's "Game Ear" and "Tactical Ear" products. They have several types of each, and I can't find a substantive description of the differences between them--for instance what's the diff between the "Game Ear 3" and the "Game Ear 2" and the "Game Ear Digital" or the "Tactical Ear" and the "Tactical Ear 3"? Between the various "Game Ears" and "Tactical Ears?"

TIA

 

[stymie]

I use PELTOR TAC-7s...

They're absolutely fabulous!
STEREO
Keeps the noise levels to ~85dB w/o cutting out
SUPERMAN hearing... really!
about $150.

Some guys are using the Chinese monaural EARs that you can get from Harbor Freight for about $30.

 

[stymie]

Yeah... I know

NOT what you're looking for.

I've never heard much positive about the in-the-ear type units.
Some noise can be transmitted through bone around the ear & that limits their effectiveness.

When I worked for the Aviation Dept at KCI/MCI, I had a pair of G.E. in-the-ear, valved units that were made by pouring a quick setting polymer in the ear canal as a mold.

Pretty sweet!

 

[OkcPuckfan]

I have the Peltor Tactical 6's. I love them. I recently had a pair of custom molded ear plugs made to wear at MG shoots because the "all-day" concussion factor is enough to warrant plugs and muffs. The Tac 6's are thinner than the 7's and are very comfortable to wear while shooting from the shoulder. YMMV!

'Puckfan

 

[RoverDave]

I also have Peltor Tactical 6's and I love them.

 

[ColGlock]

I love my TAC6's Also!

I have no problem with them, wether shooting trap, My rifle, etc.

I do sometimes wear plugs also when I am in compitions as it helps with tuning the other people out.

ColGlock.

 

[MuzzleFlash]

Can't comment about the Walker in-the-ear products, but my Walker Quad 4 muffs have been a disappointment. Noticible distortion on one side and it uses camera batteries instead or cheaper and more common AAA's. As always, YMMV.

 

[Gun Shot]

I've only ever used Peltor Comtac muffs, and they are super nice.

 

[chrisp929]

i have protacs .. from midwest tactical .. they rock ..

 

[Earle]

i'd go with Peltor, I tried an inexpensive pair of
electronic Radians and they sucked.

I ended up with the Peltor TacPro 7 and love it.




E....

 

[carcass]

Thanks for all the replies, this should give me a good idea of what to do!

 

[NFANut]

I found a great price for the Tac 6s if your interested. $69.95 with a free carry bag. It's a cheap bag, but it's free. $30 cheaper than CDNN.
Good prices on the others in the Peltor line as well.
http://www.probuy.net/products/TAC6S.html

 

[Redhed]

Are these the ones from Horrible Freight?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46798

I saw 'em in a catalog I got earlier this week and was meaning to check them out. Probably not great, but maybe OK?

That is a great price on the TAC 6s.

 

[stymie]

YUP...

Redhed...

Those cheap Chinese mono copies seem to work well. They're inexpensive enough to trash if they fail.

There have been some comments that PELTORs have failed due to excessive sweat in the summer; YMMV... I've had mine for several years... NEVER a problem!

 

[NFANut]

Well, since so many people seem to be happy with the Tac 6s, I ordered a pair for myself.
I liked the specs of the Tac 7s better, but for $69.95 I figured I couldn't go wrong. As was mentioned earlier, the Tac 6s is lighter and thinner so that was a factor.
Glad you started this thread carcass. Thanks.