Ear protection
- Thread starter Yuk
- Start date
I wish I could use foam earplugs, but my hearing is quite poor at higher frequencies. I need electronic muffs to hear the start signal and still have enough suppression to protect my hearing when firing. From what I've read the Impact Sport Electronic Earmuffs have quite a low profile, so they aren't supposed to get in the way when in use.
I have a pair of Peltor Swat Tacs; they are great. I have not actually competed with them, but I bought them on the recommendation of several shooters who had.; one had used them in service and said they hold up great under the carppy conditions he had put them through.
- Location
- Toronto,Ontario
ProEar is the way to go. I had done quite a bit of research and the tecnology is different with Peltor. Peltor and most other ear protection(Electronic) tends to shut off when there are loud sounds.
I am not in any way related to this company or brand. I am using it's Pro Ear Predator 300 series and I can hear everything going on at the range.
Posting this just to help you guys to hear better and safer at the range
Here are the details from their website:
A. We are the only company to offer true, Dynamic Level Sound Compression. While others claim to offer "Compression Technology", they are in fact offering old technology such as "Peak Clipping", which merely shuts off the electronics when presented with a high noise level or "Automatic Level Control", which reacts to high noise levels by lowering the volume. "Peak Clipping" just turns the amplification off so nothing is heard. ALC does not 'compress' the dangerous sound levels during an instance of high sound levels is defeated. Only Ridgeline's 'DLSC' technology protects hearing while at the same time allows the wearer to hear lower sounds. DLSC instantly reacts to 'compress' all noises over the 70 dB threshold by 50% to a safe level and amplifies all sounds below that to 70 dB.
B. Our Attack/Recovery Time is the fastest in the industry at 1.7 milliseconds. Others are as long as 20 milliseconds.
C. Our sound quality is the clearest, most natural ever offered and you can tell the difference as soon as the units are turned on. While others sound 'tinny' or 'muffled', PRO EARS are clear and natural.
D. Each cup has its own set of independent electronics and controls so each may be adjusted separately. This eliminates the need for connecting wires running across the top of the headset to snag or break.
E. We use a lighter, smaller, less-expensive 'N' battery that provides longer life than the 9 volt, AA or AAA batteries used by our competitors. PRO EARS get a minimum of 200 hours battery life while some competitive products get only 45 to 50 hours. The reason for our longer battery life is due to the superior Surface Mount Technology of our circuit boards and the fact that we have no power robbing wires running across the top that cause electical resistance.
The Peltor Tac 6 uses 'Analog Peak Clipping' technology, which is a technology that's been around for many years. When sounds/noises exceed 82 dB around the user, the Peltor Tac 6 circuitry shuts down(off) electronically. The circuitry will not return to normal operation until the sound/noise level drops below 82 dB. The Attack Time of this unit is 5 Milliseconds. The effect is a clipping on and off. At a shooting range or any area which has a high noise level, the unit will be constantly turning off(clipping) because of this high level of ambient noise. In fact, if the ambient noise level exceeds 82 dB, the electronics simply stay shut off.
The Peltor Tac 7 uses the same circuitry discussed above, only with a single volume control that is connected to the opposite ear cup by a wire. The obvious disadvantage of this arrangement is adjustability of both sides in the event the wearer has hearing loss in one or both ears. The attack Time is 5 Milliseconds. Battery life is 45 - 50 hours max.
Silencio uses the same 'Analog Peak Clipping' technology as the Peltor units. There are, however, a few difference. Most notably, the Attack time is 20 milliseconds...ten times slower than PRO EARS. Note that the 20 millisecond attack time occurs at the beginning of the shut down as well as the recovery time. The threshold for responding to a loud noise is 90 dB, well above the danger level.
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I had a pair of Sound Traps before (same as Tac 6); the Swat Tacs are not even in the same ballpark as the Sound Traps. I looked at the Pro Ears; the dials and battery storage seemd the same as what I had, and after having the volume dial come back on after I bumped them while putting them away, and tearing them apart to get at the batteries, I decided I wanted something else. The attack time seems much shorter on the Swat Tacs than the old ones, the push button siwtch turns off after two hours if you do not touch the buttons, and they take two AA batteries through an external compartment that is easy to open.
I've got the Pro Ears Dimension Plus, that are supposed to have a 33 dB noise reduction.
The non electronic set I have has a much better noise reduction. The "N" batteries at $4 each (need 4) are also expensive, and the switches are very easily turned back on while stuffing the ears into range bag. No auto shut-off either.
While I like them, and they are very comfortable, I'd never buy another set, unless they make some changes.
The non electronic set I have has a much better noise reduction. The "N" batteries at $4 each (need 4) are also expensive, and the switches are very easily turned back on while stuffing the ears into range bag. No auto shut-off either.
While I like them, and they are very comfortable, I'd never buy another set, unless they make some changes.
Go to the sure fire web site and look at EP3 sonic defender ear plugs..
Just started using a set, no electronics, basic physics.
I can hear the normal speaking voice when wearing them. Was on the range last week standing beside a shooter using a pistol calibre carbine and the noise was definitely mitigated. I will be trying them further on an indoor range in about a week or two and later on with highpower rifle Under 20 a set and 60 month lifespan forecasted I think.
For really big calbres where hearing damage can still occur through bone conduction I will put the muffs on overtop. But I will still get protection should someone touch one off when i lift a muff for conversations.
Just started using a set, no electronics, basic physics.
I can hear the normal speaking voice when wearing them. Was on the range last week standing beside a shooter using a pistol calibre carbine and the noise was definitely mitigated. I will be trying them further on an indoor range in about a week or two and later on with highpower rifle Under 20 a set and 60 month lifespan forecasted I think.
For really big calbres where hearing damage can still occur through bone conduction I will put the muffs on overtop. But I will still get protection should someone touch one off when i lift a muff for conversations.
- Location
- Toronto,Ontario
I wear foam ear plugs and then muffs on top - either electronic or ordinary. I am one of the few shooters of my generation that does not have substantial hearing loss. I have some at high frequency, but not enough to interfere much with life.
Muffs are critical because hearing damage can occurr with sound conducted through the bones. Police range instructors (indoor concrete raages) have had severe hearing loss in less than a month by wearing ear plugs only.
I started to wear both plugs and muffs because I found that in important competittion my concentration would improve if I could not hear any nearby conversations. The added hearing protection is just a bonus.
I urge you not to wear only ear plugs. Muffs are the bare minimum. If you go electronic, the time it takes to re-cycle is critical. I one had a set that took a second or two. Usesless.
Muffs are critical because hearing damage can occurr with sound conducted through the bones. Police range instructors (indoor concrete raages) have had severe hearing loss in less than a month by wearing ear plugs only.
I started to wear both plugs and muffs because I found that in important competittion my concentration would improve if I could not hear any nearby conversations. The added hearing protection is just a bonus.
I urge you not to wear only ear plugs. Muffs are the bare minimum. If you go electronic, the time it takes to re-cycle is critical. I one had a set that took a second or two. Usesless.
Foam plugs + electronic muffs. You only get one set of ears.
The electronics let me pick up the start signal a little better (IPSC) than if I just used standard muffs over plugs, but if you aren't in action shooting the electronics may not be as important to you.
The electronics let me pick up the start signal a little better (IPSC) than if I just used standard muffs over plugs, but if you aren't in action shooting the electronics may not be as important to you.
The electronics are extremely important to me. I want these muffs for IPSC competition, and my hearing is poor to begin with (birth defect). I don't know if I'll be able to double up with foam, as I often can't hear the start signal when using foam alone. It would be neat to hear if the volume control would make a difference for me when in competition.
This post is misleading as it compares ProEar with the older and lower priced model Peltors such as the Tac 6 and 7. The SwatTac, ComTac and ProTac have the same performance as the ProEar.
I own Peltor SwatTac and ProTac, have tried the ProEar and they are all comparable for sound quality and features. ProEar's PR people are, ahem, stretching the truth in several regards paticularly as it pertains to battery life.
The OP mentioned the Howard Leight Impact Sport Electronic Earmuffs. I have a set of these as well. I don't like the sound quality and have doubts about how durable they are. I got them to loan to people I take shooting.
My recommendation is Peltor ProTac. It has all the features of the more expensive SwatTac/ComTac, better hearing protection because they are larger and a lower price. I use mine for rifle shooting and indoor handgun and use the SwatTac for shotgunning.
