Recommendations for external ear pro? (electronic and non-electronic)

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alpining

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I'm looking for recommendations for ear muffs. Everybody tends to talk up whatever they happen to use, but I'm particularly interested in opinions from people who have side-by-side comparative information.

When I am shooting, I just use plugs because none of my guns are very noisy. When I RO, I generally use plugs and muffs, but until now I've been cheaping out and using low-end muffs. Hearing loss sucks, so I'm getting serious about the muffs this season.

I'd appreciate your input on choosing a model of both electronic and non-electronic muffs for use while ROing (both in combination with plugs). Electronic for run-of-the-mill RO use (where keeping track of range noise is desired), and non-electronic for ROing comped rifle shooters indoors and around ports (where maximum NRR is most important).

It should be said that fit is critical, and ear pro needs to work with eye pro. Assuming neither of these is a problem, what are your recommendations?

Thanks in advance...

:wave:
 
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I have extremely sensitive ears (from my mother) and battled 3 months of heavy Tinitus a while back. Thankfully it passed but the ordeal scared me straight.
Shoot NSSA skeet and IPSC , indoor/outdoor, so I'm shooting every weekend and usually quite a lot.

I use the Peltor Ultimate 10, with an NRR of 30. Yes, they are little big, but your hearing is more important. I also have a set of molded ear plugs to double up when shooting indoor IPSC if needed. Those pesky Open guns can really move the air.
 
For electronic muffs, MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X with the gel cups. You won't be sorry. Very comfortable and very good sound quality. Good amplification for hearing things like squib loads and Papa Hotel's safety clicking off.

I double up with my Sport Ear Custom 812's (also electronic), but you can hear a fair bit when doubling up even with foam plugs.

I see no reason to not use electronic gear even when ROing. When you're ROing you're next to a lot of gunfire for a prolonged period of time, and even when I am ROing outside I double up. You particularly want this indoors... even being next to a 9mm with just plugs will be uncomfortably loud because plugs do not protect your mastoid bone.
 
Thanks for the specific and detailed recommendations, gents. I appreciate the input from people who have tried many types and found some that work particularly well.

mechanik, I was unclear in my post (now edited): I double up almost all the time when ROing. With electronic muffs most of the time, but sometimes I'd like to use non-electronic with the highest NRR (when ROing comped rifle shooters indoors, for example).

NVShooter, thanks for the link. The thread you linked seems to be another one of those "this works for me" threads, which might be interesting but is not particularly useful for my search. I'm more interested in direct comparisons, hopefully from people who have tried more than a few different models themselves.
 
In terms of direct comparisons, I used to use Peltors, but they were bigger/bulkier/hotter/less comfortable, plus the sound quality was crap, and in the rain they would short out. Yeah, they are way less money than the Sordins, but you get what you pay for.
 
I highly recommend the custom ear plugs costco makes for $50. They fit great, and are available with a channel for increasing voice clarity.

I double this up with a pair of Peltor Comtacs or MSA Sordins. I have both, and both are fantastic once the gel cups are added. I prefer the comfort of the Comtacs, but use the low profile Sordins with rifles so as to not interfere with a good cheek weld. I had a pair of the cheaper Howard Leights, but absolutely hated them. They were uncomfortable and cheap feeling. My comtacs have been used for over 5 years without any issues.

And you know I shoot loud guns. :)
 
Unregistered_ said:
...
And you know I shoot loud guns. :)
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I'll be doubling up with plugs and a full-face motorcycle helmet for your nasty blaster this year, amigo. But only until I'm better prepared...

443px-Aviano_bomb_suit.jpg


Thanks for the recommendations. Gel cups make that much of a difference, eh?
 
Unregistered_ said:
I highly recommend the custom ear plugs costco makes for $50. They fit great, and are available with a channel for increasing voice clarity.

I double this up with a pair of Peltor Comtacs or MSA Sordins. I have both, and both are fantastic once the gel cups are added....
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Was not aware of the gel solution for the Peltors until you posted - did a quick google search and now have a set of HY80s on order from my local safety supplier for my Sporttacs.
Thanks!
 
alpining said:
I'll be doubling up with plugs and a full-face motorcycle helmet for your nasty blaster this year, amigo. But only until I'm better prepared...

443px-Aviano_bomb_suit.jpg


Thanks for the recommendations. Gel cups make that much of a difference, eh?
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Now you have done it. If a CFO sees this I am sure he will make a new reg. that this is now mandatory.
 
I recommend against buying the SR112. Less than a year into owning mine the one ear pad won't stay in place so they fall apart if I don't hold them together every time I manipulate.

Costco custom ear plugs are good, and double up if you are firing indoors or high power rifle outdoors with a sun cover.
 
For electronic over the eat hearing pro the only ones I'd ever recommend are Sordins, they are the top of the market for a reason.
 
Slavex said:
For electronic over the eat hearing pro the only ones I'd ever recommend are Sordins, they are the top of the market for a reason.
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Is that because of performance, fit, durability...?

I'm going to have at look at SRS Tactical's offerings here today. Nice to have such a large selection available to compare side-by-side, right in town here (Calgary).
 
alpining said:
I'm going to have at look at SRS Tactical's offerings here today. Nice to have such a large selection available to compare side-by-side, right in town here (Calgary).
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Good. It's best that you can try these for yourself and see what fits well. Stand beside something with a constant noise and see what you think.

fwiw, since many people own the Ultimate 10's, I did a simple back-to-back test this morning, standing beside a (measured) 84db sound source and wearing glasses. The Peltor Ultimate 10 and Optime 105 appeared to muffle the sound the same to me (as expected). The Pro Ears Pro Tac Gold did a better job, even though it has the same 30NRR rating. Why? I found the wire headband on the Peltors unable to apply as much force on my head as the Pro Ears did. If I pressed the Peltor muffs against my head, then they seemed to muffle the sound similarly. When used as you normally would, the Pro Ears work better and also appear to filter out higher frequencies better (because of the snugger fit).

I don't have any Sordins to try out. :(

muffs_zps78631d08.jpg
 
Excellent point, Jimbo14.

A long time ago, I used to wear Oakley M Frames (all the cool kids did...), but on my head; they caused any ear muff I wore to break the seal and let the noise in. Some muffs were better than others. The shape of your safety glasses and your head plays a big part in the noise reduction of each muff brand.
 
Freedom Ventures said:
Excellent point, Jimbo14.

A long time ago, I used to wear Oakley M Frames (all the cool kids did...), but on my head; they caused any ear muff I wore to break the seal and let the noise in. Some muffs were better than others. The shape of your safety glasses and your head plays a big part in the noise reduction of each muff brand.
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Gel cups help mitigate this as they will mold around the arms of your glasses and provide a better seal. Plus, they are way more comfortable.
 
We have just started carrying the Surefire EP-7's for inner ears, I have custom made ear plugs also that I got in the USA but I found the EP-7's just as good and more comfortable.

We are also now carrying Peltor, our first shipment of passive ear muffs are in and our electronic ones are due at the end of April, we will also be carrying the gel cups.

Outdoors I use the EP-7's alone and indoors for handgun the Peltor Tactical Pro's with Gel cups, if at an indoor event that has rifles being shot indoors I double up with both.
 
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