Ear Pro - what do you use? Recommend?

[Podmonkey]

I have to try the silicone reusable ear plugs.
I use the foam ones but they are a pain in the ass if you want to take them in and out.

Silicone is more comfortable but foam offers more NR. The silicone ones also get dirty and nasty after a while. But that was when I had pre mix and oil stained fingers putting em in too. I just use foam, they're easier. Custom molded plugs are the best way to go but that's a lot of extra futzing around.

 

[Podmonkey]

@TopShot and other interested parties, the Peltor Tactical Sport 300s worked very well for my recent class. The extra gel earcups were extremely comfortable and I noticed no discomfort at all from the headband. In fact the head band being open in the middle allows it to sit atop a cap without pressing down on the button. Even without the hat I found the muffs to be perfectly comfortable all day from 8 to 4.

The audio quality was also excellent and when fully amplified it was very easy to hear instruction and communicate with the other shooters on the line. And they seemed to offer more protection than the modest 24db reduction rating would indicate, I found it unnecessary to double up with foam plugs.

 

[TopShot]

Pod monkey, thanks for that info.
I was thinking about getting a set of Pelter Tactical Sport 500's.
Not for the bluetooth feature but for the extra 2 NRR.
My only concern is the headband.
There are a lot of reviews telling of how uncomfortable they are to wear for extended periods of time.
I very seldom where a hat and I am bald.
There are a few headband wraps out there but I'm not sure how they will work.

 

[togmaster]

I bought a pair of MSA Sordin's this past spring. Cost an arm and a leg but they are by far the most comfortable hearing protection I have ever owned. The gel cups make all the difference.

 

[Raydee]

Pro Tac Slim Gold Series - Electronic Hearing Protection
My personal favorite....but then again I am one of those clowns that Willjr described.

 

[TopShot]

I had both of those but neither thrilled me.
The Pro Ears Gold didn't seem to muffle the gunfire.
The MSA Sordins seemed to clip the sound instead of compress it.
Both of them need to be doubled up when shooting inside.
I sent them both back.
I doubt I got 2 bad pairs.
I guess I'm just hard to satisfy.

 

[TopShot]

For those of you that have been wanting Pro Ears they are running a sale ending today.
Very deep discounts, check it out.
ProEars | World Class Hearing Protection

 

[Podmonkey]

Pod monkey, thanks for that info.
I was thinking about getting a set of Pelter Tactical Sport 500's.
Not for the bluetooth feature but for the extra 2 NRR.
My only concern is the headband.
There are a lot of reviews telling of how uncomfortable they are to wear for extended periods of time.
I very seldom where a hat and I am bald.
There are a few headband wraps out there but I'm not sure how they will work.

I found the 300s sufficient for outdoor use and there was no clipping. I don't think there are earmuffs made that offer enough protection for indoor use without some kind of plugs underneath. I will say that the people on either side of me all day were using muzzle breaks but my ears weren't ringing with just the 300s on. Why do people run brakes on 5.56/.223 guns? I wonder If Peltor is sandbagging the rating? They seem quieter than my cheapie passives with a 25db rating.

 

[TopShot]

Most that I've read said you never get the rated NRR of a set of ear muffs.
They say you will get less due to ear seal, etc., but I'm not so sure.
The frequency of the gun shot has something to do with it.
The higher the sound frequency the better the NRR rating.
Gunshots are around 800Hz and I think the most muffs are rated by Ansi at 300 Hz.
So therefore you may get a better NRR rating. Think about it.
If a gunshot is 156 dB and you are wearing pair of muffs rated at 30 NRR.
That would give you a sound of 126dB, very loud.
Your ears would probably start to ring in no time at all.
In case of electronic ear muffs if working properly
they clip or compress the sound down to 82dB.
That makes all the difference.

 

[Podmonkey]

That's why I plumped the extra $40 for the gel earcups. The should just come with them IMO. I use the Peltor shooting glasses too which have extremely thin arms. Between the earcup upgrade and the slim glasses the seal is very tight.

 

[Acer-m14]

huh!!! someone say something LOL

 

[spat]

I use these, love them.

Walker's Razor-XV Bluetooth Neck Worn Rechargeable - MPN: GWP-NHE-BTE

Love that they are bluetooth, they work great with a shot timer app.

They have a great NRR, rechargeable battery lasts all day.

Muffs are great, except when they're not. Bulky can be a PITA.