Ear Protection

[AlaskanInTexas]

Anyone use these electronic earmuffs before: http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/pel ... adset.html

Looking for some really good quality ear muffs for the range.

[K5GU]

Anyone use these electronic earmuffs before: http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/pel ... adset.html

Looking for some really good quality ear muffs for the range.

Not that particular model but my first electronic muffs several years ago were Peltor and they worked great. I wore them out. The ear peace cushion material eventually cracked and flaked off but they still worked good electronically. They required batteries that were hard to find then. I replaced them with Howard Leight which uses common AAA batteries.

[The Marshal]

Look how thick they are.
You will not be happy if you are shooting rifle or shotgun, banging your muffs against the stock.

Get these instead. Fantastic, AND thin. Oh and $40-$79 depending on where you shop

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Howard-Leigh ... =203066876" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AlaskanInTexas]

This model is quite a bit less expensive, but I have had such bad luck with slim muffs: http://www.envirosafetyproducts.com/pel ... adset.html

[K5GU]

When researching new muffs I noticed the models with accessory inputs for other things like phone, ipods, etc. were quiet a bit more expensive than the one's without that. Other than thickness, I also look at things like do they extend enough to accommodate my hat on my head normal, and on backwards so the brim clears the back of the rifle scope, and durability of course. In the ranges I go to, all the staff wear the Howard Leight models. I like the sturdy headband on the Howard Leight model I have now. Also, try out the fit and comfort of the eye protection ear pieces going on the ears and under the muffs. If there's too much inward tension on your ears, the ear pieces on your glasses may start to hurt after a while.

[Pawpaw]

I have an old set of Peltor Tactical 6S muffs. They work well, but here's the things I don't like about them:

1. They're thick at the bottom, right where you need them to be thin to shoot a long gun.
2. They have a separate volume control for each ear. It's one more thing to mess with and the knobs are easily bumped.
3. You have to remove the ear cushions (both of them) to replace the batteries. The ear cushions are not particularly durable, so I always felt like I was going to damage them.
4. Batteries don't last long, at least for me.
5. The ear cushions get hard over time and crack. Likewise, the foam microphone covers fall apart. Both can be replaced, but you will spend almost as much for the replacements as a new set of muffs.

Several years ago I bought a set of the Howard Leight Impact Sport muffs.

1. They are much slimmer and proved less (not none, but less) interference when shooting a long gun.
2. One volume control works for both ears. Also has an aux input, but I've never used it.
3. Batteries are much easier to change. They are under a door on one side only.
4. Batteries last much longer, for me.
5. So far, no sign of anything wearing out on these muffs.

The Howard Leights have a slightly better NRR (22dB vs. 20 dB).

I also have several sets of Caldwell muffs to share with others, mostly family. They are not as slim at the bottom as the Howard Leights, but they're not too bad with a long gun. The only thing I don't care for is how long they take to resume functioning after the cutoff has been activated. Both the Peltor and Leight muffs resume operation with no perceivable lag. The Caldwells take a fraction of a second to resume, which is a bit annoying. Maybe the others have spoiled me.

[WinoVeritas]

I have both Peltor Sport Tactical 100 and Howard Leigh Impact Sport R-01526 electronic muffs - I'd rate them both excellent and equal albeit the HL's are a bit thinner, they are rated the same 22 NR. Caught the Peltors on sale at Home Depot for sub $50 cost + tax. Both use standard (2) AA batteries.

[rotor]

I bought mail order Howard Leigh and I never could get a good fit at least on my head. Absolutely did not work for me. I also do a lot of shotgun and they always got in the way as do all muffs and now use molded ear plugs fitted to me for shotgun. For pistol I use inexpensive Winchester passive muffs. I believe 27 db. Lesson to be learned, try them on before you buy or at least buy where you can easily return if you don't like. Some of them come in such tightly sealed packages you need a hatchet to open them just to see if they fit. If you buy mail order and have to pay postage shipping back it's not always a bargain. If you look at Amazon for reviews 75% of people will love them and 25% will hate them so it's tough to say. Each person just needs to try and see for themselves. Price alone is not a predictor of satisfaction. I see so many people just stick those little sponge things in their ears. When they are my age all they will be saying is "what?"
Add on.... Remember when you try on that you will have eye protection on and you need a tight fit with eye protection on as well.

[ShootDontTalk]

Ehhh? What? Can't hear ya!

I found a thin pair of non-electronic muffs. Leight IIRC but I always use a good pair of ear canal plugs so I'm doubled up, especially for rifles. Short barrel AR-15s under a tin roof are the worst.

[SigM4]

I have a pair of the Peltor Tactical 100 muffs that I got on sale at Home Depot not too long ago for <$50. While I like them, I still think the gold standard in the ~$50 range are the Howard Leight Impact Sports. To me they provide a better fit.