Electronic Ear Protection

[Rucker61]

Anyone ever use active protection like the Etymotics? How did it work?

[Irving]

I've never used that style before, but if you've never used electronic ear pro, do yourself a favor and try it out immediately.

[cofi]

I these there cheap and work great
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O

[mtnrider]

I these there cheap and work great
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O

I use these as well. They work pretty good but I must admit I have a hard time getting them "seated" around my ears when I first put them on. Wish they would have added just a tad bit more foam.

[Rucker61]

Those do look good, but I'm looking for something more for hunting. Some of my buddies use magnums with brakes, and it would be nice not to have to worry about putting regular plugs in and out.

[mtnrider]

What model of Etymotics are you looking at? Most of the ones I see on the site only offer 15db of isolation. That's not enough for me to shoot comfortably with.

[TheWeeze]

Personally, I'd recommend ear plugs with removable filter plugs (http://www.surefire.com/ep4-sonic-defenders-plus.html) and muffs like the Howard Leight's mentioned above. Plugs in with the filter plugs off and the HL's and you've got enough protection and ability to still hear conversation. Total cost around $65 and much higher dB attenuation than the Etymotics. My wife is an Audiologist and she insists I wear dual level hearing pro when shooting.

[mtnrider]

^ I agree. I'm half deaf already ...at least that's what my wife tells me :-)

I also have a set of the Surefire ep4's and they supposedly offer 19db attenuation. The are also nice but they are not enough on there own.

[colorider]

I have the sonic defenders, the Howard Leight R-01526 ,and the Peltor.
The sonic defenders are not good at all on their own. I have 2 sizes and both pairs do not block enough.
My Howard Leight R-01526 do not seal on the ears very well. Almost like my head is too small, however 2 other people that have worn them say the same thing.
My peltors fit great and are fantastic.

[ZERO THEORY]

I use $60 Howard Leights. Best $60 I ever spent. They amplify speech and normal ambient sounds (and that volume is adjustable), while reducing the report of high-decibel sounds. Do it now.

[hatidua]

I've used a few different ones (albeit not the MSA/Sordin's). While the electronic amplification is nice for conversational purposes, I've not tried any that I felt were adequate, all by themselves, for sustained shooting activity. I double up with plugs under the electronic muffs.

[StagLefty]

HUH !!!
In my early early years I shot trap for hours with out either hearing or eye protection. I'm paying the price now. I use Peltors and the the Surefire plugs now.

[Rucker61]

What model of Etymotics are you looking at? Most of the ones I see on the site only offer 15db of isolation. That's not enough for me to shoot comfortably with.

Those are the ones, but they'd only be used for hunting, not range shooting, so it wouldn't be for multiple shots over a short period of time.

[Rucker61]

I use $60 Howard Leights. Best $60 I ever spent. They amplify speech and normal ambient sounds (and that volume is adjustable), while reducing the report of high-decibel sounds. Do it now.

In ear or over the ear?

[ZERO THEORY]

In ear or over the ear?

Over the ear muffs. I've also got Surefire in-ears, but I don't really double up unless I'm using cheapies.

[Circuits]

I had a pair of Remington-branded electronic muffs and liked them a lot. They fell apart after three years or so, while my regular ear protection still looks and works great after more than a decade, so I'm not sure how great they are as to value for money, but I did like them, and may yet again purchase another set in the future.

[KS63]

Anyone use the MSA Sordins? Been debating getting a pair for awhile now.

[ben4372]

Personally, I'd recommend ear plugs with removable filter plugs (http://www.surefire.com/ep4-sonic-defenders-plus.html) and muffs like the Howard Leight's mentioned above. Plugs in with the filter plugs off and the HL's and you've got enough protection and ability to still hear conversation. Total cost around $65 and much higher dB attenuation than the Etymotics. My wife is an Audiologist and she insists I wear dual level hearing pro when shooting.
This is my setup too. I love the Surefires. Double up you get used to it.

[Brian]

Good thread. I just ordered some EP4s off amazon to try out with my HLs. Only $12 - not bad.

[StagLefty]

FYI-Bowers carries the Surefires

[The Rat]

Anyone use the MSA Sordins? Been debating getting a pair for awhile now.

Sordins are fucking amazing, and doubly so if you get the gel ear cups. Feels like having titties on your ears.

[gos]

Sordins are fucking amazing, and doubly so if you get the gel ear cups. Feels like having titties on your ears.

+1 for this, I love mine.