View Full Version : Looking for new ear pro.. Want recommendations.
So my 3M/Peltor TacPros finally died after 10 years of abuse (no more audio in the right ear, and severe clipping in the left - yes I have taken them apart to repair and have limped them along for the last 6 mos or so).
Would really like them to be comm (single) capable - and it would be awesome if they had a detachable boom (or used a completely separate mic like my my current ones). Don't really *need* the comms anymore, but its a nice to have. I have a U94 PTT that I would like to reuse.
What are all cool kids wearing these days?
68302
Trigger Time 23
12-09-2016, 13:26
https://www.amazon.com/MSA-Sordin-DIGITAL-SUPREME-NECK/dp/B007ZBXY4Q
Nice, but pricey.
https://www.amazon.com/MSA-Sordin-DIGITAL-SUPREME-NECK/dp/B007ZBXY4Q
Nice, but pricey.
This, love mine.
These are among the most popular option available... I love mine and like to consider myself one of the "cool kids".
https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Amplification-Electronic-R-01526/dp/B001T7QJ9O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481314612&sr=8-2&keywords=ear+protection
These are among the most popular option available... I love mine and like to consider myself one of the "cool kids".
https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Amplification-Electronic-R-01526/dp/B001T7QJ9O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481314612&sr=8-2&keywords=ear+protection
+1
I remember paying a lot more!
We got my FIL a pair to use while cutting timber. He can plug his radio into the jack and listen to Hate Radio™ while he works.
mtnrider
12-09-2016, 14:35
I use these. Much better seal then the Howard leights and more comfortable.
Peltor Sport Tactical 100 Electronic Hearing Protector (TAC100) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NAG4WX2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kuXsyb7H83P3D
colorider
12-09-2016, 15:45
These are what I have been using for a couple of years. Comfy and work great. I have a small head and headset style are just not comfortable or don't fit right.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-TEP-100-Tactical-Digital-Earplug/dp/B00PABOJ0Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1481319811&sr=1-1&keywords=peltor+tep-100
With all due respect to the Howard Leights, I think they are crap. They do a terrible job of sealing around your ear, so you have to really play with them to get it "right" and even then it's rarely perfect. Doing something simple like turning your head breaks the seal. What's the point of wearing ear pro if it doesn't actually pro(tect) your ear? I used to keep the Howard Leights in my range bag to loan to newbies but after I saw them wincing when someone else was shooting, despite me making sure they were on properly, I started giving newbies my Sordins and I quickly understood the shortcomings of the HLs. Maybe if the area around your ears are really flat you'd like them, but they didn't work for me, my wife, and several others who wore the pair I have.
I mostly use the Sordin's with the gel ear pads and they are fantastic. I can wear them for hours with little discomfort and the quality of the audio is very nice. After several hours the weight does make my head/ears sore.
Shortly after discovering how much the HLs suck I bought a set of the Pro Ears Pro 300 for my (now) wife. They are a lot lighter than the Sordins and the amplified sound quality is as good or maybe a little better. The ear pads don't make as good of a seal as the Sordins but much better than the HL. For that reason I think they are not quite as good at attenuating gunshots as the Sordins but I have no means of scientifically testing it and the difference I perceive could be placebo.
Both have good NRR ratings but I still double-up muffs with plugs when shooting indoors. One thing I don't like about the Pro Ears is that you have two twist knobs, one on each earcup, to adjust the amplification volume. These knobs can get bumped by stuff and turn high or low unexpectedly. Plus you never get them set exactly the same, not that that really matters too much. The Sordins have push buttons on one earcup only that adjusts both ears. Much better IMO. But the lighter weight of the Pro Ears is a legit benefit too.
These are what I have been using for a couple of years. Comfy and work great. I have a small head and headset style are just not comfortable or don't fit right.
https://www.amazon.com/3M-TEP-100-Tactical-Digital-Earplug/dp/B00PABOJ0Q/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1481319811&sr=1-1&keywords=peltor+tep-100
I've been eyeing these for a while. How's battery life?
ar15shooter
12-09-2016, 19:31
I have (and love) the MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X Premium Edition muffs with the gel ear cups. The Sordin's are extremely comfortable and I can hear quite well even when doubling up with plugs. I have worn them for extended periods of time in 100 degree heat and they remain quite comfortable.
The Sordin muffs have a good profile and still allow me to maintain a consistent cheek weld when shooting long guns.
MSA/Sordin. Buy once, cry once.SRS Tactical is running a sale. Get the gel seals. The quality of everything on that headset is 10x better than the HL. Those hurt my ears and never created a seal.
Sordins with gel seals are like having titties against your ears. Great stuff, you won't regret it.
^^^I was thinking that, but you beat me to my edit.
funkymonkey1111
12-09-2016, 20:12
did you see these?
https://www.ar-15.co/threads/159940-FS-MSA-Sordin-Supreme-Pro-X-LED-top-of-the-line-earmuffs?highlight=sordin
for those guys that have these MSA/Sordins--what's the model you like? if you look at that SRS website, there's a dizzying amount of choices
Mick-Boy
12-09-2016, 21:42
Sordins with gel cups are the way to go. Buy once, cry once. I've been wearing those at work and home for about five years now. They are the best and most comfortable thing going right now in over the ear hearing protection that I've tried.
The biggest difference you're seeing between models will be a)battery life b)water proofing c)sound limiting d)aux. input. Go with what works for you but kick out the extra $25 or so for the gel cups. They make a huge difference when you've got eye pro on underneath. Especially around hours 4-6.
Over the head/behind the neck is a personal preference thing. I have both but haven't developed strong feelings on them one way or the other.
What Mick said. I've called and spoke to representatives at STS Tactical to help me decide which model is right for me. Very helpful and they didn't try to up sell me.
Do the Sordins do well with rifles? I rarely shoot rifles, but when I do the HL let me down.
Yes they do well. They are slim enough to get a decent cheek weld.
Do the Sordins do well with rifles? I rarely shoot rifles, but when I do the HL let me down.
They do work well with rifles. KS63 let me try his one day we were shooting and I ordered a pair the next week.
The ESP's are nice if you can swing them but there are no coms. Custom fitted for your ears.
Still need muffs for indoor ranges.
I picked up a set of the low end ones at a charity auction for about half price. Love them. Wear them bird hunting.
http://espamerica.com/
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161210/f7996e200e7c99f35212244ac4dc4782.png
colorider
12-10-2016, 11:49
I've been eyeing these for a while. How's battery life?
batteries have never died on me and I have worn them for 9hrs straight.
MSA/Sordin. Buy once, cry once.SRS Tactical is running a sale.
that.
I went the cheap route at first but there's no comparison, go ahead and spend the $$, the MSA Supreme Pro-X are worth the wallet pain.
Eggysrun
12-11-2016, 00:12
Does anyone recommend any good ear pro that would fit nicely with an ACH on?
Mick-Boy
12-11-2016, 01:46
If you have rails on your helmet the ARC system is the way to go. Otherwise the helmet pads and suspension are going to make a big difference.
I've been using the Team Wendy EPIC AIR liner with their H-nape suspension for several years now. It was a decent solution when I needed to stay on comms but didn't want to have to wear my helmet all the time. I could position the pads to allow the headband on my earpro to run under the helmet without putting added pressure on my skull (the dome of obedience is plenty).
Once I put the ARC adapters on my helmet I was sold.
Thank you everyone for the replies!
I've narrowed it down to:
MSA/Sordin Supreme Pro-X
Peltor ComTac III ACH
TCI Liberator II
I've worn both the Peltor and the TCI's in the past and liked them. I'm going to call SRS this week and talk with them about the differences with the other two.
Does anyone recommend any good ear pro that would fit nicely with an ACH on?
I have fit both the Peltor Tac6S and Sordins under an ACH. With the foam pads rearranged so that the headband has a clear channel, of course. (Edit: I wear a size L ACH. May not work so well with smaller sized helmets.)
Now I got an Ops-Core from a contractor buddy and I use a Peltor Comtac III on the ARC rails. (Side note, I don't notice anything better or worse comparing the Comtacs and Sordins. I just happened to get a good deal on the Comtacs with the ARC rail mounts already installed.)
Pinkerton
12-11-2016, 22:21
I like the sordins but the gel cups are a must!
Wow, guess I really AM a cheap bastard! Plain old sound deadening earmuffs work for me, but I don't wear them for hours on end either.
But I do like titties against my ears......
hollohas
12-12-2016, 11:37
I have the HL's and while the electronic part seems to work well (vey little delay coming back up after shots, good amplification, long battery life even if left on) they don't seal worth a shit. My biggest complaint is that the power cord going into the cups interferes with the wire bar that holds the cups and that interference keeps the cups from reaching the proper angle to seal well.
I also have a set of Peltor Sport RangeGuard's and they are very comfortable but the electronics suck. They take a second or two to start amplifying again after shots and that is very annoying. There's also a bit of electronic distortion, almost like a little chirp or buzz, each time they cutout to block gunshots. Plus, the batteries only last a few trips to the range.
I'm going to buy Sordins when I have the coin.
colorider
12-12-2016, 11:50
,^^^*
I have the same problem with the HL product. If I do get a good seal, as soon as I turn my head it is lost.
Regarding the Howard Leights, I've found that if I extend the ear cups down (or pull the head band up) that really helps with the ear seal. It's not perfect, and the cups are still very easy to unseal, but it's definitely better.
sellersm
12-12-2016, 12:33
I've been having good results from the Walker Game Ear Razor slim models. Good electronics & fit for my weird shaped head. Caveat: I don't wear them all day long, but they're not uncomfortable when I do wear them.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Regarding the Howard Leights, I've found that if I extend the ear cups down (or pull the head band up) that really helps with the ear seal. It's not perfect, and the cups are still very easy to unseal, but it's definitely better.
This is my experience as well. For me to get a decent seal, I have to have the headband 1-2" above my head. But like you said it's still easy for the seal to break.
Surprised to not see any other recommendations for the Pro Ears. When I was doing research prior to buying the Sordins, forum posts were about 50/50 between Pro Ears and MSA Sordin. (Not on this forum though)
funkymonkey1111
02-16-2017, 00:39
any one ever try these?
http://www.safariland.com/products/comms-and-hearing-protection/hearing-protection/electronic-hearing-protection/dehp---tcis-digital-electronic-hearing-protection-DEHP.html#sz=12&start=3
saw them mentioned in a military arms channel video (MAC does not like the Sordins at all)
any one ever try these?
http://www.safariland.com/products/comms-and-hearing-protection/hearing-protection/electronic-hearing-protection/dehp---tcis-digital-electronic-hearing-protection-DEHP.html#sz=12&start=3
saw them mentioned in a military arms channel video (MAC does not like the Sordins at all)
From the pictures, options and description, I'm assuming they're re badged MSA Sordin Pro's for more $$$.
I received a pair of MSA/Sordin Supreme Pro-X with LED (https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A06582523HYXOJZ9QPFAK&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FMSA-Sordin-Supreme-Pro-Light%2Fdp%2FB00VV2GO24%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fie%3DUTF8 %26qid%3D1487273970%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26keywords%3Dmsa%2Bsordin%2Bsupreme%2Bpro-x%2Bled%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1487273970&id=3873993335207213&widgetName=sp_atf) for Christmas. The gel seals are amazing. A totally different experience to the non-electronic Silencio Magnum ear-pro that I've used for years.
Found this on ARFCOM: https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_10/468284_MSA_Sordin_Supreme_Pro_X_VS__TCI_DEHP__Whic h_is_better_.html
I'm curious about how MAC hates the Sordins but loves the TCIs, considering the TCIs are the exact same as the Sordins but with better weather sealing and better comms capability. Does MAC even run comms?
Kaiser.Shooter
02-24-2017, 22:02
I was thinking how to make my Howard Leight Impact sports comfortable, I designed a new style seals / pads, they are narrower around the ear seal and filled with silicone gel, after wearing them for 4 days at a class I really like my HL's. They will be available for sale in a few days for about $28 it's about a half price of msa and peltor gel pads.
69336
usmctarzan
02-24-2017, 22:21
I was thinking how to make my Howard Leight Impact sports comfortable, I designed a new style seals / pads, they are narrower around the ear seal and filled with silicone gel, after wearing them for 4 days at a class I really like my HL's. They will be available for sale in a few days for about $28 it's about a half price of msa and peltor gel pads.
69336
Damn those are badass!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I was thinking how to make my Howard Leight Impact sports comfortable, I designed a new style seals / pads, they are narrower around the ear seal and filled with silicone gel, after wearing them for 4 days at a class I really like my HL's. They will be available for sale in a few days for about $28 it's about a half price of msa and peltor gel pads.
69336
How does one design such a thing? So far out of my wheelhouse, wouldn't know where to start.....
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