Electronic earmuff options

[The Wolfhound]

My first experience is with Peltors.  I like what they do but there could certainly be room for improvement.  I notice that a bolt closing on a semi-automatic, even a rimfire will shut them down.  I do not notice any long delay in the audio coming back.

[Unbridled Liberty]

The Pro Ears are incredible. They have excellent noise compression technology, which lowers the volume of gunfire while amplifying quieter sounds. The cheaper electronic muffs use sound clipping technology, essentially they kill all sound as soon as they detect noise above the decibel threshold they are programmed for. This means that you can hear people talking clearly while you are shooting or next to a shooter. I actually hear my rounds impacting downrange when I shoot alone. You don't get this with the cheaper types.

If you have the money, there is no comparison whatsoever.....buy the Pro Ears. At the same time, the Howard Leight's are still great and will serve you well for a far lower cost.

I personally don't like ANY of the muffs that are capable of the highest NRR ratings. They are (by necessity to do their job) too large to allow good contact with the stocks of some rifles and shotguns depending on your position and application. For me I am willing to get a lower NRR for the versatility offered by a low profile design. The muffs that I use all the time and am thrilled with are the Predator Gold model, here's a link: http://www.proears.com/Pro-Ears-Shooting-Hearing-Ear-Protection-Predator-Gold
If you look around you can pick them up for close to a hundred bucks less than their listed price, I think I paid about $240 for mine.

Can you get batteries for those at almost any store like you can with AAA or AA?  How quickly does it go through batteries?

UL

[NhLibertas]

Mine take an "N" battery, which can be found at most grocery stores, drug stores, etc. I have been on the same pair of batteries for the last couple years since I bought them, so they are definitely long life.

Nonetheless, I always keep a spare set in a range bag or kit bag with me in a zip loc bag, so when they eventually run out I will be ready with a replacement.

[Unbridled Liberty]

Mine take an "N" battery, which can be found at most grocery stores, drug stores, etc. I have been on the same pair of batteries for the last couple years since I bought them, so they are definitely long life.

Nonetheless, I always keep a spare set in a range bag or kit bag with me in a zip loc bag, so when they eventually run out I will be ready with a replacement.

Wow!  One set of batteries lasting 2 years?  How many shoots have they gone through?

UL

[NhLibertas]

Been through quite a few, including a 4 day course out at Front Sight and plenty of time out in my back woods. I sometimes use them hunting if I'm still, as they amplify the sounds in the forest.

I believe Pro Ears rates them for 250 hrs for a pair of N batteries, and I suspect I've gone over that and they are still great. They do however, have an automatic shutoff so if you leave them on by accident (which I've done) they won't drain the batteries.

[George Hacker]

I went to Amazon.com to check out electronic hearing protection because of this thread.  When looking at the Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff mentioned in this thread, I came upon this customer that made a video review because he thought so highly of them:

http://www.amazon.com/review/R16YG7R1B1FW0O/ref=cm_cr_pr_viewpnt#R16YG7R1B1FW0O

Just placed my order with free shipping.  Thank you, everyone, for your exchanges on this topic.

- ShadowMan