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AIRret
06-07-2013, 05:16 PM
I will be looking for electronic ear muffs and wonder if you kind folks have any recommendations.
Thanks!

RRP
06-07-2013, 07:25 PM
Howard Leight Impact Sport (http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O)

AIRret
06-07-2013, 07:36 PM
Thanks, RRP
We are taking Massad Ayoob's class, "Mag 40" next week and we are thinking about buying some electronic ear muffs.
It's kind of short notice, but we might take the plunge sooner rather than later.

RRP
06-07-2013, 07:46 PM
Good luck with MAG-40. I'm registered for the same in August. I look forward to your review.

AIRret
06-08-2013, 07:06 AM
Good luck with MAG-40. I'm registered for the same in August. I look forward to your review.

Class starts Thursday and ends Sunday. The days will be long so I probably won't post the review until Monday.
If you google Mag 40 and review you can also read what others have said about the course. From what I've been able to tell it's all good.

Glock23
06-08-2013, 10:44 AM
Howard Leight Impact Sport (http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-R-01526-Electronic-Earmuff/dp/B001T7QJ9O)

2nded. I have these, and they work great!

gb6491
06-08-2013, 11:06 AM
I have these: http://www.harborfreight.com/noise-canceling-electronic-ear-muffs-92851.html
They were on sale with a coupon for under $12, so I thought I would try them out. They work great with no issues so far (well the little foam piece over the microphone falls off pretty easily). If you turn the gain up, some lower decibel sound is actually amplified (I can easily hear people talking 10 targets away), but loud noise is still cutoff. Dropping the slide will usually activate the cut off circuit. There very good muffs when turned off.
Regards,
Greg


FWIW, these same muffs sell for over $40 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Western-Safety-Noise-Canceling-Electronic/dp/B001RVKOVG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1370707372&sr=1-1&keywords=Noise+Canceling+Electronic+Ear+Muffs).

Fodder
06-08-2013, 11:09 AM
I use Sordin's. They're expensive, but the best IMHO.

http://www.srstactical.com/communications/electronic-ambient-listening-headsets/msa-sordin-supreme-pro*x/75302*x.html


RB

LorenzoB
06-08-2013, 05:15 PM
I have these and they work well and are comfortable.

Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff
http://amzn.com/B001T7QJ9O

Cokeman
06-09-2013, 12:53 AM
I have these: http://www.harborfreight.com/noise-canceling-electronic-ear-muffs-92851.html
They were on sale with a coupon for under $12, so I thought I would try them out. They work great with no issues so far (well the little foam piece over the microphone falls off pretty easily). If you turn the gain up, some lower decibel sound is actually amplified (I can easily hear people talking 10 targets away), but loud noise is still cutoff. Dropping the slide will usually activate the cut off circuit. There very good muffs when turned off.
Regards,
Greg


FWIW, these same muffs sell for over $40 on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Western-Safety-Noise-Canceling-Electronic/dp/B001RVKOVG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1370707372&sr=1-1&keywords=Noise+Canceling+Electronic+Ear+Muffs).

They look weird. :001_huh:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31510P6J0IL.jpg

gb6491
06-09-2013, 02:09 AM
They look weird. :001_huh:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31510P6J0IL.jpg
Hmm, I've never had anyone say that to me when I've had my on; then again, I usually have a gun in my hand when I have them on;)

Cokeman
06-09-2013, 02:26 AM
:33: :86:

K9_Two_Tone
06-09-2013, 08:41 AM
There is a wide variation among the brands. Here are a few thoughts on one brand. My wife has a pair of Pro_Ears Gold NRR 33 and I have a set of Pro Ears Slim. They are not cheap, but I highly recommend both. The Pro Ears Gold are very effective in reducing sound. The Pro Ears Siim are slightly more convenient when rifle shooting outdoors.

If you are primarily shooting at indoor ranges, then definitely "go for the gold." For me, the Slim models do not block out enough sound with used in indoor ranges. Even when using ear plugs and wearing the Slims, the K9's muzzle blast was painful. I immediately switched to the Pro Ears Golds before continuing.

I am considering upgrading to sets with two sensors per ear. Most sets only have one sensor per muff. This means that even though ambient sounds can be amplified, you cannot tell which direction they are coming from. The two sensors per muff will solve that problem.

Good luck. Let us know what you choose and how you decided. Thank you.

Planedude
06-09-2013, 08:41 AM
Hmm, I've never had anyone say that to me when I've had my on; then again, I usually have a gun in my hand when I have them on;)


Word on that!

I have these for Shotgunning as they don't hit the comb of the stock when blasting clays. They work well enough for the pistol range but seem taxed on a busy indoor range. They were a good price at Cabelas some time ago...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/2135416662/caldwell-e-max-low-profile-electronic-earmuffs-nrr-23db

Good luck on the search and the class. 2X on a review whenever your ready.

Bawanna
06-09-2013, 11:01 AM
I'd like to come up with a set that has electronic muff on the left and nothing on the right. I have very little hearing in the left and none in the right.
Shotgunning I like to just use plugs but now if I do that I got no hearing at all.

The hearing aid itself actually blocks loud noises, it kicks out and doesn't amplify just like an electronic muff. I may have to try it, maybe it's enough as is.

Even though my right ear don't work it still hurts if there's a loud noise.

I need a large muff that fits over the ear and hearing aid and with the electronics I can still ear range commands etc at least a little bit. If they are too tight, I get insanity driving feed back out of the hearing aid.

OldLincoln
06-09-2013, 01:31 PM
My Audi told me not to wear my aids when target shooting. It does have a max threshold feature to block super loud sounds, but a) sound still gets through and b) don't want to chance messing them up. I use the head screws that AFDoc gave me and the muffs my son gave me. They work well between the two of them, but even that won't block a .50 in the next stall.

TucsonMTB
06-09-2013, 04:16 PM
It is unfortunate that you live so far away from where we live here in Tucson. If it were practical, I would lend you any of the several sets of electronic muffs my wife and I have purchased over the years. They all work. None are perfect. If you are well heeled, buy expensive ones for greater confidence. But, they probably will NOT work better than the less expensive versions.

Some of your shooting acquaintances probably have some similar gear to lend you. Go for it. Experience really helps.

Right now, neither I or my wife use any of our fancy electronic models, but we lend them out to family and friends frequently.

My wife prefers ordinary ear plugs under a set of Navy flight deck muffs. They are huge, but they get the job done in protecting her very sensitive ears.

I have a set of individually molded plugs that I got from an audiologist at a gun show. They are comfortable and always in place, which makes up for any other possible shortcomings.

Best of luck, but start with nearby friends. ;)

K9_Two_Tone
06-09-2013, 05:38 PM
I forgot to mention one more thing. The Pro Ears electronic muffs are individually turned on and off, and are individually volume adjustable. Most electronic muffs probably operate similarly. More than once I've forgotten to turn one side off, and ended up with a dead battery in one side. This wouldn't be such a big deal except the batteries are somewhat expensive.

One does feel a bit stupid converting $250 - $300 electronic muffs into $20 plain ones!!!

AIRret
06-09-2013, 06:55 PM
Thanks for all the information.
The only ones we have located in the Battle creek/kalamazoo area are caldwel, walker a gander mountain brand and howard leights ..which they are out of . We should have started shopping earlier if we wanted these for the class.
We may just use our regular muffs and custom molded ear plugs. I hate to buy something
just because they are available. Lesson learned......shop early!

PS the walker reviews we've read were very poor.

JohnR
06-09-2013, 07:17 PM
I have the grey ones from Wal Mart that take 4 AAA batteries. It's not all that great. For some reason lately I haven't been able to get good batteries. Duracell, off-brand, store brand, they are DOA out of the package. Costco, Publix, dollar store, it doesn't matter. Is it just me, or does anyone else have trouble with batteries lately?

I appreciate the advantage of noise cancelling earmuffs, but call me old fashioned; I prefer passive "dumb" ear muffs. My Peltors have never given me trouble, but everything electronic has found a way to piss me off. Maybe I shouldn't consider a rail mounted light after all.

LorenzoB
06-10-2013, 08:22 AM
......but everything electronic has found a way to piss me off. Maybe I shouldn't consider a rail mounted light after all.

Rail mounted candle stick maybe?
It's a pain in the knuckles when the hot wax melts on your support hand. :D

340pd
06-10-2013, 11:46 AM
I have these and they work well and are comfortable.

Howard Leight R-01526 Impact Sport Electronic Earmuff
http://amzn.com/B001T7QJ9O

I am an instructor and RSO and these work great. Batteries last forever and if you feel like you need more protection use disposable foam under them.

AIRret
06-11-2013, 07:48 AM
Well folks after the feedback on this forum, internet reviews, and conversations at several gun stores we have decided to go with the Howard Leight impact sport electronic earmuff.

We got lucky and (made lots of phone calls) found them on sale at Cabela's for $49.99. Plus We got a %5 discount because I'm retired AF. For you other veterans it pays
to ask about discounts because a lot of places give them but do not advertise them (Bass Pro also gives a discount).

Thanks again folks for your help! The Howard Leight earmuffs weren't even on our radar until you good people mentioned them.
I'll let you know how they work in the Mag 40 class.

LorenzoB
06-11-2013, 08:10 AM
I double up and wear ear plugs under them and usually turn the volume down (or even off) when there is a lot of shooting at the range. If it is a slow day, I will leave the volume a little higher for the occasional conversation. You will figure out how you like to use them. But just remember hearing is important, so, the more protection, the better.

AIRret
06-11-2013, 08:22 AM
We also have fitted earplugs that we use in conjunction with muffs if we are shooting indoors or if someone at an outdoor range if shooting a high caliber rifle.

Your right, gotta protect your ears!!

Glock23
06-11-2013, 08:25 AM
We got lucky and (made lots of phone calls) found them on sale at Cabela's for $49.99. Plus We got a %5 discount because I'm retired AF. For you other veterans it pays
to ask about discounts because a lot of places give them but do not advertise them (Bass Pro also gives a discount).
Somewhat related (just not to guns), Lowes and Home Depot both give 10% veteran discounts.

JohnR
06-11-2013, 09:29 AM
Well folks after the feedback on this forum, internet reviews, and conversations at several gun stores we have decided to go with the Howard Leight impact sport electronic earmuff.

We got lucky and (made lots of phone calls) found them on sale at Cabela's for $49.99. Plus We got a %5 discount because I'm retired AF. For you other veterans it pays
to ask about discounts because a lot of places give them but do not advertise them (Bass Pro also gives a discount).

Thanks again folks for your help! The Howard Leight earmuffs weren't even on our radar until you good people mentioned them.
I'll let you know how they work in the Mag 40 class.
That's a good deal, I saw them at Academy yesterday for $60.