Best Electronic Hearing Protectors-Priced <$200

**LenS** · 07-22-2007, 01:09 PM

I'm starting this as a Sticky Thread for the purpose of keeping info strictly on what the best electronic hearing protectors are out there for LESS than $200/pair (discounted price, e.g. C&R FFL or LEO/Mil).

My motivation for this thread came yesterday when I thought I lost my Peltor 7S muffs! I've since found them, but came to realize that there may be better solutions than the Peltors out there over the past 6 years since I bought them.

Some brands to look at:

Browning
MSA/Sordin
Peltor (aka Aearo)
Dillon
Remington
Maximus
Radians
Caldwell
Pro-Ears

Some models sell for $300-400 and I'm suggesting that we exclude them, as they are well beyond what most of us are willing to pay.

Please use this thread ONLY as a "resource" for all of us on the better products and why they are better. Off-topic replies will be removed without notice as we want this to be a useful thread without clutter. Thanks.

**matt** · 07-22-2007, 02:44 PM

I have an inexpensive pair of Caldwell electronic muffs. I'm sure they are not the best under $200, but they are reasonable for the price (can be found as low as $35 if you hunt around).

Pros:
-Price !
-Good NRR: 29dB
-comfort is good

Con:
-delay after a shot is a little long
-general construction quality is low
-large size

If you do spend $200 on higher end muffs, these also make good backup or spares for guests to the range. I always give my electronic muffs to my guests so they can hear my instructions clearly.

**Adam_MA** · 07-23-2007, 07:29 AM

I have seen identical models go for MUCH more than this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92851

$20

I have them, they work well, I can shoot rifle with just them on, and if I lose them, I'm only out $20

**firtree** · 07-23-2007, 08:44 AM

I bought a pair of Pro Ears Sporting Clays Plus 6 months ago and it was the best $150
I ever spent on a shooting accessory (C&R discount at brownells). The comfort is great,
it has good noise discrimination, and it is pretty low profile,
so it works ok with a rifle. At a class I took at Sigarms Academy, I wore a set of
disposable earplugs under the proears and turned the proears all the way up.
That way when the range was quiet I could hear the instructor perfectly and when
the shooting started it was wonderfully quiet. I didn't miss anything that was
discussed between strings as opposed to everyone else who had to take their
muffs or plugs off all the time.

F

**ArmedMainer** · 07-23-2007, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Adam_MA

I have seen identical models go for MUCH more than this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92851

$20

I have them, they work well, I can shoot rifle with just them on, and if I lose them, I'm only out $20

I've heard from guys I shoot with these are a good buy for the money.

**EddieCoyle** · 07-23-2007, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by Adam_MA

I have seen identical models go for MUCH more than this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92851

$20

I have them, they work well, I can shoot rifle with just them on, and if I lose them, I'm only out $20

These are the ones I use. They work fine. I've never tried any of the expensive ones.

**KMaurer** · 07-23-2007, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Adam_MA

I have seen identical models go for MUCH more than this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92851

$20

I have them, they work well, I can shoot rifle with just them on, and if I lose them, I'm only out $20

IIRC, Jon Green picked up several pairs of these for the pistol classes at GOAL and was happy with them.

Ken

**Pilgrim** · 07-23-2007, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by Adam_MA

I have seen identical models go for MUCH more than this.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92851

$20

I have them, they work well, I can shoot rifle with just them on, and if I lose them, I'm only out $20

I have one for me, and 2 for guests...great item.

**LenS** · 07-23-2007, 10:57 PM

I bought one pair that my Wife was using. She does like the Peltor Tac 6 better, so that's what she's using now and the HF ones are now spares like I had intended. When I bought mine, I also bought a pair for Derek and Brent. They'll have to pipe up on their experience with them. I'd say that they are excellent for short money but not one of the best out there. Very long delay after shot (relatively speaking) before you can hear anyone again, bulky and difficult to get at the batteries.

**TonyDedo** · 07-30-2007, 03:24 PM

I originally bought a pair of Caldwell for around $40, and I was very unhappy with them. They were very inconsistent, sometimes turning the speakers back on too soon, other times they would cut out during conversation or a the slightest bump or knock. Also, the transition from amplified to non-amplified mode was very audible and full of static.

I returned them after a couple days, and bought a pair or Radians from Four Seasons for somewhere between $50 and $75. Unfortunately I don't have the model number with me, because I've been very pleased with them. The transition between amplified and non-amplified is so seamless, at first I didn't think they were working. They're also a bit thinner than most of the models I've seen, although they still rub a little when shooting rifle (not as bad as other models I've seen).

Best Electronic Hearing Protectors-Priced <$200

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