Best Electronic Hearing Protectors-Priced <$200

Anyone have any experience with these?


Yup. I've had a set for about 2 years. Excellent hearing protection with two caveats:
1. The hearing aid batteries are powered by zinc air, meaning they are activated by air. When the tab is removed you are essentially starting the battery, so even though the units are turned off, the batteries are going to be draining. I buy them in bulk from Amazon and if I've left them in the bag for a few weeks, I quickly change the batteries out prior to a range session.
2. You need to spend a little time getting the right ear buds in place. Try all three sizes. If you don't get them into your ear canal, they still work, but they feel like they're going to fall off, even though they won't. They still provide good hearing protection, but it's distracting if it feels like you're about to lose one.

Overall, I like them and use them for all outdoor shooting. Indoors, I use muffs and foam ear plugs.
 
Scott, I appreciate the report.

One question about the batteries, are they a common item? Size and availability?
 
Scott, I appreciate the report.

One question about the batteries, are they a common item? Size and availability?

Yeah, they're common Size 10 Hearing Aid Batteries, available pretty much everywhere. I bought a 64-pack of them for $17 shipped ($.27/ea) from Amazon and threw them on the shelf.
 
Scott, I appreciate the report.

One question about the batteries, are they a common item? Size and availability?
Yeah, they're common Size 10 Hearing Aid Batteries, available pretty much everywhere. I bought a 64-pack of them for $17 shipped ($.27/ea) from Amazon and threw them on the shelf.
Costco sells the hearing aid batteries 48 for $8.49. They are on the counter at their hearing aid centers at the front of their stores in Waltham, Avon, Dedham and Nashua. True in other Costco's as well but these are the ones that I've shopped at. Also available in BJs and Sam's Club but prices were considerably higher.

The Hearing Aid Specialist I use at Costco (I wear hearing aids) told me that once you remove the sticker the batteries typically last 5 days whether used or not.
 
Costco sells the hearing aid batteries 48 for $8.49. They are on the counter at their hearing aid centers at the front of their stores in Waltham, Avon, Dedham and Nashua. True in other Costco's as well but these are the ones that I've shopped at. Also available in BJs and Sam's Club but prices were considerably higher.

The Hearing Aid Specialist I use at Costco (I wear hearing aids) told me that once you remove the sticker the batteries typically last 5 days whether used or not.

This has certainly been my experience. I didn't know about the "air activation," and I kept grabbing the earplugs at the range, the batteries would be dead, and I'd think "I'm an idiot for not turning these off..." Reading about the batteries was a real "A HA" moment.
 
This has certainly been my experience. I didn't know about the "air activation," and I kept grabbing the earplugs at the range, the batteries would be dead, and I'd think "I'm an idiot for not turning these off..." Reading about the batteries was a real "A HA" moment.
There is a small hole under the tab. Tab removal allows air to get into the battery and activate it, then it is dissipating energy from that point on until the battery dies. They are actually zinc-air batteries.
 
I just got some Howard leight slims but they're actually pretty uncomfortable with my large ears. Any recommendations?
Do you have the NoiseFighter gel pads or the factory standard foam cups? Walker's Razors might fit a little better due to their slightly different shape.
 
I have just the standard cups. I like the slim profile especially shooting the x95 with the lower height red dot. But towards the end of my range visit I switched back to my basic cheapy peltors. I'll check out the razors.
 
I upgraded my Peltor Sport Tactical 500's with their gel Sealing Rings and Bnineteenteam Tactical Advanced Headset Cover. For me, I'll always use gel rings in whatever ear protection I purchase. They are very comfortable, especially if you wear glasses.

I retired my Howard Leight slims to my night stand, but if was to use them for a range visit, I'd put the gel pads on them.

YMMV

Jay
 
Do the peltors sport tactical have larger ear cups in general? I felt like I wasn't even getting a great seal because the headset was contacting the stock etc and pushing them. I may look into earbud type things but I've never been a fan. Just would like a decent pair to be able to hear while protection my ears.
 
Do the peltors sport tactical have larger ear cups in general? I felt like I wasn't even getting a great seal because the headset was contacting the stock etc and pushing them. I may look into earbud type things but I've never been a fan. Just would like a decent pair to be able to hear while protection my ears.

Weird as this mental picture is, I measured my ears (Mrs. a73elkyss just rolled her eye and said "WTH are you doing. I am NOT helping you measure THAT!). I then measured the Howard Leights Cups vs. the Peltor 500 Cups w/gel pads.
HL:
Height OD: 3 3/4"
Height ID: 2 3/8"
Width OD: 2 3/4"
Width ID 1 1/2"
Inside ear Depth: 1/2"
Complete Depth: 1 3/8"

Peltor 500:
Height OD: 4"
Height ID: 2 3/4"
Width OD: 3"
Width ID 1 3/4"
Inside ear Depth: 3/4"
Complete Depth: 2 1/8"

A73elkyss Human Ear:
Height: 2 5/8"
Width: 1 1/8"
Depth: 5/8"


The HL foam is standard cushion that came with them. Kinda stiff and are tough to get a good seal with glasses. Absolutely need to double up when used inside. They are truly slim and contoured well.

Peltor 500 factory cushion changed with their Gel cup. Very comfortable and I get a great ear seal with glasses. I can wear them all day and my ears are fine at the end of the day. But they ARE larger.

This is just me. YMMV. I will also say, the gel cups along with my ears are flexible. There are other things to consider like cost, electronic shot cut off, cup cheek weld size, indoors vs outdoor use, conversation ability, etc.

While the Peltor 500's are my current go to "ears", I'm looking at stepping up to the next level.

As I mentioned, the HL's are now on my nightstand and give me an advantage if all else fails during a "glass breakage" type event, because I doubt the "other" person has "ears on". [thumbsup]

Let me just add. I may be a little older than you. I have moderate hearing loss w/Tinnitus (with other medical issues) and wear hearing aids. If I could go back in time, I would have spent WAY more on hearing protection as once hearing starts to go south, there is no practical medical procedure to get it back. And good hearing aids can run multiple thousands of dollars. The old adage of pay me know or pay me later is extremely true.

Jay
 
Anyone have any experience with these?

I bought some and one of the earbuds was broken out of the box. I returned them and received a full refund. I’m glad others have had success with this product, but I went with the full-sized Walker’s earmuffs after seeing a couple guys with them at a Garand shoot and have never looked back.
 
They are actually around $300, possibly cheaper on sale or with discount but I have heard some really great things about the new Safariland Liberator 2.0
 
I have a pair of MSA/Sordins, and while they're very good, I'd go with Peltors if I had to again.
 
I have some pro ears stealth elites listed for sale.

I didn't try them, because I went the custom route.

 
An NESr took me up on my twoferone offer and we bought these. Mine came in on Friday and I charged them up in ninety minutes and syched them up. Took them to an IDPA match at Old Colony on Saturday. For under $100 they are great. I got a couple calls during the match and they worked great. Around pistol fire outdoors they were adequate with the foam plugs. I've been using eep100s which have more protection with the skull screws which I will try to use with the Axils.

I've read some of the negative reviews and from my observation they're inaccurate from a sound reduction perspective. I don't know how these will hold up but for the black Friday price they seem great.

Here's a more in depth review.
 
I just got some Howard leight slims but they're actually pretty uncomfortable with my large ears. Any recommendations?
I find that they don't seal well if my head moves. As a result, I run them at full volume, but I also wear ear plugs as well. That makes any noise comfortable.
I miss the old Wolf's Ears that were based on David Clark protectors. They were bulky, but were excellent quality.
 
I find that they don't seal well if my head moves. As a result, I run them at full volume, but I also wear ear plugs as well. That makes any noise comfortable.
I miss the old Wolf's Ears that were based on David Clark protectors. They were bulky, but were excellent quality.
replacement gel pads is the standard answer. feels better fit wise and sound wise, but, for me feels also way more hot. still, it works.
 
If you wear eyeglasses where there is a gap between your temple and your eyeglasses arm, and you shoot during the cold winter months , Buy a pair of mid priced Peltors, throw the stock Peltor foam ear pads in the trash and buy silicone gel pads. Total comfort and in the cold the silicone warms up and forms nicely to your specific ear / head profile.
 
If you wear eyeglasses where there is a gap between your temple and your eyeglasses arm, and you shoot during the cold winter months , Buy a pair of mid priced Peltors, throw the stock Peltor foam ear pads in the trash and buy silicone gel pads. Total comfort and in the cold the silicone warms up and forms nicely to your specific ear / head profile.
I normally use walker head phones but can confirm silicone gel pads are the way. I live ear the highway and even over the massive barrier and soundproofing in the house it can get loud at times at night so I sleep with a pair of just silicone gel inserts and they conform to ear shape perfectly. Totally better than the disposible glue shit you can buy at pharmacies.
 
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