The Original CZ Forum
GENERAL => Tactics and Competition => Topic started by: Dan_69GTX on April 28, 2017, 08:29:38 AM
-
Figured I'd post this here since I've only seen those in competitions wearing them.
I've got a nice set of "over the ear" electronic hearing protection, but am considering the "in ear" variety. So for those who have the in-ear variety what are your thoughts on them?
- Do the work as well as the over the ear?
- Are they comfortable?
- What are the drawbacks?
- How long do batteries last?
- What make/model do you have?
Early on I bought a cheap set of "over the ear" muffs. I wasted my money because: They didn't dampen sound that much. They clicked on and off too much and they shut off ALL the sounds. Had a long delay, etc. Want to try and avoid these type of issues with the in-ear variety.
Thanks!
Dan
-
I don't use them myself but in the steel shoots I regularly do there are 3 that use them and they ranged from $400 to $700 and all are form fit specific for their ears. Used to have a pair when Remington sold them for about $100 they worked from a still hearing people talk standpoint but seemed to be late on shutting down from the shot noise so you still heard a louder noise then normal.
-
I have a set of F-12's from Harris and Son's and they are fantastic. I have some MSA Sordins with gel cups that I used to use and while those are definitely comfortable there is really no comparison. I like the in ear much better. They are very comfortable, put them in at the beginning of an all day match and take them out when it's over. I have not found any drawbacks yet. They came with a box of batteries (years supply) so I never really payed attention to their life.
They are a hearing aid company so you have to get a hearing test, molds etc and send them off to them. They are definitely pricy but I figure we will drop a lot on a gun to use for a season or 2 and my hearing has to last my whole life so I think they are worth every penny.
-
Dan this caught my eye , but I never followed up on it. 32 db protection
http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=81583.msg597936#msg597936
-
Thanks!
I looked at the website for Harris and Son's and it is not there anymore.
WALKERS RAZOR-X DIGITAL EAR BUDS - cool - thanks - I'll check them out.
-
Let me know what you find out. They really did sound good. They aren't inexpensive, but neither are my hearing aids from a lot of loud sound damage.
-
So I have recently started thinking about getting in-ear noise cancelling ear protection. At my last match a fellow competitor pointed me to and was also interested in trying these out:
https://isotunesaudio.com/products/isotunes-pro
I checked them out and for the money the seem to be a good value. They have good noise reduction and other neat features like bluetooth capability (in the event they don't work out well for shooting). They are inexpensive enough to try. They don't amplify ambient sounds though so if you need to hear range commands they may not be the right czoice.
Cheers,
Toby
-
I looked at the website for Harris and Son's and it is not there anymore.
I noticed that too but they are still making them. The website for his hearing aid company is still up truetonehearing.com. If you are interested shoot me a PM and I will send you Dave Harris's cell number. He was a nice guy and very easy to work with.
-
Let me know what you find out. They really did sound good. They aren't inexpensive, but neither are my hearing aids from a lot of loud sound damage.
I will probably try these out. But, since I just purchased 1 1/2 years worth of primers and my Son's wedding is this weekend, I'd better not do it now or my wife might get "mildly" annoyed. She was OK with the primers since they were such a good deal.
-
You might want to subtly tell her that without good hearing protection you may not be able to hear what she wants for Christmas, her birthday or ... .:) OR when she says, "hon let's go out to dinner tonight", just say I'm glad you want to make dinner, I really didn't want to go out anyway. O0
-
https://www.sportear.com/products/ghost-stryke-black?variant=21953603267
I know that you can check with your insurance and see if they provide a discount for custom electronic ear protection as well. I would look into that first.
good luck!
-
This is my first season doing USPSA shoots in the summer... now I understand why people want electronic ear plugs instead of muffs. But dang they're pricey :(
-
Well, 1SOW, I ordered the walker - non blue tooth version. I'll post my opinion when I get them.
Thanks!
-
Thanks, interested to hear how the operate. Hope they live up to the hype.
-
Please post a review once you get them... I'm also very interested
-
Using the new Walker Razor X (non blue tooth version) - I like them. Not love them, but I'm sure in time I will love them. All in getting use to a different way of doing things.
I'm comparing these to the current electronic ear muffs I have -
https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Amplification-Electronic-R-01902/dp/B007BGSI5U
The cheaper earmuffs I don't like and only have a 21 db noise reduction rating - no where near enough for me!
Things I noticed:
- Comes with 3 pair foam ear inserts - pair of large, med and small. Does say where you can call to get replacements, but no pricing on their website. So no "spares" till you get them from somewhere.
- With volume turned off - both items reduce noise the same.
- The Walker can amplify sound way more than comfortable - good for those already deaf. (For those who are slow, that means don't turn them up too far) ::)
- After getting the Walker to fit properly, wearing them for 5 hours at a match was not a problem.
- The Walker has a way to select "indoor" and "outdoor" mode. The indoor has a greater trailing delay in blocking loud noise. I preferred the indoor at the match.
- Unlike the cheap electronic ear muffs I noticed NO clicking when it reduced sound and then a click when it stopped reducing the sound level.
- Would I buy them again - YES!!
Got other questions - ask away!
-
Tried the Walker Razor XV with Blue Tooth this weekend at an indoor range. I lasted about two minutes before switching them out. Yes, I know this unit has an indoor and an outdoor setting and I tried them both. It was like I wasn't wearing anything at all. Tried using my fingers to push the earpieces into my ear. Still didn't help much. Either I received a defective unit or this item is worthless at indoor ranges. Will be returning.
Pete :-\
-
Thanks for the info guys. The good and the bad. :-\
It sounds like they could be great when they work. I like that they are designed to work well for pistol, rifle or shotgun without interfering with the rifle or shotgun hold.
I've used the Howard Leights and they didn't work well for me. I'm one of the deaf you mentioned. Hearing the timer beep and range commands is problematic. Being able to up the "voice" sounds is what I need. I can do that with my blue-tooth hearing aids but need muffs over the top of them. :P
cook, I hope your problem is a one-in-a thousand failure. I never shoot at indoor ranges.
-
Cook,
When you turn the volume all the way down, do they block out the sound like a regular $2.00 ear plug would? If not, then you are having an issue with getting them to fit into your ear correctly, not the function of the electronics. Make sure you twist the foam ends, just like you would the cheap ear plugs. Also, both ears might not be the same shape - mine were not. I ended up using one of the small foam tips for one ear and a medium in the other.
Your statement of "It was like I wasn't wearing anything at all." means to me that it isn't the electronics, but that they don't fit your ear properly because when they are turned off, they are the same thing as the $2.00 ear plugs.
1SOW - I've not tried them yet with rifle or shotgun. They should be fine, but I have not verified. Either way - at least for steel shoots my head won't sweat as much now.
-
FYI - I sent an email asking about replacement tips. They should be on the web site soon:
Reply was:
We just switched manufactures of the tips. We should have them available of the units soon. We just have to work with them to be able to get spares so we can set up variety packs of the tips.
-
Picked up a set of the walker razor xv, looks like they might take the replacement tips for plug phones. https://www.plugfones.com/product/green-silicone-replacement-plugs-copy/
-
Update on the Walker Razor X.
Used it today for a steel challenge match. Turned it on at 9am, went dead at 1:30. Was on low amplification (1st or 2nd click) most all the time. It clicked 3 times then went dead, no warning.
It shouldn't have gone into "auto-shut off (low power mode) after 4 to 6 hours" because I was pressing buttons to control volume (I hear the ring of the steel better without amplification.
So, if it does it again I guess I'll send them an email and see what to do since it sure didn't last 10 hours.
-
Did it again yesterday. Almost 4.5 hours exactly.
Called them this morning. Yes, 4.5 hours is way too short. I answered basic questions, got a RA, will return tomorrow. That was easy - cool!
-
Good response, bi sorry there were battery problems.
Hopefully, they'll send you a whole new set with all the plugs.
-
Update, got the new set - brand new full package. Cool!
Bad news - still only lasts between 4.5 and 5 hours. So it seems their 10 hour life is.....NOT!!
Not sure what I'm gonna do now.
-
Man, that smacks. I've shot a match that lasted longer than that.
-
Decided to return them to the store - got a full refund.
If anyone figures what else is good let me know. However I'm not in a rush right now. Looks like shooting is out of the question for a long time. :'(
I hurt my back and can't stand up. So, found I need surgery. :( Will be out of commission or toooo long.
-
REALLY sorry to hear that. I hope it's a problem that can be repaired, healed and put you back in business ASAP. Keep us posted.
-
I am using these for the last two years, and they are pretty neat in performance as well as battery time. Not sure how many hours, but I keep them on all the time *usually 3 hrs plus on sundays, and the battery lasts for about 2-3 months minimum. This includes some sundays that I forget to turn them off (auto off in about 2 hrs I think).
http://www.brownells.com/shooting-accessories/ear-eye-protection/ear-muffs/tactical-100-electronic-earmuffs-prod73180.aspx
Not bulky either, so shooting rifle in prone position is not an issue at all. The sound reduction is acceptable, very comfortable, and the amplification is pretty impressive. I was using some regular (non-electronic) 30dB Peltor earlier, and they are more 'quiet', but these electronic ones are not bad by any standards.