Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

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Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by TassieTiger » 20 Aug 2019, 10:12 pm

So this has been asked a few times and I’ve read most of the search returns but still don’t have my answer...
With my latest concussion, additional testing has shown my hearing has deteriorated somewhat...so -
I’m looking for a set of class 5 (30db) electronic ear muffs that won’t interfere with my cheek weld like my current Howard L do.

There are so many on the market - I’d rather not risk buying 5 pairs to get one good pair...

So - I guess I’m looking for light weight, comfortable, min 30db reduction as am shooting large caliber, low profile at least on rh side, amplifies audio, on/off light...
Not worried about blue tooth, or mic attachments, or that kind of gaff - but if they are there, I’ll take them. I’m trying to keep the cost down around $200-$250 or thereabouts If possible - i guess I could stick with my Howard Leight standards - they are comfy enough but bash against the stocks of all my rifles and you can’t hear range instructions/ other chat.

Any real world reviews out there that match my wants/needs?
Thanks TT.
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by Oldbloke » 21 Aug 2019, 8:47 am

Generally speaking the higher the level of protection the fatter they are. (more materials, foam etc)
Suggest you go to a couple of ohs shops and try a few first. A bit like shoes, best to get fitted.
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by Bruiser64 » 21 Aug 2019, 9:14 am

An expensive, but likely very effective option may be the CENS molded earplugs from Earmold. No cheek weld issues with these babies. They do want drug money for them though.

https://www.earmold.com.au/cens-digital ... hunter.htm
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by RoginaJack » 21 Aug 2019, 10:00 am

Bloody Hell, you'r not joking either! :wtf:
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by TassieTiger » 21 Aug 2019, 11:24 am

Bruiser64 wrote:An expensive, but likely very effective option may be the CENS molded earplugs from Earmold. No cheek weld issues with these babies. They do want drug money for them though.

https://www.earmold.com.au/cens-digital ... hunter.htm



$1150? That buys a LOT of foam lol
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ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by Oldbloke » 21 Aug 2019, 2:58 pm

Try ear plugs under your current muffs.
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by TassieTiger » 21 Aug 2019, 3:02 pm

Current muffs hit stock as per op post...main reason for wanting low profile.
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by Supaduke » 21 Aug 2019, 5:40 pm

Realistically, you can't really have both.
Low profile are generally around 20-22db.
As said, 30db need to be fatter. I have some Peltor Tactical , dumb name, great earmuffs. Only 22db.
For the pricepoint, low profile and 30db.
The best way you would achieve that is some nice quality Peltor or MSA low profile muffs and foam earbuds underneath.
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by TassieTiger » 21 Aug 2019, 5:58 pm

Okay - thanks, good to know it’s not really achievable with my current budget. I’ll look at other options. Thanks.
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by on_one_wheel » 21 Aug 2019, 8:04 pm

I'm using 3M Peltor Sporttac muffs.

They're SLC80 Rating 24db (Class 4)
AS/NSZ 1270:2002, CE Approved

While theyre not class 5, i can say that despite being on the slightly bulky side, I can still achieve perfect cheek weld /position on all my rifles with or without adjustable cheek rests.

Sometimes I notice the muff touching the comb at first but once I'm settled in there's no problem and I either don't notice it anymore or the muffs end up sitting just right.

Defiantly consider if you can get replacement pads for whatever brand you get, if your spending good money on them you don't want to find them getting uncomfortable 5 years down the track when the foam dies with no option of replacing the pads.

3M do what they call a "sanitary kit" which is just replacment pads. I've just replaced mine ... so comfy again.

As said eirler, plenty of people use plugs under their muffs, but it's a shame to have auto cut-out and kill the joy with plugs.
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by Bent Arrow » 21 Aug 2019, 10:46 pm

As others have said, that's a huge ask in the price range. I use foam plugs under low profile muffs. Works fine
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by RoginaJack » 22 Aug 2019, 4:47 pm

The 3M PELTOR ProTac III hearing protector, slim,class 5. about $135.00.

Any thoughts on these. Price seems OK.
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by TassieTiger » 22 Aug 2019, 5:24 pm

RoginaJack wrote:The 3M PELTOR ProTac III hearing protector, slim,class 5. about $135.00.

Any thoughts on these. Price seems OK.


For the same price you can get Howard Leight impact pro that rate 33db reduction vs the 3m that are only 26db.
Given dB ratings are not linear, that’s a big difference...
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by Bent Arrow » 22 Aug 2019, 5:53 pm

TassieTiger wrote:
RoginaJack wrote:The 3M PELTOR ProTac III hearing protector, slim,class 5. about $135.00.

Any thoughts on these. Price seems OK.


For the same price you can get Howard Leight impact pro that rate 33db reduction vs the 3m that are only 26db.
Given dB ratings are not linear, that’s a big difference...
yes, but the impact pro are not low profile. I have a pair and they are great for cutting down noise, but impede cheek weld on most of my rifles. That's why I went to ear plugs under low profile muffs
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by TassieTiger » 22 Aug 2019, 6:09 pm

They certainly don’t “look” to be any thinner...
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by sungazer » 22 Aug 2019, 8:01 pm

I have a pair of the Peltor Tactical 500 they are class 5. Most of the class 5 are very fat and they are very tight on your head. They need to be that way to get the class 5 rating. I was concerned about the size of them at first and they did change the way I held the rifle. The good thing i found out was changing the way I held the rifle was beneficial.

A more vertical check weld and the lightest of check touching the stock if any is the way to get the best out of your shooting. so dont let the initial perceived uncomfortable and awkward use a disadvantage. It is possible to learn to shoot with them and it will probably improve your shooting.

The very tight grip or squeeze on your head is another thing, but so far I am not forking out another $90 on a set of gel ear pads which are meant to be more comfortable.
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by Oldbloke » 22 Aug 2019, 8:02 pm

From an older thread.

There is some good info at these locations.

http://www.howardleight.com/hearing-protection/articles
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources ... ring-video.

The 3 ratings are all different. See below

Ratings explained.JPG
Ratings explained.JPG (88.66 KiB) Viewed 4383 times



If you had 3 sets of muffs and all were rated 33 dB attenuation then you would rate them likes this. 1 = best 3 = worst
1. SCL 80
2. NRR
3. SNR

HPD Classes.JPG
HPD Classes.JPG (28.49 KiB) Viewed 4383 times


So the muffs fpr $110 are SNR 33 dB are equal to about 26 dB they are a low end Class 5. Still good value but for serious target shooters probably not good enough. By wearing a pair of ear plugs under the muffs you will increase the protection by about 5 to 7 dB if worn correctly which few people do. Also generally speaking, due to the nature/physics of sound the higher the class/attenuation the bulkier they are. Hope this helps,
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HPD Classes.JPG
HPD Classes.JPG (28.49 KiB) Viewed 4383 times
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by TassieTiger » 22 Aug 2019, 8:25 pm

Based on some above info, I've just pulled the trigger on some Howard leights impact pro 3 and will amend the way I hold the firearm if they are too fat.
I will be interested to see how they amplify noise for hunting - as this is obviously where the "normal" muffs versions fail.
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Electronic muffs...low profile, etc

Post by TassieTiger » 27 Aug 2019, 6:11 pm

Update on these - used the Howard Leight impact pro for first time today.

Very bloody happy - they don’t impede cheek weld like some of their other models.
The noise amplification is weird at first - and you hear stuff you aren’t expecting...like trees blowing so hard you start thinking your gunna die but they are only gentle breezes...
Weirdly - the muffs block out the crack of the rifle but then as the noise volume of the crack decreases, you hear the echo of the shot amplified as it bounces around...very weird and something to get used too.
That being said - very happy, should have bought some years ago.
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
TassieTiger
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