Electronic Ear Pro

Tony1320

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Minuteman
Feb 13, 2017
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What is everyone using for electronic ear pro? The earbud kind. I have electronic earmuffs and I love them but I find they get in the way.

I'm looking at the otto noizebarrier or etymotic gsp-15
 
The Otto noizebarriers were game changers for me. One of the best purchases I've ever made. Able to converse at the range or at a match and still have adequate hearing protection. Also worked very well on a duck hunt.
 
I have the MSA sordins. They are over the ear but the profile of them makes it so that they do not get in the way when I am shooting. If you have never tried a pair I would suggest asking someone you see with them at the range if you can throw them on real quick and see if they work for you as far as being unobtrusive. I like mine a lot.
 
https://earinc.com/product-category/hunting-shooting/

I use these now at all times. We go to alot of matches and trade shows where there is shooting and demonstrating going on. I need to be able to talk, sell, instruct to a person on a rifle, without worry what the guy next to me is doing. These are expensive, but worth every penny to my hearing and they are comfortable. Put them in at 7am for a match and remove them at 5pm when over and not an issue. I went this way after being at a Sniper Competition demo and talking to an interested person. Lull in the firing so i lifted a muff and wouldn't you know it Barrett shot their 50 inside the conex without warning. These guys have good ears and we don't receive a dime from them, just impressed with how they work.

They usually have really good show deals at Shot, NRA, etc if you can see them there.
 
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As of now, im in between MSA sordin supreme pro x and Peltor comtac III. I think i like the shape of the MSA's better but have heard better things on the comtac III's.
 
MSA Sordins here too. Gel cups worth every penny. Wore them to a week long sniper school recently and never once felt uncomfortable.

My deciding factors were reports of durability, weather proofing, and battery style/compartment.
 
+1 for ESP's if you are going the "in the ear" route. I use them also when doubling up on handguns and big bore rifles and there is no feedback with the MSA's or Peltors. They are not cheap though and if you go with them have an audiologist make the custom molds, won't cost more and just takes an hour of time (then you can wear all day with no irritation.)
 
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I tried the msa sordins and literally just ordered a pair today. The gel cups are extremely comfortable. Supposedly the battery life is like 400hrs as well.
 
Second on the MSA Sordins with the gel ear pads. Fairly low profile. I have the ones where the springy thing goes behind your neck with a thin strap over the top. Spendy but good.

How do you like the behind the head strap system? I've only ever used over the top/traditional style ear peltors and sordins for shooting/work and liked them. Do you find the behind the head style to be more practical or beneficial than the top of the head style?

My Peltors finally died after about 12 years of use so I was going to order a set of the Sordins to try something new.
 
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If you go the electric in ear check out Sound Gear. Very good chance your local hearing aid store offers these. $1000 out the door ($50 hearing test waved if you purchase)

I took advantage of a SHOT Show discount several years ago and picked up the top of the line Sport Ear Custom. Have worked great even today. Retail on these were over $2400. I paid around $1500.

I started researching Sound Gear for a back up pair. Found they are the manufacture of other similar electric in ear products. My Sport Ears keep working so I didn't drop the coin on a back up set yet but I was fortunate enough to demo a pair (not full custom). Every bit as impressive as my Sport Ear and way cheaper.
 
I started with the Howard Leights (like everyone else) then moved to the MSA Sordins with gel cups which are *very nice* then bought the Ottos. The Ottos are the only way to go. Look for my in-depth hands on review with them in the Otto thread.

My only concern was shooting in cold weather but a balaclava works just great with the Ottos when in a windy snow storm. You wont regret the Ottos.
 
I started with the Howard Leights (like everyone else) then moved to the MSA Sordins with gel cups which are *very nice* then bought the Ottos. The Ottos are the only way to go. Look for my in-depth hands on review with them in the Otto thread.

My only concern was shooting in cold weather but a balaclava works just great with the Ottos when in a windy snow storm. You wont regret the Ottos.

How long have you been running the ottos? I’m curious about how long they last
 
I have the MSA with gel cup they are great. A couple years back I bought a pair of Ghost Stryke sport ears because they were on sale like for $189. (now they are like $399). I did not use them for a long time thinking they could not possibly be as good as the Sordins. Finally I did try and now use nothing else. I bring the MSA for back up.

I have not tried them indoors yet, so that is still a big question for me. The batteries last about three days. The batteries are air activated so basically in a couple of days you need new ones. They are cheap batteries and can be bought in quanity. I did not think those little ear things could protect me. But they do. You don't even realize you have them on after a while.
 
I’ve had great luck with my Peltor Comtac IIIs. Only issue I’ve ever had was getting then replaced under their recall last year. Spent two days bouncing department to department until I finally found someone who knew wtf I was talking about. They sent me a brand new pair that had all the upgrades already done.
 
Had the etymotics. #1 -carrying all the tiny batteries sucks. #2- the tiny little batteries only last for one use regardless of whether you take the damn things out or not. #3- They hate water, shot a match in the rain and they got wet( as wet as they could in my ear, and no, shooting pard was not trying to lick my ear) and one quit. In fairness, they still provide hearing pro,but it’s kinda all jacked up with one working and one not. Kinda makes you feel like your walking around leaning to one side, like after the match and the road beers. #4- if contorting to get into shooting position and catch one on a sling or brush by it, they come out. Now you gotta decide- do I really want to listen to buddy whine about missing the last target- or stop and put the bud back into your ear. If your tired of buddy’s shit- leave it out and rock on- hearing loss in the immediate is only temporary and by the next day you’ll be coming back around. #5 After two years, one just quit. Called Etymotic and asked could it be fixed. They said YOU pay to send it to us and we will take a look. Most times they can’t be repaired, but, because we like you, we will let you buy another for $100+ shipping. The only positive at the time was they were really comfortable wearing the eye pro. No squishing the side of the head...and they did work as advertised. Could hear range commands and blocked out noise. They were so so shooting next to you uncivilized muzzle break fools- go suppressed bro! LOL

So .....buddy had been using MSA Sordins all along. ZERO issues. Shooting rain, snow, hot, cold, any position (doggy style favorite, but another post). Damn things work! I was hesitant because I felt they messed up the cheek weld to the stock or would get pushed up over the ear and not provide the hearing pro. Got a set from Amazon. Make sure to get the gel cups! Things are the bomb! Wear them all day with eye pro and not too bad. By end of day( about 8 hours) side of head starting to get a little tender. This is wearing Oakley half jackets. Have had them for months and have yet to have to replace battery. No issue getting down onto stock. This is shooting McMillan A5, MPA chassis, Shiloh black powder rifle and Winchester high wall rifle....not tried them with shotgun yet. Love em! Will never go back to in the ear electronics.

Sorry little long. Just my .02- YMMV
 
EAR Inc. SHOTHUNT

I've been running these for almost 4 years now, absolutely LOVE them. PM me if interested, I can save you decent money off the website price.

These has a NRR rating of 32 which is the best I've seen when comparing different brands. You can't get your hearing back, buy the best you can afford is my only advice!!
 
How long have you been running the ottos? I’m curious about how long they last
Sorry, just saw your question. I've had them for about a year. They will last all day long and I mean a 16 hour shooting day without a problem. Can sit idle for 2 months and the case battery will keep them charged and still be at 70+%.

MSA vs Otto? No question -- Otto. every time and every way. Just my $.02 adjusted for inflation.
 
Have had my MSA's for about 5 years now and the wires are starting to fray. Seems like it's a common problem. I also have some older Swattacs but they eat batteries compared to the MSA. MSA's definitely more comfortable but I needed to bend the metal wire tabs to loosen some of the tension on my big head and ears.

Think I am going to try the Otto's. I have a pair of custom molded ear plugs that I usually wear when its warmer. I always have to take what I call "ear breaks" when they get sore or sweaty.
 
I just purchased the Sordins. Seeing this thread reminded me to replace a lost set.
My need now is to find a hat like the hearing muff boonie to be able to use the head set. The site showing the hat shows little of how it really "fits".
 
Im actually in between the sordins and the 3m peltor comtac III's. i can get the MSA's about $120 cheaper than the comtacs but i really like the looks of the comtacs and they have great reviews.
 
Where is the best place to buy sordins?
Obvious answer, I know, but got mine off Amazon from the cheapest supplier that had a reasonable buyer satisfaction rating listed (in the style/color I liked best). Multicam, behind the neck style.
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I run Sordins and usually double plug with foamies. Depends on how many short barrels and muzzle brakes are around. Otherwise the ESP is the most ideal and you don’t get the wind noise because the mic is strategically located in the upper ear channel (or whatever that part of the ear is called).
 
I suffer from an ever growing hearing loss, wear very expensive hearing aids, so my choice of ear pro has been extremely deliberate and careful. I've tried everything out there (literally, everything) and consistently the very best hearing protection I get is from Peltor active hearing protection. And these, specifically, are number one. With rifles, even outside, I also use foam plugs, the 33dB ones.

 
Some of you may have heard of Big Daddy Unlimited. It costs $10 a month to be a member but I think they might still be offering their 99c trial.

$378 - 3M Peltor H682FB09SV Comtac III UPC 093045934935
$299 - 3m Peltor Comtac Iii Communication Headset Earmuff 23 Db Coyote UPC 093045934911
$357 - Otto Noize Barrier

They dont sell MSA Sordins but Amazon is probably the best place to get those. Just read the descriptions very closely. Amazon's A-Z Guarantee will ultimately take care of you if you have problems with a 3rd party vendor. But if its on Prime, returns should be pain free.