AR Sponsor
Privacy, Cyber Security, & FOSS Advocate
Joined:
Jun 2004
Posts:
12311
EE: 100% (5)
TX, USA
Posted: 1/20/2026 9:41:16 PM EDT
| No foam plugs, over the ear. My old ones are literately falling apart. |
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Used to be for years the Peltor Tactical Pro was top of the line, especially for all day use however they are no longer made and the head straps on the new Peltors can actually cut your skin if not wearing a hat. I once tried something 'Gold', very expensive but it had bad static, never again. When you compare sets don't just look at dBA reduction but also response time. The response time is critical but few manufacturers will tell you that. |
Privacy, Cyber Security, & FOSS Advocate
Joined:
Jun 2004
Posts:
12312
EE: 100% (5)
TX, USA
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I use the SordinPRO X in a few flavors . They are fantastic but you have to remove the batteries (even lithium) as the contacts like to corrode. I've shopped with SRS and had good transactions. I don't know if we hate them here or not SRS tactical |
I always sleep with my guns when you're gone
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I have a couple pairs of the Sordins and love them. You should get the gel cups too, they seem expensive but I've taken full day classes with them and my head and ears never hurt. https://srstactical.com/msa-sordin-supreme-pro-electronic-hearing-protection.html https://srstactical.com/noisefighters-sightlines-gel-ear-pads-with-relief-cuts-for-glasses.html You should be able to find the Sordins cheaper on ebay or similar since you might switch out the cups anyway. |
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I have had some Peltor 300's since they handed them out for RSO's at the 2016 SHOT Show. They have cracked at the band above the eear cup. I superglued them once but they cracked again. I need new ones. They are adequate but there is probably someting better. |
N&MEM, SSDR, NRA Life Member
Epstein Scalia did not kill himself.
Gun control is literally Hitler.
Trump's actions? Watergate does not bother me, does your conscience bother you?
Gun control is literally Hitler.
Trump's actions? Watergate does not bother me, does your conscience bother you?
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Another vote for Peltor Sport Tactical 500s. Buy them from a mainstream retailer. Not Amazon, Optics Planet, etc. No matter what you buy, pay attention to NRR ratings. I consider 26 db the minimum needed for rifles. Howard Leight, Walkers, etc. are not safe for shooting rifles, IMO. I will never understand why many people think hearing protection is a good place to save money. It's pretty much the last place you ought to try to save. Some expensive muffs also have low NRR ratings too. |
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If you go with electronic over-the-ear ear pro, AND you actually want decent hearing protection, you pretty much have to do it in conjunction with plugs. I say this because most electronic ear pro is slim designed and therefore physically cannot offer the same level of protection as the normal, standard 'bulbous' looking ear pro. Electronic ear pro is highly desired if you want to take training (some classes require electronic ear pro). If you never intend on going to a class and you have no issue with stock interference, get regular ear pro and your ears will be fine. If you choose to go the electronic path, the general consensus is that the more the unit costs, the more rugged the internals are. No matter what brand you purchase (electronic), make sure you air out the ear cups after each use. Especially so in the summer. Perspiration corrodes the circuit boards and is a common failure point of electronic ear pro. |
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Originally Posted By DevL: I use Peltor TAC 500 as well as my main ears. Work great. Swapped to gel ear cups. I recently had to replace the ear cups on a set of my 500s. I foolishly bought a set of off brand gel cups. They sucked. I replaced them with 3M branded gel cups. They're good. I bought the 3Ms off Amazon. Surprisingly, they appear to be legit 3M. |
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