Hearing Protection ProEars or Peltor

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:17 pm

I have discovered that I now need hearing protection for shooting a 22LR (MKIII) or my 20ga shotgun outdoors. I have not had any problems with this past in the past while shooting outside. I have always had to double (plugs and muffs) my protection when shooting in a indoor range. I have been looking at Proears Pro Mag Gold (GS2-DPM) rated at 33dB, the ProEars Slim w/28dB (GS2-DPS) and Peltor Tatical Pro MT15H7F SV behind the head w/26dB. I prefer the head band to be behind the head, does Pro-Ear offer a behind the head mount or is the muffs large enough to accomadate this? I do wear glasses if this matters for fit.

Any recommendations on which is best. I shoot mainly at a indoor range when in the city. I'm currently at my dad's place, house sitting (4 mo) while he went north away from the heat. I like the idea of hearing whats around me while I'm hunting the reason I'm opting for electronic noise canceling. It's nice to hear the squirrels bark back when using my call. Most all of my long guns have scopes so interference should not be a problem. Largest rifle Rem 7mm Mag for the long guns, with 357mag for handguns. My biggest concern is shooting my shotgun, I do not want to be banging my muffs against the stock.

Currently I'm leaning toward the PreEars but like the features of the Peltor too at 1/2 the cost, but not as high dBA.

I wish they made a set where the noise rejection would kick in before 80dBA. Both of these are 82dBA, OSHA says anything over 80 can damage your ears. All all short when it comes to this, except std muffs and plugs.

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 3:24 pm

I ordered the Pro-Ears Mag Gold from Gundog-online.com. I had talked to ProEars CS about behind the head mount. They said they have one but do not normally recommend it, unable to insure a good seal. They are sending it to me free of charge to try and test out. They indicated that due to the weight some type of band over the head is needed to support it. If this is the case I will use a small strap to support it. This is not listed on there site. They also have one for the Slim version, too. Pro-Ears CS is very good and a dream to deal with.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:48 pm

wow, did I read that right? $299? They must do something else besides ear protection, like, wash the car, walk the dog, and maybe even a back massage.
H

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Fri Jul 17, 2009 10:51 pm

They do have up to 8x magnification to enhance your hearing, nice when your hunting. As well as an input jack for racing scanners or ipods..... Has the highest DNR (33dB) protection with the fastest reaction time 1.5ms. And a 5yr warranty. I really needed the highest rating I could get at the indoor range. Yes I could have gone a std set, but wanted to beable to hear normal conversations too. The battery is suppose to be good for 300hr with auto shut off after 4 hr. You have a std set of muffs when the battery goes dead.

I had not planed on spending that much but decided since my brother is over 1/2 deaf in both ears, my dad is having to wear hearing aids now. Since I like shooting I figured I might as well take care of what hearing I have left.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Sat Jul 18, 2009 7:17 am

I had not planed on spending that much but decided since my brother is over 1/2 deaf in both ears, my dad is having to wear hearing aids now. Since I like shooting I figured I might as well take care of what hearing I have left.

those are good points, blue, how much value does one put on being able to hear? I think you made the right choice. I have always wanted to get a new pair of muffs, but haven't really pursued it yet.
good luck and happy shooting, haka

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:58 pm

The ProEars came in yesterday and I got a chance to test them. All I can say is WOW. The mic's are so sensitive you pick up bees, mesquitos and anything making noise. Drove me nuts trying to figure out what all of the sounds are. I was picking up trucks going down a road that is a 1/4 of a mile from me. Leaves rustling when a brezze come through, birds. Hummingbirds sound really strong, particularly since they are very thick. With 15+ consuming 2qt of sugar water a day it cheap entainment. Then I turned the gain back some. All noise levels are clamping at 70dB. The first gun I shot was may MKIII. I shot from the back porch to water edge on the dam, 50 yrds. I figured the back porch with 3 walls would make a pretty good echo chamber. The best way to describe the sound is like hearing a rifle fire at a distance, hearing the shock wave. Kind of like sending a missel down range, the sound wave then you hear the splat when it hits the dam/target. I also tested it with my Python and Sig 229-9mm. Works flawless. You actually hear the sound but it's just at a lower level. The ear pads are leather and are very comfortable. They do not sweat like the plastic ones.

The aux input for iPod, CD's, radios work very well. I was surprised at the sound quality.

Now for the controls.

You have 1 knob on each muff to control the volume, on/off. You have a Low/High jumper for the Mic and speaker volume, where the batteries are stored. Requires (included) 2 N batteries /each muff total of 4, good for 300+hrs. Starts giving a warning beep when the battery is below 50%, and a cont beep when down to <10%. Each ear muff has it's own controls, no wire connecting the two. Def is settings are low/low. If you have hearing loss you can bump the speaker to High and get a good boost. Still clamping the sounds at 70dB. I do not see using the mic on high. Any movement is greatly amplified. Maybe in the winter time when none of the flying insects are around.

Sound sampling is 10,000/sec with a 1.5 ms reaction time. 70dB clamping.

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 6:40 pm

Once you use the electronic hearing protection you will be spoiled. I have used a couple pair of Peltor 6 S for the last ten years or better for shooting sporting clays. I first got them because they let you hear your fellow shooters and the trappers and allows you to hear the trap 30 yards or better away in the bushes launch the target so it does not surprise you when it appears. When sooting at an indoor range I us plugs and muffs because it is much louder indoors with big bore pistols.