Electronic Ear Defenders with high attenuation

[urban]

I have been using Howard Leight defenders for years but I've been spending a lot more time lately around rifles with muzzle brakes and I think I would be wise to increase the amount of protection. I sometimes double-up the Howard Leights with in-ear valve-type plugs - which works well but is a bit uncomfortable and a faff to don/doff. So I'm thinking about buying some Peltor ProTac III. They advertise 32 dB reduction - compared to 22 dB for the Howard Leight - a massive difference - and are quite reasonable at £100.

I think that the ProTac III are the same as the ProTac shooter, just cheaper and black instead of green - likewise the ProTac III slim is the same as the ProTac hunter but without the shooting price premium.

Does anyone have any experience of the ProTac III or ProTac Hunter? Is there any case for paying 3 times the price for Swatcom instead?

 

[1894]

I have original protacs which are amazing. The more modern ones seem cheaper made.

 

[Malxwal]

I shoot rifles with muzzle brakes. Buy yourself a box of Howard Leight foam ear plugs (pink/yellow ones) and insert them properly, before putting on your chosen over ear protection, in my case the Sport Tacs.A faff is better than damaging your hearing.

 

[weblyish]

Literally no idea what happened to swatcom to make the new version 500 Vs the old price for like 250ish

I tested a friend's pair today at a range session against a muzzle braked 270 and a 375H&H both were like cannons. I have the very old peltor. My son has the 2yr old swatcom whatever was best at the time and mate has almost brand new 500quid swatcom active 8

Peltor was obviously far worse but they are nearing 15yrs old and really need some backup for braked 270 nearby

The new swatcom were marginally better than that old ones maybe but not 3x the price

 

[Drew 3]

Buy the Swat coms. Quality kit like them and Pilla shooting glasses make for a quality experience every time you wear them. Expensive but our hobbies are and you will be able to hear into old age

 

[jb1]

You need to ensure they fit well and replace the gaskit that should fit snug around your ears, the material hardens over time. Howard light do sell new gaskets.
But definitely I would double up on ranges where brakes are used.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Peltor Com-Tac. However, they are nothing without the helicopter comms jack plug and ancillary connectors for those who like to "live a little"!

K

 

[urban]

Buy the Swat coms. Quality kit like them and Pilla shooting glasses make for a quality experience every time you wear them. Expensive but our hobbies are and you will be able to hear into old age

If I bought things because I valued having a particular badge then I would have a rolex, iPhone and Blaser, not a garmin watch, android phone and a tikka. I couldn't care less about Swatcom's brand. I just want to know whether it's actually more protective than Peltor (which it isn't, obvs, because Peltor make kit for people who work in it every day, and not shooting jewellery for people who want a wearable status symbol).

 

[Dalua]

Peltor Com-Tac. However, they are nothing without the helicopter comms jack plug and ancillary connectors for those who like to "live a little"!

K

Only seems to be SNR 29-29dB?

The ProTac III seems to have replaced ProTac II, and the ProTacIII Slim the SportTac - with its usefully swappable outer shells. The last of these (SNR26) still seems to be available new, though at a price.

I have used the old ProTac II and SportTac for years - but I know rifle-range people who have the ProTac III and are happy with them. Changing the supplied pads for gel one certainly improves comfort/fit for me with the older-style sets.

Is there any case for paying 3 times the price for Swatcom instead?

Pace BASC - but I'd say, from a noise attenuation point of view, that it doesn't look like it to me.

 

[WildBoarHunter]

I've been in the hunting and shooting hobby for almost 20 years and during two decades I used quite a few hearing protectors due to escalating hearing damage. Here's a list:
Peltor Com Tac
Peltor Pro Tac II
Peltor Pro Tac III Hunter
Pletor Pro Tac III Shooter
Howard Leigh Impact Pro
MSA Sordin
Peltor 6S
Based on my experiences I can say that all of the slim ones attenuate barely enough for open spaces. They are not good enough for use from covered tree stands, or anything with a roof above. So do not use them in enclosed spaces without pairing up with foam ear plugs. Also sometimes when using really loud high performance short barreled or braked firearms even the bulky ones are not enough for enclosed spaces by themselfs.
Peltor Pro Tac II were some of the best ever made but were bulky and are pretty hard to get by in good condition nowdays. Peltor Pro Tac III Shooter is pretty good, attenuation and electronics vise. They're not Pro Tac II but for the money they are a best buy. Peltor Pro Tac Hunter - attenuation is not good enough, I would avoid these.
Howard Leight Impact Pro, best attenuation but bulky and electronics just isn't on par with Peltor.
Peltor Com Tac, possibly the best of them all, attenuation is good and electronics also very good. They are pretty slim and don't interfere with rifle stock. But they are really expensive. Well, you get what you pay for. But, to save money on your hearing is never a good idea anyway.

 

[Malxwal]

Audiogram for work medical yesterday, still category 1, no hearing loss.
Good quality foam plugs plus over ear protection is the way.

 

[urban]

I've been in the hunting and shooting hobby for almost 20 years and during two decades I used quite a few hearing protectors due to escalating hearing damage. Here's a list:
Peltor Com Tac
Peltor Pro Tac II
Peltor Pro Tac III Hunter
Pletor Pro Tac III Shooter
Howard Leigh Impact Pro
MSA Sordin
Peltor 6S
Based on my experiences I can say that all of the slim ones attenuate barely enough for open spaces. They are not good enough for use from covered tree stands, or anything with a roof above. So do not use them in enclosed spaces without pairing up with foam ear plugs. Also sometimes when using really loud high performance short barreled or braked firearms even the bulky ones are not enough for enclosed spaces by themselfs.
Peltor Pro Tac II were some of the best ever made but were bulky and are pretty hard to get by in good condition nowdays. Peltor Pro Tac III Shooter is pretty good, attenuation and electronics vise. They're not Pro Tac II but for the money they are a best buy. Peltor Pro Tac Hunter - attenuation is not good enough, I would avoid these.
Howard Leight Impact Pro, best attenuation but bulky and electronics just isn't on par with Peltor.
Peltor Com Tac, possibly the best of them all, attenuation is good and electronics also very good. They are pretty slim and don't interfere with rifle stock. But they are really expensive. Well, you get what you pay for. But, to save money on your hearing is never a good idea anyway.

That's a really useful reply. Thank you.

I'm not quibbling, but according to the specs, the ComTac is only 29 dB, so not nearly as protective as The ProTac Shooter (32 dB - i.e. approx twice as good). I can see that the better electronics and low profile make for a really good package, but if protection is the only concern then ProTac Shooter (or identical ProTac III) seems to be the way to go.

 

[WildBoarHunter]

I compared both side by side in regards to attenuation and I could not tell them apart. Both are very good. Although Com Tacs are 23 NNR and Pro Tac Shooter are 26 NNR. I attribute this lack of noticeable difference to a better seal of the Com Tacs as they have a different headband to Pro Tac Shooter. Com Tacs enclose my head and ears better as I have a long narrow head.
But price performance ratio, Pro Tacs Shooter wins hands down as you can buy three pairs for the ammount of money one Com Tacs would cost you.
I also must say the best ear defenders came in 2021 when silencers became legal here.

And another thing to keep in mind. Ear defenders only go so far to keep you safe. You also have to take other factors into consideration. There are many things you can do to protect your hearing, besides ear defenders. Pair up with foam earplugs whenever possible. Try to avoid shooting from enclosed spaces. Don't use short unmoderated barrels as they are unnecesarily loud. Use a moderator whenever possible. If you home load use mild loads... etc...

 

[DirkDiggler]

I got some in ear electronic ear plugs , but probably going to change to over ear in the future, so this thread is useful

 

[Drew 3]

If I bought things because I valued having a particular badge then I would have a rolex, iPhone and Blaser, not a garmin watch, android phone and a tikka. I couldn't care less about Swatcom's brand. I just want to know whether it's actually more protective than Peltor (which it isn't, obvs, because Peltor make kit for people who work in it every day, and not shooting jewellery for people who want a wearable status symbol).

Had Peltor,s, they work well. Got Swat coms now, much more comfortable over the corse of a full day. Worth the money to me. Have you ever tried a pair? Probably not. Might stick some Swarovski cristals on them for the full effect!