Product Review: Electronic Ear Muffs

[Omega]

For Christmas I received a pair ofHoward Leight R-01526 earmuffs which I decided to compare to the Peltor TAC 100s linked in a post here on TGO.
First the HL's
Pros: great microphone sensitivity, can hear a lot of the wildlife I can't hear with out them. They fit comfortably and the on/off knob is designed well. They are slim enough to put my hunting watch cap over. The MP3 connection is good, it allows listening to music or whatever with its own volume. That is you MP3 player can be low, while the microphones are on high.
Cons: the microphones have a slight humm, more so with a cord plugged in, sort of like an open mike. They also react to the phone antenna when downloadind/sending. It gets worse if the phone is closer to the headset.

Now the Peltor TAC 100s.
Pro: the microphone pickup is much more life-like, no extra static. They react to louder sound very quickly such as snapping your fingers or tapping on the headset. Very comfortable and though slightly thicker than the Howard Leight's not overly so. My watch cap fit right over it easy enough. The MP3 connection is recessed which keep your bare fingers or metal from touching it and creating static/feedback unlike the Howard Leight's
Cons: the on/off button sticks out, cosmetic but it bugs me. The wires to each ear piece sticks out a bit, not a lot but enough to snag a branch if exposed,with no watch cap, and a bit thinner than the Howard Leigh's. The microphone does not amplify as good, seems to only capture closer sounds.

Overall they both work well. If you only use them for the range, I would get the Peltors they sound much clearer and react to loud sounds better. If you hunt, I'd consider the Howard Leight's they amplify sounds much better and you can use the MP3 while hunting. I use mine to listen to recorded deer calls to copy on my call.

[hipower]

Thanks for the review. That's some good commentary on both.

 

I've owned 2 pair of Peltors and been very satisfied with both. Of course I only use them when shooting.

 

I did pick up a couple of the Tac 100 when they were mentioned here. So I should be set for...well...life.

[runco]

I have the Howard Leight R-01982 Impact Pro, and though they are large, they are very good.  I use them mostly for listening to YouTube Videos, has I have a house full of kids!  They are great to use for shooting!  I have not tried other muffs.