Electronic ear plugs

[Rick300]

I spotted these the other day on fb. Would love to have the money right now to be able to try them out. View attachment 1694009

I have a pair, but if shooting under a roof I still wear muffs. Other shooters don't and say they are fine. Out in the open they are the cats azz. Probably has something to do with my alien shaped ear canals.

 

[Varminterror]

1) I absolutely abhor "hearing aide batteries," - air catalyzed batteries have short shelf lives once opened, and are constantly draining, whether the ear pro are in use or not. For hearing aides, sure, using them every day makes use of the entire battery life, but for shooting hearing protection, it's not very efficient use of the cost. Rechargeable battery models exist and they're highly effective, so I only have interest in rechargeable models.

2) I'm a cheapskate. I'm willing to spend a little money to try out a cheaper option - given the same qualification for Noise Reduction - before spending more on a higher priced option. I feel as though I have been satisfied by my purchases in this paradigm, when it comes to electronic hearing protection - at least when it comes to plugs, and with only two exceptions. Maybe I have tough ears, I don't know, but I can't point to any failing of the lower cost models I'll mention below which motivate me to spend more on custom molded or higher priced plugs.

So, those two binding and bounding parameters established:

Caldwell Shadows:
Hate these. Took a chance on a low price, saw online reviews claiming they were as good as the Walker's Silencers I'll discuss below, but they're not. Battery life sucks - returned for second pair, same issue. Charging issue opportunity where one bud will sometimes not charge in the case, not sure why, so then I end up with one dead ear when I arrive at the range. No app control, poor instruction manual reference. Can't make it through a full match day on a "full charge." NRR is good enough and BT is easy enough that I wear them while mowing my lawn, and for the $60 I have in them, eh, sure... But not good for rifle matches.

Walkers Silencer Bluetooth Rechargeable Plugs:
I have used Walker's Silencer Rechargeable Bluetooth ear plugs for several years. The non-bluetooth models are less expensive, but the wind suppression absolutely sucks - we went through three pairs before we conceded that the wind suppression on the non-BT version is just bad. The RC + BT model has much better wind suppression, and we have 2 pairs of these which have served for several years. I actually like the touch controls better for these than some of the next model, the Walker's Disruptors, even if the Silencers are a little larger/bulky. I like the app interface, maybe I get a little frustrated that I occasionally, inadvertently start playing music/podcasts when I bump the buds, but it's largely a non-issue, and before rifle matches, I simply turn my phone music volume down low so even if it does start playing, it's not a distraction or startlingly loud. I picked both pairs of these up for $100 and $125, and have been happy with each for 5-7yrs so far.

Walker's Disruptor Plugs:
I picked these up at a sale price of $100 on Amazon, same performance as the Silencer BT/RC, but with a smaller profile (long & skinny vs. kind of a bowling ball shape). The touch controls are more frustrating for me, but really only because I can't adjust the volume with touch control, only through the app. The case is smaller than the Silencers, which is awesome, and uses USB-C charging instead of Mico USB of the Silencers.

Axil XCOR Pro:
Took a chance on one of these for a sale price last year at $150, bought 2 more pairs this year on sale for same price. Smaller profile than the others, better ear fit adaptability, light profile, smaller case, good battery life, good bluetooth integration.

I do like the Walker's plug App for control, which none of the others have, but they're all relatively plug & play. I like the touch controls the best for the Axil's and the Silencers. Battery life for those 3 models is long enough for a full match day - often a full match weekend if I don't listen to music - and the charging case assuredly gets me through 2-3 match days without needing plugged in. Would not waste money on the Caldwells again. Would favor Axils over Walker's Disruptors and Silencers, but would buy more Walker's at $100 per pair, just to have spares (not that I really need more).

 

[chuckshooter]

I use Etymotic Gun(something) Pro's (Sorry, don't remember the name.) I've had them for 7ish years, and they're still going strong. Downside is that they use hearing aid batteries, though I think they may have rechargeables now. I replaced the foam on their foam eartips with a pair of soft foam earplugs (hole punched through the length, then contact cemented onto the silicone core); makes them much more comfortable, though it does reduce sound transmission for normal sounds a bit.

My buddies all went to Axil Pro's when they first came out; I don't think any of them lasted a year.

The Otto'z may be the next ones I try, should the Etymotics die. A friend thinks pretty highly of them.

I believe you are talking about Etymotic gun sport pro 15, that's what I have been using for 10 years and love them. I don't think replaceable batteries is a downside, the batteries are cheap and easy to get. Electronics with rechargeable batteries, The rechargeable batteries eventually fail . The only downside of most of the electronic ear plugs I've ever seen is they don't do well in the wind.