It isn’t every day we get excited about a topic as banal as hearing protection, but at SHOT Show 2017 we got the scoop on two new ear pro offerings (plugs from Beretta will go up in a post tomorrow) that are worthy of some oohs and aahs. At the 3M Peltor Sport booth, we learned about their new Tactical 300 and Tactical 500 muffs, which boast a heck of a lot of technology at a very reasonable price.
Most notable for me, the Tactical 500s are Bluetooth enabled. Connect to your mobile device and listen to music or even take calls. The really trick audio processing and noise cancellation will apparently make you sound clear and crisp even if you’re in a noisy environment. That Bluetooth logo in the middle is a button that can answer and end calls or pause/play music. Estimated battery life of two standard AAs while actively using Bluetooth functionality is in the 30- to 50-hour range.
The Tactical 300s do not have Bluetooth, but both models offer all of the following features: 3.5mm audio jack, tactile switches (instead of knobs), recessed microphones, 2- or 4- hour auto shut-off (user programmable), safe volume control technology, standard AA battery compatibility with a lithium rechargeable pack optional, an external battery door with tether, and more.
On the high-tech side, “Dynamic Suppression Time” varies the duration of noise suppression based on the intensity of the loud noise and any echoes, while “Clear Voice Tracking” identifies voices and actively filters around that frequency band to preserve the volume and clarity of conversation, even within a noisy environment, as much as possible.
The headband has cutouts for comfort while wearing a cap (i.e. a baseball cap with a button on the top) and to keep it from getting hot.
Medium profile ear cups have cut-outs on the bottom to provide relief for a shoulder stock, and also have rubber bumpers to preventing marring the gun’s finish.
If the rechargeable lithium battery pack is used, it can be charged via a micro USB port without removing the pack from the cup.
The Tactical 300 is rated for a 24 NRR reduction and the Tactical 500 a 26 NRR reduction. MSRPs are ~$149.95 and $199.95, respectively.
