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July 2022
Sometimes there's a lot to be said for keeping it simple and cheap. This is especially true when there's a benefit to having extras for our friends (hearing protection, ammunition, radios, lead wipes, targets). The following is my suggestion for the simplest, cheapest ear gear. None of the brands are sponsors.
What kind of electronic hearing protection should I get?
Three pairs of the cheapest one you can find. That allows you to share them with your friends, which is an extremely good thing to do if you believe the hype.
They're not going to be our primary hearing safety device in extremely loud environments. In-ear foamies or baffles will be. Most people wear muffs against their hat, hair, or glasses instead of directly against the head, which prevents a proper seal, and even when worn correctly, the seal can easily be broken if a muff is pressed or bumped. Electronic ear pro's purpose should be to give us extra protection and ambient sound amplification.
Many will recommend the Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuff. I can't tell a difference in quality between them and the brands that are half the price, and I like having twice as many pairs. They sometimes get taken home accidentally by other people, so if I donate a $22 headset to someone, I'm happy.
Whatever you do, don't put an orange target paster on your headset to be able to quickly differentiate your loaner headphones from everyone else's. That's my thing. I will take yours home with me.
Walker's brand has a couple opions for FRS radios that attach to their muffs. The least expensive of those is Walker's Razor Slim Shooting Muff with the Walker's Razor Walkie Talkie. This is a great option for shooting ranges or other close-proximity environments with simple, close-range radio needs.
Look into upgrading your muffs with aftermarket gel cups for added protection, a lot more comfort and even the ability to wear them over glasses arms.
If you're looking for the airsofter version of the thousand-dollar kit for a suspiciously low price, you might consider these or another brand. It's probably a "get-what-you-pay-for" situation, but it might be neat for some.
How can I connect my radio to my ear pro?
Consider that with the first two options below, you can still wear an in-ear plug for double hearing protection. The headphones in the third option will provide less protection than the first two.
Simple
Simple
The simplest way is to wear the over-the-ear earpiece that comes with your radio. It can be worn outside of the in-ear foamie and inside the muff.
Pros:
You won't have to change your radio setup if you remove your muffs or if they become inoperable. It doesn't require any extra purchases. The setup is very sturdy and doesn't require much maintenance or interfere with other kit. It can be worn eith double ear pro.
Cons:
It can be uncomfortable, especially after long periods of time, and it may reduce the effectiveness of the ear muff slightly by breaking its seal. The mic is poor quality and will make it hard to be understood.
Tactical
Tactical
You can plug into your electronic ear pro through the shoulder speaker/mic and an aux cable.
Pros:
While the volume of the radio can be adjusted independently, the muff volume will slightly follow your muff volume adjustments. It's easy to locate and press your PTT, so it's a good choice if you don't have time or dexterity to go searching for a small button. Can be worn with double ear pro.
Cons:
If you remove your muffs or they become inoperable, you'll have to carry a spare earpiece, or you'll have to switch to the speaker on the shoulder piece, which everyone will hear.
Discreet
Discreet
This is a PTT with a 3.5mm adaptor for headphones with an in-line mic. This option can also work with cellphone-based push-to-talk apps which use internet through wifi or cell towers.
Pros:
You can use headphones designed for cellphones. That can be a great benefit if you'd prefer to look like you're listening to music or talking on the phone. The microphone and speakers are likely higher quality than the accessories that come with radios.
Cons:
This device makes a loud click at the beginning of every incoming transmission. In quiet environments, it's extremely unpleasant and startling, but the sound doesn't increase as you turn up the volume, so it doesn't seem as bad in loud environments where you may have the volume up high or when you're wearing earplugs with it.
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