This is a review that I have wanted to do for awhile now, because it was one of the few times where I actually did a side by side product test in the field. In Iraq I was able to play around with both the MSA Sordin Supreme Pro X and the Peltor Comtac 2 electronic ear muffs while out at a weapons range.
I mention these two, because these are the top of the line tactical models of the two companies mentioned and they seemed to be the most popular models out there that guys use. Now both are very good at what they do, and that is cut out loud noises (explosions, gun fire) yet allow you to hear normally when there is no loud noise. They can do this, because they are electronic hearing protectors, armed with noise canceling circuitry. So on the plus side, they protect your hearing, but on the down side, they require batteries and they can break down when you least expect it. But hopefully they don’t break down and hopefully the batteries do no cut out on you, when you need them most.
They are essential to command and control though, because if you can’t hear directions coming through a radio or from your buddies when you really need to hear them, then you could miss out on life saving information. Gunfire from inside a vehicle is only amplified, and it is important to preserve your hearing as much as you can during an incident. I even wore regular combat earplugs(little rubber guys) over in Iraq just for some insurance. But I tell ya, these electric hearing protectors are cool.
So I will start this out by reviewing which of the two seemed tougher or better built. I would have to say that the MSA model was better built and it looked and felt more like it was built like a tank. I would say that both would do just fine out in the field.
As for comfort, both fit on my head and under my helmet just fine, so I had no issues with that. Electric muffs in general will drive you nutty if you have to wear them for awhile. Although you can buy various upgrade kits out there, in order to make the ear cups more comfortable, you still won’t escape the sweat build up and pressure buildup on your head from these things. I was more concerned in my testing on how they fit on my head and how they fit under my helmet, and they did just fine. The helmet I used was an RBR.(I recommend getting the pad kit and making a pad channel in your helmet, if you use the head band style muff)
The battery type and life of each model was interesting, and yet again, I would have to go with the MSA model. The smaller AAA batteries took up less space, weighed less, and surprisingly the MSA model had longer battery life do to some interesting circuitry. The Peltor model used AA batteries, yet had a shorter life. I also liked the metal screw cap of the battery compartment on the MSA model more than the flimsy rubber cap of the battery compartment on the Peltor model. It just felt like the MSA model was better built.
Both models have input jacks, and that is great if you want to link your radio/MP3 into these ear muffs. And both Peltor and MSA offer boom mics, cables, and push to talk switches to really make your headset useful. For the models I tested, they did not have these components set up, and they were just basic. In Iraq, I witnessed a lot of guys with interesting communications set ups that utilized these types of muffs–soldiers too.