After all of the great feedback from the ear protection thread here, I finally decided on getting the Walker’s Xcel100. They have bluetooth! I wasn’t sure if that would be a good thing on the range or not. My thinking was when I travel and need my ear protection, I can use these on the plane with my phone to listen to music.
Having never had electronic ear protection, I thought I had broken them when I could actually hear the conversations around me on the range. I did try listening to music at the range last weekend. I kinda liked it. It helped tune out everything around me.
Oooo think of the training possibilities. Download some range instructions, or background gun fire. Add a level of realism to personal training. I’m being serious. We train our muscles to be reflex reactive, what about our senses. Trying to focus on a target, while gunshots and screams are going on. Maybe I’m being morbid.
A few months back I purchased the XCEL 500BT from Amazon and have been very happy with them. I occasionally listen to music when I practice but mainly wanted them so I could hear the beeps from my MantisX training system.
I’ve had Walker Hunter’s for about 10 years and they still work great. I got these for the bt phone + MantisX tie in. I’ve been using the vocal feedback option. It’s nice to hear scoring without taking my eye off the prize.
If I was working in a shoot house, scenario training, I could certainly see a benefit in use of aural immersion.
I may have already been thinking about something like this for USCCA ever since I got the headphones.
Walking students through the drill verbally, refreshing instructors on different drills as they prep for classes… Having @KevinM talk you through a should I shoot scenario… The possibilities are endless!
A podcast for training… hmmmm…
Does that sound like something interesting to anyone else here?
When I was training dressage (PhD’s for horses) I sometimes used an audio coaching track. Also sometimes just music to set a constant cadence. I’d certainly try it for shooting.
I’ve used the electronic noise cancelling for a while. I like the amplified ambient sound so I don’t miss any callouts at the range. I would also hear people moving around me easier so I can avoid unpleasant surprises with bad accidental outcomes like untrained people bumping into me. Bluetooth sounds like a great addition. I think prerecorded drills and scenarios would be a great tool…downloadable.
I forget the brand. Just plain Jane off the shelf. Just look for the best protection; it has a number rating. A sports store can help with that. I remember reading that users were liking the Walkers somewhat better than mine. Id probably go for them on my next pair.
Be careful, it’s easy to confuse with the passive ear muffs on the shelf. Make sure you see evidence of electronics.
I don’t have Bluetooth. I will though.
I have a pair of electronic ear muffs I bought on sale at Rural King for less than $20. They work beautifully and have great battery life. They don’t have bluetooth, but there is an audio jack so I can wire-connect my phone or mp3 player.
There are some electronic now with 30 or more NRdb. There was no description of the NRR for these, but the more expensive Walkers stated they were 26 NRdb. My standard, non-electric, are 34 NRdb, and I just got my daughter ones that are supposed to be 37 NRdb. She said they are very quiet. I still also wear earplugs with my ear muffs.
When I am at range by myself, I listen to music quite a bit. Being a member I get their either before everyone else or after everyone has left, so I usually have the line to myself. I find uptempo music helps me concentrate better and I’m not as tired.
My body just isn’t what it used to be. So I have severe back pain when I’m at range to long. So the music lets me focus on something other than I hurt.