So guys I need your help.
My cheap Canadian Tire Ear Pro’s are cutting it anymore.
I am looking to spend electronic ear pros.
I have read MSA Sordin Supreme Pro-X and 3M Peltor ComTac III are the best of the best.
Which one would you guys recommend? Or is there an even better option.
Budget is under $700
I haven’t used the Peltor, but I have two pairs of Sordins. One is a Pro-X neckband and the other is a Pro headband. They’re both pretty nice. I bought the second pair as neckband figuring it would work better with hats, but I find that the cups don’t seal as well as the headband version, so I don’t wear them as much. They’re also only NRR 18/19, so if I’m on a crowded outdoor range or at the indoor range, I double them up with foamy plugs.
Anyway, they’ve been reliable, the gel ear cups are comfortable for long sessions, good sound with plenty of volume, and they seem to have really good battery life.
The couple things I don’t like:
Both of those problems are fairly easily remedied by just turning them off as needed, though, so no biggie.
Anyway, I just shoot dirt clods with the other booger pickers, so they’re 10x overkill for what I need. I can’t tell you how they stand up to any sort of serious use, or driving rains, or with comms, or anything like that. But I like them.
I have both, though I think I I may have the Comtac IIs. I find them pretty much equal in just about every aspect except the battery compartment. I don’t notice a difference with the profile but the stupid Sordin compartment is a pain in the ass. It’s been so long that I don’t remember the issue, I think I couldn’t get the batteries out or something like that. I can change the peltor batteries while they’re still on my head.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Oh yeah…I forgot to mention that. This is 100% correct. Changing the batteries on the Sordins is a cast-iron bitch. Thankfully I haven’t had to do it too much, but when you do, it sucks.
The batteries are stacked on top of each other, but access to the compartment is a single round hole in line with the top battery. To install them, you need to slide one battery into the hole then jiggle it around until it drops into its spot enough that you can then use the second battery to pry it down into the contacts. Once it’s aligned and pried down, you can slide in the top battery and screw the lid closed.
Getting them out requires removing the cap and the top battery, holding that ear cup aligned so that the hole is down, then banging the crap out of it until you manage to overcome the tension of the contacts and dislodge the battery. Once it’s free, you can jiggle it out of the hole as well.
Takes way longer to do than to describe. You’ll get to practice cursing while you do it, though, so there’s that…
I have Peltor Comtac IIIs
I use them with a PTT and a PRC 148 clone as well as just regular ear pro.
I haven’t used the Sordins but I’m content with the Peltors
I’ve only owned the Sordins, never used the Comtacs.
I’d spend less and get the Peltor Tactical Sport, around $130 and does a great job overall IMO. People will flame away about how retarded I am for saying it, but the Sordin Supreme Pro X just didn’t seem to lower the sound wave enough for my ears. The NRR is lower and at the end of the day FELT lower as my ears still rang for a while. I sold them for that reason.
If you NEED to hear EVERYTHING clearly and miss nothing, they were GREAT.
If you need more attenuation and less clarity, I’d go with the Peltor Tac Sports.
I own both and the winner for me is the Peltors simply because of the battery replacement. Also get gel ear cups.
Any reason you’re not considering the new Peltor Sport Tactical 300/500?
No commcapability.
Right. I didn’t read that he needed that capability in his opening.
Everybody needs comms.
Shoot. Move. Commmmunicate 
I’m a lowly pleb, lacking team mates to comms with. My Peltor Comtac IIIs w/ out comms just kick all kinds of ass. My next set will have comms, and if i could go back in time, I’d have spent the extra scrilla for the comms. Dem gel cups is like ear labia: veal cutlets cradling your listening bits during range time. What’s not to love?
I have a set of each. MSA Sordins are nice, especially with the gel-filled ear seals. However, if you have a large head or plan to use the ear muffs with a helmet, the Sordins might not be optimal for you.
3M Peltor ComTac XPI are IMHO the best active ear muffs you can get, and they fit perfectly well with most helmets too. Quality is comparable to Sordins, but the design and fit is better, and you can also easily adjust the electronic features. I often use the “plug mode”, which increases the speech amplification and enables you to use dual protection with ear plugs.
I’ve never heard nor read anyone sexualize ears in such a fashion. BRAVO!
That being said, while in the employ of Uncle Sam, I used both the Sordins and Peltors. The Peltors wore better under my MICH, and when at the range the mic folded up and out of the way a lot better as well. However, the Sordins I found to be more durable. I currently have a pair that is about ten years old that had been subjected to a fair amount of abuse in far of places. I even cut all the comms leads and the mic off solely for range use and they still work just fine.
I’ve been issued both Peltors and Sordins. The Sordins actually fit better under my MICH. Go figure. I had to dx a couple sets of Peltors; kept the same Sordins for like 5 years, so the durability edge goes to Sordins. Sordins don’t “clip” like Peltors, so if you need to hear your shot timer while John Boy and Ricky Bobby are dumping mags at the berm, go with Sordins. The PTT that comes with Sordins is much better than the one that comes with Peltors (opinion). Peltors cost way more.
Most guys felt the Peltors were more comfortable, and I suspect they felt they look cooler, too. I guess I’m an odd dude with an odd shaped head.
The “Military Arms Channel” guy reports having issues with rain with Sordins and sent two pairs back, then switched to Safariland Liberator DEHP. Anyone know anything about that or have problems with their Sordins? I’m in the market for an upgrade to my personal earpro (Peltor 6P, currently).
Edit: Page 3 of this forum has some related earpro threads.
I have both, the Sordins are 6-7 years old and have been sent to SRS once for a rebuild. The Comtacs sound better and block more noise IMO but I already have an issue with the right ear not turning on, unit is less than a year old. Whatever you pick, make sure to get the gel upgrade.