Otis Technology Ear Shield Ranger Earmuffs (Select your style)

I got these because I'm from a family of shooters. My dad and uncle are lifetime members of one of our local gun clubs. I go with them to target practice on the outside range a lot of the time and I normally just wear ear plugs, which haven't been sufficient for me.The primary reason I have just worn ear plugs in the past, is because I had tried a couple of different earmuffs over the years, and none ever worked for me. Either they wouldn't stay adjusted to properly stay on my head, or else they were uncomfortable to the point of actualy causing lingering pain to the outstide top of my ears. So when I saw these I thought I'd give them a try!Boy am I happy I did! These not only stayed in place for me for the entire couple of hours I used them, but they were soft and comfortable too!! As we take turns shooting, I sit at a picnic table to watch my dad and uncle when they are up to shoot. I'm 51 and not super good with figuring out electronics on my own, so I was a little intimidated to attempt to connect my phone to the earmuffs. When I did so, I was amazed at how quick and easy it was to do!! You just press and hold the button to pair it to your phone!I've seen others say that the volume isn't quite loud enough for them to hear, but those reviews were based off of using the earmuffs while mowing. Because of that, I did put my volume all the way up but didn't have any issues hearing it while shooting. Of course, shooting isn't a constant loud noise non-stop like mowing is so I can't attest to the sound quality while using the earmuffs for something like that but it was sufficient (although not OVERLY loud even all the way up) for what I was using them for.They really muffled the gunshot noise well for me, and I was shooting a 45 caliber pistol. In the past, even with my earplugs, I still would have ringing in my ears to some varying degree. I did NOT while using these! I did not make or receive any phone calls while at the range, so I can't attest to the quality of that feature. Overall, I highly recommend these and for me personally, and use I have for them, they are worth every penny of their price!

I already own a pair of electronic noise reducing range earmuffs. This makes my second pair but first for this brand. Both pairs work equally effective in that they allow ambient volume around you in so you can hear and be heard without shouting but as soon as a bang or loud noise starts it cuts off that feature and protects your hearing by not allowing the majority of noise in. This pair is different from my others in that this pair offers bluetooth connectivity.The bluetooth feature works fairly well and my only real complaint is that there is no separate volume control for what you are listening to. The dial on the outside of the ear muff switches the electronic noise reduction on or off and controls the loudness of the ambient noise allowed in. When you’re listening to music this dial does not raise the volume of the music but again only controls the volume of the ambient noise. The higher you turn the dial the more ambient noise you’re allowing in and the less of your music you can hear. Initially, I thought having bluetooth would be great as I could wear these around my wood shop, listen to music or podcasts, also hear the ambient noises, and then as soon as a saw kicked on my hearing would be protected. Unfortunately the volume of the music/podcast is so low it’s hard to hear, especially with all the other ambient noise coming in.Other than this issue the headphones work great as hearing protection. However, for the extra money you’re spending on bluetooth, you’d like that to work properly. The headphones are powered by 2 AAA batteries that are not included. They collapse down to a very small size easily portable in a range bag.If you don’t ABSOLUTELY NEED to have bluetooth for some reason then I’d honestly save about $40 and buy a standard pair of electronic hearing protection. I hope this was helpful to you in making your decision.

As anyone who is properly trained on the use of firearms knows, hearing protection is important.In the army, we were all issued earplugs which we were supposed to carry on our uniforms at all times (the earplug case was part of the uniform requirement in my division). These were solid-rubber, three-conical-lipped orange pieces, and they are almost certainly why I still have very good hearing today, after serving in an infantry division, and in the field artillery regiment under that division for a portion of that time.Later, as a civilian, I carried this along... keeping a pair of similar earplugs in a little pouch affixed to my sidearm's holster (foam earplugs are nice, but they take time to put in, while these solid ones can go in much faster). The design has changed a bit over time... silicone is more common these days... but the concept is the same. These are a good example, and are what I currently carry (just one set in a tiny pouch).https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Plugs-Reusable-Protection-Construction/dp/B01N7LMH5K/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3ETT2SHDZ20LM&keywords=ear+plugs+shooting&qid=1654536356&sprefix=ear+plugs+shooting%2Caps%2C122&sr=8-8But, when you're PLANNING on shooting, "earmuffs" are definitely the way to go. So, when I go to the range, I have used over-the-ear hearing protection. Always just passive "barrier" type earmuffs, before now, though.So... this is my very first toe-dipping into the realm of "active noise suppression" for shooting ear protection. And so far, I have to say, I like it.These are a bit lighter than my "non-electronic" set, and certainly a bit smaller (I love the folding mechanism on these, which allows full-head-fitting muffs to fit into a cargo pocket!)Used without the electronics turned on, these still do a pretty decent job of blocking loud noise of the sort you get from gunshots, though not as good as my "normal" pair provides. I don't feel my hearing is in danger when using these "unpowered" but I do get more of the ambient environment through them.Once powered on, however, it's a whole new ballgame. These put me into almost complete "auditory isolation" with whatever sound I hear, I suspect, being conducted into my inner ear through my skull, or through air from my sinuses, or the like. I really don't get ANY feel that sound is coming through to my ears from the outside air. It's pretty impressive. And while other sets may, potentially, do an even better job... not sure how, but I have to grant that it's possible... I can't complain at all.These also have bluetooth communications built in. This is nice for a couple of situations. First off, it allows you to be in voice communication with other people (over your phone or other bluetooth communication device) while wearing them. There are definitely advantages to that, of course. And, alternatively, you can just play back MUSIC through them, if you're so inclined. And while the fidelity of music playback isn't as good as you'd expect, and hope for, from actual "headphones" per-se, it's certainly not TERRIBLE. If you were wearing these in the woods, walking to a hunting blind, you wouldn't be upset with the sound quality... but if you're in a quiet room, listening to a 192khz recording of a chamber orchestra, you'll definitely notice the difference. These are "C" grade as "audio headphones," but "A" grade as ""hearing protection," and as "communication devices," in other words. (Which really is how it OUGHT to be, I think, don't you?)I can't really comment on battery life yet, as my use has been very limited so far. But I see no indication of a problem in that area. Still, that's the only potential drawback I can see towards having "active" hearing protection versus "passive" hearing protection. My older shooting earmuffs just work... "no batteries required." These? While I think they're a step up when powered, they're definitely a step down when not powered. So, I think I'll hang on to my old muffs, too, just in case.