3M PELTOR ProTac III Headset, 31 dB, Black, Helmet Mounted, MT13H221P3E

At first mis-read the box where it boldly shows 21 dB noise reduction. Was going to send this straight back but did some more searching, as suspected Amazon just copy and pasted onto the web page the specs for the defenders. Other retialers also quoted 26 dB. Unfortunately my noise meter does not have a remote sensor to place inside the ear piece; it could only measure noise in the free air. More searching found a Peltor spec sheet in pdf. This one printed in Sweeden. It definitely says SNR is 26. Ergo, deduced the way UK, EU and AU/NZ measures noise attenuation is different to that of US.Not going to be able to test this defender properly until I get on next work assignment and go to the engine room on the vessel. This is the main reason for purchasing this ear defender because every vessel I go are are different and have to do inspection and safety auditing which involves asking lots of questions. So using this ear defender should mean I could easily hear the answeres above the noise of the engines. If this works, I shall have to buy another pair to provide interviewee to wear. Wish Peltor could make these cheaper or smaller for people like me who has to carry all the kit for air travels to site.Anhyhow, tested with domestic vacuum cleaner, a Dyson DC08 of 2003 vintage. This cleaner is too painful on the ears to use without ear protection. (Think it was 103 dBA when I measured it way back in 2003. Meter was 1m away and the vacuum was just sucking in free air without any tools attached.) With the electronics switched off, the noise is attenuated effectively. Switch it on and you can hear the vacuum cleaner. I could also hear the radio situated a metre and half the other side of my ears. Plus in a AUX cable to play some music and I could hear the music clearly above the noise of the vacuum cleaner.The AUX is a benefit because the Peltor in my existing inventory has FM radio. This cost £135 10 years ago but the FM reception is not great when when next to machinery or power tools kicking out RF interference, have to give up listening tot he radio while working. With the AUX socket I could connect to a music player or to a pocket DAB.10 years on and glad to report designers have had a re-think about battery replacement. Now it is easy to unclip the battery compartment cover. With the FM Radio Peltor model, the cover had to be unscrewed. It takes x2 AA. This test was conducted with rechargable batteries and ti worked fine.Maybe it is new because the sprung steel pushes the ear cups very strongly into ones head. All day use will be a problem I predict.Rating it 4 stars. Pity the cups can't be pushed into the headband to make the whole thing smaller for packing into the luggage. Reckon if and when time comes to buy a second pair, it will be helmet mounted version so as to safe some bulk while travelling. Am annoyed that Peltor SportTac model for shooters and hunters has folding headband where the cups can take up the space indice the U shape of the headband, making it less bulky., but designers have not incorporated into the ProTac (this model). (Can't use the SportTac in engine rooms and the ProTac is designed to take up the constant noise whereas the SportTa takes out the sudden impulse kind of noise from fire arms.). There is no indicator LED to show it is switched on. I have left the previoius Peltor (Alert Active with AM/FM radio) on many a time (but radio switched off) only to find battery was flat the next day. At least that model is rotaty switched on/of with click whereas this you have to press on / press off and have it on your ears to listen to the Voice confirmation whether it is off or on - not easy to hear in some environments.Note, if you do work in an engine room, suggest you order the bigger, 32 dB version. I only "visit" these spaces to do inspections once a while hence the smaller slim ones are fine and easier to pack in the luggage for air travel. Note to self, may try these out when travelling onto next assignment to see how much of the aircraft noise it cuts out when watching movies. Having wires is not convenient but these Peltors are much, much cheaper than the Bluetooth models.

I’ve used Peltor ear defenders for quite a few years, finding they’re generally robust and offer good levels of attenuation. Particularly important for me, as I have tinnitus at a chronic level and hearing loss.I decided to upgrade from my optime 111 ear defenders and try these protac 111 ear defenders, as I’ve been struggling to understand instructions or communicate with colleagues of late.I’m quite happy with the way this headset will amplify ambient sounds, whilst offering reasonably good attenuation of louder noise levels.The sound reproduction is a little mechanical and metallic, though if you’re already a user of hearing aids, this won’t be too bothersome.These ear defenders are not as robust as a standard pair of Peltor; the outer shell casing covers, are only held in place by a single lower clip and there is no waterproof seal for the electronics inside the cups. I personally wouldn’t wear them in adverse weather conditions outside. They are more suited to factory conditions.The on/ off button is temperamental and requires repeated pressing and holding pressed, to activate the amplification feature.An ‘on’ indicator and the ability to recharge the headset via usb, should be standard at this price bracket, these days.As should Bluetooth capacity.There are non Peltor headsets that offer these features.Though I tend to stick with a brand I know to have reliable attenuation levels, given my condition.In conclusion, I would recommend this product, though there are other similar headsets on the market, with similar SNR ratings and more features, albeit without the Peltor branding.

Very good ear defenders, with decent audio quality.

Slim enough and comfortable to wear for clay shooting cancel out the noise very well

Works as described. Have not used it a lot but love it when I do. Always detested having to take of muffs to hear people and now I don't have to.

Comfortable and the noise canceling is good. 3 stars only because if it's switched off you can't listen music from your phone while using them as earmuffs. Also, not great as headphones, but I've expected that, so no hard feelings on this side.

Good quality good sound very pleased