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3M™ Peltor™ Tactical Earplug Kit

  • Review
3M™ Peltor™ Tactical Earplug Kit

3M Peltor’s LEP-200 Level Dependant Earplugs are tiny, in-ear buds that will offer up to 16 hours of operation from their internal lithium ion batteries after a 90-minute charge. They come in a pocket-sized case weighing 272 grams including 3xAA batteries to charge the buds wirelessly when they are clipped into place for storage. There are three adjustable volume levels from single short presses of the control button, with longer ones required for turn ON/ OFF. Button controllers either side for comfortable hearing in normal ambient environments and miniature internal electronics wirelessly receive audio signals from the optional neck loop accessory.

Hanging

This loop hangs under clothes, forming a 50c transmission ‘bubble’ around your head, it plugs into any 3.5mm audio port, so something like a field radio in your pocket can be heard without the hassle of extra wires connected to your ears. This also guards against possible eavesdropping in more clandestine roles. Reusable rubberised UltraFit™ Eartips are supplied in small, medium and large for a versatile fit, with a 32bD SNR reduction rating (SNR Tested in accordance with PPE directive 89/686/EEC). Triple C foam type disposable Eartips offering 36dB are also compatible with yet higher 38dB ‘skull screw’ types available for ultimate sound deadening.

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In use, the omni-directional microphones gave great spacial awareness when on a driven boar hunt, where I elected for the foam type tips for most comfort, although my small ear canals did feel a bit weary after three hours. Not everyone’s ears are as small as mine though and that is a serious fact to consider. Radio comms on the optional neck loop were excellent, as nothing interfered with the unrestricted head movement so mandatory for intuitive shooting.

Simples

Each single control button is simple to use bare handed or with gloves and perhaps most important, the rounded shape of the external unit never feels weighty or abrasive against your outer ear canal. After two hours, they turn off automatically to save battery life, which to be fair, lasted me all three days of the hunt. Yet, like other Peltor products, they warn you with beeps several times during the final 60 seconds of operation. A lanyard is included to hang them around your neck when not in use as well as detailed instructions of how to insert them correctly for the best protection.

A Low battery tone repeats every five minutes of the last hour before they are going to fade out completely but with a simple clip back into the storage case enabling a recharge, I never actually heard this on my three day trip. They are quite expensive, and I wouldn’t use them for constant rifle shooting, but in wide open spaces, they are ideal for all sorts of hunting scenarios and without any undue interference into normal shooting operations. Plus, you stay in contact with your fellows almost subconsciously.

  • 3M™ Peltor™ Tactical Earplug Kit - image {image:count}

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  • 3M™ Peltor™ Tactical Earplug Kit - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • 3M™ Peltor™ Tactical Earplug Kit - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

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  • Price: £397.68
  • Contact: 3M Personal Safety Division, 01344 858762 www.3M.co.uk/safety
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