Making their debut at the 2014 SHOT Show trade show and conference, the Peltor TAC 100 Electronic Hearing Protector represents one of Peltor’s strongest entries into the sub-$100 hearing protection device category to date. Peltor developed a full-line of hearing protection devices, both electronic and non-electronic, with enough variety and range in its offerings to fit the needs of any shooter, regardless of specific need or budget. The TAC 100 is versatile and reasonable enough in price to instantly become one of the flagship products offered by the company.

TAC 100 Electronic Hearing Protector Review

For the purposes of this review, it should be noted that I have used this headset with a wide variety of firearms (pistols, shotguns, rifles) and did not note any tangible difference in protection offered when used with any of the different guns. The headset is effective with all kinds of firearms, and as such is one of the more versatile models that I have had the pleasure of using – a true all-purpose hearing protection device. I also want to offer a bit of advice to all readers: as someone who has spent his life around firearms, including knowing people personally who suffered as a result of their carelessness when shooting, I can’t stress enough how vital the use of an HPD is. Your hearing is too important to compromise – and make no mistake, modern hearing protection devices offer great comfort and features that allow for surrounding, quieter noises to be heard when in use. There is no valid excuse for neglecting to use one, and that goes for hunters as well. Now that I’ve made my public service announcement, back to the review…

Noise Reduction

The first thing that people generally want to know about hearing protection devices is the noise reduction rating (NRR) of the headset. Like similar HPD’s like the Impact Sport, the TAC 100 comes in at a rating of 22, which is an excellent level of reduction for a headset that features this slim of a profile and comes in at such a reasonable price point (currently about $65 on amazon.com). I’ve used other headsets that claim to offer an NRR of 22, and I can tell you that these are the most effective of any of the sort that I’ve used, which I believe is a result of the seal of the headset cups. The ear pads surround the ear fully, unlike other 22 NRR headsets which I have used that have a lesser build quality. Peltor boasts that the model reduces noise by 17.2dB to 43.7dB, depending on the frequency tested, and that seems like an accurate measurement to me. The headset also performs under different circumstances – not just when used with different guns, as previously mentioned, but indoors and outdoors as well.

Sound Amplification and Features

The headset uses an all-in-one volume control and on/off switch. The switch offers a nice audible ‘click’ when turned on or off, and as a bonus for hunters such as myself, allows for volume adjustment which can enable the user to adjust the volume of ambient noise in the vicinity. This is an essential feature, and comes in handy to me not just when hunting but when speaking to other people while wearing the headset. The sound amplification is not the strongest I have heard, but it does come through crisp and clear, with little to no muffling or static to be heard. And most importantly, the headset never failed to differentiate between a loud noise or a softer one; the noises that were meant to be reduced were reduced, and the sound that was meant to be amplified was amplified.

The headset also features a two-hour automatic shut-off, and similar to the 6S an overall battery life of 200 hours via just two AAA batteries, which is a lot more efficient than you’ll find in most headsets in this price range. A beeping noise will warn of low-battery, and the battery slot is designed well and super easy to access. The headset even features a 3.5 mm audio jack that is compatible with most MP3 players and two-way radios – a nice new feature that I personally don’t take advantage of, but may appeal to a variety of folks.

Quality and Build

I have only been using this headset for a couple of months now, so I can’t speak to the long-term staying power of the TAC 100. With that being said, Peltor headsets almost always stand the test of time in my experience, and based on my use of the TAC 100, I expect this headset to be no different. Boasting a “re-engineered headband for improved fit and comfort”, the headset is an extremely comfortable one, perhaps the most comfortable sub-$100 headset I have experienced. After several hours of shooting I felt no discomfort from the headset, which is a pretty rare occurrence when dealing with any kind of head gear. The earmuffs are soft and hold around the ear nicely, and the lighter weight of the headset (under ten ounces including batteries) is not too much to bear. I am not a big fan of the use of plastic in the headset, but it does make for a lighter model and it also allows for a thinner one – you’d be hard pressed to find a thinner headset that boasts a NRR of 22 anywhere. The rubbery material used in the ear pads can lead to a bit of sweat around the ears when used for an extended period, but honestly, I did not notice this until I had removed the headset – it was still extremely comfortable.

Conclusion

The Peltor TAC 100 is one of the best bang for your buck headsets available today. Ultimately, a lot of what people like or don’t like about headsets comes down to subjective preferences – I personally like the fit and design of this headset as it seems to fit on my head really nicely. Having said that, if you’re using a comfortable headset that fits well and works for you, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going out and upgrading to the TAC 100, as it may not fit as well. However, if you’re in the market for a new headset or considering buying one as a gift, you’d be hard pressed to find a better overall headset in this price range, or one that offers this kind of value.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

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Table of Contents

• Tactical 6S Hearing Protector Review
• Noise Reduction
• Sound Amplification and Features
• Quality and Build
• Conclusion

In my previous article I did an overview of Peltor’s Tactical Line of hearing protectors. Today I’m going to take a deeper look at Peltor’s tactical 6S hearing protector. In my experience, too many gun owners are negligent when it comes to ear safety. All too often I have met folks who only began using proper hearing protective devices (HPD’s) after damage to their hearing triggered a wake-up call. At that point, it is usually too late as the damage has already been done. Even after coming to this realization, too many gun owners opt for weak or ineffective ear plugs that block out all noise rather than amplifying the soft sounds that hunters in particular are so afraid of missing when wearing a headset. If only more gun owners familiarized themselves with Peltor’s line of hearing protective devices, like the Tactical 6S Active.

Tactical 6S Hearing Protector Review

Peltor’s Tactical 6S Active Volume Hearing Protector is, in a word, effective. One of the most well-known of Peltor’s highly regarded line of hearing protective devices, the 6S was, at its time of release in 2003, a revolutionary device. Boasting the capability to reduce hazardous noises to safe levels within 5 milliseconds, the 6S has to be experienced to be believed; the headset neutralizes harmful noises instantly, while raising the volume of ambient sounds in just as little time. Although the model does fall short of excellence in terms of some peripherals and features, it makes for a safe, effective choice in an HPD, and one that will protect your ears without compromising your hearing. This is a versatile headset that is good for all kinds of gun use, from recreational shooting to hunting, and would serve any kind of shooter well, from novice to expert.

Noise Reduction

I have had the pleasure of using the 6S model under most kinds of circumstances imaginable; indoors and outdoors, with handguns, shotguns, and rifles, in the rain or snow, at the range or in open spaces, etc. The headset has been around for long enough and has been popular enough that not only was it a mainstay in my gear kit for some time, I often found that it was available for use at a number of ranges that I had visited. Never once did any of the 6S models that I used fail on me in terms of noise reduction. The instant elimination of dangerous noise and enhancement of softer noises is absolutely ideal for any kind of shooter, and the feature works like a dream.

In my experience, when using the headset indoors, softer noises perhaps had a little more trouble being enhanced, but I believe this to be an industry-wide problem as opposed to a Tactical 6S problem – almost all headsets I have sampled are at least a little less effective indoors than they are outdoors. Specifically, the headset boasts that it can limit amplified sounds up to 82 dBA within 5 milliseconds. I have found that this seems to be accurate measurement. 

Sound Amplification and Features

As a hunter, sound amplification is extremely important to me in a hearing protective device. I’ve seen my fair share of HPD’s that claimed to enhance ambient sounds, only to fall short on that promise. They’d usually enhance medium-level noise, as opposed to softer, subtler noise that is so important when tracking game. The 6S does a great job of enhancing the truly softer noises. I found that when wearing the device, my tracking abilities were not compromised at all – I was hearing sounds that I wouldn’t have thought possible given that a headset was covering my ears. The description of the 6S claims that it can provide distortion-free amplification of low-level sounds up to 19 dBA, a claim that I have no trouble believing given the success that I have had using the headset.

Unfortunately, there are features on this headset where it falls just a little short. The battery replacement process is a frustrating and tedious one, as each ear cup takes two AAA batteries (not included), and the battery compartments can only be accessed after removing the ear cushion as well as the grey foam inside of it. The process of removing these parts is not a simple one, as the stubborn parts seem to have no interest in being removed, and this is all made even worse by the fact that the whole ordeal needs to be carried out twice – once for each ear. Most quality electronic headsets take just two batteries, as opposed to four for the 6S. This would be a bit more palatable if the four batteries provided an impressive amount of battery life, but the 6S boasts a solid yet unspectacular 200-hours of use out of a set of batteries.

The model also lacks an auto-turn off feature, meaning if you forget to turn off the headset, your batteries will be drained quickly. This is a problem that I have suffered from, and represents one of the few serious shortcomings with this model. The 6S comes with individual microphones and volume controls for each ear, which are in the form of two knobs that protrude just a little too much, hurting the aesthetic of the device. It’s also unfortunate that there is no LED or indicator to tell you whether or not the volume/microphone has been turned off, as it is possible to turn one ear on/off but not the other, leading to battery drains and imbalances. Overall, in spite of its effectiveness when ‘in action’, the 6S model could use some work.

Quality and Build

At just 8-ounces, the headset is extremely lightweight, which makes for a comfortable wear. However, it does also give the device a bit of a cheaper feel, as the 6S feels kind of insubstantial when held in hand. After several hours of use, the ear cups and ear pads, which seal really well, can cause a bit of a sweat build up. Nothing too terrible, but it is something that you’re likely to encounter if using the 6S for extended periods of time. The low-profile and adjustable headband fits well under hats and accommodates the use of safety glasses without a hitch. It is a comfortable headband, but like the rest of the model is made primarily of a plastic material, which gives it an inexpensive look and feel. Overall, the 6S holds up well over time (I’ve owned a pair for years that saw no significant wear or damage), and is comfortable to wear, but doesn’t exactly scream ‘quality’ when looked at or held in hand.

Conclusion

The Peltor 6S Active is a hearing protective device that set new standards in noise reduction and sound amplification in the gun community and is still a solid option today if you’re looking for a inexpensive choice in a gun safety headset. However, the model is not without its flaws, and it has been surpassed by newer models that can offer features such as an auto-turnoff safety, easily accessed battery compartments, a single/low-profile knob that controls the entire headset, sweat-proof headbands and ear cups, etc. Ultimately, the 6S active can serve you well, but in 2016 there isn’t much reason to settle for an inferior hearing protection device.

Rating: 3/5 Stars

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