Peltor Sport Tactical 500 [Review]

Every range bag should contain hearing and eye protection as they are essential items.

The sound of a gunshot can cause severe damage to the human ear, making it crucial to prioritize protection if you engage in regular shooting activities. Various companies offer hearing protection options for shooters, ranging from basic foam earplugs to ear muffs and electronic ear muffs.

Peltor Sport, a 3M company, specializes in providing hearing protection for civilian shooters and hunters, while Peltor “proper" focuses on the military and law enforcement markets, offering protection for both eyes and ears.

In this article, we’ll closely examine the Peltor Sport Tactical 500 electronic ear muffs.

Peltor Sport Tactical 300 vs 500

Peltor’s Sport Tactical product line now includes two models, the 300 and 500.

The 300 model is a comprehensive electronic ear muff, while the Sport Tactical 500 model adds Bluetooth connectivity, making it a versatile all-day ear muff.

Equipped with 3M Smart Technology, the Peltor Sport Tactical 500 has a Noise Reduction Rating of 26dB, effectively suppressing gunshot noise while amplifying low sounds through its proprietary 3M technology.

OSHA states that exposure to noise levels above 140 dB can cause damage and discomfort to one’s hearing and ears.

Moreover, it’s Gunshot Recognition and Suppression Technology can detect the type of firearm used and the surrounding environment, such as indoor or outdoor settings, to optimize the noise protection necessary to protect your ears.

Clear Voice Tracking Technology

Another impressive feature of the Peltor Sport Tactical 500 is the Clear Voice Tracking Technology.

This technology detects voice patterns and enhances how they are heard through the headset. The headset itself is equipped with sophisticated technology, but it operates seamlessly in the background, making setup and phone pairing effortless.

We have personally used the Sport Tactical 500 during several shooting sessions, and both headsets functioned flawlessly.

They attenuated quickly after each shot, while still delivering outstanding low noise and clear transmission of voices. There’s no need to adjust the volume or take off one earpiece to hear each other speak anymore.

Peltor Sport Tactical 500

One advantage that the Peltor Sport Tactical 500 has over the 300 models is its Bluetooth connectivity feature, which allows it to connect to a phone or other devices.

Once paired initially with your phone, it will automatically connect each time you turn on the headset.

This connection allows the shooter to receive audible tones for incoming messages, phone calls, and even music, although we personally don’t prefer to listen to music while shooting.

However, others may find it useful for message notifications and phone calls.

Peltor Sport Tactical 500 Specs (courtesy of 3M.com)

• 26 dB Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
• Bluetooth® Wireless Technology syncs with mobile devices
• 3M SMART Technologies
• Dynamic Suppression Time adapts to the firearm and environment for an optimized shooting experience
• Clear Voice Tracking seeks voice within noise for improved speech intelligibility
• Auto shut-offIntuitive buttons and voice guidance let you operate without removing the headset
• Low-profile cups have cut-outs for use with long guns`
• Vented, adjustable headband improves comfort when worn with hats
• Durable recessed microphones designed to reduce wind and fan noise
• Amazon: $142.95

Pros:

• The headset boasts an impressively sensitive and flexible noise filter that effectively dampens gunshot sounds while maintaining clear communication during conversations.
• Offers a substantial 26 dB Noise Reduction Rating for superior noise protection.
• Bluetooth compatibility allows for convenient wireless play/pause/accept/reject controls, and there is also a 3.5mm wired option available.
• The recessed microphones reduce ambient and wind noise for clearer communication.

Cons:

• The ear cups have a limited range of adjustment, and there is no headband adjustability.
• The headband is designed to distribute weight across a small area, which may cause mild discomfort during extended use.
• The music sound quality is not very impressive when compared to ordinary headphones. But then again, these are for shooting, not for enjoying your favorite music.
• The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is not included and must be purchased separately for an additional cost of $30.

Conclusion

The Peltor Sport Tactical 500 headset stands out from its competitors due to several thoughtful details.

For instance, the rubberized split headband provides all-day comfort by keeping the top button of your cap centered without applying pressure. The split design and rubber material also prevent slippage when worn on your head.

Moreover, the small rubber bumper at the bottom of the ear cups cushions the contact between the ear cup and the stock or cheekpiece of a long-range gun, which can be a common issue. The foam ear cups included with the headset are also of high quality, but 3M offers a gel/foam ear cup replacement for those seeking additional comfort.

Additionally, a rechargeable Li-Ion battery pack can replace the alkaline batteries as an accessory or upgrade.

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