From Len:
I ordered a set of "SoundGear by La Pierre", made by Starkey Hearing Technology, a very established hearing aid company. This unit is very tiny, fits in the ear canal in the same way a good set of non-electronic plugs would fit. The sales guy at SoundGear suggested the "industrial" labeled version rather than the "hunting " labeled one. He subtly suggested that the amount of sound increase with the hunting version of the SoundGear product may not be what most of us would prefer (too loud). I never tried the "hunting" version but like this "industrial" sound value quite well.
Most often in recent years I wear non-electronic plugs when hunting but only at the critical moment. And if I'm hunting with a partner, the plugs reduce the ability to communicate.
I tried the SoundGear units for fit and comfort and was pleased. In fact I wore them for a couple hours and by that time had forgotten I had them on.
Then this morning I went out to my friend's place to try a shooting test with the SoundGear. He was quite interested since he had tried one of the type that consists of a tube that connects a plug to an electronics "module". The module mounts behind the ear, the tube holds the plug inside the ear canal. It wasn't the Walker's Game Ear version, it was Radians. He didn't like that style of unit since he couldn't keep it on in certain situations.
The example he gave was when lying down in one of those coffin style goose blinds. While waiting for birds, prone on his back, he needs to be able to hear very well. And he needs the unit to not fall out because the module was bumped loose.
I had tried the similar Walker's behind-the-ear version a few years ago and did not like it at all. It didn't cut off enough sound for one thing. In fact, seeing that there is a plastic tube connecting the electronics to the plug which goes into the ear I don't know how any of that style can keep sound from traveling along the tube into the ear canal. Anyway, we'd both be willing to sell those respective units for about $2 each if you're interested.
Too often "cheap" is not really a good value. Buying once and buying well is what I try to do though too many times I fail the first try.
Anyway, the SoundGear shooting test today was a big success and my quest has ended! I can't wait to hunt coyotes with them in a couple weeks. Imagine you park the truck at your first set of the day and get your rifle and other stuff ready. I insert my 2 SoundGear electronic units and off we go.
I can hear the sounds a little louder with these units. Enough louder to be helpful but not enough to be obnoxious.
So that set is over, you head back to the truck, put your stuff in the truck --- leave your "ears" in place and drive to the next set. Simple, comfortable, effective.
You could hunt coyotes all day without fussing over them. You can whisper to your hunt partner, you can hear the distant, faint high pitched coyote vocalizations. You can hear the swish of wings and the scratch of something walking in leaves. Batteries last a week and are very cheap.
UPDATE:
I am driving back from 3 days of hunting coyotes, rocks and rock chucks in WY and MT.
I fired about a dozen rounds with my unbraked 6.5-284.
I hunted with partners so I needed the ability to communicate.
We had wind sometimes up to 15 mph.
I wore the SoundGear units each day for 4 or 5 hours at a time.
Wow, am I happy with them.
Plenty of protection, never heard wind whistle, never wanted to take them out for a break other than at lunch time.
Communication was perfect.
-Len Backus-
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Big Sky03/29/2013, 07:43
I was one of the guys Len hunted with this week. I have had other friends use hearing protection in the past while hunting on coyote stands or even while hunting big game. It usually causes a lot of issues. Most units really hamper one's ability to hear. I have become very frustrated, at times, while trying to communicate with partners wearing different forms of hearing protection. This is the first time there were zero issues with being able to communicate. The Sound Gear units impressed me quite a bit from the non-wearer's point of view. Anytime I had to whisper while on the stand Len did not have any trouble hearing me. The units were so small that most of the time I didn't even notice Len was wearing them. As I get older my hearing seems more and more important to me. I'm thinking I might just have to get a set of these Sound Gear hearing protection units for myself. On a side note, when Len comes out to hunt he usually has all kinds of different gear to test and use. This trip was no exception. On this hunt, aside from his wonderful 6.5-284 (which was an absolute joy to shoot), the Sound Gear product was the highlight, for me anyway. It's a cool little tiny product that makes a difference in a HUGE way!
