In the world of Special Operations, performance is everything. Therefore, you have to demand the best of every piece of equipment you use to ensure you can operate at peak performance.
This holds of hearing protection and communications equipment just the same as it does of a gun.
Special operations rely on teamwork and coordination to pull off high-risk, critical missions. Radio communications in real-time are critical to success.
That’s why United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has fielded the Peltor Comtac III. It’s a set of electronic earmuffs that also integrate a microphone for radio communications.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Comtac III’s special:
Our Criteria
Hearing Protection Value
The first thing to consider with any hearing protection is the Noise Reduction Rating that it has received. Noise reduction rating is measured in Decibels (dB) and tells you how much the hearing protection dampens noises reaching your ears.
Sound Quality
Second, we need to look at the sound quality, both for radio and for reproducing ambient sounds such as voices. Electronic hearing protection works by taking non-harmful sounds captured by external microphones and reproducing them on the internal microphones.
Poor sound reproduction quality can mean missed words, and when you are in a fast-paced, dangerous situation, that can result in serious issues.
Regarding sound quality, you might want to look at Ops Core AMP vs Peltor Comtac.
Comfort & Design
Comfort is the final factor we will be taking a look at. You might be wondering, how do Soldiers not go deaf? Soldiers and other critical responders are often burdened with a lot of additional equipment. This equipment is critical for both safety and operational effectiveness but can also impact the comfort of the hearing protection you are wearing.
Helmets are one item that is of concern. If earmuffs aren’t designed correctly, they can be extremely uncomfortable to wear underneath a helmet, as they will press down on the headband. The chinstrap can also interfere with the microphone if the earmuffs are outfitted for communications.
Battery Life
With any electronics, battery life is always a factor worth considering. This is doubly true for equipment that you will use inside of a demanding or hazardous environment. Long battery life is key for equipment that you will trust your life or vital functions to for long periods of time.
Budget
Price is the final factor we will add to our equation. Whether you are an organization looking to manage a budget or an individual who is making an individual purchase, you always want to maximize the performance you receive in exchange for your dollar.
Peltor COMTAC III Review
3M Peltor ComTac III Electronic Headset
- NRR 23 dB
- High Quality Sound
- Comfortable Fit
- Long Battery Life
Peltor built its brand name by providing outstanding hearing protection for some of the top soldiers in the world. The Comtac III is no exception; it was designed and built from the ground up with Special Operations soldiers and their equipment in mind.
They did an excellent job as SOCOM, and the US Army’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldiers have used the equipment.
Hearing Protection
First, let’s look at the hearing protection aspects of the Comtac III. They have an NRR of 23. This is perfectly appropriate for the job they were designed to do. Hearing protection mostly for outdoor or lower noise indoor areas will typically fall into the 20 to 25 NRR range, so the Comtac III’s are very appropriate for the average noise level in a combat area. Similar models are Howard Leight vs Peltor COMTAC.
Sound Reproduction
Sound reproduction quality is one of the areas where the Comtac III’s shine vs other models. They are well known for having excellent sound reproduction quality and excellent radio quality. In addition, the external microphones pick up 360 degrees of ambient noise, and the foam covers on the microphones prevent the wind noise issues that can plague other electronic hearing protection.
Comfort
The Comtac III’s were designed specifically with the comfort of the Special Operator in mind. In addition, the headband was designed to work with the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) and other helmet systems in use in both Special Operations, regular military and police forces. The result is hearing protection that works with the other gear that elite forces use without compromising comfort.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical factor with any electronic component used by soldiers. A loss of power at a critical moment can mean the difference between life and death. In the case of electronic hearing protection, it may mean missing a critical call from a teammate. There is little margin for error on running out of power on this type of equipment.
Fortunately, the Comtac III’s take this into account by providing outstanding battery life. For example, just two AAA batteries will provide over 400 hours of talk time. This is absolutely outstanding for any pair of electronic hearing protection, much less one that integrates communications.
Price
The Comtac III’s currently retail for a fair price on Amazon.com. This is right in line with the price point you would expect to see for electronic hearing protection with integrated communications. So while this is pricey if you are looking for the hearing protection aspect, it is right on point when integrating with a communications capability.
Pros
- NRR: Excellent NRR for less challenging noise environments. If you are going to be in an extremely noisy environment, this probably isn’t the hearing protection for you, but it is well proportioned for its target environment.
- Sound Quality: The sound quality, both for external sounds and radio transmissions is excellent.
- Comfort: The Comtac IIIs were designed specifically for comfort while wearing other Personal Protective Equipment.
- Battery Life: On just two AAA batteries the Comtac IIIs provide over 400 hours of operation time. This is excellent for any electronic hearing protection, much less one that includes communications integration. Cons
Cons
- Price: If you are only interested in the hearing protection component then these are a pretty pricey piece of equipment. If the communications are important to you, then the price point is right in line for what you should expect to find.
Peltor COMTAC II vs III
The ComTac 3 is the newer, upgraded version of the Peltor ComTac 2. Improved features.
Conclusion
As I’m sure you’ve seen as we’ve gone through this Peltor Comtac III review, these are one outstanding set of headphones. Of course, they aren’t for the casual user, but if you have a demanding job that requires all the features these headphones offer, you won’t be disappointed with a purchase.
Also, Check-Out: Peltor Rangeguard Earmuffs if you do not need the advanced features of the Comtac III.
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