Noise protection with am/fm radio

[GarPA]

I've been looking at some of those ear protection headsets with the am/fm radio...I've always just used ear plugs but I like the idea of being able to have talk radio on while I work. Couple of questions to those who have tried these:

Are they unsafe in that you can't hear if something breaks or someone calls to you?...probably wont thear them anyway on a Z.

Are there any brands that work well that are reasonably priced...some of these I saw in direct order mags are well over $150 more....I'd really like to buy one if you can point me to a decent one .....thanks much

[mdb landscaping]

I have elvex ear muffs with the radio. i dont know how i did without them. they are the best thing in the world. Elvex is one of the bigger companies making them and mine have held up well. ive even dropped them quite a few times and no problems. i think they costed me $139 but it is well worth it. as far as hearing the equipment, i dont have any problems. especially in the fall when you have to hear your back pack blower to make sure the intake doesnt get blocked with leaves, you can tell even with the radio on. once you get a pair, you will love em. they make ones that are rechargeable, but the batteries last a good month or two on mine.

[GarPA]

MDB...where did you purchase yours? I'd like to go and "touch" them rather than buy on line but I cant imagine any stores selling these ?? thanks

[mdb landscaping]

i got mine at landscapers supply. not sure if you have any in your area, but maybe lescos in your area will have them? some dealers carry them as well. i dont really know whats in your area, but they are in the landscapers supply catalog, am leonards i think, and a few others. maybe somebody from your area will know?

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

MDB-- My noise protection system is pretty simple. I bought a set of Radio Shack Racing Headphones for $50. The cord is really short, which is nice because it won't get tangled up in shrubs, trees, etc... and there's a volume control on the headset. I then bought a Sony CD walkman for $79 that fits in my pocket. It hardly skips at all. At first I was concerned about not being able to hear noises such as if the mower started making a strange noise, but after a while you get used to it and you can tell by the vibrations of the mower if something is wrong. You could buy a Sony AM/FM Walkman if you choose to listen to radio as opposed to CD's.

LAWNS AND MOWER

PS This setup works great if you want to ignore a pesty customer!!!!

[TLS]

I have what MDB has, the Elvex. Some guys use the Peltors, as they offer AM. As for hearing someone, if you wear hearing protection, you'll be able to hear them the rest of your life! If you do what LAWNS & MOWER does, you'll be deaf in 20 years!

I've previously did the walkman thing for around 10 years. Keeps you occupied, but does very little for sound supression. Then I got smart and have been using the Elvex's for about 4 seasons. I have hearing loss (rock band manager/enthusiast) for a few years, so that didn't help any standing next to 1000W 20" speakers a few times a week :rolleyes: .

Anyway...I find myself questioning what people say from time to time, and I'm only 31. I'm doing whatever I can do to prevent any further loss. Only downside with the hearing protectors, is the WHITE ears, when the rest of your face is nice and tan :D

Use them NOW or regret it later!!!

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

What did you say??? Speak up, I can't hear you Tommy. You say I'll go deaf in 20 years? Uh, ok? I'd rather go deaf listening to music as opposed to listening to a loud commercial mower or even better, a backpack blower. As I mentioned above, there's a thing called VOLUME CONTROL on the headset. Use common sense and adjust as needed.

LAWNS AND MOWER

[TLS]

LAWNS & MOWER,

What I was getting at was that your system does not block out/supress the harmfull noise, only covers it up with music. With the safety hearing protectors, music volume is very low, but thats OK because it is blocking out 25-27 db of the harmfull outside noise.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Originally posted by TLS
LAWNS & MOWER,

What I was getting at was that your system does not block out/supress the harmfull noise, only covers it up with music. With the safety hearing protectors, music volume is very low, but thats OK because it is blocking out 25-27 db of the harmfull outside noise.

I beg to differ. These headphones are designed to block out all outside noises. That's why they're called Racing Headphones. Spectators at Nascar races wear these headphones to block out the noise of the racecars and then at the same time listen to the race on the radio. I can have these headphones on without any music playing and still can't hear my mower running. Give em a try!!!!!

LAWNS AND MOWER

[TLS]

Sorry, my bad :o I didn't think Radio Smack (can I have your zip code please? :rolleyes: ) even offered something like this. This sounds pretty nice, except for the cord getting caught on tree limbs, plus where do you put the walkman (radio) part? Lap, or a neck strap?

For $69 you can get the Peltor AM/FM's that also have a input jack for CD's if you feel the need.

[TOSLC]

I own the Pelton Worktunes and they work great. I bought them from MSC Supply (their on the web) and I paid around $70 for them. The batteries last about 2 or 3 months. Another plus of the ear muffs is the fact that they keep your ears warmer in the cool spring and fall days.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

Originally posted by TLS
Sorry, my bad :o I didn't think Radio Smack (can I have your zip code please? :rolleyes: ) even offered something like this. This sounds pretty nice, except for the cord getting caught on tree limbs, plus where do you put the walkman (radio) part? Lap, or a neck strap?

For $69 you can get the Peltor AM/FM's that also have a input jack for CD's if you feel the need.

TLS I didn't think trolling season was hear yet, but I'll answer your questions again anyway. I said the cord is short, which avoids tangling and I put the walkman in my front pocket. Have you caught anything yet????

LAWNS AND MOWER

[TLS]

LAWNS & MOWER,

You must have me confused with someone else :confused: , I'm not a fisherman. As a kid, yes. Not much free time for it now a days.

Anyway...

CD player in a shirt pocket? Big pockets :eek:

On further reading, are you being sarcastic? I'm not being negative towards you, just sharing what I found works, and what I found has its limitations/downfaults.

Peace

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I must admitt, I was getting a little impatient since I already stated the cord was short and didn't get tangled, and then you commented that you didn't like the idea of the cord getting tangled. Anyway, I put the walkman in my front shorts pocket and run the 4 foot cord from the headphones to the walkman. Think I'll go buy some CDs at Wally World. Later

LAWNS AND MOWER

[mdb landscaping]

wow, that got ugly. if you dont want a cord at all, go with the elvex or peltor. they are made specifically for what you want to use them for.

[bigkat]

I bought a pair of Peltors from sears $59.00 works great .

[GarPA]

you guys are funny at times...don't let it ever be said that women are the only ones who like to pick at each other...har har...think I'll go with the elvex or peltor..used to do the walkman thing but occasiaonlly I got it caught on something particulary when doing trimming/clean up.

by the way I've only been on this site a couple of months...you old timers now this already but its obvious to me as well that if you look at the number of people on this site at any one time and then look at the number of views versus replies, its clear that alot of "regular guests" never reply/contribute....rather selfish if IMHO..granted I dont offer much on commercial equip but I do try to offer info in other areas where I have experience/expertise....it seems that the same 20 or so members consistently provide the info and feedback....thats fine ...but we all need to contribute when we have something of value to add....just like oatmeal, its the right thing to do...Thanks again guys

[Nebraska]

The Peltors work GREAT!

Started using them last year and with the AM you won't miss Rush Limbaugh!
http://www.botachtactical.com/peltor.html

p.s. down side is sweaty ears but at least you'll hear out them when you get older

[Barkleymut]

I actually ordered a set of the Peltors from J. Thomas this morning. If you want to see some in person you can try Northern Tool as I saw some there a while back.

[KirbysLawn]

I have the Peltor Select, $245 at most sites. The great thing about these is you can press abutton on the side and the mics cut on and you can hear people talking without removing them. http://www.labsafety.com/store/product.asp?dept_id=5942&pf_id=38418

Here are two links from past discussions on this subject wirh several links to order from:

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=18429&highlight=Peltors

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=10249&perpage=20&pagenumber=3