ComTac/SwatTac vs Sordins?

[studdermonkey]

Ok. I know a shitload of you (high speed) guys have Sordins, but how many have (or have had) the Comtacs? I just got some overpriced Peltor 6's and I think they're badass, but the independent hearing adjustment blows. I was looking at the differences, and there aren't that many that I found. I would simply ask in person or whatever, but it being 3 in the morning, this is something to do. So, what are the major differences in how comfortable they are, features, and etc? I searched a few other forums and I found people saying they liked one or the other more, but not many reasons why. I would simply ask in person or whatever, but it being 3 in the morning, this is something to do.

Example, the com/swattacs make a cutting in/out sound when the louder sounds are heard, and the sordins tend to fade in/out if I'm correct. Sordins would be in the lead at that point. Do the Sordins have the option to attatch a mic if needed? I know you can get the ComTacs with mics, or you can get them separately. Can you get the ComTac v.1's with mics? I didn't find anything about that, mainly stuff on ComTac v2's.Also, how sensative to sound is one vs. the other?

And, I found a good point on the two being overkill and for people that just want to look cool. I agree with that, and it's why I got the peltors I have in the first place. But, if I ever DO get to an airsoft game, the sordins/comtacs would be nice to wear for ear protection (it's winter.. getting shot in the ear will hurt like nothing else), radio capability and if even possible, mic capability (on the sordins)?

David: Yes, I googled it. But, as you know.. my googlefu is pathetic.

[Ganef]

I am more supprised that you did not search on LF,

http://lightfighter.net/groupee/forums/ ... #661108344

http://lightfighter.net/groupee/forums/ ... 1461053951

or GOffTX forumns first.

http://getoffthex.com/groupee/forums/a/ ... /210103156

Well as you know I like my sordins, but I do have some gripes. Namely the dome crush that they give me after a while of wearing them. As per the mic questions, I assume you are asking about a external boom mic, which I do believe you can have affixed to either setup but it will cost you a pretty penny to do so. With either the CTacII or sordin setup you have inputs for radios or iPodish gadgetry so the cheaper solution is to incorporate a more inexpensive boom mic solution into your high end hearing protection.

[studdermonkey]

I searched LF and GOTX, but both had users saying that they had one and liked it. Not that they had both, and liked one more than the other for whatever reason. Almost all of them talk about going from the Tac 6 to the ComTacs, which I might do, since it seems like the ComTacs are better than the Sordins from what I've read so far.

[Ganef]

Well then just make a decision and stick with it and if it becomes a mistake, for heavens sake sell it for what it is worth.

[azsarge]

I love my COMTAC IIs.  The sound is a bit clearer than with the Sordins, but this could be a subjective result of my ownership of COMTACs.

The Sordins are MUCH lower profile than the bulky COMTAC IIs, so Sordins win there.

COMTACs are a modular system, like the Sordins, but are easily connected with a Peltor Mic via the U-173 connections at the rear of each earcup.  With the Sordins, you must specify which type of connection you would like.  I think this may cost extra, but I'm not sure.

The buttons on the Sordins are much better.  1 power and 2 volume adjustment buttons made of rubber versus the 2 flat buttons on the COMTACs.  The COMTAC IIs I have have buttons like older revision EOTechs, sometimes called "microwave" buttons.  They can be difficult to find/use with a gloved hand.

Overall, I'd say the Sordins are a better choice.

What are you going to use them for?  Just for shooting, stick with TAC 6.  I have a pair that I use for shooting.  I bought my COMTACs for shooting and for work, although I have yet to use them in the latter due to the availability of all kinds of commo headsets in the hangar.

[Raith]

I have had the Peltor COMTAC and now have the Sordin Supreme Pro (SSP).

I would get the COMTAC IIs over the regular COMTACs unless you can find some killer deal somewhere.  The IIs are nicer in a lot of ways.

I haven't had COMTAC IIs, which are the contemporary model to the SSPs.  Christian has COMTAC IIs.

My comparison between the COMTACs and SSPs would be that the COMTAC was simply not as good as the SSPs.  The COMTAC was far more "grainy" in its noise transmission and would cut out on sounds like you walking on gravel or inserting a magazine.  Fastex and velcro would be cut out as well.  Any sharp sounds.  The SSPs don't seem to do that to me.

On the COMTACs, the battery door was seemingly a weak point to me, with it looking like it might snap off with every use.

The headband on the COMTACs were a lot nicer in some ways than the headset on the SSPs.  The SSPs are definately not as pleasant to wear all day, but I think that after several hours use, mine have "broken in" a bit and are more comfortable now.

Some people have reported trouble with/pain in conjunction with certain eyewear under any muffs, but I have not had any such trouble.

Hope this helps.

[azsarge]

With regard to the use of eyewear under muffs, I simply removed the unobtanium earsocks from my SI Mframes and they are GTG under my TAC6s, COMTAC IIs, or Ginormous ASTROCOMs or SJs at work.

[studdermonkey]

What are you going to use them for?  Just for shooting, stick with TAC 6.  I have a pair that I use for shooting.  I bought my COMTACs for shooting and for work, although I have yet to use them in the latter due to the availability of all kinds of commo headsets in the hangar.

And, I found a good point on the two being overkill and for people that just want to look cool. I agree with that, and it's why I got the peltors I have in the first place. But, if I ever DO get to an airsoft game, the sordins/comtacs would be nice to wear for ear protection (it's winter.. getting shot in the ear will hurt like nothing else), radio capability and if even possible, mic capability (on the sordins)?

So, to get it straight.. the Sordins are a little more low profile, which is something I don't need but is good to have. The input is better, aka.. I could play an iPod or music from my PSP. That works for me, as well. Although I don't know how bad the music will cut out when I shoot an AR15 and etc, so that might be a pointless feature if all I hear is cutouts of songs (not getting it just for songs, but it's a good feature to have).

The Sordins seem not as comfortable, but the problem would be fixed with time? Cool. It sounds as if I'll be going with Sordins and shortly after a boom mic. I imagine it's well worth the extra money.

[Ganef]

Dude if you are worried about your jams cutting out because you are shooting at the range, you went to the range for the wrong reason. Listen to your smooth jazz in the car and shoot paper people in the face at the range.

[studdermonkey]

Didn't I say I wasn't getting it for that? Did I say it was a nice additional feature? Would I spend $200+ on something like that just for music? I was adding on to a conversation that took place off the boards.

Edited to add: My main point is, if I get the Sordins with the input and etc, I want to have a reason for them, not just to get them to join the club.

[Vince]

Why? It's one of the better, more obscure clubs.

[Raith]

Although I don't know how bad the music will cut out when I shoot an AR15 and etc, so that might be a pointless feature if all I hear is cutouts of songs (not getting it just for songs, but it's a good feature to have).

It won't cut out the audio input, its on a separate set of speakers and has nothing to do with the external noise attenuation.

[azsarge]

Although I don't know how bad the music will cut out when I shoot an AR15 and etc, so that might be a pointless feature if all I hear is cutouts of songs (not getting it just for songs, but it's a good feature to have).

It won't cut out the audio input, its on a separate set of speakers and has nothing to do with the external noise attenuation.

Same with the Peltors.  

The only earpro I've heard of that does that are TCI sets.  They're wired differently by TCI, evidently.

Nate, you may want to seriously consider WHY you're getting these.  For the range, the TAC 6s will work fine.  Spending 200 on earpro whose features will not be fully used is a waste.  I'm not saying you should or shouldn't get them, just make sure it's a worthy purchase for you.

Honestly, if I didn't intend on someday using them for work (ie launching, recovering aircraft and riding in loud birds), I'd just use the TAC 6s for everything and would have never bought the expensive stuff.

As for the "club," there's several others here in AA.  

[studdermonkey]

Nate, you may want to seriously consider WHY you're getting these.  For the range, the TAC 6s will work fine.  Spending 200 on earpro whose features will not be fully used is a waste.  I'm not saying you should or shouldn't get them, just make sure it's a worthy purchase for you.

Honestly, if I didn't intend on someday using them for work (ie launching, recovering aircraft and riding in loud birds), I'd just use the TAC 6s for everything and would have never bought the expensive stuff.

As for the "club," there's several others here in AA.  

I'm already part of the Multicam club, didn't care enough for the Raid club, I'll probably be part of the Eotech club soon enough. Don't tell me there isn't one, I know there is!

I wanted to get the peltors for the reasons I mentioned. The radio headset I have is extremely LSHD. It's annoying, pain in the ass, and etc. The Tac 6's are awesome for what they're intended to be used for. The only person I've seen use the Sordins at a game are Vince, and I saw Matt have some electronic ear protection on in a picture some time ago. I wanted them for comms at airsoft games, protection from the shots to the ears, for use at the range and whatever else they might be able to be used for.

 I got the Tac 6's because I said I don't need the Sordins, for the exact reason you're mentioning, which it's almost useless, because I still haven't seen anyone here use them as a comm setup, but just as protection and anything else the Tac 6's could give you. But I wanted to use the Sordins as a comm system if I got them. It'd be worth the money to not need to hastle with what I had to before, which is just a weak mic and earpiece.

[azsarge]

Oh, there's a earpro club alright.

I've worn my COMTAC IIs at almost every game I've been to since I bought them.  They help with hearing guys that are trying to hide behind bushes.  These, coupled with my SAW, come in handy.

Now, as for the TAC 6s lacking a comm setup, they weren't meant to.  They are earpro, first and foremost.

Electronic earpro/commo combinations were designed by the military to use when you need earpro, commo, and ambient sound all at once.  If you've ever been in a helicopter with a headset on, gotten out and been deafened until you put on your own earpro, then taken THAT off after the birds gone so you can use comms, you'll understand how much of an improvement it is!

If you want all those features, get Sordins or COMTACs.  

To me, the SSPs are a good choice, provided you secure the proper type of input for the mic you'll add later.