replacing headphones

[TMTS]

what are other operators using for hearing protection/entertainment while mulching/mowing/ etc..? I have an older Peltor workphone- the one with the built-in am/fm radio. They sh*t the bed the other day (probably been dropped off my head too many times) For a while I just had the siruus sat. radio with FM modulation (playing though the Peltor worktunes) - but I kept ripping the antenna off......I've thought about the BOSE noise cancelling and an ipod or something like that- but not sure I like the cord or the fuss of charging/recharging the ipod...

just looking to see what other folks are using...

-TMTS

 

[Dyer retired]

TMTS,

I have a set of the Bose QCII's that I use with my iPod. They are expensive, but the quality of reproduction you get is top notch and they absolutely cancel the outside noise, so you would not be disappointed. I like the iPod because I can listen to only music I've put on there and, therefore, only music I like....no commercials or radio hosts talking more than playing music, etc. My iPod charge will last several days of non-stop playing, but I also have a charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter that allows you to continue using the iPod while it charges. There is also a 9 volt pack that you can buy for extended listening, but I found that you have to remove the battery if you're not using it with the iPod....for some reason it discharges anyway (or at least mine was.)

Just a side note on Bose. My wife borrowed "Jaybrad's" Bose QCII's for a trip a few years ago, before we owned a set. She somehow broke a side piece of the headset, so we bought a new set for Jaybrad to replace his, now broken, set. The broken set worked fine, but looked a little hideous, so I called Bose and told them what had happened and that I was not the original purchaser of the set. The response from Customer service was immediate and without hesitation...send the broken set in and they would replace it. I had a brand new set of QCII's within three weeks. Bose will have my business from now on. Dyer, retired

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I tried the peltors at $50 and then switched to the Elvex $70 and neither held up very long. I found $20 Am/FM cheapies at sportsmansguide.com that hold up fine have 25 or 26 nrr. They take two AA and when they wear out or I break them by tossing or sitting on them, I get the other pair. I have an XM radio (sportster model $19.99) in the cab and it sends the signal to the muffs via FM.
If I could afford to replace the Bose QC II's, I'd just plug those into the XM port but I'm afraid I'd tear them up. I may try another cheaper pair of noise reducing muffs that plug into the XM but my last pair got trashed. The $20 (bell and howell's) have been rained on, dropped, taped back together, rusted, and corroded and yet still tune. They aren't the most powerful for pulling in distant stations but I can get plenty of stations in my rural area should the XM fail.

For $40 plus shipping, I can get 2 pair vs. 1 pair at $50 of the Peltor's.
A side note, the Elvex had the best tuning/sound but they lasted only 91 days just after the warranty expired. The Bell and Howells sound isn't the best but it works for me.

 

[Johnagain]

I also use the Bose QCII headphones with either an Ipod or a am/fm radio on my tractor. Mine have gotten wet from light rain and have had no problems. What's nice about them is you can disconnect the cord from either the headphone or the radio. I use them when i run a chainsaw also without the cord attached. The way I look at it is $300 is a lot better than losing your hearing.

 

[bontai_Joe]

I use David Clark's model 10A and have had them over 20 years. No music as I find it distracting. I want noise reduction, but still want to be able to hear what the machine is doing, or hear people yelling in my work area. Plus I have found many folks are substituting the noise of music for the noise of the machine they are running and thereby still whacking the heck out of their ears.