Howard Leight Sync Hi-Vis AM/FM Radio Ear Muffs — NRR 25, 1030390

★★★★★

These do attenuate external sound well - review undated at bottom 2/9/2021

I haven't worn them yet for long periods of time. I'll have to come back with an edit, but here's my initial reaction...- They fit tight, I'm thinking they may "possibly" be too tight, but we'll see and I'll comment later...- the pads are not real comfortable, but they are tolerable in the short term... (they definitely seal though)- sound quality is "OK" - there's bass but it"s only "just enough" to (again) be OK- there seems "enough volume" (but it certainly won't be "uncomfortably LOUD" by any means) still, I'm going to call it "adequate" for most environments or applications- controls are VERY clearly defined (if you read the manual) and worked perfectly- I liked the ten possible stored stations (I only used three and they rotate cleanly)- the compartment for the two AA cells was a little difficult to open - on the other hand, I think it will stay closed during use- I didn't like the tuning method too much (having to scan up or down thru each (every) station on the way to the upper or lower end of the frequency depending on where you start - but, you really only rarely need to do this if you program your "favorites" in one or more of the 10 memory locations...- seems to be good sensitivity (strong solid reception)- antenna is more compact (more out of the way) than my last pair of these, but by another mfg.- I don't think the volume control will be hit (changed) as frequently, accidentally, as my last pair - My initial though is that it's in a better position than my last set of these by another mfg.- the volume control isn't as smooth and has a "hitch" point (takes more pressure to change at one point to move the volume control) this shouldn't be that much of a problem, I mention it only because it's very noticeable- I guess we'll see how they hold up, but their are points that seem a little fragile, but then again, I haven't had an issue of any kind yet...- I'm definitely going to keep them - if they'll just "hold up" in use, I'd say they are "good enough"That's how I see them so far...U P D A T E 2/9/2021- They've been reliable- They are more comfortable than I first thought they'd be- hearing protection has been "good"- I wear glasses - This unit doesn't bother me with the glasses- changed my rating to 5 stars for those that care about that rating- battery life has been good- I would buy the exact brand again if I need these againon edit 8/18/22- still working fine - still wear them frequently, mainly during the summer- one negative...It's way too easy to have the volume control hit and moved with your shoulder or coat during typical "work movements." Most of the time the volume is moved UP (way up) I can't tell you how many times I've hit that danged control...I still think they are worth the price, but I will try to find some other suitable replacement. I also wear these often while planting, pulling weeds, but again, mostly while mowing or weed eating. This "issue" though, is "wearing on me" over time... Just thought I'd add this "irritation" to my review...

Verified Purchaser · October 23 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase

★★★★★

Very Good Unit

If you are having any doubts, let me settle them. This headset is well made. Yes, even the battery compartment door everybody and their brother has complained about. Mash the release button in fully on it before you try to push the cover off and you shouldn't have any trouble with it breaking. The FM radio tuner is the best I have seen yet and I have owned them all including the Peltor and the 3M Tek. I live in a rural area and all of the stations I listen to are 40 miles away or further. This tuner has no problem finding the stations and holding them with no drift or problems related to direction you happen to be pointed. One guy complained about the AM reception still being directional. Yep. This is a problem in my experience inherent to all but the most expensive of shortwave receivers and even they still suffer from it unless you connect an external antenna of some length. This is a common problem that can't be solved in a $60 headset. However, this should not detract from the fact that the FM tuner in this unit is very good and beats its competitors hands down. The controls take a little bit of getting comfortable with, but once you do, they function quite well. I have not had the volume control issue that some people seem to have where every time they move around they bump it and change the volume. The control is actually somewhat recessed into the unit only being exposed at the very bottom and one outside edge. Rather that having a problem accidentally bumping it, I have actually had a problem getting used to adjusting it easily as of yet. As to the other complaints of there not being enough volume, all I can say is that so far this unit has been louder than either the Peltor or the Tek that I have. I have to believe that is due to the superior noise reduction capabilities of this unit as according to specs it is not any louder than either of the others. The headband is well designed and comfortable. Yes, it fits tight. It is designed to. The better the unit molds to your head, the better it is going to perform as a noise reduction device. If you have a large head, this unit may be a tight fit for you especially with a cap and on. I have been able to wear a ball cap and sunglasses without a problem and I have not run the adjustments on either side quite all the way out. All in all for the price, which is now only about 20 bucks more than the cheaper units, you can't get a better noise reduction radio headset in this price range.Update July 10 2017: On my third summer with this same radio unit now. Although it mainly gets used during the summer months (about six months out of the year here in the south) this radio has continued to perform day in and day out for hours at a time. I have not seen the claimed battery eating problem that some of the other reviews complained about. The one issue I have seen is a tendency for sweat to cause the display to fog after several hours of wearing especially in more humid weather. This has not caused a problem so far, but I do make sure to wipe it down good when done for the day and it usually dries out overnight. So far the battery door on mine has managed to survive multiple battery changes with nary a mishap. Got to wonder how I managed that when so many people haven't. Still picks up distant radio stations and holds them steady on the FM side. I'm sorry AM guys, I just don't go there much so I can help you with that any more than I already have. It's still all in one piece and all the buttons and knobs are functional which is something that a couple of the other units that I have owned failed at within the first summer. Best money I've ever spent on a sound reduction radio headset. I now don't believe it is the best buy in the price range, it may be the best buy period.

Verified Purchaser · July 26, 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase

★★★★★

Howard Leight Rocks In The Boondocks!

We live out in the Boondocks in the Heartland. The nearest cities with radio stations are respectively thirty-five minutes away and forty-five minutes away. The farmland around us is quite hilly and can make radio reception a real challenge. I purchased a different set of radio/mp3 headphones for me to use at the gym while I work out and I can't raise a single station, not even a country music station - however I can play my mp3 files so I'm good to go. My boyfriend is not tech savvy when it comes to mp3 files and tf cards so I wanted a set of radio headphones with the best reception possible for him to use while he's out on the tractor or he's in the shed "tinkering". After sifting through all the reviews on Amazon I finally settled on these headphones - the Howard Leight Honeywell AM/FM radio headphones and I'm thrilled that I did. What an excellent product!Now let me start by saying that I'm legally blind and I'm the tech savvy one so reading the instructions was a wee bit of a challenge. I would urge the manufacturer to make the text a bit bigger for the visually impaired or for older consumers who are losing the edge on their vision. Although the instructions were difficult for me to see they were easy to follow and understand. The *moment* we put the batteries in the unit and turned it on my boyfriend found a local radio station *immediately*. He was thrilled with the reception. I was relieved and overjoyed. He absolutely loves the headphones! I tried them on with a radio station on and off and I have to say they really do block out noise. I could barely hear the t.v. that was on in the living room where we were sitting. The headphones provide a snug, comfortable fit too. My boyfriend thinks he'll be able to wear his farm cap under the headset very comfortably as well. One note... he said he did notice a bleed or station fade in stations when listening to the AM setting. When he moved or tilted his head the AM station he had on would fade out, then it would come back when he titled or moved his head back in the opposite direction. I'd noticed this problem on other reviews. However there was NO station fading whatsoever on the FM setting. I HIGHLY recommend these amazing headphones to anyone who lives in a remote area where radio reception is a problem. These bad boys get five stars in my book. I'll probably end up buying a set for myself in the future just to wear around the house. You guys rock in the Boondocks Honeywell!!!!UPDATE: My boyfriend used the headphones for the first time the other day to mow the property. He cuts the grass using an old Farmall tractor he restored. (Not sure of the year but I think it might be a 1930's model). He noticed an electrical interference and thinks it might be coming from either the spark plugs or the spark plug wires. The static starts as you get near the tractor and fades when you walk away... it is (obviously) constant while you're sitting on the tractor operating it. He has not experienced this problem anywhere else on the property... just near the tractor when it's running. He was able to compensate for the static by turning down the volume on the headset and used them the entire time to mow the property so the problem isn't so bad you can't continue to enjoy the radio. He thinks he should be able to resolve the issue by changing out the type of plugs he's using (changing over to resistor plugs). I know nothing about machinery... I'm quoting him from memory. I thought I would post this development for anyone else out there who might be considering these headphones who might be running older equipment. Make sure you're using resistor spark plugs on your machinery or you'll get electric, static interference. Just an FYI.

Verified Purchaser · April 7, 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase

★★★★☆

An improvement over the previous version

I've owned many units like this over the last 17 years out in the country: 3M Peltor's, previous versions of this one, and now this. Technology continues to improve. Compared the the last Howard Leight (about 6 yrs old) that this one replaced this unit is:1) Lighter 2) More Comfortable and 3) works better at sealing out noise.The only reason for 4 stars is that I can't get the memory part to work. I input the stations but the only one that 'sticks' in memory is the first one I put in. Might be operator error but I've done it 3 times and can't get it to work.The bottom line is that this seals out noise from my JD tractor operating at 2500 rpm WITH the large bush hog running and I can easily hear the radio. It fits well and is comfortable. I'll keep working on the memory preset issue.

Verified Purchaser · June 19, 2 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase

★★★★★

A comparative review to other radio earmuffs

This is a quality product, with a solid build. This unit is better than the 3M counter part.3M WorkTunes radio earmuffs:I owned and used a 3M WorkTunes radio earmuffs for a couple of years around the farm. It worked ok, although at times I had more outside noise drowning out the limited volume radio. The whip antenna and headband wore out quickly, from a broad rim hat that fit over the earmuffs. I also always had to remove the batteries when not in use, otherwise, even when off, they would drain the batteries. The foam ear pads cracked after a year of use, but was able to call and get free replacements (only that model qualified). Although the earmuffs worked ok, they were a bit flimsy when handling them. They finally broke after 2 years, which meant looking for a replacement.Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync Hi-Visibility:I decided to get a different brand this time. I have now been using the HL Sync Hi-Vis radio earmuffs for a month straight. I noticed right away that these are of a higher build quality than the 3M. The earmuffs are also stiffer when handling, but that helps in the sound reduction. I have noticed a greater sound reduction compared to the 3M, even though both are rated the same. I also found the radio volume to be higher than the 3M. I can finally hear the radio clearly while running full throttle on an open cab tractor. These earmuffs do not drain the batteries like the 3M does.My only ding, is that after a few hours, my ears do start to hurt a little from cup pads compressing and pushing against my ears. I'll buy some gel ear pads to solve this.Overall, I can clearly recommend the Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync AM-FM earmuffs over the 3M version. Pair this with rechargeable AA batteries, and you are set.

Verified Purchaser · December 1 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase

★★★★★

I love the brilliant green color and easy to see

My hubby bought this for me for my mowing this past summer. It was a boredom saver for me since I have large lawn myself and still mow several others for neighbors.The product itself was designed well. I love the brilliant green color and easy to see. The headband is comfortable to wear and the ears are cushioned so they don't hurt even after wearing for several hours. The headband itself isn't adjustable, but the ear parts pull down a little (the little wire parts connecting the headband to the part that goes over your ear). It fits my head very well.The buttons are pretty straight-forward to understand and adjust and the radio stations come in very well, at least in my area. You tune to your preferred radio station using the buttons on the one side which is much nicer than another set I had where it was a dial (you can't accidentally change the station if you bend over or bump it). The volume button is the dial on the bottom side, and it's easier to accidentally adjust the volume if you bump it slightly.The sound is clear and what you'd expect from a product such as this.The only problem I have is that the battery door is a little tricky. Mine sometimes pops open and the batteries fall out if I happen to toss the headset onto the seat of my mower (for example). But, then I found I didn't have the door seated properly, so you just need to take care with putting the batteries in.

Verified Purchaser · September · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase

★★★★★

Flew off the tractor light, landed on asphalt, still work great!

WOW! My dad farms, so he's on loud tractors much of the year. I'd attempted to get him ear protection before - the headset had an audio cable, so there was the option of hooking up an ipod...but, my dad doesn't have (any interest in) an ipod. When my dad asked about perhaps getting a small radio for the tractors this year - which he intended to crank up over the tractor noise - I went to the amazon reviews and found an excellent review by a construction worker who'd reported on the three different types of headphones that his crew members had. A THANK YOU to this construction worker! His review sent me to this pair of Howard Leight radio headphones - not a very cool name in electronics, but the reviews (especially about the radio range) were excellent. This product is saving my dad's hearing AND making his time planting corn and mowing hay very enjoyable. I'm posting this review today (I haven't reviewed a product on any website in years) because he brought in the headphones this morning after they flew off of their holding spot on the tractor light, smacked down on asphalt, and came apart in about 10 places. Everything snapped back together - the earpiece, the piece that HOLDS the earpiece, the piece that holds the cord on the top of the headphones, etc., AND when I handed them back to him, the reception was better than ever! What an incredible product. Thank you again to that construction worker whose amazon review taught me about how to find the right headphones.

Verified Purchaser · August 23, · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase

★★★★★

Not fancy but it works!!

Absolutely great headset!! Ok so to start, it is not the most high-tech headset. It only has the two knobs that you see. One is volume, one is tuner. No display what so ever, but I don't have a problem with it because I only use one station. Tuning is easy, but knowing what station you're on is a challenge (I just compared it to my car radio).Next, the aux input jack. Not exactly perfect. When the set is on the radio plays non stop. There is no place where it will not play static or music so you can listen to your ipod or mp3. What is intended is you turn down the volume all the way, then turn up your device's volume as much as you want, and you can hear your music and stuff. Problem exists that it doesn't get very loud that way, which takes me to my next point...Volume, radio volume all the way up can be loud enough to hear it no matter what equipment I am using, but never loud enough for when a good song (that you just have to blast) comes on. Mp3 volume is seemingly less than that. Also, basically the sound cancelling could be better, but it blocks enough sound for me to hear the radio at medium volume (which is kind of quiet) without a problem.To explain further, the sound cancelling will take a medium sized diesel tractor (John Deere 2040) and put operating rpm down to a hum. I can still hear my lawnmower when I mow the lawn, but not enough to really hear if I hit something or if it is starting to stall. Although I work alone, I assume you could hear another person try to talk to you (if hes talking a little loud) or you would definitely hear screams for help (assuming theres no other noises). I don't mean to bore you with the sound cancelling explanation but just trying to give you an idea.Finally a couple notes; Radio is amazing! I was reading other reviews for similar headsets and there were complaints about the radio, with this you don't have to worry. I live in the suburbs and I have been working all over the area and nothing more than a subtle crackle (only happened twice now). My dad's set loses connection every turn of the head. Also one guy was complaining about the battery and how its hard to read which way they go in...well I didn't have much of a problem, its the basic configuration with everything (batteries facing opposite directions). Just switch directions if it doesn't work. Oh and last note, yes it takes a screw to get into the battery compartment, but the screw is large and bulky enough to be loosened with a penny, then turned with your fingers.To sum it up, yes it is basic and lacks a display of any sort, but it works. Never once had the radio cut out, and it seems to be well built, I don't worry about it breaking. Yes it has a little things with the batteries, and the radio doesn't get too loud, but they keep the noise out and work the way they are suppose to.Once again, sorry if its too long. Just trying to be thorough.

Verified Purchaser · July 6, 20 · ✓ Amazon Verified Purchase