By Justin Stakes
Rancho Cucamonga, CA -(Ammoland.com)- With the recent SHOT Show, Motorola Solutions unveiled a first-hand look at their newly designed earmuff series that connect directly with Motorola’s TALKABOUT two-way radios.
A vital and comparable safety concern for both hunters and range masters alike, having the most prominent gear when it comes to protecting our ears is extremely imperative in order for us to enjoy the sports and hunting we adore for years to come. This is something that Motorola Solutions has set out to do from the start with their Motorola TALKABOUT MHP81 Earmuffs, providing Hunters and enthusiasts with the maximum hearing protection while allowing outdoorsmen and range masters the ability to effectively communicate with one another through even the brashest of conditions.
The Motorola MHP81 Earmuffs I received with the test kit came packaged together with a two-way audio jack input for use in connecting the earmuffs with either a Motorola two-way radio or another input device; such as a computer or laptop, MP3 player, scanner, smartphones and of course tablets.
The earmuffs require two N batteries for each ear seal in order to use the featured functions such as amplifying and controlling the noise levels of your surrounding environment. Along with the feature of matching various hearing profiles with the independent volume controls that are placed on each seal, the dual input connectors, dual speakers, and stereo microphones work together to provide an enhanced situational awareness like no other.
After thoroughly testing the audio jack for most of the devices listed, the Motorola MHP81 earmuffs undeniably associate and work properly with all other input devices available, giving them quite a bit of variability when it comes to their recreational usage. The only device that I was unable to test the audio jacks with were Motorola’s two way radio sets since they were not available with the kit. Apart from being made for hearing protection and hunting, the MHP81 earmuffs are built with a quality and sound much like high-end headphones.
The high-quality stereo speakers provide a superb quality of sound when listening to podcasts on a smartphone or even relaxing and enjoying a bit of music during some much needed leisure time on an mp3 player or IPod. Along with the comfort of the ear seals and luxury of the lightweight adjustable headband, the modular construction and build allows for easy replacement of both the headband and the ear seals. Motorola designed the earmuffs with an extremely low-profile cup intended to obstruct the earmuffs while shooting a rifle.
The Motorola MHP81 Earmuffs that I received with my test kit amplified surrounding sounds along with any commotions in nearby areas excellently while allowing me to stay in control of the noise level in both ears with the turn of a knob. This allowed me to keep the decibels at moderately safe levels while also dampening noises and protecting my ears against far louder and much more harmful sounds such as close-up gunfire that could easily damage or impair my hearing.
I thoroughly appreciated the Motorola carrying bag that was included with the earmuffs. The carrying bag is useful in protecting the earmuffs as well as using it for strolling around with, it was quite nice to the touch with a visually attractive interior camo design as well.
I especially enjoyed testing the earmuffs in recreational settings and wood working situations with my miter saw; which can become quite loud depending on the thickness of the timber and I have never thought about the potential of using earmuffs that dampen sounds for a task such as woodshop, where they excelled in their ability to dampen sounds while I was working on cutting the lumber.
The Motorola MHP81 Earmuffs are a great choice for the enthusiast or hunter looking to protect their hearing but don’t want to be isolated to the world around them. The earmuffs are so versatile that they can be used independently, with a horde of input devices or with Motorola’s Talkabout Two-Way Raidos while communicating at the shooting range or hunting.
Article by Justin Stakes
Photo Copyright @ J. Stakes Photography
Justin Stakes is a Freelance Photographer and Journalist dealing with a variety of different subjects that interest and inspire his love for the great outdoors and more. Justin is an avid outdoor enthusiast and geek with a photographic style that is a mixture of photojournalism and fine art. He has won three Photo Show Competitions throughout his education and has even been exhibited in the Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art.