Hunting Field Test - PREDATOR Series Electronic Hearing Protection from RidgeLine

Archieved Hunting Product Field Test
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Hearing Protection

PREDATOR TM Series Electronic Hearing Protection from RidgeLine, Inc.

I conducted this review in two parts. First while my gun builder was working up a load for my new custom rifle, and second while on a whitetail deer hunt in south Texas.

Part One

My first opportunity to try out the PREDATOR TM Series Electronic Hearing Protection from RidgeLine was at Fite Custom Rifles when I was picking up my new custom .300 Weatherby Improved hunting rifle. Randy Fite was just finishing working up a load and we were shooting from inside his shop to a target outside 100 yards distant. I was helping prepare the shot brass which had my back to Randy as he fired.

Hearing protection is important any time a gun is fired, but even more so when shooting from inside an enclosed structure. The beauty of the PREDATOR is due to its electronic capability. I was able to hear everything Randy said at a normal conversation level, even with our backs to each other. Yet when he shot the rifle the sharp loud noise was instantly muffled, so well in fact that I never flinched.

I had brought along one of my PH's to meet Randy and both of them wore standard ear muffs when Randy fired, which meant that they yelled at each other while their muffs were on. The PREDATOR is equipped with a volume control which goes from turned off (which makes it like any other ear muffs) to full volume which actually allows you to hear better then without wearing the PREDATOR. And the protection from gun fire noise works equally well at all volume levels.

Part Two

My PREDATOR is camouflaged which means it's for hunting, not just a fashion statement. So I tossed it into my back pack on my way to hunt south Texas whitetail. Now I've always had a problem wearing hearing protection while hunting - I like being able to hear everything going on around me. And most times in the past I couldn't get my ear plugs in fast enough when a shooting opportunity presented itself, so like a lot of you I just shoot and for a few minutes later say "Huh?" every time my guide talked to me.

The PREDATOR changed that. With a simple volume adjustment I was able to hear everything in and outside my blind. And when the shot presented itself the report of my .300, equipped with a muzzle brake which makes it even louder, wasn't even noticeable. The only negative was that my guide didn't have a PREDATOR so as I was lining up my shot he kept saying "Tell me when you're going to shoot... tell me when you're going to shoot".

One time when I was in an awkward position in the blind, in a slightly contorted position behind my rifle, my PREDATOR bumped into my rifle stock while I was trying to line up, but any ear muffs would have done the same. And if you toss them into your back pack like I do with all other important hunting equipment and they bounce around in the hunting vehicle, when you get to the hunting area or back to the camp, check that the volume knobs haven't accidentally been turned on.

In closing you can bet that my PREDATOR from RidgeLine has a permanent home in my hunting back pack and goes everywhere my rifle and I do. They certainly meet BlueWaterBigGame.com's high standards. Give them a try. I'm betting you'll be as pleased as I am.

Phil Whittemore - International Hunter & Angler
President, BlueWaterBigGame.com, LLC

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