AllOutdoor Review – 3M Peltor Comtac III Hearing Defenders

A number of years ago, I found myself getting behind a Barrett M107 anti-material rifle. At the time the only hearing protection I had on me was a set of Surefire Sonic Defenders. Up until that day I thought that the Sonic Defenders were all I needed for most shooting situations. After I pulled the trigger on the M107, I quickly realized that I was very mistaken. After firing 20 rounds of 50 BMG onto a hillside in Austria, I thought I had permanently damaged my ears. It was at that very point I decided that I needed to invest in some more serious, hearing protection if I was going to continue any sort of career in the military. Something like the 3M Peltor Comtac III Hearing Defenders.

3M Coverage on AllOutdoor

Once I got home I went onto a couple of military gear swap pages on Facebook and found a set of 3M Peltor Comtac III Hearing Defenders for a pretty reasonable price and decided to pull the trigger on them. I opted not to go with a headset that had down leads just because it was so much more expensive and I did not need that capability at the time. Speaking of expensive you might be wondering why this headset is so pricy in the first place. So, let me run down all of the benefits and features you get.

Who is 3M?

In 1902, the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company embarked on a mining venture in the hills of Minnesota with the intention of extracting corundum, only to discover that the mineral they were mining was actually a lower-grade substance called anorthosite. Despite the initial mining failure, the company underwent a remarkable transformation by leveraging scientific and mathematical innovations to create a diverse range of groundbreaking products.

Officially renamed as 3M in 2002, the company is renowned for its invention of a wide array of innovative products. These include abrasive cloth, masking tape, hypoallergenic tape, Thinsulate™ insulation, Fluorel™ Elastomer, Post-It™ Notes, Dual Lock™ fasteners, and many others.

Today, 3M stands as a colossal presence in the industry, boasting annual sales exceeding $30 billion, a remarkable portfolio of over 100,000 patents, and a global presence with offices spanning the globe. FASTENation is proud to offer and convert a comprehensive range of 3M products, encompassing Dual Lock™ fasteners, Command™ products, and VHB™ adhesive tapes. Explore our complete line of 3M products or delve into the intriguing history of 3M below.

Specs – 3M Peltor Comtac III HD

Helps provide protection from hazardous steady-state and impulse noise
Clear, intelligible two-way audio communications via radios and intercoms
Environmental listening (aka “talk-through”) for auditory situational awareness and face-to-face verbal conversation
Meets the single hearing protection requirement listed in DA PAM 40-501 Army Hearing Conservation Program 2015 for both steady-state and impulse noise
Tested in accordance with MIL-STD-810F, Department of Defense Test Method Standard for Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests
Tested in accordance with MIL STD 461E, Department of Defense Interface Standard, Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment
Two AAA batteries provide approximately 500 hours of battery life
External communications and “talk-through” are battery-independent for Rx/Tx fail-safe. In the unlikely event of electronic failure or battery depletion, external communications will continue to function
The ambidextrous noise-canceling boom mic can be mounted on either left or right side of the operator
Hearing Defender, Single COMM, and DUAL COMM configurations are available
Optional gel ear cushions are available
Multiple color options are available
Suspension options: Headband, Back-band and Rail Attachment

Sound Features & Quality – 3M Peltor Comtac III HD

The 3M Peltor ComTac III are notable for their exceptional sound engineering and an extraordinary level of durability. They can endure almost any form of rough handling and abuse that I have put them through. These Ear-Pro are capable of functioning even when submerged in water up to 3 feet deep, a feat that standard $50 consumer-grade hearing protection cannot match.

In my experience, the electronic components within the 3M Peltor Comtac III earmuffs are among the finest I’ve encountered. This might be attributed in part to the extensive sound customization options they provide. The volume controls are user-friendly and responsive, and you have the flexibility to fine-tune stereo balance and other settings to achieve your preferred audio experience. While it’s challenging to quantify, I personally believe that the 3M Peltor Comtac III offers the best sound quality of any electronic hearing protection I’ve ever used up to this point.

However, it’s worth noting that the overall functionality of the 3M Peltor Comtac III is not revolutionary. Despite the impressive sound quality and microphone capabilities, they still operate on the same fundamental principle as much more affordable Peltor earmuffs. They capture and transmit quiet external sounds to the inside of the ear cups, but they do not relay loud noises inside the ear cups. This design allows you to maintain situational awareness while wearing hearing protection, making it equally feasible to engage in conversations whether you’re wearing the 3M Peltor Comtac III, a pair of Peltor Sport RangeGuards, or no protection at all.

Batteries and Battery Life

Replacing the batteries in the 3M Peltor Comtac III is a straightforward task that can be accomplished using a quarter or a pocket knife. Peltor asserts a battery life of around 500 hours, although individuals with extensive experience using this headset suggest that it’s closer to 250 hours in reality. The battery packs protrude slightly from the ear cups, giving them a somewhat unconventional appearance, but they do not hinder the headset’s functionality in any manner.

Comfort – 3M Peltor Comtac III HD

In terms of comfort, the 3M Peltor Comtac III doesn’t stand out in either direction, extended wear will make you want to take them off as they do become uncomfortable after a few hours. The gel ear-cups are a must-have for extended wear and come on most of the newer models of the Compass. However, one noteworthy advantage is their ease of fitting under helmets and various headgear options. You won’t encounter any difficulties when integrating these earmuffs with your choice of headwear and they can be attached to your helmet if you choose but that will require additional parts. Finally, the noise reduction offered by the 3M Peltor Comtac III is pretty high. This headset is rated at 25 dB of noise reduction, which is fairly high for an electronic headset.

Wrap Up – 3M Peltor Comtac III HD

Considering all factors, the 3M Peltor Comtac III stands out as a strong option for hobby shooting and non-communication-based military work. Determining whether the additional cost is justified ultimately depends on your preferences. Personally, I bought them for their durability and form factor in Military environments. However, if you frequently engage in outdoor activities like hunting in rainy conditions or other situations where durable hearing protection is crucial, the 3M Peltor Comtac III could be a worthwhile investment.

Patrik Orcutt

Patrik Orcutt is currently a writer for AllOutdoor who has chosen not to write a short bio at this time.