Before I dive too far into this review, I want to acknowledge feedback we received from the Peltor ComTac II Headset review. Like the predecessor, the Peltor ComTac III headset is expensive. When I say expensive, I mean this is probably the most expensive headset you can get in its class at a consumer-grade level. However, it is important to note, Peltor’s ComTac III headset is far superior than anything available on a consumer grade level.
Feature Highlights
- Environmental Listening – Level-dependent surround sound for “talk-thru” function (aka. Environmental Listening) Environmental Listening is a means of allowing safe audio sounds to bypass the individual hearing protection while still protecting against harmful noises. This is accomplished with a proprietary digital audio circuit integrated into the headset. A microphone receives the sounds outside the headset and transmits them to a speaker inside the headset. The Level-Dependent digital audio circuit senses noise levels above the desired threshold and compresses them to a safe decibel level or amplifies weak sounds to an audible level.
- Autonomous sound amplification and comm circuitry – external communications and stereo “talk-thru” are independent of each other meaning that you can listen to an external signal without battery power and even when the product is switched off. In more relevant terms, this means that should the batteries on your headset die, radio coms are not interrupted. When the headset batteries die, the comms circuitry draws power from the radio unit.
- Ambidextrous noise-canceling boom mic –The flexible goose neck boom mic can be switched to either side for both left and right-handed shooters.
- Meets Environmental Standard MIL-STD-810F
- Last setting memory – This feature ensures that the latest settings are stored at shut-off.
- Automatic Shut-off – after two hours of no active functions the unit automatically powers off to conserve battery power. Two warning signals are emitted to indicate that the unit will switch off in one minute if no function is activated.
- Polarity Protection – prevents damage to circuits if the batteries are inserted incorrectly.
- Active-Volume Function – When the active-volume function is on, the amplification is reduced when an external signal is received, i.e., radio transmission.
- Noise Reduction Rating (“NRR”) of 25 DB.
- Submersible – Waterproof up to 3 feet, for 30 minutes, salt water survivable.
In Use
The Peltor ComTac III is simply incredibly well engineered. In terms of build quality, this thing will take anything you can through at it. At the same point, it’ll also take being stuffed into 3 feet of water and still work.
The sound quality far exceeds any of the “regular” headsets on the market and is probably the best I’ve ever used. I like that the operations are fairly simple to use. The most forward button increases the volume while the rear button deceases it. There is an audible chirp with each button press to let you know that a setting was changed. The ComTacs are equipped with a Volume Boost Mode that restarts the audio at a higher gain setting. To do this simply press and hold the volume up button for 10 seconds. The user also has the option of adjusting the stereo balance between left and right ear if he chooses by holding down both buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds, you are now able to adjust the balance using the up and down buttons.
The ComTacs provide active hearing protection and sound amplification using what they call the ‘Talk-Through’ Feature in which the built-in microphone receives the sounds out in full surround the electronics then dampen any harmful sounds while amplifying ambient sounds up to 18DB.
The noise-canceling microphone filters out distracting sounds allowing for the clearest possible transmissions. The Talk-thru is independent from external comms so should the headset batteries die; radio comms remain uninterrupted allowing you to maintain command and control which is critical on the battlefield.
While evaluating the performance of the ComTac’s sound protection and amplification functions I noted that the stereo sound sounds much more natural compared to some of the other cheaper headsets. Sound being amplified are natural and very life-like, giving you the illusion of full surround sound listening, making hearing intuitive, allowing the user to pinpoint the direction of the sounds heard with relative accuracy, enhancing situational awareness.
In order to connect the ComTacs to a two-way radio unit, you will need a compatible in line PTT adapter (Note: these connectors are only compatible with NATO Standard PTT’s which can be identified by a suffix ending in “02”.
The ComTacs are equipped with an active-volume function which priorities incoming radio signals over ambient sounds. When this feature is activated, the circuitry automatically reduces ambient sound amplification by about 30DB when an external signal such as a radio transmission is received. While it provides the obvious benefit of never missing any critical intra team comms it also has the side effect of making you sound blind to any surrounding information which becomes a primary concern during times of high radio chatter such as when conducting entry drills. It is critical to be aware of this and to train around it to ensure that your equipment does not hinder your effectiveness.
The manufacturer claims that the Comtacs have a battery life of about 500 hours while I found that in practical use this number seems realistically more like about 250hrs -300hrs. Three audible warning signals are emitted every 30 seconds for five minutes when battery power is low, before the unit eventually powers itself off.
In closing, I will say, if you have the fund and are looking to get the best of the best, look no further. The Peltor ComTac IIIs are a wonderful headset that are made of incredible quality. If you need a rugged set of hearing protection, or are looking for something capable of professional use, do yourself a favor a pickup a pair of them. 9.5/10.
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