Got some more headphones on the way......

[Jack Flynn]

Was hoping to get the new model of RAT phones but that just didn't happen used. The new phones should be here next week sometime. Can't wait to try them out. Heard a lot about different phones but these always got the nod.

 

[Beale]

Congrats!

Let us know how you like them. I have last years model and am looking at these real hard, Beale.

 

[Jack Flynn]

I will report after a few uses..........

 

[Jack Flynn]

The RAT phones arrived a couple of days ago. First impressions.......They are top of the line MSA (Mine Saftey Appliance) ear muffs. They have been customized to make them metal detecting headphones. http://www.msanorthamerica.com/catalog/product503251.html Can't find a price on the muffs alone. However they must put some absolutely superb speakers in them. The cloth interior of the earpieces themselves is a nice touch. They block out 99.9% of all ambient noise. To do this they have to fit tight. They are tight fitting muffs for sure but the cups are so large they are comfortable as all get out. Now I've worn earmuffs in chemical plants many many many thousands of hours over the last 31 or so years. These really do feel nice. The forward lope I'll call it of the headband makes for that "it doesn't feel like they are about to fall off" feeling like a lot of muffs do. I used them in the yard for a couple or three hours the last two afternoons. Now I have to run my volume on the X 705 a good bit higher, was 16, now 21, to be able to hear with my hearing loss. See "31 or so years" above. The tones are clear as a bell and I can run the threshold at a very clear barely audible mode. It is amazing the very faint tones I've been making/testing with coins in the yard with. I'll give them an "A" right at the moment. I need to get in several half day hunts to know more. One concern I have is that virtually all the MSA muffs I've used over the last 31 years have had earpad failures or cracks in them after a couple of years use. The instructions do tell you to wipe the muffs with a damp cloth to wipe off any accumilated sweat present with each use. I'm guessing the salt in the sweat makes the cushion cover crack, that would be my personal experiences with them. More later as I use them..............

 

[Beale]

Thanks for the report Jack. My only concern is that you stated they are tight. I wear a 7 5/8 hat so I wonder about that? Any how look forward to your next report, Beale.

 

[Jack Flynn]

Well tight is the only way you can block the ambient noise. I donned them a while ago per the family is having a yard sale out front and they blocked virtually all the talk going on..............

 

[Digger]

I also have a huge melon in that I wear either a 7 5/8 or 7 3/4 cap, depending on my haircut! As such, I like headphones that fit well, sound good, yet won't bind my ears. I agree that keeping out the ambient noise is important. Nothing against the RAT's, but my Gray Ghosts block out noise very well. Plus, for under $15, DetectorPro will send me a new set of ear pads when the old ones become "weathered" from sweat and wear. As has been discussed many times in the past, headphones are a matter of choice. I've tried about all of them and settled with the Gray Ghosts. Nice fit for a huge melon! And as I said, when the pads become weathered, I simply peel and stick on a new set. JMHO HH Randy

 

[David]

I have a Musketeer Advantage and in the Instruction Manual it says use headphones 8-32 ohms. Can I successfully use headphones with much higher ohms(like 150 ohms used on most of the high performance headphones) than that on this unit ??

 

[Digger]

yes.