Peltor COMTAC III Tactical Comms Headset Review

I was in the market for a sound canceling headset that had communication capabilities. After building an excel spreadsheet listing the options out in the market, I settled reluctantly on the pricey Peltor COMTAC III Tactical Communication headset. Model number MT17H682BB-47 SV to be more specific.

This specific headset comes with the “neckband” not the traditional head band and was designed to be worn with a ACH helmet. Along with the neckband which keeps pressure on the earmuffs to stay in place, the muffs came with two hook & loop attachments – One on each sides of the headset – To secure it to a location in the ACH helmet. I reconfigured those hook & loop straps, so they go over my head like a headband which helps to secure the muffs consistently on my ears. The strap is minimal in thickness which allows me to use under or over a cover and under my Wendy LTP Fast helmet without using the headset helmet adapter.

Hook & Loop strap over my cover. Can be used over or under a cover.

I use the Wendy helmet primarily to support my NVG’s and pick up chicks. Nothing says a stud in the supermarket than a Wendy helmeted gray beard old fart adorned with PVS14 NVG’s, Wiley X Brick sunglasses, and a N-95 mask with a smiley face drawn on the front. I have not received any encouraging glances from the opposite sex; However, I can clear out an aisle rather fast which makes shopping a breeze.

Grocery shopping attire

Bottom-line first, I have to say right off I have used many noise canceling headsets (muffs) in my life and they all have worked well however, I was blown away with the quality of the noise canceling and communication features of the COMTAC III. They are truly the Cadillac of every muff I have used in the past.

I have been looking for a couple of months for a pair on sale and finally hit pay dirt on Ebay for $405- plus shipping and PA. sales tax of course. They arrived about 5-days after purchased via UPS. They came in well packaged, and complete with AAA batteries to run them. No PTT (Push to talk button) which I will go into later.

I popped in the batteries, read the instructions, and put them on with the aforementioned adjusted head strap. Under the left muff is a waterproof switch that allows you to turn them on by pressing the +/- volume switch together. To increase the volume, you press the + button and or – to diminish the volume. Further reading the instructions – I know, I know real men do not read instructions – if you press the +/- button at the same time and hold for 10-seconds you can then adjust the ‘balance’ of the muff. A click on either + or – increases the volume level in one buff or the other. Since I have lost 75% of the hearing in my left ear, I did increase the volume on that one.

After wearing them around the house for an hour or so, I took out my new FN SLP Mk II shotgun went outside and emptied the shotgun. As expected, they worked flawlessly.

As mentioned earlier the muffs did not come with a momentary PTT switch. The reason being that you need to match up the PTT to your HT (Handi Talkie). In my case I use a DMR BaoFeng DM-1701 or a QUASNHENG TG-UV2PLUS. The BaoFeng is DMR capable, if security is an issue or just want to send encrypted texts, I use that one; However, the battery life is poor at 24-hours of continuous RX use. While the QUASNHENG battery life is excellent at about 5-days of continuous use. Plus, it has a top wattage of 10 while the BaoFeng is 5-watts.

With all of that written, they both sport a Kenwood type (Two pins) connection for a mic, dogbone, or in this case the Peltor muffs. I could buy the Kenwood PTT switch from 3M for $335- or buy a cheaply made airsoft PTT switch for $20- which will work for a while however, will conk out when you need it the most. I did a little research and found that a small company in North Carolina called Disco32 Tactical Antenna Systems had just what I needed for $100- plus freight. The reviews that I read were all stellar so I said, “what the heck” and bought one.

Disco 32 PTT switch and Quansheng HT

The Disco32 switch with Kenwood ends arrived in 7-days, which I thought was a bit slow but what the heck the company is a mom & pop outfit. Hooked everything up, put on my muffs, and wandered off down our dirt township road to about the 1/2-mike mark. Called MrsMac who gave me a signal report of 5/9. The sound quality at my end was a 5/9 too. Crisp and clear audio. I love it!

Yes, the Peltor COMTAC III’s are pricey however, you get what you pay for. I learned that valuable lesson when living on our sailboat.

Freedom Through Self-Reliance®

 

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About the Author: johnyMac

9 Comments

  1. Wynn June 17, 2020 at 07:19

    Great review!

    • johnyMac June 17, 2020 at 09:22

      Hey Brother.

      Thanks for reading and then taking the time to comment.

      73 & God Bless

  2. North*Star June 17, 2020 at 07:59

    Link to “Disco32 store” in article is not working

    • johnyMac June 17, 2020 at 09:12

      Thanks North*Star. Fixed.

      73 & God Bless

  3. Bud Green June 17, 2020 at 13:05

    Great review!

    Now I’m curious to hear of the ” valuable lesson learned while living on our sailboat”.

    • johnyMac June 17, 2020 at 21:41

      Bud Green,

      You buy cheap you sink or at best get to buy it again. One and done Brother.

      73 & God Bless

  4. Anonymous June 18, 2020 at 08:05

    5

  5. thisisme263486815 June 19, 2020 at 01:47

    Great article jM thanx. And thanx to Bud Green, that was my question as well.

    • johnyMac June 19, 2020 at 07:08

      Thank you thisisme263486815
      MrsMac and I lived on our sail boat Mad Max for eleven years on both the east and west coast. We learned pretty quick that if we went the cheap road on the boat the item failed due to the harsh environment quickly and we got to buy X all over again. Once we learned this tough le$$on, we would save for a better quality item. It might take longer to purchase but in the end we would be happier and safer.

      After working in the marine field for twenty-five years, I saw many a boat suffer when folks bought a non-marine, land based, or cheap item up to sinking.

      Thanks for reading and then taking the time to comment.

      73 & God Bless

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