Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync Hi-Visibility Digital AM/FM Radio Earmuff (1030390),Bright Yellow/Green, Unisex

We live out in the Boondocks in the Heartland. The nearest cities with radio stations are respectively thirty-five minutes away and forty-five minutes away. The farmland around us is quite hilly and can make radio reception a real challenge. I purchased a different set of radio/mp3 headphones for me to use at the gym while I work out and I can't raise a single station, not even a country music station - however I can play my mp3 files so I'm good to go. My boyfriend is not tech savvy when it comes to mp3 files and tf cards so I wanted a set of radio headphones with the best reception possible for him to use while he's out on the tractor or he's in the shed "tinkering". After sifting through all the reviews on Amazon I finally settled on these headphones - the Howard Leight Honeywell AM/FM radio headphones and I'm thrilled that I did. What an excellent product! Now let me start by saying that I'm legally blind and I'm the tech savvy one so reading the instructions was a wee bit of a challenge. I would urge the manufacturer to make the text a bit bigger for the visually impaired or for older consumers who are losing the edge on their vision. Although the instructions were difficult for me to see they were easy to follow and understand. The *moment* we put the batteries in the unit and turned it on my boyfriend found a local radio station *immediately*. He was thrilled with the reception. I was relieved and overjoyed. He absolutely loves the headphones! I tried them on with a radio station on and off and I have to say they really do block out noise. I could barely hear the t.v. that was on in the living room where we were sitting. The headphones provide a snug, comfortable fit too. My boyfriend thinks he'll be able to wear his farm cap under the headset very comfortably as well. One note... he said he did notice a bleed or station fade in stations when listening to the AM setting. When he moved or tilted his head the AM station he had on would fade out, then it would come back when he titled or moved his head back in the opposite direction. I'd noticed this problem on other reviews. However there was NO station fading whatsoever on the FM setting. I HIGHLY recommend these amazing headphones to anyone who lives in a remote area where radio reception is a problem. These bad boys get five stars in my book. I'll probably end up buying a set for myself in the future just to wear around the house. You guys rock in the Boondocks Honeywell!!!! UPDATE: My boyfriend used the headphones for the first time the other day to mow the property. He cuts the grass using an old Farmall tractor he restored. (Not sure of the year but I think it might be a 1930's model). He noticed an electrical interference and thinks it might be coming from either the spark plugs or the spark plug wires. The static starts as you get near the tractor and fades when you walk away... it is (obviously) constant while you're sitting on the tractor operating it. He has not experienced this problem anywhere else on the property... just near the tractor when it's running. He was able to compensate for the static by turning down the volume on the headset and used them the entire time to mow the property so the problem isn't so bad you can't continue to enjoy the radio. He thinks he should be able to resolve the issue by changing out the type of plugs he's using (changing over to resistor plugs). I know nothing about machinery... I'm quoting him from memory. I thought I would post this development for anyone else out there who might be considering these headphones who might be running older equipment. Make sure you're using resistor spark plugs on your machinery or you'll get electric, static interference. Just an FYI.

If you are having any doubts, let me settle them. This headset is well made. Yes, even the battery compartment door everybody and their brother has complained about. Mash the release button in fully on it before you try to push the cover off and you shouldn't have any trouble with it breaking. The FM radio tuner is the best I have seen yet and I have owned them all including the Peltor and the 3M Tek. I live in a rural area and all of the stations I listen to are 40 miles away or further. This tuner has no problem finding the stations and holding them with no drift or problems related to direction you happen to be pointed. One guy complained about the AM reception still being directional. Yep. This is a problem in my experience inherent to all but the most expensive of shortwave receivers and even they still suffer from it unless you connect an external antenna of some length. This is a common problem that can't be solved in a $60 headset. However, this should not detract from the fact that the FM tuner in this unit is very good and beats its competitors hands down. The controls take a little bit of getting comfortable with, but once you do, they function quite well. I have not had the volume control issue that some people seem to have where every time they move around they bump it and change the volume. The control is actually somewhat recessed into the unit only being exposed at the very bottom and one outside edge. Rather that having a problem accidentally bumping it, I have actually had a problem getting used to adjusting it easily as of yet. As to the other complaints of there not being enough volume, all I can say is that so far this unit has been louder than either the Peltor or the Tek that I have. I have to believe that is due to the superior noise reduction capabilities of this unit as according to specs it is not any louder than either of the others. The headband is well designed and comfortable. Yes, it fits tight. It is designed to. The better the unit molds to your head, the better it is going to perform as a noise reduction device. If you have a large head, this unit may be a tight fit for you especially with a cap and on. I have been able to wear a ball cap and sunglasses without a problem and I have not run the adjustments on either side quite all the way out. All in all for the price, which is now only about 20 bucks more than the cheaper units, you can't get a better noise reduction radio headset in this price range. Update July 10 2017: On my third summer with this same radio unit now. Although it mainly gets used during the summer months (about six months out of the year here in the south) this radio has continued to perform day in and day out for hours at a time. I have not seen the claimed battery eating problem that some of the other reviews complained about. The one issue I have seen is a tendency for sweat to cause the display to fog after several hours of wearing especially in more humid weather. This has not caused a problem so far, but I do make sure to wipe it down good when done for the day and it usually dries out overnight. So far the battery door on mine has managed to survive multiple battery changes with nary a mishap. Got to wonder how I managed that when so many people haven't. Still picks up distant radio stations and holds them steady on the FM side. I'm sorry AM guys, I just don't go there much so I can help you with that any more than I already have. It's still all in one piece and all the buttons and knobs are functional which is something that a couple of the other units that I have owned failed at within the first summer. Best money I've ever spent on a sound reduction radio headset. I now don't believe it is the best buy in the price range, it may be the best buy period.

Absolutely great headset!! Ok so to start, it is not the most high-tech headset. It only has the two knobs that you see. One is volume, one is tuner. No display what so ever, but I don't have a problem with it because I only use one station. Tuning is easy, but knowing what station you're on is a challenge (I just compared it to my car radio). Next, the aux input jack. Not exactly perfect. When the set is on the radio plays non stop. There is no place where it will not play static or music so you can listen to your ipod or mp3. What is intended is you turn down the volume all the way, then turn up your device's volume as much as you want, and you can hear your music and stuff. Problem exists that it doesn't get very loud that way, which takes me to my next point... Volume, radio volume all the way up can be loud enough to hear it no matter what equipment I am using, but never loud enough for when a good song (that you just have to blast) comes on. Mp3 volume is seemingly less than that. Also, basically the sound cancelling could be better, but it blocks enough sound for me to hear the radio at medium volume (which is kind of quiet) without a problem. To explain further, the sound cancelling will take a medium sized diesel tractor (John Deere 2040) and put operating rpm down to a hum. I can still hear my lawnmower when I mow the lawn, but not enough to really hear if I hit something or if it is starting to stall. Although I work alone, I assume you could hear another person try to talk to you (if hes talking a little loud) or you would definitely hear screams for help (assuming theres no other noises). I don't mean to bore you with the sound cancelling explanation but just trying to give you an idea. Finally a couple notes; Radio is amazing! I was reading other reviews for similar headsets and there were complaints about the radio, with this you don't have to worry. I live in the suburbs and I have been working all over the area and nothing more than a subtle crackle (only happened twice now). My dad's set loses connection every turn of the head. Also one guy was complaining about the battery and how its hard to read which way they go in...well I didn't have much of a problem, its the basic configuration with everything (batteries facing opposite directions). Just switch directions if it doesn't work. Oh and last note, yes it takes a screw to get into the battery compartment, but the screw is large and bulky enough to be loosened with a penny, then turned with your fingers. To sum it up, yes it is basic and lacks a display of any sort, but it works. Never once had the radio cut out, and it seems to be well built, I don't worry about it breaking. Yes it has a little things with the batteries, and the radio doesn't get too loud, but they keep the noise out and work the way they are suppose to. Once again, sorry if its too long. Just trying to be thorough.

I have owned several radio headsets, and hearing protection but none have combined the two functions very well. This headset has broken that trend. I purchased these so I could listen to radio broadcast while performing lawn care (mowing) and other tasks in the garage. I always found the audio level in other headsets (radio shack, peltor) failed to be loud enough to be heard over the task being performed. The Howard Leight does this task superbly. I have plenty of volume to adjust higher while cutting grass for those flashback "Boston" songs. The headset itself feels strong and well made but there are trade offs and that's why 4 out of 5 stars. So here's my picky list of drawbacks. 1. It is not digital tuning and lacks a dial for reference. It does enjoy good reception but I am in a major city. 2. The battery compartment requires a regular screw driver to open (or a handy quarter). Not a big deal and I have yet to change batteries even with significant play. 3. No method to lock the controls to prevent accidental bumps from adjustments. Still, as I said, this is the best headset I've found that has the volume and that blocks out unwanted sound to listen to stations without feeling you've just left a rock concert and loss some hearing.

After struggling to get the battery case open, a little metal clip came flying off. It is necessary to help hold the batteries in place but it took me (a person of little mechanical aptitude) a few tries to get it put back in correctly and get the battery case completely closed again. Once I did, the earmuffs work fine. So far. I wrote the first paragraph when I first bought this digital earmuff product. I've had these for several months now. I upped the star rating to five stars. I live in a largish city so getting AM and FM radio isn't a problem. WHat I love is how the combination of whatever I am listening to, combined with the sound-blocking nature of the ear phones themselves, allow me to garden without having to endure other peoples' obnoxious music from passing cars, loud idling engines in desperate need of a muffler (my trashy next door neighbors), a vile little yappy dog with a loud, shrill bark who barks at everything day and night (belonging to my trashy next door neighbor), piggish leaf blowers... both roaring gas and high-pitched whining ones... ad nausium. Since no one has yet invented a force field that can be installed around one's property and activated with a switch that would create a perfect wall that would cause unwanted noise to bounce back to the sender, these are the next best things, available now. If I had any complaint, it would be that after wearing these for a few hours than taking them off, my ears are sweaty. But that is trivial compared to the benefits.

Having clear and uninterrupted music playing while working outside in our heat and humidity makes the job go faster and easier. Unfortunately as you've probably noticed, you can't get a CD player in a car any longer. You have to cast your CDs aside and up your game to the new technologies. The same can be said for the old AM/FM sets of headphones. Not too many options out there and many of them just don't pull in the more distant stations. Having finally broken my old set I decided to try out these new Howard Leight headphones by Honeywell. They are high visibility which becomes important when working by a roadway or in the woods. And they are digital AM/FM which provides a clearer signal and better reception. The earcups are lightweight and the headband padded for comfort. What they don't do is to provide an insane volume level, a benefit that some of the reviewers misinterpret. Being already 70 percent deaf, I don't want to do any further damage to my hearing. So there is a maximum volume level that some people will find to be insufficient to generate the sound levels they desire. What I wanted is some comfortable hearing protection that would overcome some of the less obnoxious noise levels generated by low level equipment, tools like battery or electric powered drills, reciprocating saws, hedge trimmers, and the like. When using heavier equipment I only use noise cancelling headphones intended to block out those more damaging noise levels. I certainly don't want to be able to turn the music up high enough to drown out the equipment noise. That would be counter-productive! As an example, I woke up one morning unable to hear out of my right ear. When covering my left ear with my hand, the sound of silence was very unnerving. It was a simple way to see how it would sound (and feel) when anyone goes totally deaf. Fortunately it just turned out to be a wax plug in that ear. Fair warning though!

This is a quality product, with a solid build. This unit is better than the 3M counter part. 3M WorkTunes radio earmuffs: I owned and used a 3M WorkTunes radio earmuffs for a couple of years around the farm. It worked ok, although at times I had more outside noise drowning out the limited volume radio. The whip antenna and headband wore out quickly, from a broad rim hat that fit over the earmuffs. I also always had to remove the batteries when not in use, otherwise, even when off, they would drain the batteries. The foam ear pads cracked after a year of use, but was able to call and get free replacements (only that model qualified). Although the earmuffs worked ok, they were a bit flimsy when handling them. They finally broke after 2 years, which meant looking for a replacement. Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync Hi-Visibility: I decided to get a different brand this time. I have now been using the HL Sync Hi-Vis radio earmuffs for a month straight. I noticed right away that these are of a higher build quality than the 3M. The earmuffs are also stiffer when handling, but that helps in the sound reduction. I have noticed a greater sound reduction compared to the 3M, even though both are rated the same. I also found the radio volume to be higher than the 3M. I can finally hear the radio clearly while running full throttle on an open cab tractor. These earmuffs do not drain the batteries like the 3M does. My only ding, is that after a few hours, my ears do start to hurt a little from cup pads compressing and pushing against my ears. I'll buy some gel ear pads to solve this. Overall, I can clearly recommend the Howard Leight by Honeywell Sync AM-FM earmuffs over the 3M version. Pair this with rechargeable AA batteries, and you are set.

I tried four other radio earmuffs from Radio Shack, Lowes and other internet connections before I finally found a radio/earmuff that actually works fairly well. If you want to listen to music and any station will do the above earmuffs will work for you. However, if you want to listen to a certain station without various stations drifting in and out, you should try the Howard Leight NRR25 muffs. They performed well in blocking out the external noise (lawn tractor) and stayed on station when I turned my head or made turns while cutting my yard (3 acreas). All the others failed miserably even tho they had nice digital readouts, ear volume adjustments, station mode controls, etc. The NRR25 are plain Jane with a simple tuner that stays on station, off and on switch, FM/AM selector and earmuffs that blockout external noise. That it! What I don't like about the NRR25 is the instruction manual (poor at best), the battery compartment and direction of installing the batteries. You have to use a screwdriver to access the battery compartment. A small butterfly wing screw would have elemented this problem. The direction for correctly installing the batteries is hard to see...a small + and - sign inside the compartment is hard to see. In fact, I sent the first order back for replacement after putting the batteries in several times, several different ways and it still didn't work. It would be so easy and cheap to cast in the proper battery placement. The tuner knob, FM/AM switch, and on/off switch are cheap but they work...something that the others don't always do. The tuner stays on station and provides the proper volume control to both ears, and the external noise is almost completely blocked. I have to raise one muff so that I can tell when the 26 HP engine just behind my seat starts. The muffs fit a little tight and they are hot at times, but that is to be expected anytime you wear muffs during the summer. At first, I didn't like the muffs but the more I use them the better I like them...far superior (in performane) to the other ones that I tried.

Perfect indoor reception on all stations. I found them very comfortable to wear all day. External noise reduction is excellent. Very happy after one full day of use in various noisy environments. And arrived two days ahead of schedule.

They work very well. The sound protection is outstanding. The radio works well. Sound and product quality is great. The only negative is they are little over priced.

Produit robuste, bonne qualité de réception son et radio, et bonne protection anti-bruit. Je recommande. À voir bien sûr à l'usage et dans le temps. La radio de mes précédents casques d'autres marques à moins de 100 € n'ont pas tenus 1 an.

Excellent return quick and real

used these quite a bit and hearing protection while using mowers, trimmers and chainsaws is excellent. The radio also works well with no reception issues in the locations where I have been working.