It’s no secret that firearms of all sizes and types are loud. And even if you had right caliber, ammo, and suppressor combo, most setups would still be loud enough to permanently damage your hearing. And this is why good ear protection is a necessity, no matter what kind of setup you run.
While the typical go-to form of ear pro are the foam ear plugs most ranges give out for free, they don’t offer the same level of protection as over-ear headsets. There are several solid brands to consider when shopping for ear pro. But Walker’s is consistently one of the top-ranking ear pro brands. And their Razor Slim Electronic Earmuffs are widely touted as some of the best all-around models.
Razor Slim Electronic Muffs
Walker’s Game Ear, better known as just Walker’s, is one of the industry’s top hearing protection brands. Their lineup has everything from foam and fitted earplugs to several different earmuff models. Among them, their Razor Slim series is one of their most popular.
Walker’s Razor earmuffs are electronic. So rather than just covering your ears, they use sound-activated compression technology to dampen any loud, sharp noises, such as gunshots. And with their 0.02-second activation time, they can lessen the sound of gunshots nearly instantaneously. However, this isn’t their only advantage they have over conventional earmuffs.
Built into their earmuffs are a set of omnidirectional microphones that are designed to pick up and amplify ambient sounds around you. This feature can greatly enhance your situational awareness. Although you can still hear things around you with traditional earmuffs, identifying every sound isn’t all that feasible. But with the integrated mic and volume controls on the Razor Slim, you can tune the volume to hear everything at a comfortable level. And since its powered by AAA batteries,
Outside of these core features, Razor earmuffs still have some awesome features. As denoted by their name, they are very compact and lightweight. They’re designed to be as low profile as possible, making them easier to wear other clothes like hats. And for some aesthetic flair, they’re available in multiple colors too, though the Razor Slim Muffs – Black are the most popular. Lastly, one of its most unassuming features is its 3.5mm audio jack. With it you can plug turn your earmuffs into a set of noise cancelling headphones, but they also have another unique application too.
Razor Walkie Talkie: Field Comms Simplified
Although a set of quality earmuffs will protect your ears, they can make communication a bit challenging if you’re in a group. And while Razor electronic earmuffs will pick up on conversations nearby, they get less effective as you spread out. So, without a comms setup, you’d basically have to yell at each other to communicate. And depending on the scenario, this can put you at a serious disadvantage.
As such, a comms setup is the most effective solution for keeping in contact with whoever you’re with. But, professional grade headsets, such as the 3M Peltor ComTac series, can cost well over $500+ at times. And basic radio setups aren’t necessarily the most streamlined solution for everyone. Still, this doesn’t mean you have to immediately break the bank or settle for a less-than-ideal setup. Walker’s has you covered with their Razor Walkie Talkie.
This radio is specifically designed for Razor earmuffs. It plugs into the 3.5mm audio jack and clamps on to the outer body of the headset, giving you a seamless setup with no extra wires to manage. Its built-in adjustable microphone can be bent or angled for optimal placement. And since it plugs into the audio jack on the headset, it uses the speakers in the earmuffs to transmit audio from other radios. Plus, these radios are hands free thanks to their VOX (Voice Activated Transmit) feature. You can still opt to use a push-to-talk feature if you want.
One issue that many enthusiasts run into when using most regular walkie talkies is their limited range and channel settings. So, to maximize its utility, Walker’s has equipped this radio with 22 preset channels and 99 sub channels. With them, you can more easily set up a private network to communicate with. Additionally, they have an impressive 2- to 3-mile range, depending on the environment and surroundings. Also, having the radio powered on doesn’t interfere with the headset’s standard protective functions. So, you can still use the headset as ear protection with the added benefit of having proper comms.
Use Cases
Most people immediately associate radios with professional-level applications, like duty and training. However, proper communication is necessary across all applications, and the razor walkie talkie makes this possible at an affordable price.
Recreational Range Trips
It goes without saying that shooting ranges are loud. And as we’ve noted above, communication can be a challenge if you aren’t near your shooting buddies. But with a razor radio, this isn’t an issue. The mic attached to the radio has a sensitivity adjustment. And once it’s been dialed to your preference, you can essentially use your regular speaking voice to
This effectively lets you have proper comms without having to drop several hundreds of dollars on a more premium setup. So, whether you’re at the range and just a few bays away from your friends, or you’re with a team running drills at a private facility, you can keep up with everyone’s positions and movements. Just remember that this all depends on how good your group’s communication skills are.
Hunting
Hunting is another application where proper communication is paramount. Anytime you’re out in the field shooting firearms, knowing where your group is when they disperse is critical. For instance, if your group splits up to set up in different areas, or if they move to adjacent deer stands, communication is essentially done until you reconvene.
This presents many issues. For starters, unless you have a visual on the rest of your group, you won’t be able to coordinate with them. And if you, or they, were to move positions, knowing their position relative to yours would nigh on impossible. But with a comms setup, this isn’t an issue. The only thing you’d have to worry about is talking quiet enough to not spook any game that might be around you. And you easily overcome this too, since you can turn the gain up on the mic to make it more sensitive to your voice.
Range Training
Lastly, radio setups like these are often used by firearm instructors when training new enthusiasts. We’ve mentioned this several times by now, but communication at a gun range can be difficult. But when you take into consideration that a beginner enthusiast also needs to train somewhere, this makes solid communication even more of a necessity.
With a Walker’s Razor setup, an instructor can tune the frequencies of each radio, so there’s no overlap from others who may also be using a comms rig. Plus, by tuning the microphone, both the trainer and trainee can use a normal speaking voice with each other. Essentially, they’ll have a direct line of communication with each other, creating a better, and safer training environment.
Is this setup worth it?
In short, yes. Walker’s is known for producing some seriously good ear electronic ear protection. Being able to immediately lessen the sound of gunshots, while amplifying quieter ambient sounds is a game changer that conventional ear pro just doesn’t offer. And with them being priced around $50, they’re easily some of the most affordable electronic earmuffs on the market. Plus, there’s no difference in cost if you opt for a different color headset either. The Razor Slim Muffs – FDE are the same price as the all-black model.
Once paired with Walker’s Walkie Talkie, you’ll have a solid comms setup that’s a fraction of the cost of higher-end radio setups. Priced around $40, the entire comms rig is exceptionally low-cost—under $100. Plus, the Razor Walkie Talkie was made specifically for Razor Earmuffs. While this does mean that they aren’t compatible with any other earmuffs on the market, the resulting setup is relatively low profile and doesn’t have a mess of wires to manage.
Overall, if you’re looking for a good comms solution, a pair of Walker’s Razor Earmuffs and a Walker’s Walkie Talkie is hard to pass on.
Conclusion
Your ears are delicate. And subjecting them to loud noises like gunshots can do irreparable damage if you aren’t careful. As such, having a good set of ear protection is a must before you ever do any shooting.
Walker’s has been one of the top hearing protection brands in the industry for quite some time. And while their Razor slim earmuffs are already some of the best for the money, you can take its capabilities even further with a Razor Walkie Talkie radio system.
So, whether you’re doing dynamic training with a group, hunting, or training new enthusiasts, you’ll be to keep your hearing safe with proper communication.
FAQs
Does the Walker’s Razor Walkie Talkie work with all Walker’s earmuffs?
No. The Razor Walkie Talkie is designed specifically for Walker’s Razor Slim and Razor Digital muffs that have a 3.5mm audio input jack. It is not compatible with the Razor Quad muffs or any other electronic earmuffs.
Can I use VOX (voice-activated transmit) and push-to-talk on the Razor Walkie Talkie?
Yes, the Razor walkie talkie supports both. VOX activates the mic when you speak, so your hands stay free. Push-to-talk lets you manually activate the mic for absolute control over when you transmit. Still, VOX sensitivity is adjustable to reduce false activations in noisy environments.
How far can the Walker’s Razor Walkie Talkie actually transmit?
Walker’s rates the range at 2–3 miles under ideal conditions. Real-world range depends on terrain, tree cover, and obstructions. On a flat, open range you can expect solid communication at shorter distances typical of most FRS/GMRS consumer radios. For range-to-range or blind-to-blind use, the range is more than adequate.
Do the Walker’s Razor Slim Electronic Muffs still protect my hearing while the walkie talkie is active?
Yes. The muffs’ 23 dB NRR hearing protection and sound-activated compression remain fully active while the walkie talkie is connected. Incoming radio communication plays through the muffs’ HD speakers at a safe volume, and the 0.02-second compression still kicks in to block impulse noise from gunfire.
What batteries do the Walker’s Razor Slim Muffs and Walkie Talkie use?
Both run on standard AAA batteries. The Razor Slim Electronic Muffs take 2x AAA, and the Razor Walkie Talkie takes 3x AAA. Batteries are included with each product. Plus, their shared battery size means you only need to keep one battery size on hand.
