Walker’s Razor X

By Payton Miller

For me as well as a lot of other guys, “high-tech” hearing protection is pretty much anything above and beyond foam plugs—perhaps used in conjunction with earmuffs if you’re lighting off something really obnoxious.

This has generally included electronic earmuffs with an automatic noise “cut-off” at a certain decibel level, or small “inside the ear” units that do pretty much the same thing.

The Razor X from Walker’s Game Ear, however, is an innovative solution to drawbacks posed by electronic earmuffs and small internal units. First off, it’s an unobtrusive (literally unnoticeable) foldable rubberized headset unit that fits around the back of your neck rather than over the top of your head. It’s got all the logistical advantages of a 1-piece unit, without the bulbous hardshell ear cups, meaning no hassles in navigating hats, shooting glasses, or—more importantly—getting a decent cheekweld on a rifle or shotgun.

The other cool thing is there are different sized earbud tips to choose from so you don’t have to worry about trying to “chamber a large-caliber plug into a small-caliber ear canal.” Or vice versa. And if the smallest one is still a tad large, you can compress it—just as you would a throwaway foam plug. (That’s what I had to do; it was either that or get my ears re-bored.) The ear buds/ambient mic units are adjustable to your individual physiognomy by retractable flat, no-bind retaining cords.

The unit is rechargeable by means of an AC wall charger and USB cord, meaning no wrestling with teeny-tiny batteries.

Basically, Razor X amplifies ambient noise either in Indoor or Outdoor mode (set for the one you want). The minimum level is mute, the maximum is Level 9 (+14dB).

I tried the Razor 15 out at the range and found that, when cranked up, it’s easy to carry on a discreet, low-level conversation with your shooting partner better than you could normally. And, of course, commands from the rangemaster cut through loud and clear as they should. But when somebody opens up with something big and bad, all that nastiness gets cut off in a millisecond.

“Head” model Thomas Mackie employs the Razor X while
shooting an S&W Model 659 9mm.

The Razor X has a foldable rubber frame housing—sophisticated
electronic gadgetry in an unobtrusive format.

Walker’s LLC
P.O. Box, 535189
Grand Prairie, TX 75053
(877) 269-8490
www.walkersgameear.com

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