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The 3M™ PELTOR™ ComTac™ VIII Hearing Defender is the cutting-edge addition to the renowned PELTOR tactical headset lineup, offering unparalleled hearing protection and advanced environmental listening.

The 3M™ PELTOR™ ComTac™ VIII Headset helps protect your hearing and can help promote auditory situational awareness and communication in challenging acoustical environments.

This hearing defender model does not come with a microphone or built in downlead for connection to a radio. For radio communication models please see:

The 3M™ PELTOR™ ComTac™ VIII is a direct replacement for the current ComTac™ V generation, featuring many notable updates and improvements, including:

Low Profile Headband: Designed to help reduce ‘hot spots’ for better comfort during extended wear and allow for easy transition to helmet mounted comms.
Updated Earcup: Helps provide maximum attenuation while providing more space within the earcup for dual hearing protection.
Mission Audio Profiles (MAP): Helps enhance auditory performance in 5 preset gain settings enabled by frequency-shaping technology.

Key Features

Earplug mode to help maintain auditory situational awareness when used in combination with earplugs
Advanced listening mode featuring Mission Audio Profiles (MAP) to maximize audibility based on the acoustical environment
Environmental listening for auditory situational awareness
Hearing protection to help protect from impulse and steady state noise
Tested in accordance with applicable sections of a variety of military and other standards

Mission Audio Profiles (MAP)

The MAP function provides new advanced ambient/environmental listening modes:

Observation
For maximum auditory awareness and sound detection in a quiet environment when the user is still.
Patrolling
For high situational awareness when walking in a low-noise environment. High volume with reduced high frequencies to limit sounds such as footsteps on gravel, grass moving under feet, or equipment moving on body.
Conversation
Intended to closely approximate open ear listening and sound localization. Ideal setting for extended use when other modes are not needed.
Comfort
For comfort in a noisy environment. Intended for use in periods of loud noise produced by tactical vehicles or air transport, where environmental listening is not prioritized over communications.
Ambient Listening Off
For maximum sound reduction when operating in high noise and monitoring a radio.

Noise Attenuation

Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) Tested in accordance with ANSI S3.19-1974

Headband with foam cushions: 22 dB
Headband with gel cushions: 23 dB
Helmet attachment with foam or gel cushions on 3M™ Combat High Ballistic Helmet C105HC : 22 dB

Technical Data Specifications:

General:

Model/Region: ComTac VIII/USAC
Ghost Voice Language Options: English (default), Spanish, French, German
Battery Compartment: Sealed enclosure. Single-sided
Headband Style: Adjustable low profile rubberized band. Convertible to helmet attachment.
Earcup Style: Low profile. Over-the-ear
Speech Microphone Type: N/A
Speech Microphone Frequency Response: N/A
Speech Microphone Impedance: N/A
Downlead Cable Type / Length: N/A

Environmental Listening Function:

Advanced: Mission Audio Profiles (MAP) Default: Observation, Patrolling, Conversation, Comfort, OFF
Classic: 4 Amplification Levels and OFF
Ear Plug Mode: Yes (Approx 9dB gain - only to be used in conjunction with passive earplugs)

Power / Electrical Characteristics:

Battery Type: 2x AAA Alkaline (LR03)
Operating Time: Approximately 50 hours

Military Test Standards:

Environmental Performance: Tested in accordance with applicable sections of MIL-STD-801H
Electromagnetic Interference: Tested in accordance with MIL-STD-461G

Physical Characteristics:

Weight with Batteries: 294g
Color Options: Coyote Brown (CY) / Charcoal Grey (GE) / O.D Green (GN)

Environmental Characteristics:

Operating Temperature*: -40°F / -40°C to 131°F / 55°C
Storage Temperature: ≤72h: -67°F / -55°C to 159.8°F / 71°C . >72h: -4°F / -20°C to 104°F / 40°C
Product Lifetime: 5 years, excluding batteries, in room temperature
Salt Water Survivability: Salt water (5%) 2m at 30 min
Recommended Storage Conditions: 5 years: Indoor Controlled Climate (<90% humidity)