Chad Wallace

August 23, 2021

review

ISOtunes Sport - Defy & Advance

Chad Wallace

August 23, 2021

review

ISOtunes has come on the market with hearing protection designed for the shooter under the ISOtunes Sport brand. ISOtunes has made industrial hearing protection for some time, but just recently introduced the Sport brand. There are currently two models to choose from, the Defy, and the Advance. They are both very similar in use. The Defy is your standard Over Ear (muff) style, while the Advance is an In-Ear style.

Both the Defy and Advance are packed with features. One of those is that they both have the “Tactical sound” control. The Tactical sound control is a separate volume control for outside sound. ISOtunes Sport claims an increase in exterior sound up to 8x their normal volume. If you turn it up, it amplifies everything, including background noise. This can be a plus when listening to range commands, your friends, or while hunting. You can also turn it all the way down, which essentially cuts all exterior volume. Don’t worry, the Tactical sound control still reduces loud noises to a safe level, so as to not damage your hearing. When you power on the ISOtunes Sport’s the Tactical sound turns on to about half volume. One of my only complaints is that I wish they would remember the last volume setting when turned off. The high impact noise response time is listed at less than 2 milliseconds, so hearing damage is greatly, if not completely, reduced by the initial gun shot sound.

Since we are talking about sound, both the Defy and Advance have bluetooth connectivity. As with most bluetooth, just pair it to your device and away you go. They do both have noise cancelling mic’s, so if you are on a phone call at the range, whoever you are talking with can hear you clearly. My daughter called me at the range one day while I had the Advance on. She said that she could hear me fine even with the occasional gun shots. So that part seems to work okay. With the bluetooth, you can also use the Advance or Defy to listen to your favorite podcast or music. However, the ISOtunes Sport line will cap the output volume to 85 db’s using their “SafeMax” technology. This is because 85 db’s is the safe volume limit for all day long exposure. If you are in an extremely loud environment, it can sometimes still be hard to hear whatever is playing through the bluetooth. The bluetooth controls are separate from the Tactical Sound controls, making it easier to know which volume you are adjusting.

Even though the Defy and Advance have similar features, there are some differences besides the obvious. The Advance in-ear is listed as a 26db NRR (noise reduction rating), but the Defy only comes in with a 25db NRR rating. Definitely not enough for me to tell the difference. Connection to a device, via bluetooth, varies by an hour with the lead going to the Defy at 11 hours and the Advance at 10 hours. When not connected to bluetooth, the times can jump up a couple of hours. The Defy has the option of using 3 AAA batteries instead of the supplied rechargeable. This increases the use time to 22 hours. It also gives the Defy an option if the rechargeable battery dies when using them in the field. The Advance, being an in-ear, does not have this luxury. Both have auto off functions also. The Advance’s is 2 hrs of non use, while the Defy is 4 hrs. Both are resistant to dust and water. Since the Defy and Advance are different styles, there is definitely going to be a weight difference. The Defy (over ear) comes in at 15.5 ounces, while the Advance (in-ear) comes in at 23.25 grams, or just under an ounce. The Defy and Advance come with a usb charging cord. While the Advance also comes with 4 sizes of eartips and one set of triple flange style to use when you’re not worried about sound suppression. The Advance also comes with a zippered carrying case.

After using the ISOtunes Sport’s for a while, I’ve concluded that both are really good at what they do. The Tactical Sound works great and lets me hear range commands and friends clearly. It also does a decent job of not amplifying wind. Not perfect, but better than some hearing protection I’ve used, at least as far as wind noise is concerned. I simply love the Advance, as they give me lightweight in-ear protection. The Advance allows me to use rifles and shotguns without causing any problems with a cheek weld. Plus they are not hot like over the ear ones can be. I also use the bluetooth, on the Advance, daily while at work. They are fantastic for this. If you work in a loud industrial environment, they are even better. The Advance is my newest favorite hearing protection. The Defy, however, is not far behind the Advance. It has its own advantages. They are very comfortable for over the ear hearing protection. They have the option of running AAA batteries. The top strap has a slot for heat management, or more importantly, so the button on your hat doesn’t push against your head. The cushions are also very soft and comfortable. The Defy will also open up extremely wide, so if you have an extremely large brain capsule, these might work well for you. I like the Defy if I’m just shooting pistols, or when it’s cooler outside.

If you’re looking into some new hearing protection, I wouldn’t hesitate to check out the ISOtunes Sport line. Both have great useful features. My favorite would be the Advance, but the Defy are really good also. Anytime you can get decent hearing protection, with decent rechargeable battery life, I’m all for it. Go check out the Defy and Advance at ISOtune Sport, you’ll probably like what you see.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Hearing protection with bluetooth

Target Market:

Shooters, Hunters, or anyone needing hearing protection

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Tactical sound control
25 to 26 db noise reduction
23.25 grams for the Advance
15.5 ounces for the Defy
Rechargeable for 10-11 hrs of Bluetooth connection
Noise Isolation Mic
Bluetooth audio output limited to 85db
2 hour auto off (Advance)
4 hour auto off (Defy)
Dust, water, and sweat resistant
Micro USB charging port

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

In Ear (Advance) and Over ear style (Defy)

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars on Amazon

Does the job

These rock! I am a firearms instructor for my local LE Agency. These guys seem a little awkward at first as fas as getting them to fit correctly. But once I found the earplugs that fit the best... they do exactly what they were intended to do.

I completely charged them as the directions stated and the next day I set out to the range and spent 5 hours wearing them. I had no issues with short battery life as some would expect. It connects with my iphone and plays music at a safe level while still being able to hear voices.

As soon as we started shooting, they did their job. I did have some issues with the ear foam not fitting well.

My only complaint is that I wish there was a size between the smallest ear foam and the medium ear foam. The medium was just a bit big, but it would be impossible the have a foam to fit EVERY SINGLE EAR.

That being said, I would still purchase 100% and have already recommended it to my LEO buddies.

Our Rating:

Pros:

Lightweight
Bluetooth
Tactical Sound Control with separate controls
Rechargeable
Long battery life
Both are comfortable
AAA option with the Defy
4 different earpieces for the Advance

Cons:

Doesn’t remember volume level of the “Tactical Sound”
85db sound limit (sometimes I like to hear it loud)

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link: Walker Defense Research

Chad Wallace

August 15, 2020

Review

Timber Creek Enforcer Build KIt

Chad Wallace

August 15, 2020

Review

By now, everyone knows that you can do just about anything to an AR style rifle. Timber Creek Outdoors can definitely help you with that. They have their Enforcer Build Kit. The Enforcer Kit is a complete upgrade kit for your modern sporting rifle. Besides basic black, the kit comes in a variety of colors, some anodized and some Cerakoted.

To be a little different, I asked for the Enforcer kit in purple. The purple is one of the anodized colors that Timber Creek offers. I like the look of anodizing, as it has that “high gloss” look. This purple does not disappoint. The anodizing is spot on and all the different parts match. Matching anodizing, from batch to batch, is not super easy. But Timber Creek pulled it off.

Down in the FNB section, it shows what all comes with the Enforcer kit and it is a lot. I’ll go over most of the parts individually, at least the important ones. All of the parts come in one nice box. Small parts are in bags, in the buffer tube. On the back of the box is essentially a parts break down, and where those parts go. I also put together a list of what else is needed to complete a full rifle. Some of these parts can also be purchased from Timber Creek, like the barrel and castle nut, these additional parts are as follows:

Castle nut
Buffer and recoil spring
Trigger
Bolt catch
Mag catch
Upper/lower
Buffer retaining pin & spring
Barrel
Stock
Gas tube

First up I’ll start with the lower receiver small parts. The extended mag release has a nice little downward curve to it and isn’t too large. I really liked it’s function as it isn’t any higher than the standard mag release, it just sits back closer to the trigger finger. TC’s oversize trigger guard is wider also. It’s pretty oversize, so much so that I think a Sasquatch could get his finger in there. Then there are the take down pins. They add color, but are undersized in the kit I received. They wobble around and make the upper to lower fit, fit loosely. I had standard pins in this kit before, and they didn’t have these problems. Maybe not a small part, but it attaches to the lower, is the mil-spec 6 position buffer tube. It does not, however, come with a castle nut. A QD endplate is also included.

Also included for the lower is an ambi safety selector. This safety is reversible, meaning that it is either 45° or 90°. I was happy to see this, as I like 45° safeties, so that is how it was installed. Two selectors are provided, one is about standard length, the other one is shorter. This is pretty standard for ambi-selectors. They attach to the safety selector piece with some allen head screws, I did use a little Loctite 242 when installing them. I wasn’t sure how I was going to like the shape of the safety, it is a kind of tear drop shape with serrations . After using it, I do really like it, especially the serrations. These serrations let my thumb know that it is in contact with the safety.

The Timber Creek pistol grip is one of their oldest products. As with all of the Enforcer kit parts, it is aluminum and CNC machined. They skelontonized the grip to save weight. It has a finger rest/stop at the heel to help prevent your hand from sliding off. There is also a beavertail for comfort. Plus some grooves on the front to aid with grip. In my opinion, the grip is a little on the slick side. It is very comfortable, but needs a little more texture to help me grip it.

Next we move on to the upper receiver. Only two small parts here, the dust cover and forward assist. The dust cover adds a nice contrast to the upper. The one supplied doesn’t like to stay closed. If you bump the rifle too hard, installing a magazine for instance, the door flips open. The forward assist works as expected. It has checkering on the face of it for extra grip, just in case you have to use it.

Timber Creek’s Enforcer charging handle is a work of art. It has ball bearings inside it, thus giving the handle arms super smooth actuation. The oversize handles stick out a bunch on either side, making it truly ambidextrous. By making the handles so large, one hand operation is extremely easy. Even if one were to mount a large scope, they would have easy access to the charging handle. The handles are slightly curved forward with grooves on the front face. Pretty much eliminating your hand from slipping off during use. I personally would have liked Timber Creek’s small charging handle to be in the kit, as this one is just a tiny bit too big for my liking. It is, however, an excellent charging handle.

Probably one of the most notable parts in the kit, is the 15” Ultralight Enforcer handguard. This handguard is super skeletonized and weighs nothing. If you pick it up by itself, without the barrel nut, it is like picking up air. The complete handguard assembly weighs something like 7.6 ounces with the barrel nut! Since it is the ultralight version, the handguard has a short rail at the front and back instead of running all the way across the top. I really like these style of handguards, as I never use the middle of the pic rail anyhow. There is a unique “Timber Creek” curve at the nose of the handguard. This curve is useful to keep brush and stuff from getting caught in it out in the field. Plus, it looks pretty good also. Now, if you need to attach anything else, the handguard has M-Lok slots running along the top, sides, and bottom. There are also QD holes for attaching slings and such. These are the good ones that have anti-rotation cuts every 45°. There are five total. One on each side, at the front and rear of the handguard. Then there is one on the bottom rear, just in front of the clamping system. Timber Creek uses a clamp system, with some extra set screws, to hold the handguard on. There are also wings, that extend over the upper receiver, to help keep it from rotating. I think the clamp system works just great, so the probably didn’t need the wings. But, extra insurance is always a good thing. For as light as this handguard is, there is less flex in it compared to other lightweight handguards. At least that’s my experience with the same length ones that I have used. The Enforcer lightweight handguard is well worth the price of admission.

To round out the kit, Timber Creek throws in their muzzle brake and gas block. The gas block is low profile to fit under the handguard. It is the two set screws on the bottom type and about an inch long. It looks goog, and works great. The “Heart Breaker” muzzle brake is a two chamber style, with two holes on the top to reduce muzzle climb. The chambers are heart shaped, hence the name. I was hesitant about this brake at first. Yes, the brake proved me wrong. It works way better than I had ever imagined. It is really loud, but that was expected. My daughter even mentioned the lack of recoil while using it. Instead of a crush washer or shims, the Heart Breaker comes with a locking jam nut. Think of it as a nice little bonus in the Enforcer kit.

Now that all the parts are pretty much covered, here’s my thoughts. If you value quality parts, these are top notch. Timber Creek did an awesome job with most of the stuff in the kit. I really enjoy shooting this rifle, it handles so nice with the lightweight parts. The rifle in the pictures weighs in at 6 lbs 14 ounces with the red dot. But, it uses everyday standard internals and a 16” heavy profile barrel (lightweight barrel would save roughly 8 ounces). The handguard and ambi-safety are probably my 2 favorites. They just work great.

The Timber Creek Enforcer Build Kit is a great upgrade. If you are looking to build a new rifle, add color, or just upgrading your old one, the Enforcer kit is pretty much a worthwhile option. One might think it is a little pricey, but you are getting quality parts. These parts would definitely cost you more if you were to buy them individually. Definitely go check out Timber Creek Outdoors and all of their stuff.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Complete accessory kit for AR style rifles

Target Market:

AR builders, those wanting to accessorize their rifles

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

15" Ultra-Light Handguard – MLOK
Enforcer Oversized Ambidextrous Charging Handle
Forward Assist
Billet Dust Cover
Enforcer AR Pistol Grip
Oversized Trigger Guard
Ambidextrous Safety
Extended Magazine Release
Takedown Pins
QD End Plate
Buffer Tube
Low Profile .750 Gas Block
.223 Heat Breaker muzzle brake
Pins, etc included for supplied parts
Made is USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Black, Blue, Red, and Orange anodized

Burnt Bronze, Flat Dark Earth, OD Green, and Tungsten Cerakote

What others are saying?:

Nothing found on the “kit”, just individual parts

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found on the “kit”, just individual parts reviews

Price point:

MSRP = $749.99

Retail = $599.99 at Palmetto State Armory

I need it now! Availability:

Timber Creek, Black Bag Resources (call and mention Gun&Gear Review podcast), or Palmetto

Our Rating:

Pros:

Color, Color, and more Color
45 or 90 degree safety
Handguard
Lightweight
Jam nut for compensator included
Made in USA

Cons:

Takedown pins slightly too small
Port door doesn’t stay closed
Castle nut not included

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult

Ryan Cross

March 3, 2015

MT Chamber Flags

Ryan Cross

March 3, 2015

Gun safety is the most important foundation to our hobby. Sometimes a product comes along that is so simple and easy to use, it makes using firearms safely almost idiotproof. I say almost, because anything can happen. However when handling a firearm, at least a semi-automatic handgun or rifle where accidents and negligence are more prone, and chamber flag can guarantee that a firearm has been inspected, is cleared, and is safe to handle.

Chamber flags aren't a new invention, they've been around what seems like forever. Often they will come packaged with a firearm from the factory, and many gun owners either leave them in the box, or cast them aside like the safety locks they probably have dozens of. Even though many gun owners don't use chamber flags, many shooting ranges require flags to be used so that Range Officers or other shooters can all verify firearms on the bench are clear, empty, and inert before proceeding downrange to check targets, with the peace of mind there aren't any accidentally loaded firearms pointing at their backs.

I believe the generic chamber flags are inherently too small, serving more as a chamber block than an actual flag to visibly signal the firearm's status around the vicinity. Fortunately there is a better designed alternative chamber flag that does a much better job.

M-T Chamber has created a chamber flag that is highly visible because of it's length, and integral pull handle that increases the visible surface area from 360 degrees around the firearm. MT Chamber flags also come in two caliber ranges, fitting either 380-40 caliber chambers with the SBT 380/40, or 45 auto and .223 (AR15) chambers with the SBT 45/AR15. This gives the user the ability to toss either or both chamber flags in their bag and utilize for nearly any semi-auto firearm while at the range.

Chamber flags aren't just useful at the range. FFL's and gun shops often use a chamber block or similar device to keep guns in the glass counter clear and safe, and easily inspectable at a glance. Also law enforcement need ways to keep found or seized guns cleared or identified as inspected and cleared in a fast efficient manner so they can do the task at hand. The MT Chamber Flag accomplishes all of the above much better than other flags on the market today.

I tried the MT Chamber flags in just about every semiauto firearm I own, and while the pros are very apparent (high visible, multi caliber compatibility) there are a few cons that keep my review from glowing as brightly as the flags themselves. The plastic construction is very flexible and somewhat soft. In fact, if you let the slide / bolt close with the full force of the spring, there will start to be chew marks into the back of the flag. While some normal wear and tear won't effect the performance of the flag, I would recommend assisting the bolt or slide close more softly to get the most longevity for your dollar. My only other gripe is that the flags don't have any indication as to their caliber range incorporated into the mold. Instead of having the logo and website on both sides, it would have been nice to have the model number or at least calibers on the flags themselves. Other than that, the MT Chamber flags are a decent evolution of the safety device that many of us overlook.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: The M-T Chamber is the only product currently on the market that is visible from 360 degrees, and guarantees a firearm has been inspected, unloaded, and is safe when properly installed into the chamber.

Target Market: Police departments, shooting ranges, CPL instructors, and homeowners.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Will work in most semi-auto handguns and rifles given the correct chamber diameter.
The STB-380/40 fits handgun .380 caliber or larger.
The STB-AR15/45 will work in any AR-15 style weapon and also in .45 caliber or larger semi-automatic handgun.
Protrudes more than other standard chamber flags for better visibility

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Available in many different colors Safety orange is standard.

What others are saying?:

no reviews found

Price point: