Sena dilemma

[RapidSpyder]

My son got me a Sena 5 series (can't remember exact model) for Father’s Day. Anyway the range is really limited in the Hills and cuts out on the curves as soon as he disappears from sight or if someone gets in between us. We are thinking of trading it back in for a 10 or 20 series. I see the 10 has a 300 meter range and the 20 is 1.2 miles, but will they be better in the Hills on the curves and in traffic? Is the 20 series worth the extra money? It would be nice to talk to several people at once, but how well does it work?

[2dogs]

Contact Motorcycle Dave (he's a vender on this site) and he'll tell you (truthfully) anything you'd like to know about Sena products. He'll also give you the best price on Sena that you can find.

[bhern]

Contact Motorcycle Dave (he's a vender on this site) and he'll tell you (truthfully) anything you'd like to know about Sena products. He'll also give you the best price on Sena that you can find.

...fair warning that it may be tough to find a plain 20S model; I got mine on closeout a few months back and Dave had already sold through his. The 20S EVO is still available at a higher price.

I've been happy with the 20S -- we're riding 2-up with it all the time so are not testing the range much, but feature-wise and performance-wise, it's been solid. I had a problem with random cut-outs/intercom shut-downs for awhile, but discovered that (at least in my pair's case) doing the initial power-up in a set sequence made the problem go away.

[jerseyspyder]

All the comm devices I have investigated (Cardo, Sena. no name, etc.) are all line of sight. The Sena 5 has a straight line comm distance of about 1/2 mile. I have the Cardo Packtalk with a comm distance of about a mile, however hills and curves cut that down to zero. Unless you are using satellite communications you will lose comm due to terrain with any device. Although even satellite comm is lost which is evidenced by loss of GPS signal or XM radio at times.

[Highwayman2013]

We had the SMH-10's and the 20S was much better range wise. We ride separate bikes and like them a lot. Of course line of sight gives the best reception.

[Tango]

We have the SENA 30 and love it. Pairs much easier and the battery really lasts. Tom

[davehirst]

I have used the Cardo's several models, with my last bike, ST1100, none work other than line of sight. Rocks, hills, curves all stop reception. I don't think you will find a communicator that will work other that a CB.

[Motorcycledave]

NOTE: I sell the 20S EVO for the same price as the older 20S units.
Dave

...fair warning that it may be tough to find a plain 20S model; I got mine on closeout a few months back and Dave had already sold through his. The 20S EVO is still available at a higher price.

I've been happy with the 20S -- we're riding 2-up with it all the time so are not testing the range much, but feature-wise and performance-wise, it's been solid. I had a problem with random cut-outs/intercom shut-downs for awhile, but discovered that (at least in my pair's case) doing the initial power-up in a set sequence made the problem go away.

[ARtraveler]

We are back to using the older Sena--it is a SMH10. Prefer it to our two year old N-Comm Units (Nolan).

Range is pretty much line of site. At three blocks separation the noise begins. Alaska is always a problem with the mountains, hills, curves, etc. It is sufficient for US though. We can still communicate bike to bike, and most of the time she is between two to five seconds back.

Battery will last us two days without recharging. Four to five hours of use each time.

[JP58]

Our group of 6 people have the 20s. It's fine for 2 people up to maybe 1/2 mile if lucky and a straight line. Get out of sight it will cut out. If you have 3 or more com's connected you with get popcorn popping noise or static. We have done every thing possible to correct the problem including updates and getting replacements. Having said that. If you only use 2 they are good.

[2dogs]

Been looking for an original non-updated 20s. They're getting hard to come by. If I find one that has been updated can I clear all the updates by doing the factory reset? Enquiring minds would like to know.

[bcer960]

Our group of 6 people have the 20s. It's fine for 2 people up to maybe 1/2 mile if lucky and a straight line. Get out of sight it will cut out. If you have 3 or more com's connected you with get popcorn popping noise or static. We have done every thing possible to correct the problem including updates and getting replacements. Having said that. If you only use 2 they are good.

We have had the same experience. Although we have had up to 4 people connected. The quality of the reception goes way down after 2 people. But they are GREAT for me and my wife. They do everything we need them too and more. It isn't often we group ride with people who have head sets.

[Motorcycledave]

I am told by the Tech dept that will return it to the factory settings.
Dave

Been looking for an original non-updated 20s. They're getting hard to come by. If I find one that has been updated can I clear all the updates by doing the factory reset? Enquiring minds would like to know.

[LeftCoast]

I am told by the Tech dept that will return it to the factory settings.
Dave

Interesting. I wouldn’t have thought a reset would undo firmware updates if that is what is being referred to as the factory settings as opposed to just clearing out any user preferences etc that have been done.

[Motorcycledave]

I will check again Monday just to be sure....

Interesting. I wouldn’t have thought a reset would undo firmware updates if that is what is being referred to as the factory settings as opposed to just clearing out any user preferences etc that have been done.

[kbwitt]

Left speakers usually do not work

[2dogs]

I will check again Monday just to be sure....

Way too many update problems. That would be great if the reset would return them to their original condition.

[2dogs]

Left speakers usually do not work

Is that with the update or the reset?

[trikerbiker645]

Factory default reset, DOES NOT reset the firmware upgrade, just the user preferences and any radio stations you have put in. You can download whatever firmware number you want to try.
As others have said, they pretty much only work if in line of site. A number of times you will easily lose communication if you get behind a semi or big truck. They are great for two up or two riders, but after that, good luck with not having any issues. Lots of documentation of the same issues on the web for the 20S.
Our group bought our six units because we wanted an untethered cord setup. We previously had bluetooth / radio frequency Collett units that worked excellent but we all had to be hooked to a seperate battery pack.
As JP58 stated, we have numerous hours with reps, dealers, and had replacements to no avail for any help fixing the group of 3 or more communications problems. safe riding

[Netminder]

Stopped doing updates on our SMH-10 as they were causing more issues then resolutions. They work, so I leave them be. We only ride two up, so cannot comment on range, but have had them for 5 yrs and have worked fine.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I know this is ornery, but I can't resist! Old fashioned CB just doesn't cut it any more, does it? Let's tick off some of the things it's always been able to do.

Range is easily 1/2 mile, and with good equipment, up to 2 miles or more. This is over hills and around curves! And BT can do what?

No connectivity needed. Turn it on, tune to the same channels as others, and start talking! BT requires you to do what?

No limit on users. As many as you can fit on bikes in the total range of communication. BT connects how many?

Everyone can hear what you broadcast! How many other BT listeners can you talk to at the same time?

Oh, there is one big drawback to CB. It's not hip! But it works!

All through history there has been one axiom that has never been disproven! Newer is not always better!!!!

[Fatcycledaddy]

I know this is ornery, but I can't resist! Old fashioned CB just doesn't cut it any more, does it? Let's tick off some of the things it's always been able to do.

Range is easily 1/2 mile, and with good equipment, up to 2 miles or more. This is over hills and around curves! And BT can do what?

No connectivity needed. Turn it on, tune to the same channels as others, and start talking! BT requires you to do what?

No limit on users. As many as you can fit on bikes in the total range of communication. BT connects how many?

Everyone can hear what you broadcast! How many other BT listeners can you talk to at the same time?

Oh, there is one big drawback to CB. It's not hip! But it works!

All through history there has been one axiom that has never been disproven! Newer is not always better!!!!

The problem I have with the CB is Can Am charges over $800 for it, and from everything I have read about it on this site, it is not a quality item in the least.
I agree with you on the range and flexibility, but man does the price they charge need to come down. I would purchase it today if it was a $200 item and it had good reviews.

[JulieMarie]

We have the Sena 20s and love them. If you go around curves and there is some distance between you, it might cut out for a few seconds but then picks right back up. Have never had trouble with it in traffic even when cars get between us.

[sylvester]

The S20 if you go around a curve and the other party is out of sight even at 100 feet you will loose the party works pretty good up to 1/2 mile on a straight away

[RapidSpyder]

We ended up going with the SMH 10. upgraded from the SMH5. Couldn't see spending the extra $ for the 20's with the issues some are having. We usually don't get that far apart anyway. thanks to all for the input!