Sena 10 vs Sena 20 vs BRP's BT dongle

[bigbadbrucie]

I'm sure this has been covered, however a search does not reveal much, so.....

What can the Sena 20 do that the Sena 10 cannot do, and also is there something the Sena 10 does that the 20 cannot do. And while we're at it, where does the BRP BT dongle fit in? Any help/advice any of you can supply will be greatly appreciated.

Why do I want a Sena 10, or why do I want a Sena 20. Why don't I just get the dongle?

 

[garageguy]

I'm sure this has been covered, however a search does not reveal much, so.....

What can the Sena 20 do that the Sena 10 cannot do, and also is there something the Sena 10 does that the 20 cannot do. And while we're at it, where does the BRP BT dongle fit in? Any help/advice any of you can supply will be greatly appreciated.

Why do I want a Sena 10, or why do I want a Sena 20. Why don't I just get the dongle?

There are some posts on this, but briefly the Sena 20 is the later headset with greater intercom range, later BT standard, FM, and other bells/whistles included. Check their website for details. I have had the SMH10 for 3 years now and it works great for less money than the 20.

The dongle is a different story. BRP's $260+ solution is a Sena SM10 receiver with a cable that runs to your onboard stereo (if you do not have XM or CB already connected which uses the same port). That allows BT from your headset to the stereo itself. I do not have this since I pair with my zumo GPS and phone (for music).

 

[Jetfixer]

We started with the Can Am dongle at the purchase of our 15 RT Limited, and the SM10 headsets. I mounted the dongle per the Can Am instructions in the front. After much grief, it turns out that everyone here is right; mount it in the rear trunk instead. That said, for us the major reason why we returned the SM10 headsets and went with the 20's is, the 10's cannot have the music playing and the intercom on at the same time and the 20s can. With the 10's, if the music was playing and either of us wanted to talk, the intercom would disconnect the music. Under the 20's, the music is on all the time, even if the intercom is on all the time. When anyone talks, or the phone rings, or the GPS wants to butt in, the music volume is reduced, not cut out, and then comes back to normal volume when nothing else is going on. Either way, both headsets need the dongle to get the audio from the bike to the helmets. I personally feel that the speakers are better on the 20's also.

 

[ES44AC]

Jetfixer,

Thank you for this detailed information. The 20 is $$$$ ,looks like I'll have to do without. I would have been PO'ED if bought the 10'S and the cut out the music so I would have to restart all the time.

Thanks

 

[Questions]

SENA 10 & 20

I have the 10, I plug my stereo jack in my Galaxy 4 and phone charger use bluetooth on phone for phone use pandora for my music on speakers. That we still have bluetooth intercom and music too. no problem talking above the Music. Works for us. Will one day get the bluetooth receiver Lamonster:yes::yes: show tech tips.

 

[finless]

If you want the SM10 and dongle cable, see Motorcycle Dave (A sponsor here) as he has a better cable that mounts the SM10 in the rear trunk vs BRP's which costs a ton more and mounts in the Frunk. As was said above it doesn't work well in the Frunk.

Bob

 

[robhowen]

As an FYI - I have the BRP SM10 and I fairly easily mounted it to the frame tray under my seat. It's easy to get to as I only have to lift my seat. Note: I posted my instructions on how to do this on the forum. This being said, I rarely need to get to it as it is charged when the bike is running, and it connects with my headset regardless of the time the bike sits without the SM10 being charged. I'm pleased I purchased the BRP model.

Rob

If you want the SM10 and dongle cable, see Motorcycle Dave (A sponsor here) as he has a better cable that mounts the SM10 in the rear trunk vs BRP's which costs a ton more and mounts in the Frunk. As was said above it doesn't work well in the Frunk.

Bob

 

[finless]

As an FYI - I have the BRP SM10 and I fairly easily mounted it to the frame tray under my seat. It's easy to get to as I only have to lift my seat. Note: I posted my instructions on how to do this on the forum. This being said, I rarely need to get to it as it is charged when the bike is running, and it connects with my headset regardless of the time the bike sits without the SM10 being charged. I'm pleased I purchased the BRP model.

Rob

The SM10 is a SM10... BRP or otherwise. There is no difference between the one BRP sells vs an off the shelf SM10. All they do is add a cable and rebrand it.

Bob

 

[pegasus1300]

So in defense of the smh 10,it is a simple tap in the volume control to connect to the music or to the intercom. I don't want to hear music when I am talking to my wife so that is a plus for me to have the music go away. You only need the dongle if you want to interface with the RT's audio system or you want to use devises without BT capability. If you don't have an audio system then the SMH20 with the FM or BT to your other devices (GPS,phone etc.)

As to the dongle,if you want one get it from motorcycledave,it is the same as BRP's,includes a better cable and is less money. AND as an added bonus,you get Dave and Finless to help you with any problems you have. These men are very interested in helping out the members of this forum with their technical problems,are very knowledgeable,patient and very friendly. For all the help they have gave me I just cannot say enough in their praise.

 

[Highwayman2013]

I think the 10s is the newer version.

 

[finless]

AND as an added bonus,you get Dave and Finless to help you with any problems you have. These men are very interested in helping out the members of this forum with their technical problems,are very knowledgeable,patient and very friendly. For all the help they have gave me I just cannot say enough in their praise.

Thank you!
I sure try... I take about 2 calls a week even for things not related to Dave selling the cable/SM10.

Bob

 

[Questions]

Sena 10 vs Sena 20 vs BRP BT Dongle

If you want the SM10 and dongle cable, see Motorcycle Dave (A sponsor here) as he has a better cable that mounts the SM10 in the rear trunk vs BRP's which costs a ton more and mounts in the Frunk. As was said above it doesn't work well in the Frunk.

Bob

I brought Dongle from BRP read instructions, took back I don't like my music in headset,from riding Harley Ultra Classic. The Sena 10 work great with the Bluetooth, can still answer phone and commicate with wife. would like to have the Bluetooth wireless receiver so can put Phone on dash so can use for GPS.

 

[robmorg]

I think the 10s is the newer version.

That is correct. Not to be confused with the popular SMH10 that came out a few years back. The SMH10 was replaced by the 20s a year or so ago, and now they just came out with several more "S" series models. The new 10S would be the upgraded version of the SMH10 without all the "bells and whistles" of the 20S.

You can read about all the new Sena stuff HERE. I've been thinking about upgrading my SMH10 to the 20S, but I'm glad I waited. I don't need the improved intercom and multitasking features of the 20S, and the new 10S has all the improved features I've been wanting. :thumbup:

 

[robmorg]

As an FYI - I have the BRP SM10 and I fairly easily mounted it to the frame tray under my seat. It's easy to get to as I only have to lift my seat.
Rob

Not to be contrary, but I'm not sure I'd recommend mounting it there. Being located right on top of the engine, that area under the seat gets extremely hot. The trunk cable, designed by finless and sold by Motorcycle Dave, is the perfect SM10 dongle mounting solution, IMHO. And, it is is FAR less expensive than buying the one BRP sells.