Helmet BLUETOOTH Communications

[SpyderHands]

Just curious if anyone here has any recommendations on Helmet Bluetooth Communication setups!?!

If so, please share your experience and brand specifics.

Thank you!!!

 

[Warlock]

I use the Sena set up. I'm using the SM5 with built in FM radio. Use to have the SM10 but sold them with the other helmets I had. The SM10 has a longer reach for bike to bike. They have several good sets. All brands are pretty good now a days. I like the Sena for the music quality.
David

 

[SpyderHands]

I use the Sena set up. I'm using the SM5 with built in FM radio. Use to have the SM10 but sold them with the other helmets I had. The SM10 has a longer reach for bike to bike. They have several good sets. All brands are pretty good now a days. I like the Sena for the music quality.
David

OK. Thanks for the note.

What about the Sena20 setup? Any experience or know of anyone using that one?

 

[ARtraveler]

I have used Cardo, Sena SMH10, Nolan, and Chatterbox.

Of the four, Sena is best with range, and lower noise. I currently have Sena in my older helmets and just bought Nolans with the N-Com system that is custom fitted into the helmet.

The SENA will not hook up on the new Nolans (I tried), due to the larger bottom ridge, so I had to purchase the Nolan set up.

The Nolans are okay, but SENA is the best

I am thinking you will hear a lot of good stuff from the members about SENA here. Motorcycle Dave a sponsor, sells them. Give him a try before going "out there" if you are interested in SENA. :yes:

 

[pegasus1300]

I have the SENA smh10 and they work very well. Count me as one who bought from motorcycledave.com because of this site. Great service and great price.

 

[Bam Bam and Pebbles]

Sena SMH10 for us also.

 

[asp125]

Sena SMH10 system here. Used the older Scala Rider Pro before, but the Sena has clearer sound and longer range.

 

[Chupaca]

Odd man here...

We use the scala G9..:2thumbs: hooked up to the phone, gps, mp3, intercom and has fm radio..also can pair up to 9 other ryders..:thumbup:

 

[No 2817]

We use the scala G9..:2thumbs: hooked up to the phone, gps, mp3, intercom and has fm radio..also can pair up to 9 other ryders..:thumbup:

I use the Scala Q3 , the big thing is it works with Zuma for GPS directions.

Chris

 

[jcthorne]

We use the Sena 20S.

In pairs, it works GREAT. The audio multitasking feature where you can have music playing and carry on an occasional conversation works very well. The active noise removal is amazing. crystal clear communications.

In group mode it does not work all that well. With 4 users together it works but multitasking is gone as is the active noise removal.

They do pair up with each other and with my phone every time, first try, no futzing.

Our general feeling is that SENA sold a product that was not ready for prime time and figured they could get it to work with software updates. Never happened. They gave up trying and have moved on to the Sena 30.

So if the group mode functions are why you are looking at the additional cost of the 20 vs the 10 line, don't bother. That said, in pair mode they work far better than any other headset we have ever used and that includes Scala and other Sena units.

I have also had 2 of the units internal battery rupture and fail. SENA has replaced them under warranty but my gut feel is the fast charge circuity is overheating the LI battery. Doubtful SENA will continue replacing them after the warranty runs out and the battery is not user replaceable. Besides, it balloons up and distorts the housing when they fail anyway.

 

[subdude17349]

We use the Sena 20s, and are very happy with them. What jc said above is accurate regarding performance. I can't speak to group usage however.

Jim

 

[jaybird1]

Headset

I use the Sena set up. I'm using the SM5 with built in FM radio. Use to have the SM10 but sold them with the other helmets I had. The SM10 has a longer reach for bike to bike. They have several good sets. All brands are pretty good now a days. I like the Sena for the music quality.
David

I use the Sena 20s. It is wonderful even when the wind is blowing hard. The noisecancellation feature is great!

 

[PMK]

We use the Sena 20S.

In pairs, it works GREAT. The audio multitasking feature where you can have music playing and carry on an occasional conversation works very well. The active noise removal is amazing. crystal clear communications.

In group mode it does not work all that well. With 4 users together it works but multitasking is gone as is the active noise removal.

They do pair up with each other and with my phone every time, first try, no futzing.

Our general feeling is that SENA sold a product that was not ready for prime time and figured they could get it to work with software updates. Never happened. They gave up trying and have moved on to the Sena 30.

So if the group mode functions are why you are looking at the additional cost of the 20 vs the 10 line, don't bother. That said, in pair mode they work far better than any other headset we have ever used and that includes Scala and other Sena units.

I have also had 2 of the units internal battery rupture and fail. SENA has replaced them under warranty but my gut feel is the fast charge circuity is overheating the LI battery. Doubtful SENA will continue replacing them after the warranty runs out and the battery is not user replaceable. Besides, it balloons up and distorts the housing when they fail anyway.

While researching SENA stuff recently, I was told, even though SENA had indicated a May release on the 30 series, that will probably get pushed back into the fall. Time will tell.

Yes, it also was indicated that the 20 was rushed to market, however, supposedly upgrades were made on many items that has the later 20 versions well sorted out and rumored to be reliable. Again time will tell.

Curious, since I did not read about ruptured batteries on the 20 series, were the units that failed on you early or later unit?

 

[jcthorne]

While researching SENA stuff recently, I was told, even though SENA had indicated a May release on the 30 series, that will probably get pushed back into the fall. Time will tell.

Yes, it also was indicated that the 20 was rushed to market, however, supposedly upgrades were made on many items that has the later 20 versions well sorted out and rumored to be reliable. Again time will tell.

Curious, since I did not read about ruptured batteries on the 20 series, were the units that failed on you early or later unit?

To
be honest I have lost track of which was which. Between 4 that we own and 4 more that belong to friends that we ride with. I have not seen the battery issue reported much elsewhere either but has happend to 2 of ours.

If I assume the 2 most recent ones Sena sent us as warranty replacements are current versions (they all have the latest and same firmware) the group mode does work a BIT better but noise cancellation and audio multitasking are still completely non functional in a group of 4.

I personally feel when they finally get the 30 out, IF it works in group mode as they are advertising, they need to do a very low cost upgrade program for those of us that have had and continue to have trouble with the 20 not performing the tasks it was sold to do. IE group mode.

 

[PMK]

To
be honest I have lost track of which was which. Between 4 that we own and 4 more that belong to friends that we ride with. I have not seen the battery issue reported much elsewhere either but has happend to 2 of ours.

If I assume the 2 most recent ones Sena sent us as warranty replacements are current versions (they all have the latest and same firmware) the group mode does work a BIT better but noise cancellation and audio multitasking are still completely non functional in a group of 4.

I personally feel when they finally get the 30 out, IF it works in group mode as they are advertising, they need to do a very low cost upgrade program for those of us that have had and continue to have trouble with the 20 not performing the tasks it was sold to do. IE group mode.

I was told that the early 20s had issues with the mounts and also used lower quality speakers. The current version have the same speakers as the better ones in the 10s series, the mounts are improved and other "details" were corrected.

The 30 as I understand it will be a different technolgy. The system will use a mesh technology as it is referred to, apparently similar to a cell phone. Likely more expensive and not adaptable to the other platform.

 

[vondalyn]

We use the scala G9..:2thumbs: hooked up to the phone, gps, mp3, intercom and has fm radio..also can pair up to 9 other ryders..:thumbup:

We've also had the Scala G9 since 2012. They work great for talking between the 2 of us. It's a little flaky when my GPS talks to me, then it interrupts the connection between me and DH, and sometimes we have to press the re-connect button to talk to each other again. We have gotten music sharing to work a couple of times, but once you talk to each other, you can't get back to music sharing.

when I'm riding by myself, I can connect to my iPod to listen to music, and if I also connect to my phone or GPS and it seems to work pretty well switching back and forth between connections.

It has FM radio but I wasn't too impressed with the antenna, and I also hate commercials, so I just usually use my iPod.

 

[adzgrrrl]

I recently purchased a Bilt Techno Bluetooth Modular Helmet. I am really happy with it. Super comfy after the break in period, and I can answer a phone call going down the highway and the caller has no idea I am on the bike. I am more easily heard on the Spyder than I am in my Mustang. :dg2:

 

[trikerbiker645]

I'll echo what has been said about the Sena 20S and would add that we had all six of our units replaced recently with all the "new" upgrades by Sena, which is only the firmware and i guess different exterior size speakers [same internals] and as for 4 or more people in a group they still are a piece of S#!t. The ride connected app they came out with also has lots of issues that don't seem to be getting resolved either. Our next model we will try will be the new UCLEAR Pro communicators. Tried them at motorcycle show and was impressed but first we are going to try and get some usage out of our costly Sena's. They do work perfect for up to 2 -3 users but then............................................................safe riding!

 

[SpyderHands]

I was told that the early 20s had issues with the mounts and also used lower quality speakers. The current version have the same speakers as the better ones in the 10s series, the mounts are improved and other "details" were corrected.

The 30 as I understand it will be a different technolgy. The system will use a mesh technology as it is referred to, apparently similar to a cell phone. Likely more expensive and not adaptable to the other platform.

How do you know if you're getting the newest version of the 20S when purchasing it?

 

[SpyderHands]

THANK YOU EVERYONE for your replies. I'm still pondering on which way to go.

If anyone else has a comment, please feel free to post it.

Have a great weekend everyone!!!