Sena Freewire

[pwilbarger]

After watching the video, it seems to imply, as finless said, that you would need two of these units if riding with a passenger. The video had a graphic toward the end showing one Freewire for the driver, and one for the passenger. I do not see the logic in this. My old SM10 pairs via Bluetooth with our two helmets, my phone, GPS, and onboard entertainment system, albeit with the older Bluetooth technology. I agree with ThreeWheels that more volume would be nice, which is not something that you get with the SM10. I am not understanding why there would be a need for two of these units to replace one. Maybe someone else knows the answer.

Dave, maybe you could shed some light on this?

UPDATE: I just watched another video about this, and it was clearly stated that a second unit is need for a passenger in order to have an intercom function.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6nSmw3AI4U

I watched the video again and it's not clear whether you can use a wired passenger headset for intercom, music, etc. with the driver connected wirelessly with a Freewire. It does indicate that with a second passenger Freewire and Bluetooth headset you can use the on board intercom, etc. wirelessly. Anyway they aren't shipping yet and there's not a cable for the Spyder so it doesn't really matter until those things happen.


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[wanderingman]

SENA FREEWIRE

Make addition

I was told of this unit a while back
while still in R&D,
i should have them in very soon after
they put them out to the dealers
No real price yet

I have seen the Freewire at a dealer here in Orlando. I have a 2015 RTs. I also have dual Sena 20S mounted in my helmets for my wife and I. I know very little about Blue Tooth or communications equipment, but what I was told by the salesman at the dealer is that by using the cable that I received with my Spyder (the cable with the DIN to Sound plug) I can get my radio as well as the GPS off of my Samsung S5 phone into my 20S headset. I will still have my intercom as well and my passenger will be able to hear the radio and GPS. As I have said this is what I was informed of. I have not seen it operate. This cable would be plugged into the DIN receptacle in the trunk and the Freewire would then live in the trunk. Once set up it would be controlled from the jog button on the 20S. The second unit referred to would be the 20S. No wired headset. All done with Blue Tooth.

 

[wanderingman]

Freewire Cable.

I'm an optimist Bob and think it'll work as they have said it will. It would allow me to use my 10C with my wife's wired headset. Basically a $245 replacement for the cable. If they are able and can make a cable for the Spyder. We shall see.


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The cable that I was told will do the job came with my Spyder. I do not see a part number on it so I can not help you there, but it came from CanAm, so it is available.

Ralph

 

[billybovine]

I would be surprised if what you saw at the dealer was a Freewire aka SMR10. Since it is not available yet. Only for pre order. Likely what you saw was the SM10 which uses the identical form factor. What you where told by the dealer was incorrect. The DIN plug you have in the trunk is for input into the radio only. There are no outputs to transmit to your helmet headset. Sorry just will not work as explained to you. To connect a SM10 you need a specialised cable that comes in the kit when you buy the SM10 from BRP. It plugs directly into the radio or into the entertainment harness if you have that option. This cable can be homemade like I did or you can buy one from Motorcycle Dave, site sponsor. Now if it was the freewire that you where shown. It still will not work as it was explained to you.

Make addition

I have seen the Freewire at a dealer here in Orlando. I have a 2015 RTs. I also have dual Sena 20S mounted in my helmets for my wife and I. I know very little about Blue Tooth or communications equipment, but what I was told by the salesman at the dealer is that by using the cable that I received with my Spyder (the cable with the DIN to Sound plug) I can get my radio as well as the GPS off of my Samsung S5 phone into my 20S headset. I will still have my intercom as well and my passenger will be able to hear the radio and GPS. As I have said this is what I was informed of. I have not seen it operate. This cable would be plugged into the DIN receptacle in the trunk and the Freewire would then live in the trunk. Once set up it would be controlled from the jog button on the 20S. The second unit referred to would be the 20S. No wired headset. All done with Blue Tooth.

 

[pwilbarger]

The cable that I was told will do the job came with my Spyder. I do not see a part number on it so I can not help you there, but it came from CanAm, so it is available.

Ralph

Freewire is not out yet. You prolly saw SM10. Both take a special usb cable. SM10 plugs into the back of the radio with a special cable and CB must be disconnected. SM10 is old technology and the volume is not that good as I understand it. Freewire is latest Bluetooth version and plugs in with a special usb cable to the DIN rider or passenger communication plug. This allows you to use the Spyder's comm system including radio and CB.


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[wanderingman]

I would be surprised if what you saw at the dealer was a Freewire aka SMR10. Since it is not available yet. Only for pre order. Likely what you saw was the SM10 which uses the identical form factor. What you where told by the dealer was incorrect. The DIN plug you have in the trunk is for input into the radio only. There are no outputs to transmit to your helmet headset. Sorry just will not work as explained to you. To connect a SM10 you need a specialised cable that comes in the kit when you buy the SM10 from BRP. It plugs directly into the radio or into the entertainment harness if you have that option. This cable can be homemade like I did or you can buy one from Motorcycle Dave, site sponsor. Now if it was the freewire that you where shown. It still will not work as it was explained to you.

I appreciate this input. As I stated I know little about this and your input may save me grief.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I appreciate this input. As I stated I know little about this and your input may save me grief.

Simply put, the audio configuration of the Spyder RT as it comes from the factory has a single radio unit. It provides AM, FM, and NOAA weather. The external inputs into that unit are the GPS audio and the iPod/MP3 connector in the trunk. When you have an iPod connected the radio provides control of it. The GPS audio comes in and overrides all other audio but you have no direct control of it aside from the master volume of the radio.

The radio has an interface connection for the optional XM satellite receiver on the same order as the iPod connection, i.e., audio in and control over the receiver.

The radio also has an interface to the CB/communications unit which is much more than just an audio input. The CB is a $900 option. It is both a CB radio and the communication interface to the driver and passenger. The CB takes in the audio from the radio and passes it to the riders via the headset connections, along with the CB audio. It also provides intercom communication between the driver and passenger. The connection also provides control of the CB through the radio. There is no provision in the factory stock radio for wired headset connections to the radio or intercom except through the CB unit.

There is a provision for audio output from the radio to helmets via the Blue Tooth accessories. But that BT dongle plugs into the radio where the CB plugs in. You can have either CB with wired headsets, or BT headsets for radio audio, but not both.

What the new Sena unit will be offering for the Spyder, if it ever does, is a substitute for the cable and wired headsets in the helmet. It takes the audio and microphone lines that go in and out of the CB and feeds them into the BT transmitter/receiver. That then communicates with a BT helmet headset providing a two way audio connection to the CB/communications unit.

Keep in mind this one big difference between the Spyder and the Goldwing & Harley. The GW and HD have intercom without a CB radio being installed. The Spyder does not.

 

[finless]

Simply put, the audio configuration of the Spyder RT as it comes from the factory has a single radio unit. It provides AM, FM, and NOAA weather. The external inputs into that unit are the GPS audio and the iPod/MP3 connector in the trunk. When you have an iPod connected the radio provides control of it. The GPS audio comes in and overrides all other audio but you have no direct control of it aside from the master volume of the radio.

The radio has an interface connection for the optional XM satellite receiver on the same order as the iPod connection, i.e., audio in and control over the receiver.

The radio also has an interface to the CB/communications unit which is much more than just an audio input. The CB is a $900 option. It is both a CB radio and the communication interface to the driver and passenger. The CB takes in the audio from the radio and passes it to the riders via the headset connections, along with the CB audio. It also provides intercom communication between the driver and passenger. The connection also provides control of the CB through the radio. There is no provision in the factory stock radio for wired headset connections to the radio or intercom except through the CB unit.

There is a provision for audio output from the radio to helmets via the Blue Tooth accessories. But that BT dongle plugs into the radio where the CB plugs in. You can have either CB with wired headsets, or BT headsets for radio audio, but not both.

What the new Sena unit will be offering for the Spyder, if it ever does, is a substitute for the cable and wired headsets in the helmet. It takes the audio and microphone lines that go in and out of the CB and feeds them into the BT transmitter/receiver. That then communicates with a BT helmet headset providing a two way audio connection to the CB/communications unit.

Keep in mind this one big difference between the Spyder and the Goldwing & Harley. The GW and HD have intercom without a CB radio being installed. The Spyder does not.

Very well explained! :clap:

Bob