Sena Headset Reliability

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by keensali, Apr 16, 2015.

  1. keensali

    keensali New Member

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    I jumped onto the bluetooth headset wagon back in '11. For me, it changed riding from that day on. I try to ride with a buddy as much as I can. I told him about them and he picked up a set as well. We have never looked back. No more hand signals, no more yelling at speed, no more "Crap!! I wanted to take that other road", easy warnings from the front rider about deer(been there, done that...55mph on an 83 VF750F) & pot holes, not to mention great conversation to enhance the rides. Music when wanted, and phone if needed.
    We both bought the SMH10D models. I ride a lot more than he does. Up until two weeks ago, all four headsets have worked perfectly. I have read good and bad on these.
    Recently, I rode through very heavy rain for about a half hour, got home and put my helmet up to dry. 3 days later, I went to plug in the headset to charge and no light. Let it stay on the charger for 5 hours and still no light. Tried the headset to see it the light was the only issue, but no life at all. That was 14 days ago...bummer.
    Contacted Sena, but nothing they can do for me. Was hoping they may be able rebuild it for less than buying a new one, but they said it would likely be garbage regardless.
    How well have others done with their Sena's?
     
  2. DriverDave

    DriverDave New Member

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    I've had my SMH10 for 4 yrs without any problems. I only use it for music and phone (haven't connected to another unit yet). I've recommended it to others many times. If mine died tommorrow, I'd get another one without question.
     
  3. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    After riding my latest VFR for over 5 years,I'm thinkin about getting one, this is what Revzilla sent...after talking to OOTV that has one, or two maybe three. Hope you figure whats up with yours.

    Hi Roy,

    The single unit*Cardo Scala Rider G9x Headset*currently retails for $259.95 while the single unit*Cardo PackTalk Headset*is on pre-order for $329.95 and we are hoping for it to be available soon. It looks like the PackTalk is going to be Cardo's answer to the top of the line*Sena 20S. I currently own a G9x and in my opinion if you are going to invest in a premium Bluetooth unit and your have the time to wait, I would go for the PackTalk. If you need it ASAP I would suggest the Sena 20S. Unless all of your friends are using Cardo Scala Rider units, in which case it may be better for you to go with a Cardo unit, as that will make it easier for you to link to your friend's units.*

    I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any further questions that I may be able to assist you with.

    Thanks,

    Erick

    --
     
  4. keensali

    keensali New Member

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    That 20S is not cheap for sure. Driver, I likely use mine for music 65% of the time as well.
    I have read about riders upgrading their speakers. I am thinking of trying that as well. Nothing to loose if it goes wrong, will still have one good setup.
     
  5. hightowermusic

    hightowermusic New Member

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    I picked up the Sena 20S dual pack brand new on ebay for $350. Have to say we love them and they pair so nice with the Sena Prism so we both can talk on the vlog. I am having a problem with my unit where it will just shut off randomly, but Sena is replacing it for me at no charge. Haven't rode in the rain or even got it wet. So I cant help you there. If you end up buying another unit? I would definitely check out ebay first

    I should also mention that the Sena 20S's are the first and only Bluetooth systems I have ever had or tried :)
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2015
  6. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Well, to be honest I have 3, one for my GT-Air helmet, one for my Wife's helmet (Which was bought as a pair) and the Cardo made Schuberth SRC unit for my Schuberth C3 helmet. By far I prefer the Schuberth unit because it resides in the neck roll of the helmet so it is not exposed to the elements like the aftermarket units, like the Scala G9x I have on the GT-Air. One thing that also makes me like the Schuberth unit, is that the C3 helmet is quiet to begin with that it makes hearing comms much easier to hear.

    Not sure what the deal is, but supposedly Cardo makes/made an under the neck roll design for Shoei helmets, but never released it to the U.S. market.

    http://www.cardosystems.com/motorcycles/cardo-sho-1


    Sorry for the thread jack but thought I would share those little tidbits.
     
  7. Motographer

    Motographer New Member

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    Had an SMH10R since summer of 2013, so far absolutely no complaints besides battery life being a little shorter than I'd like. I have music playing through it almost every time I ride, sound quality is great, it's so slim you can barely tell it's stuck to my helmet, and it's been through more rain showers than I can count without a hiccup. I'd really like a 20S for the FM radio ability and simultaneous music and intercom, but my 10R works well enough that I can't really justify it.
     
  8. keensali

    keensali New Member

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    I am surprised to hear that you have had battery life concerns. I have been on several one and two week rides and use my headset for music nearly 100% of the time. My days are typically 10-12 hours of riding and my headset will last me nearly 3 days before needing a charge.
    I agree on the rain resistance. My headsets have gotten wet often. I don't think there was anything abnormal or different about the rain I rode through before the failure, just had enough I guess.
     
  9. DriverDave

    DriverDave New Member

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    I also had an SMH10R for a bit. I too had short battery life compared to my regular SMH10.
     
  10. Motographer

    Motographer New Member

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    I'm 99% sure the battery on the 10R is smaller than that of the 10 due to packaging and weight concerns on Sena's part. It also seems to last longer in one continuous use than if I'm turning it off and on again over time, but either way, I think the most I've gotten out of it is about 8 hours of continuous music.
     
  11. sportcruiser

    sportcruiser New Member

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    I have friends with the Sena that rave about them. I have the Interphase and love it. However, I was riding a bike for years with more wind protection... I have so mus wind noise in my helmet when riding the VFP that the headset seems irrelevant.
     
  12. John451

    John451 Member

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    Have had my Sena SMH10 for 2 years and think its become indispensable on tour, it syncs nicely with my Zumo 660 to provide me tunes and mobile phone connection. The best part the guys I ride with all have them so on tour we no longer have to play side of the road helmet relay to discuss routes, food or fuel stops.

    Wind noise shouldn't be a problem if you wear ear plugs although I have also upgraded the speakers with a A0306 kit in my surprisingly quiet new Shoei NXR which replaced my RF1100. The A0306 kit allows me to choose between my Sennheiser CX 3.0 ear buds for better music performance although have also found the kits helmet speakers better than the originals.

    Even though the 10 is still working fine have also been looking at upgrading to the 20S as its extra range, ability to conference and its multisteam features appear worthwhile.
     
  13. DJPaul

    DJPaul New Member

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    Hello all.

    I’m hoping there’s someone here who could vouch for the Cardo Packtalk

    I’ve had a lot of experience with the SENA the 20s and I’m very disappointed.

    My single biggest complaint is the Beeps
    .

    The 20’s has a maximum volume limit alert.

    When that max limit is reached, an audio alert (beep) is sent the user/riders ear phones.

    This beep or beeps are also present for phone calls, radio stations, connections lost and or reestablished etc.

    The beeps are made audible by SENA's built in software which is (thus far known) to be exclusive to the 20s?

    The factory alerts/beeps can not be turned off, removed, deleted or even lowered in volume, and, are then sent to the riders earphones, or ear buds, in the area of 140db

    Db = (DeciBels) /a measure of audio strength.

    Perspective of 140db ?

    A quiet bedroom at night is about 30db this is actually 10db more then most public libraries, And At this volume, most humans can sleep quite peacefully.

    Conversation, for most humans, is about 60db at approximately 1 meter spaced apart.

    The threshold of discomfort (for most humans) =120db at any distance

    The threshold of Pain = 130 Db at any distance

    An Aircraft jet engine at idle rpm, from 50 meters or 164 ft

    That's approximately the distance of 17 car lengths end to end.

    Or nearly 30 motorcycles also end to end

    Or The average length of a single city block and comes in at cool 140db

    Btw, an aircraft engine can be heard, on land, from several kilometres away.

    SENA brings these alerts/beeps to an unsuspecting riders attention at 0 distance away or in many cases, directly within the human ear, at, or around 140db. Wanna try this?

    All you need to do is turn the Jog dial on the 20s 1-turn past 5 turns. (you'll be able to hear the beeps from another room)

    2nd place issue,

    It's not waterproof.
    A few of my units got washed out but luckily dried out over week or so and came back to life. Now, I see rain, I just remove the unit, put it in a ziplock bag, and revert back to old school sign language till the sun comes out again.

    3rd place issue, Range. Straight line of sight, maybe 80 meters or so, No issues at all, loud and clear. One turn, a few cars between us, Issues.

    Before learning any of this I'd purchased 5 SENA 20s both dual packs and singles

    Over the years hoping for an answer and solution from SENA, also purchased 10 or 14 base plates, some with wired headphones, some without.

    I've returned 3, 20's (had to pay for shipping) likey a canadian thing?

    I've lodged two official "tickets" with SENA customer support and did get answers from them, but, (got no results, both times)

    Fixed myself, probably a dozen or so base plates, mine and for friends.

    When looking on the forums for solutions I found the same issues and other issues being talked about more and more and very little offerings from SENA so now, feeling like I've been ripped off/fooled by SENA's deceptive marketing, I'm looking to move to Cardo.

    FYI

    I will not be selling off my SENA equipment, I feel it's un-safe.
     
  14. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I have 3 Cardo devices, a G9X, a Packtalk and a Schuberth SRC Pro system (made by Cardo and is essentially a G9x). Let's start with the SRC, this was the first comm setup I bought and incorporated with the Schuberth C3, it has been fantastic. I mostly use it for turn by turn directions and talking business related calls when I am on the road. I don't make it a habit to have long drawn out conversations, just a quick acknowledgement to the caller that I'm in transit or to confirm time or a cancellation of an appointment.

    Once I got used to being able to play music (from my iPhone) and to have the ability to possibly chat with a fellow rider or passenger, I decided to grab the G9/G9x for my other helmet. I had originally bought a G9 paired setup but one of the audio channels on one unit was bad, so I exchanged it, but as luck would have it, they were out of the G9 so I paid the slight difference and got the G9x. Essentially they are close to the same unit but with a few minor improvements/features but with this comm I set it up to communicate with 2 fellow riders and with my wife (she had the matched unit). Being able to communicate with a riding buddy while on some tricky roads was great. More than a few times we were able to warn one another about road hazards or of the friendly local PoPo that pulled in behind us!

    Another benefit of the comm was having the ability to connect two bluetooth devices to the comm unit, allowing both my phone and a radar detector to be heard, however, the rub with the G9/G9x, is that if you have a comm connection going it mutes the "external" connections while the comm channels are active, thus preventing one from hear said radar alerts! That is where and why I grabbed the Packtalk unit. It allows the comm connection to stay active all the while the phone or radar channel to provide music or alerts. Although I have tried and tested this in house with my Packtalk and G9x unit, I have yet to do this in a real world environment with a fellow Packtalk user. Most likely it'll just work, at least my test says it will.

    As far as audio clarity and volume, with my Schuberth, being a quiet helmet already, I never had or have a problem hearing music or radar detector but sometimes a comm connection is hard to hear depending on the level at which the other person is speaking at. With my Shoei GT-Air (Packtalk) it does pretty well too but similar to the Schuberth, low volume talker is hard to hear at times. Same for the G9x (which use to be on my Shoei GT-Air) but now that is on my "spare" helmet (HJC CL-16) which I haven't used for anything other than testing music playback. I do however use the spacer pads that come with the unit. These go between the speaker and the helmet and put the speakers closer to your ears. Cardo also has larger speakers available for their systems. If I recall correctly, both the G9x and Packtalk allow for other standard headphones to be used with their comm system, provided it has the 1/8" mini plug.

    As far as range on any of these, they are all about the same, great when in line of sight and within the estimated working range, but venture too far ahead on twisty mountain roads and you can loose your comm connection retty quickly. Although I have had issues with the units not re-connecting when back in range, this wasn't consistent among all 3 units. The Packtalk is also setup to work in a mesh network type of scenario, where the more users who have them in the 'DMC' mode, can greatly extend the comms between the first and last riders in a group. Since myself and fellow member (OCLandspeeder) have the Packtalks, we have not been able to test this feature for range.
     
  15. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Just an FYI, the Cardo Packtalk won the Web Bike World Motorcycle Intercom of the year award for 2015

    http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/cardo-packtalk-review/
     
  16. prelude222

    prelude222 New Member

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    Along these lines, I have a Schuberth S2, and I'm thinking about getting the integrated headset. Does anyone here have any experience with these?
     
  17. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Other than the chin curtain being integrated into the S2 SRC system, the one for the C3/C3 Pro are identical to the one for the S2, both are made by Cardo. There is a small difference from the original issue to the latest version, I believe it's called the SRC Pro, is the features. The earlier version was the equivalent of the Cardo Scala Q1 (IIRC) but the new Pro is the equivalent to the G9x. Having had the original version for my C3 and now the newer one for my C3 Pro, the newer one is worth getting IMO.
     
  18. DJPaul

    DJPaul New Member

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    This is a big help, Thank you 00TV the annual bike show is today, I'll likely return with a new Cardo Packtalk.

    Thanks.
     
  19. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    If they have the same deal as I got at the MC show in Long Beach, I recommend looking at the paired set, as the cost per unit was something like $245.00/ea. The retail cost for the paired set is $579.00 (USD), at the LB show they sold it for $490.00 OTD! I kept one and sold OCLandspeeder the other unit. If you can find someone interested in buying one, it might prove to be a much cheaper option than buying a single unit. I don't recall the OTD price for the single unit alone but I do recall the paired set was cheaper when broken out individually. YMMV

    Cheers
     
  20. DJPaul

    DJPaul New Member

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    OK!!!!

    I did it, the bike show up here in Canada was good and I bought a Duo Packtalk.

    There's a lot to learn about how it works and I'm looking forward to it.

    FYI, there's a lessor known web sight here in Canada that all of you may wanna visit.

    Given the US dollar is so strong, you all south of the 49th, could get super killer deals on Packtalk's and almost everything bikely?

    I paid $604 Canaadian for my duo packtalks.

    Converted to USD that's only $424.11

    That's a $150. savings

    check it out

    https://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/cardo-scala-rider-packtalk-duo-pack.html
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2016
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