sena owners I need input

[BluenoseFJR]

I bought a dual pack of the Sena 20s this summer for my wife and I. Had to return the first set as one of them did not work at all. Second seemed ok, but now I find my battery does not last for more than an hour or so. We find they work well as far as ease of pairing and sound quality goes, but are still getting used to soome of the functions. The bike to bike range is not nearly as good as claimed, even with open terrain in between the two units. I can't compare to other sets, though, as this is the first we have had.

 

[Enn]

SMH-10 user here. Wife and I using them for about 3 years now. Paired up easily with my phone, Ipod touch, and Zumo 660. Only thing we've found we don't like is the voice directions from the Zumo cutting in and knocking our intercom conversation out momentarily when it comes across. Since my wife isn't hearing the Zumo she keeps talking thinking I can hear and then when she realizes I'm not answering her is less than happy. I no longer use the connection to the ZUmo when we ride together for that reason.

I used to have the same problem with Zumo 660 interrupting my conversation with wife. I just muted the gps instructions through the mixer mode on Zumo 660. Still continue listening to music at the same time and follow the map visually.

I also used to have a problem that sometimes the sound quality from Zumo to SMH 10 was terrible. It was cured by switching on SMH first and only after that Zumo.

 

[SCOTTIE]

Section 6.4 of the Sena Bluetooth manual should contain everything you need to know about Bluetooth GPS navigation Pairing..

This is how mine is set up. I use my iPhone for Music and calls and use my Zumo 550 for directions. If you use the Zumo for Music then you may have to change the profiles used so that you use the A2DP profile to connect to the GPS and just HFP to the phone.

A tip I have is before you start pairing up or after a software upgrade perform and hardware reset and also delete all existing pairings from the unit just to make sure you have a clean unit. It sometimes gets confused when you upgrade.

 

[russperry]

I'm going to beat the drum (again) about why everyone with an iPhone or Android smart phone goes to the trouble of powering and bluetooth connecting a dedicated GPS unit to the Sena when the phone will do everything the GPS does and a lot more.

With the latest hardware you can run multiple apps at once on your phone that gives you more flexibility and simplicity of connections. I've got an iPhone 6plus that runs the following apps simultaneously if necessary, and all I have to do is power one device and connect one device to the Sena:

1) SW Connect - no need for $100/year or more for SPOT. - Free

2) Navigon - off-network navigation for roads (maybe CoPilot is better - certainly its cheaper) - $30 for Western US and free lifetime updates

3) MotionX GPS for internal tracking and navigating in more remote areas - it updates real time instead of 5 minute intervals on Spotwalla and provides cool features for documenting your routes - Free - for $5 you can enable custom map downloads from multiple servers including USGS topo maps, world topo maps, and others.... - this is freakin' AWESOME!. MotionX can also be used to plot your tracks from GPX files - super easy and works great.

4) Waze if you want to use it instead of a nav package - free

5) Music - free (pretty much

)

6) Phone

When I was in Mexico earlier this year on the ride that Beemerdons had set up (sorry again Don - we missed you!), one late afternoon we were wandering around the high hills (34 degrees!) and our guide had only a paper map that had yellow highlighter marking the route and no idea of where we actually were. The guys with Garmin GPS units showed a blue triangle on a blank white field that showed where we were but had no map on the device that showed any roads. With MotionX and the detailed topo map of Mexico that I had downloaded, I had the only device that plotted position against a map that actually told us where we were and how much further we had to go. It saved us from a lot of possible trouble that day.

I used the same setup this last week in central Oregon while riding in the hills around Bend and it proved to be great again. I had plots of roads and NF trails right on the phone instead of having to continually open up bulky paper maps and trail guides. When the week was over the guys I was with were convinced that this was the right way to go.

Sorry Ray for such a long-winded input, but in summary I'd suggest not worrying about a GPS and just use your phone for everything (of course assuming you've got a phone that supports GPS navigation).

 

[FJRay]

Assuming is a dangerous thing Russ. I **** canned the smart phone months ago cause I didn't use it enough to justify the cost and I already had 5 Garmin's. The Spyder came with a 590lm so now I have 6. Will sell the near new 660 soon. The 450 is on the KLR and the rest are automotive types.

 

[Niehart]

Ray, buy a pair of Sena 20S's. Alex [Realtime Ind] will give you a forum discount.

1] Much better mic boom setup with lots of options

2] Better sound and wind reduction

3] You can setup the sena app on your honeys smart phone and control and understand the 20s easier

4] I don't think you use earphones but the 20s has a much better setup for that also

If you are going to use your radar detector, you will need a Sena SM10. In my case, I like the SM10 [that I have hardwired so that I don't have to charge it every night or two] for two reasons, the first is the use of my radar detector and the second is stereo music from my Garmin Zumo 550. Bluetooth from the 550 is mono but with hard wire to the SM10 I receive stereo music.

Hope this helps.

 

[Panman]

Ray, buy a pair of Sena 20S's. Alex [Realtime Ind] will give you a forum discount.
1] Much better mic boom setup with lots of options

2] Better sound and wind reduction

3] You can setup the sena app on your honeys smart phone and control and understand the 20s easier

4] I don't think you use earphones but the 20s has a much better setup for that also

If you are going to use your radar detector, you will need a Sena SM10. In my case, I like the SM10 [that I have hardwired so that I don't have to charge it every night or two] for two reasons, the first is the use of my radar detector and the second is stereo music from my Garmin Zumo 550. Bluetooth from the 550 is mono but with hard wire to the SM10 I receive stereo music.

Hope this helps.

Now if you were a willing Pivot man all might be good...............

 

[bigjohnsd]

Other issue I have, or had, was moisture intrusion. Sena help desk tells me the units are "water resistant" but not water proof. They replaced mine after water intruded in a deluge. Also had an early version that had issues with the cover coming loose which may have facilitated the water entry. Have not had any issues with the replacement unit they sent me, but, have not had it in a deluge either. I'm thinking I can cover the majority of the unit with a Magnum Condom which should prevent wind driven water intrusion. Ready to test but no rain in the forecast.

 

[allrider]

Ray, buy a pair of Sena 20S's. Alex [Realtime Ind] will give you a forum discount.

1] Much better mic boom setup with lots of options

2] Better sound and wind reduction

3] You can setup the sena app on your honeys smart phone and control and understand the 20s easier

4] I don't think you use earphones but the 20s has a much better setup for that also

If you are going to use your radar detector, you will need a Sena SM10. In my case, I like the SM10 [that I have hardwired so that I don't have to charge it every night or two] for two reasons, the first is the use of my radar detector and the second is stereo music from my Garmin Zumo 550. Bluetooth from the 550 is mono but with hard wire to the SM10 I receive stereo music.

Hope this helps.

Now if you were a willing Pivot man all might be good...............

Thats a whole nuther thread that may only sidetrack this one...

 

[FJRay]

at this point I think the smh10 fits the budget better and will do the job. Gotta check my lotto tickets.

 

[jmdaniel]

I have a 20S, or had, as it's on its way back to Sena for a warranty return. Took it on a 4 day trip over Labor Day to the Ozarks, and the battery life, just using Bluetooth to my phone, was 12 hours, 6 hours, 5 hours, and the last day five hours, after which I plugged some earbuds into my 550, and finished the ride. Sena was good about issuing me an RMA, but getting brand new junk is getting more and more common.

 

[PhilJet09]

I'm going to beat the drum (again) about why everyone with an iPhone or Android smart phone goes to the trouble of powering and bluetooth connecting a dedicated GPS unit to the Sena when the phone will do everything the GPS does and a lot more.
With the latest hardware you can run multiple apps at once on your phone that gives you more flexibility and simplicity of connections. I've got an iPhone 6plus that runs the following apps simultaneously if necessary, and all I have to do is power one device and connect one device to the Sena:

1) SW Connect - no need for $100/year or more for SPOT. - Free

2) Navigon - off-network navigation for roads (maybe CoPilot is better - certainly its cheaper) - $30 for Western US and free lifetime updates

3) MotionX GPS for internal tracking and navigating in more remote areas - it updates real time instead of 5 minute intervals on Spotwalla and provides cool features for documenting your routes - Free - for $5 you can enable custom map downloads from multiple servers including USGS topo maps, world topo maps, and others.... - this is freakin' AWESOME!. MotionX can also be used to plot your tracks from GPX files - super easy and works great.

4) Waze if you want to use it instead of a nav package - free

5) Music - free (pretty much )

6) Phone

When I was in Mexico earlier this year on the ride that Beemerdons had set up (sorry again Don - we missed you!), one late afternoon we were wandering around the high hills (34 degrees!) and our guide had only a paper map that had yellow highlighter marking the route and no idea of where we actually were. The guys with Garmin GPS units showed a blue triangle on a blank white field that showed where we were but had no map on the device that showed any roads. With MotionX and the detailed topo map of Mexico that I had downloaded, I had the only device that plotted position against a map that actually told us where we were and how much further we had to go. It saved us from a lot of possible trouble that day.

I used the same setup this last week in central Oregon while riding in the hills around Bend and it proved to be great again. I had plots of roads and NF trails right on the phone instead of having to continually open up bulky paper maps and trail guides. When the week was over the guys I was with were convinced that this was the right way to go.

Sorry Ray for such a long-winded input, but in summary I'd suggest not worrying about a GPS and just use your phone for everything (of course assuming you've got a phone that supports GPS navigation).

I really need to look into an unlimited data plan.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Bluenose, call Sena. Their customer service is very good. I'd be surprised if they didn't send you a new unit with good battery.

That's the drawback to Sena. They're sort of glitchy. Add that to a glitchy GPS, and sometimes it's a little frustrating. Most times it's temporary, and usually fixed by cycling the units off and back on. I've had to hit the little reset button a couple times, but that fixes about everything I've experienced. I carry the manual with a small paperclip attached, just in case.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Why did I spring for a dedicated GPS when my iPhone 4s (now 5S) does it all? (And it DOES do it all: SW Connect, music, telephone, and I'm checking into audiobooks and podcasts.)

Because one summer afternoon in the middle of BFE, I came to an intersection and the phone didn't say anything. OK, go straight. Fifteen minutes later, same thing, but this time Hud the Stud gets smart and checks the phone.

Overheated. It stayed shut down for another 10 minutes before I could reboot it, and would have been longer if I hadn't stuck it in a convenience store beer cooler. I lost about an hour due to off track, find/visit the store, and no guidance system. Not happening again.

Might not be an issue outside the heaven-on-Earth that is the Southland.

 

[FJRay]

Ordered the stuff. In a few days I'll need some coaching on how to make the damn thing work.

 

[Uncle Hud]

Dare I say it? R T F M. Nah. FJRay seems like a good guy.

 

[Panman]

Patti does a good job of keeping him in line!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Ray, buy a pair of Sena 20S's. Alex [Realtime Ind] will give you a forum discount.
1] Much better mic boom setup with lots of options

2] Better sound and wind reduction

3] You can setup the sena app on your honeys smart phone and control and understand the 20s easier

4] I don't think you use earphones but the 20s has a much better setup for that also

If you are going to use your radar detector, you will need a Sena SM10. In my case, I like the SM10 [that I have hardwired so that I don't have to charge it every night or two] for two reasons, the first is the use of my radar detector and the second is stereo music from my Garmin Zumo 550. Bluetooth from the 550 is mono but with hard wire to the SM10 I receive stereo music.

Hope this helps.

Nice write up Pops!

--G

 

[Madmudder]

Ray, festar and I both bought sena20's last year. Festar had a sena 10 before he bought the 20. The biggest improvement we notice is that there is a significant reduction in wind noise when using the 20 over the 10. When we ride together without anyone else paired up there is no background noise, when we add a 10 to the network there is almost always crackling, and background noise along with constant wind noise. We both use the 20's to hear phones and gPS, festar has a Garmin, I use the TomTom. I don't do tunes,but can. I don't use the FM much, find it a pain in the ass. I use speakers in my helmet with ear plugs, works fine for me. May have a pair of custom earbuds made this winter in Daytona.

What he said +1 in addition I have received calls and the person I am speaking to has no idea I am riding my bike during the conversation.

 

[LittleJon]

I have the Sena 20s and was completely happy until this last trip. First, I couldn't seem to pair with Uncle Hud's Sena. It's likely I was doing something wrong, but the voice said "intercom pairing", so I don't know. On the (early) way home in the rain, it entered into a loop that I couldn't interrupt. It would say "group intercom pairing" then "canceled" over and over - very annoying. I couldn't even turn it off. I finally got it to turn off and rode in blissful silence until it stopped raining. Once it was dry again, I turned it on and it worked fine. Doesn't do me a lot of good if it doesn't work right in the weather.

I used my 20s for more than just music for the first time this weekend at EOM. I found it a little confusing to set up, but we managed, and I know that I just have to learn. One thing I did find though, Phil, was that in navigating the app on my smartphone, I found that there is a motion sensor in the unit. It was on by default, and I found that if I tapped my HELMET in the area around the unit, it would prompt it to try and do something. I don't remember exactly what it was, but it could have been "intercom pairing". I can see how rain pelting your helmet might cause it to do this. If you have the app on your phone you can go into setting and turn off the motion sensing. If you don't, I'm sure there's a way to do it manually.

Overall, I am very happy with the flexibility of the 20s.