Sena 20S Bluetooth Helmet Communication System
I have tried several communication options over the years from early units that where wired to each others helmets (don't forget to disconnect before one of you gets off the bike....) to marginal at best units that could be used with great success if you where not moving and the bike was off.....
My wife and I like to have the option to talk to each other while on the ride as well as I like to listen to my music and want the option to take and place a phone call cruising down the road. After many product reviews read and talking to other riders, I decided to give the latest offering from Sena a try and here is what I have found.
My wife and I like to have the option to talk to each other while on the ride as well as I like to listen to my music and want the option to take and place a phone call cruising down the road. After many product reviews read and talking to other riders, I decided to give the latest offering from Sena a try and here is what I have found.
The new Sena 20S has a dizzying array of features that I had never thought of when considering communication headsets before.
Some of the highlights for this model are the new Bluetooth 4.0 This allows you to run multiple tasks such as GPS, music, phone ect. at the same time plus more.
Bluetooth communications between not only Sena products but other brands as well. This is super convenient in group rides.
Complete voice recognition system so you can concentrate on the road instead of fumbling around trying to remember what button does what.
Built in FM radio with presets.
Standard cell phone charging
Cell phone app for adjusting settings and easy presetting for FM radio stations.
An ambient microphone so you can switch to hearing what is going on outside the helmet. This is cool for having a conversation with someone without taking your helmet off first.
I have just started using the new system and honestly there is a lot to learn if you want to take full advantage of what it can do. If you are just interested in have good communications and access to music and GPS directions, then this is really easy to do. The first this that you notice when you open the box is all of the options that this Dual Pack comes with.
Bluetooth communications between not only Sena products but other brands as well. This is super convenient in group rides.
Complete voice recognition system so you can concentrate on the road instead of fumbling around trying to remember what button does what.
Built in FM radio with presets.
Standard cell phone charging
Cell phone app for adjusting settings and easy presetting for FM radio stations.
An ambient microphone so you can switch to hearing what is going on outside the helmet. This is cool for having a conversation with someone without taking your helmet off first.
I have just started using the new system and honestly there is a lot to learn if you want to take full advantage of what it can do. If you are just interested in have good communications and access to music and GPS directions, then this is really easy to do. The first this that you notice when you open the box is all of the options that this Dual Pack comes with.
There are chargers, 3 options for microphones including the static boom mic, wired boom mic and a wired mic. so you can configure it to most helmets. Many options for mounting the HD speakers or you can even run ear buds if you want to block more road noise. Super detailed instructions and more.
To mount this to my helmet, you just loosen the screws on the clamp, slide it onto the edge of your helmet and tighten with the provided allen wrench. You will most likely want to mount is on the left side of the helmet so you can use the buttons and jog dial while riding.
To mount this to my helmet, you just loosen the screws on the clamp, slide it onto the edge of your helmet and tighten with the provided allen wrench. You will most likely want to mount is on the left side of the helmet so you can use the buttons and jog dial while riding.
I then had to make a small notch in the pad mounts on my helmet to get the wires through for the speakers.
Every helmet is different but most have removable pads and this allows you to hide the speaker wires behind the padding.
I got both of our helmets hooked up and paired to each other. I also paired the 20S to my phone for music, GPS and phone calls.
The first couple of rides I did where by my self so I was able to listen to music and GPS directions and play with the radio. This unit is a huge leap forward from my previous units. The FM radio has a flip up antenna and you can use the seek function or download the app for your smart phone and program your favorite stations that way.
The sound quality was vastly superior to my old set and I placed and received several phone calls. Not one person I talked to while riding the bike at speeds up to 75mph could believe that I was on a motorcycle while talking to them. It was that clear.
I have ridden with my wife several times now and she is happy with the ease of use on 20s verses our old set. We are both getting used to the voice commands but once you do, this is a great feature. When set up, you can simply say "Hello Sena" and it will prompt you into your voice options. You can control just about all of your features with the voice commands from answering the phone, change a song on your music, contact others that you are paired with and even check your remaining battery charge.
The sound quality when paired to others is much better than other systems I have used. Before, my wife would have to turn off the communications if we where going faster than about 40mph because of the wind noise.
I have not tested these units out in a group ride yet but I did have my wife use her set while staying at home and I rode away on the bike to check distance. I live at the bottom of a hill and rode away from the house through some other hills. I was able to still communicate with her for about 3/4 of a mile with out any trouble. The system is rated to 1.2 miles but I think that would be with line of site. Still, 3/4 of a mile is not bad in a hilly area.
There is much more to explore with these new units and I will be trying my best to master all of its features. I did notice when I downloaded the Sena app to my phone and connected it to the set, it let me know that there is a firmware update available. Another nice feature.
You can find the 20s Dual Pack online for about $500. This may sound like a lot of money, but the features that this one offers are huge. It would be hard to go on rides now without this unit with me. I'm a happy customer for sure, partly because my wife is much happier now that we have a good communication set up.
Here is a link to the Sena site. 20S - Sena
This is a link to the entire write up with comments and follow up. http://www.riderforums.com/general-mean-streak/82935-sena-20s-bluetooth-review.html
I have ridden with my wife several times now and she is happy with the ease of use on 20s verses our old set. We are both getting used to the voice commands but once you do, this is a great feature. When set up, you can simply say "Hello Sena" and it will prompt you into your voice options. You can control just about all of your features with the voice commands from answering the phone, change a song on your music, contact others that you are paired with and even check your remaining battery charge.
The sound quality when paired to others is much better than other systems I have used. Before, my wife would have to turn off the communications if we where going faster than about 40mph because of the wind noise.
I have not tested these units out in a group ride yet but I did have my wife use her set while staying at home and I rode away on the bike to check distance. I live at the bottom of a hill and rode away from the house through some other hills. I was able to still communicate with her for about 3/4 of a mile with out any trouble. The system is rated to 1.2 miles but I think that would be with line of site. Still, 3/4 of a mile is not bad in a hilly area.
There is much more to explore with these new units and I will be trying my best to master all of its features. I did notice when I downloaded the Sena app to my phone and connected it to the set, it let me know that there is a firmware update available. Another nice feature.
You can find the 20s Dual Pack online for about $500. This may sound like a lot of money, but the features that this one offers are huge. It would be hard to go on rides now without this unit with me. I'm a happy customer for sure, partly because my wife is much happier now that we have a good communication set up.
Here is a link to the Sena site. 20S - Sena
This is a link to the entire write up with comments and follow up. http://www.riderforums.com/general-mean-streak/82935-sena-20s-bluetooth-review.html
