Which Sena model to get?

[kioolt]

I will be taking delivery of a 2018 R1200RT Tuesday and I need to know which Sena bluetooth headset to get.  My requirements are as follows


1.  Voice activated rider to passenger intercom. 
2.  Audio from Nav VI (rider only if possible).
3.  Audio from built in bike radio (AM,FM.SAT) (Rider and passenger).
4.  Two way audio for phone (rider only necessary).


I do not need the ability to connect to other bikes since the wife and I always ride alone on the same bike.


I have heard that some bluetooth headsets will not work when being charged so it would be nice to be able to charge while riding if necessary.  We ride from sunup to sunset when traveling and listen to the radio all the time.  We currently have a wired J & M system but I would like to cut the cord with this new bike.


What do the forum members recommend?

[Steve F]

Hi kioolt,
I can recommend the Cardo Scala intercom. I use the Q3 variant which comfortably handles the criteria you’ve listed. I use a Nav 5 and use the built-in FM radio in the intercom unit (as I didn’t bother with getting the bike radio option on my RT). Admittedly, I haven’t put charging whilst riding to the test as my intercom will last 8+ hours on one charge (which is mainly chatting to the wife on her bike). All in all, I’m happy with the set-up.

[smileymiley]

Autocom SPA never needs charging!

[kioolt]

[size=2px]Steve F[/size]



Thanks for the recommendation.  You say you use the built in FM.  I would like to use the bikes radio, mainly the Sirius radio.  Will the Scala allow me the do that and do you think that receiving a continuous stream from the radio would shorten the battery life of the Scala?  Would the intercom override the radio when in use?

[Steve F]

That’s okay. Unfortunately I can’t comment reliably about streaming the bike radio to the Scala. All I do know is that the Scala is great at recognising external devices via Bluetooth (iPhone and Nav 5 being case in point with my set up), and of course with other Scala intercoms. As regards the intercom overriding the (built in) radio, then yes, incoming sat nav, phone or other user can override it.

[septikangel]

Have used wired J&M audio on my 'wing, but junked it to use Sena 20S.  Never looked back.
The J&M was only good for the one bike, but me and the missus enjoy conversation on whatever bike we ride now, which includes our own 2018 RT using my Nav VI. (rider only receives satnav instructions)
Still getting used to the new Nav and keep having to pair each time between the Nav unit and the Sena, but will learn how to correct this I'm sure.
It has its own built in FM which works very well individually.
Voice activated conversation is very clear between the two of us, even when she jumps on someone elses bike.  Just as long as I can see that other bike, perhaps no more than quarter mile away, the clarity is amazing. 
So rider to pillion, or rider to my missus as pillion on another bike, it works well 
Phone answering is simple and very clear too, though I've never made a call while riding.  Voice activated orders were a bit hit and miss (scouse accent) so I hardly bothered with that option.
Pillion has own control of their own music from their phone, their own FM choices on the radio and their own phone use.
Recommended.
I did look at the SRL unit for Shoei Neotec2 helmets, but there is no jack plug facility for in ear speakers with the SRL, which I do use with the 20S.  The 20S facilitates this option which I choose, as it eliminates wind and road noise so well.  That's not to say the 20S speakers are poor, they're actually very good, much better than the J&M speakers I previously used.
Oh and battery life is excellent, toured Europe to Italy and back, being in the saddle all day for 350 miles sometimes and just charged up at hotel each night. Won't stretch to second day without a charge though, so always charge each night.

[LAF]

We have 30's and the Mesh intercom is fantastic.  The FM is nice.  It pairs to other Sena's well woks well with the Nav VI and Nav V Patricia uses.
That said if I had a do over I would do 20's as Patricia and I do not need all the goodies the 30 brings to the table.

[kioolt]

I've been looking on the Sena website and there are so many choices it has me confused.  I'm not familiar with Bluetooth terminology so that's why I'm trying to find out more here before I buy something that won't do what I need it to.

[Sleuth]

I have the SMH10 (really old model so don't go with it!)


My experiences with Scala Rider & Sena:


I had the Card Scala Rider G4, and had no end of trouble with it.  It spent more time in the shop being replaced / updated etc than attached.  I know some people have good experiences with their Scala Rider, but I am loathe to try them again.


The Sena.  After a good number of years it is starting to warrant replacement.  It worked straight out of the box, and linked easily to the Navigator 4.  I used the voice activation to talk to the boss, the only time I did not hear her was when the GPS was giving instructions.  During the ride to work, I listen to music.  It is only now that the music has difficulty in connecting.


I use the phone connection via the GPS, and it seems to work without issues. (I hardly every use that function.)


Yes, you can charge on the move, I have never tried it.  The Sena power connector is the larger sized version rather than the BMW smaller connector. I have only once after a very long day of riding had my GPS give up the ghost on me.


I am currently researching a replacement intercom.  I have narrowed it down to three options.  The Autocom SPA, the Sena 30K or 20S.


In short, if you are looking only at wireless.  Go with Sena, and choose from the 30K or 20S  The 30K is about €50 more expensive than the 20S.


In terms of Bluetooth terminology, the higher the number the newer it is.  It will have better power management, capabilities etc.  Hopefully better connectivity, there isn't a real standard for communication.  It is getting that way, but everyone puts their own unique stamp on the connection and so it is not easy to connect Sena to Scala Rider or Interphone.


As with all things - you pays your money and takes your chances!


Good luck.
Sleuth

[CliveJ]

I can recommend the [font=&amp][size=13px][align=left][size=17px]Sena SMH10R-01 Low Profile Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset/Intercom, it replaced a failed Sharktooth under warranty.  I found it links up to all connected devices easily, has a good battery life, the outside unit it is slim. I use this a lot connected to a Sena Bluetooth hub which has a two way radio connected for my motorcycle escort duties.  The unit allows for connection to audio earplugs if you have them, the ear speakers are slightly larger but thinner than my old unit & the sound is good without the need for full volume.[/align]

[T6pilot]

I went with a schubert C4 with built in sena system, did lose some of the wonder wheel functions(thanks Bmw) wireless remote takes over those functions, radio, phone and intercom work fine

[kioolt]

From what I have read about using other than BMW's bluetooth headset it appears that with the Sena the wonderwheel would not control the volumn of the bike's audio going to the headset.  It that true?

[beemer dood]

I use and recommend the Sena 20S.  I only rarely listen to the built-in radio on the bike, but have, at times.  Usually I'm listening to music that I've put on a chip in the Garmin Nav VI.

You can charge the Sena at the same time that you're listening to it.  I use a very small auxiliary battery that I keep in a chest pocket, when it needs it.  Usually I charge it overnight and it lasts for a full day of riding.  Several times I've forgotten to charge it overnight, and it lasted for about 8 hours the next day before it shut off. 

[bushbikie]

From what I have read about using other than BMW's bluetooth headset it appears that with the Sena the wonderwheel would not control the volumn of the bike's audio going to the headset.  It that true?

That is true. Volume on the Sena is controlled by the jog wheel on the 20S unit. If you want to you can buy a Sena remote unit that can clip onto your handlebars for volume control. Model is RC4. My handlebars don't have any spare real estate as I have big mitts.

Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

[peteandalex]

huya ive just got my 2014 lc rt and love it I have the pack talk duo and does almost every thing I am having problems with the bike side of connection ive been told you can't connect bikes radio to packtalk I connected packtalk to bike then to sat nav vi then phone to nav all works except bike side of it but got sd card of music on nav so use that music