New Sena 20s Bluetooth Intercom with FM tuner

Was thinking of picking up a pair of these. Has anyone removed the speakers and just used the earbud port? If so, did it stop the FM radio reception? What about water ingress in the (now unsealed) port where the speakers normally plug in?

Cheers,
Dae.
 
I've just done exactly that, I put a piece of blu-tack as a soft mouldable filler into the vacant cable hole for the speakers then sealed it over with aluminium tape. Should keep dirt and water out. Radio still works fine with no speakers.


Sent via my iThingumabob
 
Hi there Pukmeister, I need to exchange mine too - I contacted the Sena EU shop and they've sent me an RMA and a Fedex label - just wanted to ask if you (or anyone else that has returned a set) sent back the entire unit including the helmet mount/mic assy, or just the device itself.

thanks,
Pukmeister said:
Update:

I now have a set of replacement units thanks to the importers, have updated the firmware to version 1.2 and I'm about to start testing the units to see if the issues I had are resolved. The good news is that the audio quality with in-ear monitors is now clear and free of interference.
Click to expand...
 
Berin said:
Hi there Pukmeister, I need to exchange mine too - I contacted the Sena EU shop and they've sent me an RMA and a Fedex label - just wanted to ask if you (or anyone else that has returned a set) sent back the entire unit including the helmet mount/mic assy, or just the device itself.

thanks,
Click to expand...

They sent me a complete set.....and never collected the old one!!!
 
Having just read this whole thread, and having the constant interference issue while using my Ultimate ear monitors, I thought I'd give Fast Bike Bits a e mail concerning my 20s.

Sent the e mail at 20:30 tonight, and within 30 minutes I had a reply stating if I send mine back, they will send me a new set..................... How's that for great service ! !

Fast Bike Bits.................. Recommended +++
 
Berin, I got a call from the UK importers based near to me in Southampton offering to replace mine on behalf of the original sellers (intobikes.co.uk) as they were returning from a bike show and were going to pass close to my address. I took them up on it and they brought two new Bluetooth helmet units only, then took away my existing units. I kept the original box and all parts except the Bluetooth sets.

I believe that intobikes are dropping Sena products due to the trouble this issue has caused them as they sold a lot of 1406xxx units to upset customers which now need replacing.

FWIW I think that (other than FM radio reception issues) the replacement 1408 units are very good with no problems concerning my Ultimate Ears custom moulded monitors.
 
Well, I figured it out in the end. Sena Europe arranged for FedEx to send me a FedEx label, I called FedEx who then arranged a next day pick up. As soon as FedEx had picked the package up, I got another email from FedEx saying a package was on it's way to me, and it arrived the next day. Basically I got my whole kit back, less the Sena units and helmet clamps, with new units and helmet clamps in separate boxes.

I downloaded the latest Sena device manager and did the firmware upgrade to 1.2.
I then downloaded the latest smartphone app and configured the units. Helpfully, the vibration sensor (tap to activate) now has a disable feature, which I duly disabled. This was what kept activating the device during high speed riding. I set the radio to Europe and set the frequencies, added my speed dial numbers, and then paired my IPhone 5s as a mobile phone, and the Zumo 590 as a GPS. I don't remember having pair as GPS before (just pair as second mobile) but it may have been there. I then paired the two Sena devices together using the NFC (shaking) method.

I installed the clamp in the helmet, Shoei Neotec, using the wired boom mic. Previously I had used the boom mic, but using the wired boom mic does a better job.

I've road tested music from the iPhone, very clear and loud enough to be heard through earplugs using the speakers if the volume on the iPhone is turned up full, and the music quality using my ultimate ear ear buds is now outstanding. GPS interrupts music, phone interrupts music, phone call quality is good enough that the other caller would have no idea you are on a bike.

The blight of the last devices were that GPS interrupted intercom. I haven't tested that yet, but so far very pleased and worth the faffing.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
My original 20s have been sent back to FASTBIKEBITS Wrexham last week who I must say have been absolutely marvellous. Just as soon as my old kit hit their floor they mailed another set out with the latest hardware. To be fair Sena also replied to my mails and said they would replace if I had no joy with my e bay seller FASTBIKEBITS. The Wrexham boys had replied and sorted everything before I had a reply from Sena.
Just looking forward to the success your having with it now.
Just a minor point, have the instructions changed then regarding GPs and "second phone" or did you just do it that way?
Thank you FastBikeBits. :beer:
 
Got my replacement units from Cliff at Adventure Bike Shop yesterday. Cheers mate. :)

The new units are great. No interference, FM radio lots better and I am really delighted.

I have my phone paired with my Zumo, the Zumo paired to my 20S as "phone selective pairing" with the Bluetooth audio output from the Zumo for just the phone.

The main audio from the Zumo (nav and music) goes out via the cradle, plugged into a Sena SM10. This is paired with both headsets using "media selective pairing " so directions and music sent to both me and Mrs Monty.

I converted the SM10 to come on and off with the ignition so it is fit and forget under the seat. Pairs automatically each time with no drama.

The reason for this complex setup is that whilst music pairing worked fine it did not share the directions as they were sent via the "phone" protocol and went only to me. Mrs Monty just got silence as the music paused to give me the instruction. She likes to know when I make mistakes with the route so she can mock me. :D

Matt
 
So gents, where are we with these units please?

I'm on the verge of ditching my Scala units and quite fancied the Sena but, having read (some excellent reports) about the units made/sold up to July, find it appalling that any company would release what looks like a very problematic product.

Before I look to fork out £400+ I really do need to know they do what they say on the box.

1. Are the problems resolved ?
2. Are they worth the £££'s ?

Ta
 
Sunny Jim said:
So gents, where are we with these units please?

I'm on the verge of ditching my Scala units and quite fancied the Sena but, having read (some excellent reports) about the units made/sold up to July, find it appalling that any company would release what looks like a very problematic product.

Before I look to fork out £400+ I really do need to know they do what they say on the box.

1. Are the problems resolved ?
2. Are they worth the £££'s ?

Ta
Click to expand...

Yes on both counts from me. They had some issues but have resolved them and I am delighted with how it all works. I think they went through a "beta tester" phase to make BMW owners feel at home. :)

Matt
 
Yes, I would say so. Sound is very good - better than my autocom wired, battery life is good, speakers are good. There were a few issues early on but he latest firmware, (and a unit switch replacement in some cases) seemed to solve the problems.


Sunny Jim said:
So gents, where are we with these units please?

I'm on the verge of ditching my Scala units and quite fancied the Sena but, having read (some excellent reports) about the units made/sold up to July, find it appalling that any company would release what looks like a very problematic product.

Before I look to fork out £400+ I really do need to know they do what they say on the box.

1. Are the problems resolved ?
2. Are they worth the £££'s ?

Ta
Click to expand...
 
Sunny Jim said:
So gents, where are we with these units please?

I'm on the verge of ditching my Scala units and quite fancied the Sena but, having read (some excellent reports) about the units made/sold up to July, find it appalling that any company would release what looks like a very problematic product.

Before I look to fork out £400+ I really do need to know they do what they say on the box.

1. Are the problems resolved ?
2. Are they worth the £££'s ?

Ta
Click to expand...

Just returned from a weeks touring, using my 20S for music and phone (no pillion or bike-to-bike).

The unit was superb, although I got some funny looks when double tapping the unit to activate voice commands (in order to tell the unit to skip music tracks on my iPhone, or to tell it to speed dial the missus).

Battery life was good, it lasted 11 hours constant use before a recharge.

I used it in torrential rain without issues (in ear monitors with the speaker port plugged with Blu tack and taped over.)

A shame my early unit was rubbish, but I am now delighted with its replacement.

Are the problems resolved? Yes, most definitely.
Are they worth the £££ ? It depends on your budget.
 
Thanks for taking your time to reply chaps - appreciate it - will be looking around for prices :thumb2

One question I forgot...how does the FM radio part of it perform? Marks out of 10 please.

Jim
 
Not used the radio much yet, but I would give it 7/10 so far. It works but I found it a bit fiddly to change channels etc.

Matt
 
Now the dust seems to have settled with the Sena 20S, would it be a viable alternative to my Autocom setup? Currently I'm using an Autocom SPA with a Zumo 550 and a Kenwood radio, I tried linking the Autocom to the Zumo with an Autocom BT-02 bluetooth module but the sound quality was (to my ears) just not acceptable so finally settled with all the hard wiring options, is the Sena 20S substantially better?

My Autocom setup works perfectly, I can put up with being wired to the bike, but I'm considering swapping to the new GS LC and also go for the Nav 5 at the same time ... but I'd be stuck with BT connections that so far I haven't been impressed with. Am I correct in thinking that a Sena 20S with the SR10 radio adapter would fulfil my needs and still retain the PTT Kenwood function, and importantly ... would the sound quality be close or equal to that of the Autocom SPA?
 
Bobbin-Man said:
Now the dust seems to have settled with the Sena 20S, would it be a viable alternative to my Autocom setup?
Click to expand...

I had a Starcom digital wired system on my TC GSA, which worked fine with decent music quality, although I do think you need earbuds with any system to have good music quality at speed. I had the normal issues with cables and connectors failing, but every system has it's weak spots.
I would say the sound on the Sena is as good if not better than the Starcom, which was at least as good as the Autocom I had before that, battery life is good - lasts all of a long riding day - and no wiring needed. I haven't used the SR10, but it's got a mini DIN input, so you'd need a cable from the Kenwood to the SR10 and it wouldn't power the radio the same way the Autocom battery eliminator does. It has PTT input too. I've got Kenwood radio's too, but I now use the Bluetooth intercom from the Sena, which also works with other bluetooth headsets, allegedly.

For me it was an easy choice as I have more than one bike and the Sena is portable and provided the same or better sound quality.
 
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