What intercom sena SM20 vs interphone F5MC

[jimbo]

The autocom has died and its time to move into the Bluetooth world.

I think I've narrowed it down to Sena SM20 vs Interphone F5MC.

Both seem to get reviews and do the job well.
Anybody got any pros and cons before I buy? Currently I've got:

Interphone
Tried and trusted with a lot of happy people out ther
more fitting bits with in the price and bit cheaper
Bluetooth v3

Sena
Bluetooth v4 (does this matter?)
Good volume
Some feedback the the build quality is a bit pants.

Functionality speaking they appear well matched and both are over speced for listening to Radio/MP3 and intercom with pillion, which is what I'm after.


Any comments?

 

[Daffy]

Not tried the latest sena but the sena smh10 is the mutts nuts as far as I am concerned, great intercom, battery life, music and support from sena.

 

[Gargy]

I have the Sena SMH10, as do a few mates........... We are all looking to upgrade to the SMH20S, as these units have multi layered connections. As opposed to the SMH10 which interrupts bike to bike to give you GPS instructions.
Very happy with Sena kit................... But then I've never tried another make of blue tooth intercom.

 

[AdrianT]

I have the Sena SMH10, as do a few mates........... We are all looking to upgrade to the SMH20S, as these units have multi layered connections. As opposed to the SMH10 which interrupts bike to bike to give you GPS instructions.
Very happy with Sena kit................... But then I've never tried another make of blue tooth intercom.

F5mc doesn't work properly with Nav V at the moment. I am awaiting a firmware update to fix a2dp issues and allow the Nav v to act as a mp3 player etc. F5mc works fine with my phone. (Galaxy note 3)

Regards
Adrian

 

[Pukmeister]

I went from Autocom to Sena S20. Good kit but early teething troubles which will hopefully be sorted with firmware updates, and the flexibility/configuration of it gets a bit challenging for a Luddite like myself, hopefully it will become second nature with use.

 

[steve abel]

Adrian T I'm just finding this out now about the compatibility of the f5mc and the nav v. Have you had any luck with sorting it yet?

I'm just about to head off on a European road trip with a mate who has a scala g9x . I upgrade my f4xt to the f5mc so we can utilise the anycom but I now need to decide whether to get a refund on the F5 and take the f4 with me or take the f5 and not utilise all the features on my nav v but be able to comm with my mate. Tough decision.

 

[Blackal]

If you only ever travel with a pillion - it is less important, but if you travel with mates on their own bikes - you need to decide as a group, if you want to communicate using he Sena/Scala/Interphone.

Sena looks sleek, but battery is inside the helmet, I believe?

Al

 

[Pukmeister]

Sena looks sleek, but battery is inside the helmet, I believe?

Al

Al,
the Sena 20S has an internal battery within the unit. It seems to last forever on a full charge too, which is a bonus.

I think the Sena SMH10R may have a separate battery as the unit is super slim for sports bike riders (not to be confused with the SHM10).

The sound quality on the Sena 20S is very good, the noise cancelling likewise.

The early teething troubles I had have now been sorted under warranty by Sena.

 

[Umby64]

Good Morning,
by authorized seller Sena Cellularline that, I can say that they are two excellent products. But, like all new products marketed just have to be patient nell'acquistarli. They need a testing period (which is normally carried out by hasty). A dispassionate advice always waiting at least 6 months or 1 year before buying a new product.
I mean as a new product: a new product construction (electronics and functionality)
Example Sena 20S new product.
Cellularline F5MC upgraded product.
greetings Umby

 

[Popell]

Sena SMH10 here and loving it.. If the 20 is at least as good you will be happy.


BTW Anyone upgrading and want to move their 10 on, drop me a line - it's about time I let the wife in on the conversation

 

[topcat2006]

I've got an F5XT. Moved to it from a Scala Rider. I ride with a mate with an F4MC and my pillion also has an F5XT. It's a great piece of kit, easy to use, days of battery life, reliable and loud. I suffer from tinnitus and can hear it over this and fitted ear plugs!

If anyone wants to get rid of upgraded Interphone F3/F4/F5 drop me a line - could do with two more for my wife and daughter.....

 

[Shredder]

Pukmiester, I have a Starcom Digital and had recently upgraded my Zumo 550 for a 590 and am thinking of going Bluetooth, as they all seem to be designed with that in mind. How do you think the wired route compares to the Sema 20S? I looked at the 20S today and it looks good, but I wondered if the sound for music and calls was as good as wired or possibly better. Shredder

 

[Gordo]

Sena 20s or F5MC

Just purchased the interphone F5mc and delighted with the Bluetooth coms. There are 3 of us who ride together and found the F5mc to be a good all rounder.
Was thinking of the Sena 20s which is the latest technology and seems to have some good functions.
The only reason I did not choose the sena was the reply from the support desk who informed me not to take the sena out when it rains as the sena will likely get wet and short the internal electrics out. It is not water proof!!
I might add the F5mc is fully IP67 rated and solely for this reason got the F5mc.

Has anyone used a Sena 20s and had it fail when caught riding in the rain?

 

[Gargy]

Just purchased the interphone F5mc and delighted with the Bluetooth coms. There are 3 of us who ride together and found the F5mc to be a good all rounder.
Was thinking of the Sena 20s which is the latest technology and seems to have some good functions.
The only reason I did not choose the sena was the reply from the support desk who informed me not to take the sena out when it rains as the sena will likely get wet and short the internal electrics out. It is not water proof!!
I might add the F5mc is fully IP67 rated and solely for this reason got the F5mc.

Has anyone used a Sena 20s and had it fail when caught riding in the rain?

Three of us took the 20s around the Pyrenees last year. We had a day of torrential rain in the mountains, and the units worked flawlessly................. Just like the SMH10 before them.

 

[Gordo]

Three of us took the 20s around the Pyrenees last year. We had a day of torrential rain in the mountains, and the units worked flawlessly................. Just like the SMH10 before them.

Good to hear your Sena 20s worked well after getting wet and no issues.
As said I liked the sena but was put off from Sena's own help desk telling me not to ride in heavy rain which put me off from buying it sadly.

Thx

 

[Max_W]

Another vote for the F5MC. It's a pisser that it doesn't play nicely with the Nav 5 at the moment, but that doesn't bother me because it is so good in every other way, and I'm happy to use the Nav 5 just visually. The iPhone music streaming, FM radio and bike to bike radio functions on the F5MC work really well and the battery lasts for ages (often up to 2 weeks of daily commuting 50 miles each way while streaming music).