Which Sena kit with Shoei Neotec?

[paul08]

I've just taken my Neotec apart (as far as I could) and I really can't see how you could install a battery in there. Besides, would that not compromise the integral safety cushioning that the helmet provides?

What exactly did Sena say?

Has anyone installed their battery into their helmet?

This was their emailed response:

"Dean, May 02 14:31 (PDT):
Hi,

Thanks for the email.

It is recommended that you mount the battery outside rear of the helmet. However, if you have a space to mount inside you have this option.

Sincerely,

Dean
Technical Support Engineer
Sena Technologies, Inc."

The battery is very slim and I am hoping that I can find a sliver of space to tuck it inside. (Haven't tried yet, as I only got my intercoms in today's post). But if it won't fit, I don't actually see the batteries being mounted on the exterior as an issue, given the size/low profile. But I will take some time to hide the wiring.

 

[MrB-239]

Thanks for the update. I'm very interested in how you get on with the installation.

I've been trying myself with an old (phone) battery which I think is approx the same size as the 10R battery, and there is no way I can see how it will fit inside the Neotec - unless I start cutting out some of the hard foam padding - which would not be a good idea.

So if I do buy the 10R, it will be mounted on outside. Still deliberating between the SMH5 or the SMH10R so would love any feedback / pictures of other folks installs.

Ta

 

[paul08]

MrB: just fitted the SMH10R's to both my helmet and my wife's. The battery ended up on the outside! Why, because I could not find a sufficient space at the rear of the helmet to take the battery and the Sena manual aslo says that the battery operates best at between 15 and 25 degC. I was a little concernned that it might overheat if I placed it inside the helmet. That said, it has been continuously over 30 degC here in Germany for the last 3 or 4 weeks, so I hope that the slipstream provides some air cooling to the battery!!!

Have also ordered the earbud adaptor, as I prefer decent quality earbuds to speakers mounted in the helmet.

The installation was easy and relatively painless though and the installation looks neat enough to satisfy me.

Now to see how well it works!!

 

[JKW]

I've seriously been considering buying the SMH10 - but when I look at the pictures, it's like a hug carbuncle on the side of the helmet. It does not look good. The new SMH10R is a lovely slim-line unit (with the same functionality of the 10) but only when you start to look into it in detail, there's an additional external battery you have to strap on the back of your helmet - which seems to defeat the purpose.

So I think I'll go for the SMH5 like you JKW. Any chance of a picture? It would be nice to see how the 5 looks on the Neotec.

Ta

Sorry Mr B - somehow missed your question about a pic... basically it's not a 'looker' and the SMH10R is much neater - apart from that thorny issue about where do you put the battery - if it's external then what's the point?

Having lived with the SMH5 for a while now I can confirm that a) when you're wearing the helmet you can't see the Sena unit at all ...and b) the 'chunkiness' means that you can very easily use it in the move - the disadvantage of the 10R is that you have to 'site' your gloved fingers on the unit first and then find the right one of three buttons to press - with the original units its all in the jog wheel which is dead easy to hit or twist without fiddling around.

I'm delighted with it - also like the fact that I can simply plug the unit without taking it off the lid to recharge and its very convenient to be able to use my bog-standard micro USB phone charger or charge from the PC with a USB/micro lead rather than have to keep a dedicated lead like I did with my Caberg unit.

 

[MrB-239]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the details. I am quite surprised to find that Sena produce a battery that has its main operating efficiency between 15 and 25 degrees C. That's all very well if you live in California but not so great for us Northern Europeaners! Especially when it's designed to be mounted outside.

Hi JKW,

Thanks too for the feedback. I am still torn between the 5 and 10R. Will need to sleep on it a while longer again before a part with me readies! (or maybe a glass or two of the ol' Vino collapso!)
One question for you, what do you connect to it? At the moment my requirements are an iPhone (for music and very occasional phone call) and directions from a Zumo Nav system. I think I read somewhere that you have to be careful in which order you connect them as the GPS voice can 'turn off' the music and requires a manual restart of the music - which would be annoying.

I'm kinda new to this forum but the help so far has been tremendous. Thanks chaps

 

[paul08]

I have my headset (Sena SMH10R)/Nav IV connected as follows:

* iPhone to Nav IV
* Headset A to Headset B (the pillion)
* Headset A to Nav IV

The intention being that I can handle any incoming calls via the Nav IV, using the headset to hear & speak. (I have no intention of making outgoing calls on the move). Music will come from the Nav IV, streamed to Headset A. Plus intercom between Headsets A & B.

(it fact, this arrangement features as one of the case studies in the Sena user guide.