Sunday, September 16, 2012

Sena SMH10 - Keeping it Simple

We recently received a pair of Sena SMH10 BT3.0 bluetooth headset and intercoms as a gift and although I've been anxious to try them out, I had to first figure them out.



I am not particularly a gadget guru or electronics wizard by any means, mechanically inclined sure, but when it comes to new fangled electronic devices my patience wears thin, fast. So it better work right and it better work right now.




So I took both units out of the box, read the first page or two of directions and went after getting them charged. Although unlike Chris' report from Everyday Riding, ours came with two 12v power outlet chargers and not a wall charger his did, which I found to be odd. Fortunately our phone charger fits and works just fine, but if we absolutely need to we can charge both units while we ride... once I wire a 12v outlet to Brandy's bike (mechanically inclined +1).

Mounted to my helmet, (below my GoPro camera mount).


While the units charged I mounted the bases to our helmets, tucked the ear pieces inside and ran the wires along the helmet lining. The mounting bracket slides between the helmet shell and liner then fastens like a clamp with a couple of allen screws (easy mounting +1).

Stock photo from senabluetooth.com


Once both units were charged we hooked them up, donned our helmets in the house and tested them. The first push of the button we were welcomed by a soft spoken female voice and cheerful "hello" greeting, next I was in crystal clear communication with Brandy.  Where the Sena excels is that both units came from the factory paired with each other, way to keep it simple. Sonja also praised the simplicity of the Sena in her blog.

For the past several years, we've been using walkie talkie type radios with push to talk buttons on the handlebars requiring too many wires, not only tethering our helmets to our handlebars but literally tethering us to our bikes. Whenever we wanted to stop and take a picture we'd have to untangle ourselves, dismount, unplug our helmets, take a photo, walk back, plug our helmet back in, mount our bikes and make sure our wires were out of harms way in order to ride safely. We've had to replace two microphones because of fragile soldering and delicate wiring, the last one broke on our trip home from Enterprise, I could hear Bobskoot and Brandy talking but I couldn't verbally respond, relying only on hand signals and head nods.

Apropos

The Sena eliminates all of this and gives us the ultimate freedom from wires, cords, buttons and radio mounting locations in exchange for just a few ounces on the left side of our helmets. I can't even begin to describe how well designed and fantastically simple the Sena is, we went for a ride today using the VOX feature and it took both of us several miles before we finally re-trained ourselves not to reach for the phantom PTT button. We could both talk without having to cue the microphone, wait for the delay or have to talk over the hiss of the radio interference. We talked to each other today in normal conversation tone and volume and it was wonderful. Although the Sena is capable of so much more with its other bluetooth features, I'm happy simply using it as we did today.

Thank you Santa and thank you Sena.






24 comments:

  1. For us the Sena SMH10 set was one of the best purchases we ever made for our motorcycling. They are so easy to use and reliable, we use them on all our rides.

    It makes for a much better motorcycling experience for two! Love them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I never knew that an electronic device could make my life so much simpler, usually they cause nothing but frustration. This was well thought out and implemented.

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  2. Brad
    I love the sticker on the back of your helmet. I got into trouble typing this cause I wasn't listening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, she knows that if I'm preoccupied either on the computer or reading something that I'm not listening, she is very patient with me.

      Delete
  3. Troubadour:

    I like your sticker too. Unfortunately I have the IMC-camos BT unit as I wanted to be able to communiate using FRS/GMRS radios. Until now you could only pair with one other unit which made it difficult when you have more than 2 riders. The BT3.0 can pair with 4 units total.

    I like to hear traffic reports so I stream radio AM/FM using a BTA: Bluetooth adapter. I don't think you are as helpless as you make out to be. I will have a Sena the next time I ride to Oregon. I too used to have a wired system and the wires were a nuisance

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Bob, I bought the FRS/GMRS radios a few years ago when I was doing more group riding to be in contact with other riders who had chatterboxes or similar radios. Now just the two of us are riding together so the Sena is perfect for what we need. Although I don't listen to music or use the phone while riding, it is good to have the capabilities to receive calls or check road reports while stopped for a break. You're right, I'm not helpless as you said, I just prefer simplicity.

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  4. I have been thinking of the Sena unit after reading Chris' review and now yours just adds more. But I may wait until I replace my helmet as the chin guard touches my chin. I've since read that I have the wrong shape head for my helmet. Can you hear the speakers even with earplugs on?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a long, oval head shape and had difficulty fitting helmets until I talked to the Arai representative at the Seattle M/C show. He measured my head and recommended the Arai Profile, I've been happy ever since. Try several helmets on, wear them for several minutes and make sure they feel comfortable, good luck in your search.
      Yes, wearing earplugs actually makes it easier to hear the speakers by blocking wind noise. I always wear earplugs when I ride and I can hear Brandy perfectly, even if I'm not listening ;)

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  5. Brad - glad to hear you can hear even with earplugs because that was the problem I had with my blue tooth device. I also found mine would run out and need recharging before the day was done (I only have Garmin Dan to listen to when I travel, but like to hear him when I need to.) I also found it hard to find somewhere to mount it on the helmet because I am using a modular helmet, but managed to get it to stick to the back. How long will the charge last?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I don't know how long the charge will last, the box says 12 hour talk time and that's a lot of listening. I'm sure I would certainly tire long before the Sena. Check out Sonja's photos, she mounted hers to a modular helmet.

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  6. +1 to what Guido said. It enhances the couple riding experience, even when one party doesn't listen all the time ;-)

    We use the on/off button, not the voice activation and so the devices last us a whole riding day without recharge. I am not a fan of electronic gadgets (especially not on the bike) but the Sena is a must have.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I think for long road trips we would switch to PTT to save the battery charge but for an afternoon jaunt about town it is sure nice to use the VOX feature. I agree it is a must have.

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  7. Geoff and I are both using them and think they are great...amount time you caught onto the modern world, love the sticker by the way,.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I can still be a smart phone hold out by keeping my antiquated flip phone.

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    2. Snap, I've only got a flip phone too. I love gadgets but all I want a mobile phone for is talking and texting!

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    3. You can talk on a smart phone!? Need to try that one of these days...

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    4. Geoff:

      I have a smart phone that I use as a mini computer. You mean I can make phone calls too ?

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

      Delete
  8. Regarding battery time: we generally have the channel open for the full day and didn't have issues even on an 11 hour day in the wine country. Just worked.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That is awesome, I'm liking these Senas more and more.

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    2. I second Guido. We never ran out of power on our SMH5 even with 12+ hour days...even when we left the device on during breaks.

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  9. Troubadour:

    what about those of use who don't have a riding partner ? I've got no one to talk to, that's why I stream music into my IMC-Camos BT unit. I only need a unit for when I come to Oregon . . .

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hmmm, I wonder if we have a charger that would work. Ours came with a USB and a 12v chargers. Silly that it doesn't come with a regular outlet.

    Agreed it's really nice not having all the wires hanging about. We couldn't get VOX to work when we first set it up, and haven't tried again since. Gotta say though, we really like the Senas

    ReplyDelete

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