Bluetooth motorcycle helmet intercom giant Sena has added two new headsets that eliminate the bulky external modules and are ideal for sleek open-face helmets.
Sena Australia spokesperson Tracey Pola estimates their first shipment will arrive in May 2021, “all going well with ocean freight”.
Pricing will be available closer to launch, but they are currently available online at $US99 each.
Bulky external headset modules may be ok for full-face helmets, but they look ugly on open-face helmets.
There has also been some concern, but no conclusive proof, that external modules may affect the rotation of a motorcyclist’s neck in the event of a crash.
Now Sena has sorted the issue with these two new intercoms.
The 3S PLUS Boom features a sleek and lightweight (55g) design with two big and convenient buttons on the boom microphone.
No more reaching around the side of your helmet to access the controls.
Its unified speaker construction makes the 3S Plus easy to install in any jet, open-face or modular helmet.
The lightweight (48g) 3S PLUS Universal will fit any helmet, but has a minimalist external control that won’t affectwind noise, drag or head rotation.
It has two big buttons for ease of use.
To assure the best fit, the 3S PLUS Universal comes with two wired microphone extensions, a standard and boom microphone.
Both allow for clear, two-way HD intercom at a range of 400m.
They come wth Sena’s Advanced Noise Control to filter out wind and background noise in the microphone.
Sena 3S PLUS headsets also support smartphone connectivity so you can hear GPS directions from your phone, take phone calls or listen to music.
Sena has released its first modular helmet with built-in intercom, but Australians will have to wait for the Outrush as it has still not been Euro-approved for sale here.
At the moment it is only DOT approved for North American markets.
There is no announcement yet on how long Aussie and European riders will have to wait or how much it will cost.
First it was Sena who increased their 50 series speaker diameter to 40mm to enhance bass response and now Cardo have introduced the Packtalk Black with 45mm speakers.
Packtalk Black is, of course, black, but all other features remain the same. They also offer 45mm JBL speaker replacements for existing Cardo units.
It’s all about the bass
Like Meghan Trainor sang, “It’s all about the bass”, although she refers to body size, not music quality.
Bass doesn’t really matter for intercom or phone conversations, but a lack of bottom end severely impacts sound quality for music, especially modern music that features a lot more bass.
Lower frequencies are wiped out by the abundance of mid to high frequencies caused by wind noise when riding.
Anything above about 50km/h can substantially reduce bass response. It is almost non-existent at highway speeds.
That leaves riders listening to shrill and distorted music which can be a dangerous annoyance.
To compensate, many riders now wear special filtered earplugs that reduce wind noise.
However, some of these can also decrease bass response.
I tested the new Sena 50R and found the bass response and volume substantially increased without any increase in distortion levels when turned up loud enough to hear over my Alpine filtered earplugs.
Sena 50R
Is audio important?
We have published many stories about listening to music while riding.
The biggest problem with many Bluetooth helmet intercoms is the poor quality of sound, but the new Sena 50R and 50S raise the bar on sound quality to a new level.
I’ve reviewed many intercom systems over the years and my go-to unit has been the Sena 20S for reliability and quality.
But my new favourite is the 50R slimline model that Sena Australiasent to me for review.
Sena 50R
Sena’s new 50 series consists of the 50R and 50S which cost $545 in a single pack or $965 for a dual pack.
The main difference between the Sena 50R and 50S is that the R is slimmer and has three buttons instead of the jog dial and has slightly shorter battery life.
Its slimline look is discrete and it probably reduces drag and wind noise, but I would be lying if I said I could discern any differences.
I thought I would miss the very convenient jog dial which has long been a feature of Sena models.
However, the 50S includes an automatic volume adjustment (or “Smart volume control”) that raises and lowers the volume as ambient sound changes.
In other words, it gets louder as you go faster and drops the level when you pull up at the lights so you aren’t blasted.
Consequently, I have never had to touch the volume buttons anyway.
The associated Sena 50 Utility app (available on Apple and Google Play) also allows you to quickly select whether you want this feature set to low, medium or high.
That means you can have subtle changes in volume or quite dramatic changes. I wouldn’t have thought this would be a significant feature, but it is.
The 50 Series will also connect to digital assistants such as Siri or Google using standard voice commands of ‘Hey Siri’ or ‘Ok Google’.
So you can use that to control volume, tracks, make and receive calls, etc, so there is no need to ever touch the controls.
Sound quality
Another significant update is the slimmer and therefore more comfortable speakers with more bass and 7% more volume.
Not only are the speakers slimmer, but they are bevelled so they fit even in the tightest of helmets and don’t hurt your ears which is important on a long ride.
In fact, I didn’t even need to fit the supplied foam speaker covers.
Sound quality is also greatly improved.
Many helmet intercoms sound fine when you are stationary, but when you hit about 80km/h the bass is drowned out by the wind noise.
However, these still have a full and rounded sound with plenty of bass, even at highway speeds.
They are also louder.
Now Sena don’t want to deafen riders, but they acknowledge that many riders use filtered earplugs with their intercoms.
I use the Alpine MotoSafe which filter out harmful wind noise, but allow you to still hear important sounds such as sirens, screeching braes, car horns and, of course, your music, albeit at a slightly reduce volume.
However, this can be difficult when you’re out on the road unless you have your laptop with you.
The 50 series now comes with wifi capability allowing you to automatically download firmware updates with the special charging cable.
Just plug in the wifi charger and connect to a nearby wifi source such as your phone’s hotspot.
Wifi charger
Mesh
Mesh is an intercom software system that allows multiple riders to connect even when some riders are out of line of sight.
It’s not a system I use much, but for group rides it is very convenient and is a vital safety feature. (In fact, on one occasion, a rider behind me yelped and I knew straight away he had gone down even though I couldn’t see him.)
Critics say the Mesh software is unreliable, but Sena claim the flaws have been fixed.
I haven’t found any difficulties at all. In fact, there is less “crackling” interference from surrounding obstacles such as blind corners, trees, buildings, trucks, etc.
Sena says the intercom range s up to 2km in open terrain, which is about right by my tests.
I haven’t tested its full capacities with a “virtually limitless” number of riders in Open Mesh and 24 riders in Group Mesh intercom. (I don’t have that many friends!)
However, I have no reason to disbelieve Sena’s claims that Mesh extends range up to 8km (5miles) between a minimum of six riders.
Sena 50R tech specs
Price: $545 (single pack), $965 (dual pack)
Warranty: Two (2) year from date of purchase on manufacturers defects
Dimensions: 97mm x 48mm x 27 mm (3.8in x 1.8in x 1.0in)
Speakers: 40mm diameter, 7.2mm thick
Weight: 65g (2.29 oz)
Operating temperature: -10°C to 55°C (14°F – 131°F)
Bluetooth: 5.0
Working distance: up to 2 km (1.2 miles) in open terrain; Mesh extends up to 8km (5miles) between a minimum of 6 riders
Bluetooth Intercom: 4 riders
Open Mesh Intercom: virtually limitless (9 channels)
Group Mesh Intercom: 24 riders
Microphone Noise Cancellation: Advanced Noise Control
Harley-Davidson will return the Road Glide to its 2020 CVO range with a special Harley-branded Sena 30K Bluetooth unit that pairs to the BOOM! audio system.
The 2020 CVO Road Glide will cost $A55,995 ($NZ57,495) ride away which is $1000 more than the CVO Street Glide. It was last in the CVO Lineup in 2016 as a Road Glide Ultra with top box.
Indian’s Challenger will cost $A39,595-$A39,995, depending on colour, compared with the Harley Road Glide Special with 114-cube (1868cc) engine at $39,250.
KahunaCollection heated hand grips, shifter pegs, brake pedal cover, muffler end caps, rider and pillion boards;
Low-profile two-piece fuel tank console with lighted CVO logo;
Sand Dune monotone finish with pearl topcoat and subtle graphics highlighted by Smoked Satin Chrome, Gloss Black and Black Onyx finishes;
Screamin’ EagleHeavy Breather air cleaner in Gloss Black; and
Wheels finished in Gloss Black/Smoked Satin.
Sena Bluetooth
Harley-branded Sena 30K
The CVO Road Glide comes with a single Sena 30K Bluetooth helmet headset that pairs to the Boom! Box GTS infotainment system.
It features Sena’s Mesh IntercomNetwork that automatically connects to a “near-limitless number” of riders in “public mode” to eliminate lost connections when someone rides out of range.
The headset can also connect with up to 16 riders in private mode up to 8km.
It not only allows intercom, phone calls, navigation prompts, radio and audio, all with voice commands, but also includes Apple Carplay if the phone is plugged into the bike’s charger.
A Quick Charge feature can provide up to five hours of additional talk time with a 20-minute charge.
CVO 117
Like all 2020 CVOs, it is powered by Harley’s largest-displacement factory-installed engine, the Milwaukee-Eight 117 engine (1923cc) with 169Nm of torque.
Harley also now make the Screamin’ Eagle Milwaukee Eight 131 Crate Engine which can be fitted to current CVO models.
131 Screamin’ Eagle crate motor
It features the same 114mm (4.5”) stroke as the 114 Milwaukee Eight, but has been bored out from 101mm (4”) to 109mm (4.31”).
Harley claims it makes 90kW (121hp) of power and 177Nm (131ft-lb) of torque when matched to the Screamin’ Eagle Street Cannon mufflers. It also requires an ECM calibration and Screamin’ Eagle Pro Street Tuner.
Shoei’s new and improved J-Cruise II helmet lands in Australia later this month and offers a lightweight, aerodynamic half-face option packed with features.
The Shoei j-Cruise II Helmet, arrives late January 2020
The J-Cruise II features an updated shell design for a modern look, more compact shell design and better integration of features like the sun visor mechanism. Aerodynamics have also been improved, with front vents across the top of the helmet helping to flow up to 30 per cent more air into the helmet.
A large CJ-2 visor offers a large, clear field of view, with a reinforced design across the bottom of the visor, while reducing turbulence within the helmet. A new airtight-sealed window beading also offers improved sealing and durability for the life of the helmet.
Shoei J-Cruise II Helmet – Aglero TC-5
Helping ensure riders don’t accidentally open their visor is a locking mechanism down at the chin, while riders can flip the visor open easily with a finger when not locked. There’s also a position for keeping the visor slightly cracked for better airflow, for instance in cooler weather.
A premium standard inclusion is a Pinlock Evo lens, which helps eliminate fogging inside the helmet, regardless of conditions.
Air-flow has been boosted by 30 per cent over the outgoing model
The drop down sun-visor has also been improved, and is now 5 mm longer than the outgoing model, and located closer to the rider’s face to help reduce the amount of reflected glare up under the visor. The nose section has also been cut deeper to ensure this doesn’t effect fit.
The interior of the helmet features fully removable liners, with a moisture-absorbent, quick-drying material in the cheeks and brow for sweat , while the cheek pads now use a reinforced material on the bottom edge for greater durability.
Internals are removable, with a drop down sun-visor, and visor locking system
The Shoei micro-ratchet style strap is also used, although ratchet straps do tend be a hot topic amongst riders.
A further premium feature is the ability to fit a Sena SRL or Sena SRL2 system into the J-Cruise 2, with an inbuilt attachment mechanism and integrated design to maintain the look of the helmet. These systems can be purchased separately but fully and seamlessly integrate with the helmet, which is designed especially to work with this system.
The Sena SRL2 unit can be purchased separately for $429.95 RRP
The J-Cruise II helmet will be available in stores from January 27th, available in sizes XS to XXL, with solid colours priced at $799.90 RRP and graphics available from $899.90 RRP. To check the J-Cruise out in person see your local Shoei stockist from January 27th, or see the official Australian Shoei website – https://www.premiumhelmets.com.au/
Shoei J-Cruise II Helmet – Matt Blue
Shoei J-Cruise II Helmet – Adagio TC-5
Shoei J-Cruise II Helmet – Matt Deep Grey Source: MCNews.com.au
Sena has introduced the next generation of Bluetooth helmet intercoms with the new 50 series that includes wifi capability to efficiently charge and automatically download firmware updates.
That means there is no longer any need to plug it into your computer, just plug in the wifi charger and connect to a nearby wifi source such as your phone’s hotspot.
Wifi charger
We expected a 40 series would be next after the 10 and 20 series.
However, they have skipped ahead to the 50 series which includes the 50R and slimline 50S.
While the slimline model retains the easy-to-use “jog” dial, the 50R now comes with buttons.
Sena 50R
They claim charging time is 30% faster, but the 50S has a smaller battery so bluetooth talk time is limited to five hours or three hours on group chat.
However, in the US they will cost $US329 (about $A475) for the 50S and $US299 ($A430) for the 50R which is only slightly higher than the current 30 series.
More reliable series
Critics of the current models say the Mesh 2.0 software that is supposed to provide faultless group chat is unreliable.
Sena claim the flaws have been fixed and rather than “daisy-chaining” group connections, you can now join in a group of nine with one connection.
Apart from more reliable group chat, they also claim there is experience less interference from surrounding obstacles such as blind corners, trees, buildings, etc.
The other major update is 7% more volume.
Sena don’t want to deafen riders, but they acknowledge that many riders now use filtered earplugs such as the Alpine MotoSafe which filter out harmful wind noise, but also slightly reduce the volume from intercom units.
Sena’s new 10C Evo helmet intercom arrives this week with a slimmer profile and an integrated 4K camera that allows you to narrate and include background music.
Tracey Pola of Sena Australia says the $589 unit will arrive this week and the entire shipment is pre-sold.
The popularity of both intercoms and cameras to record rides for entertainment and evidence in the case of accidents is increasing.
So units that combine the two should be winners, especially in such a compact unit as this Sena 10C Evo.
Be warned that police in Victoria and South Australia still believe cameras attached to helmets render the helmet non-compliant.
However, since we have not heard of any police fining a rider for having an intercom on a helmet, you may be able to fool the cops by telling them it’s just an intercom!
Sena 10C Evo
The new 10C Evo intercom will pair with four other units with range up to 1.6km (1 mile).
It includes all the usual intercom functions, as well as FM and pairing with a device up to 15m away.
Despite also including a 4K (30 frames per second ) camera, the unit is now 10% slimmer at 95mm long, 59mm tall and only 31mm wide. That’s only about 5mm wider than their 30K unit.
Narrate video
However, the big attraction with this integrated unit is that you can easily narrate over the video.
You can even add background music with their Smart Audio Mix tech – all on the fly!
No need for editing all this into the video later on.
You can start recording at the touch of a button and voice prompts will keep you updated on your videoing.
There is also a video tagging function to save important events from a continuous loop of videoto create highlights.
Apart from video, it will also take photos in still shot, burst, or time-lapse mode (one shot every second or every 2, 5 or 10 seconds).
A full battery charge will provide about 20 hours of talk time and 90 minutes of video recording.
McLeod Accessories have announced they are the sole distributors for the brand new Sena Savage open face helmet in Australia, with the Savage offering a low fitting Fibreglass Composite open face helmet with a Sena unit installed and ready to go, for only RRP $499.95!
McLeod Accessories and Sena have introduced the Savage open-face helmet complete with standard comms system
The battery is hidden in the rear of the helmet, and recharging is through a port on the chin strap, with the Sena Savage available in Matt Black in three sizes only – Medium, Large and XL, as these are the only three sizes this helmet offer with ECE approval. The heavier DOT version available from the USA that covers XS to XXL however it is not legal for use here. The ECE approved versions available in Australia boast the most competitive pricing worldwide!
Two visor options are available on the Sena Savage
These low fitting helmets come with two styles of peak, and the intercom unit fitted is the equivalent of the SENA 10S which has an RRP of $367 – so the Savage represents amazing value! Plus the microphone is hidden in the top centre of the liner, so there is no boom mic to get in the way! This mic works effectively up to 100+km/h so Harley and cruiser riders will love it! The Savage Sena system can connect with up to three other riders via the built-in intercom up to 1.6 km (1 miles), listen to music, hear GPS directions, or take and make phone calls.
The Sena Savage features a build in comms system good for up to 100km/h
You can check out the this video on the USA model – which has exactly the same functionality in the Bluetooth unit, however the ECE version available in Australia is lighter and only available in M, L & XL sizes
Sena Savage Helmet linings
The Sena Savage also uses D-rings on the chin strap for easy fixture
The AGV ARK intercom costs $399, but you have to also buy a helmet-specific base at $29.95. However, for a limited time, riders can save money by buying the compatible helmets and SRK in “combo deals”.
Sena’s ARK intercom is a sleeker and more aerodynamic unit than their usual intercoms.
Instead of the handy “jog dial” rotating knob common to most Sena intercoms, it has buttons.
These may not be as easy to use as the jog dial, but there is also a handlebar remote available at $149.
Handlebar remote
ARK features
Australian distributors Link International say the ARK unit features 30 minutes of “quick charging” which equals four hours of intercom use.
It is compatible with the Sena SF Utility App which allows users to configure device settings and accessing quick guides and the Sena RideConnected App that allows intercom with a virtually limitless number of riders over an extensive range, so long as they are connected to a mobile network.
Other Sena features are: voice prompts for functions; FM radio; microphone noise control to reduce wind and background noise; music sharing with another intercom; multi-way conference intercom.
It also has audio overlay which allows phone calls, GPS instructions and intercom conversations to be heard over audio from the radio, music or GPS app instructions in the background with reduced volume.
Specifications
10 hours of talking time
Three-way conference phone call with intercom participant.
Microphone mute option
Smart Volume
Audio Boost
Voice activated phone answering and intercom start.
HD quality crystal clear and natural sound.
Bluetooth Audio Recording
SENA firmware upgradeable
Water resistant
Bluetooth 4.1 supporting profiles: Headset Profile, Hands-Free Profile (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), and Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP).
Harley-branded Sena 30K
131 Screamin’ Eagle crate motor
Wifi charger
While the slimline model retains the easy-to-use “jog” dial, the 50R now comes with buttons.
Sena 50R
