Sena 20S - Feedback

[basadia]

I have just purchased one of these new fangled blue tooth head sets, I'm interested in those who have used them before over some time. The good the bad and any relevant feedback.
I'm doing my first ride with them tomorrow so it will be interesting to see if they are as good all the reviews make them out to be. I'm also interested in how they interface with a two way radio as I have found little information on how to do this.
I have Earmould headphones and I like the gouchy 3.5mm jack on the front of the base, very neat and tidy way of getting connected. I'll be interested to see if they are much better than my old Autocom system which they are replacing. I was getting very frustrated not being able to use my phone on the bike so that is why I took the plunge on the 20S, the radio seems to work well but it will be interesting to see how well it works on the move.
cheers
Keith

[Williamson]

I'm pretty happy with my pair of Sena 20S, but ........

.... the radio seems to work well but it will be interesting to see how well it works on the move ....

....... the FM receiver does not have a very good range.

[basadia]

OK ta, might be phone music over longer rides methinks.

[tj189]

Keith, I have been using the 20S since it came.  Great bit of kit.
The point regarding the FM above is correct ok around town with strong signals.
Works well in conjunction with the SR10 for UHF comms.
I have the music and phone go through a garmin 590lm up to the 20S as well as the SR10 going to the 20S.
Should get around 8 hours, depends on how much it is being used (with music etc). 

On my rides once it tells me "low battery" I then plug the charger into it as I go along the road. Takes a couple of hours to charge but you can use it at the same time.

[basadia]

First ride today with the 20S, have to say I wish I had changed years ago instead of sinking more dead money into my old Autocom system. Love the radio and auto leveling feature that lifts the volume as the ambient noise increases. I listened to the radio all the way and it did get a little interference as we moved further away from the city but overall was more than happy with it's performance. I think on a long trip music will be from my phone play list as re tuning on the move seems a little difficult.
Not sure how to adjust the sensitivity of the voice control as it was pretty hit and miss if it worked.

[Brock]

Adjusting vox settings is done easily by computer

[STroppy]

Adjusting vox settings is done easily by computer

Easier still via smartphone Ap . . Android or Apple . .

[Crocman]

Sena 20s is what you pay for i had no probs and is easy to use once you watch a few youtube clips i think there a great investment they can only improve in the next model.

[tj189]

Adjusting vox settings is done easily by computer

How?

[tj189]

Adjusting vox settings is done easily by computer

Easier still via smartphone Ap . . Android or Apple . .

How?

[STroppy]

I have an iPhone but I am sure Google Android would have a similar Ap in their store.

So for use on the iPhone just go to Ap store, search for Sena, choose the Ap, download (it is free), then using blutooth on your phone pair phone and 20s, open ap - it should recognise the 20s and then you can adjust any of the settings.

The ap does not work with the Sena 10.

[Brock]

With a PC, plug the supplied USB cable into the sena device, and plug it into your puter. Various driver will load, followed by a prompt to download the sena device manager.

This will look for software updates for your device, after which, look at the menu items (on the left I think) for the settings option. you can see the settings of your unit, and make changes.

For an android device, go to the playstore, and look for sena. download the app and run it . the app will search for you device (bluetooth) and then you can adjust all sorts of things.

[tj189]

Thanks guys, I thought you might have a new way of doing that.  Been using the applications already 

[basadia]

I'm considering getting a UHF radio, I'm looking for an adaptor for the 20s. Does anyone have advise on if the 20s can be fitted with a UHF adaptor?

[basadia]

I also forgot to ask if you set a default item like the FM Radio to come on automatically when you start the device as I hate going through the process for a 10 minute ride to work twice a day. Surely the must be an option or maybe they could include it in a future firmware update?????

[Brock]

By UHF adapter, I think you mean the Sena SR10. The cable you need will depend on the radio you buy. There are many ready made leads available, and a generic lead that can be made to suit any radio with a bit of tinkering.

[basadia]

No I have a Sena 20S, I have found the UHF leads for the 10 but not one for the 20s.

[Brock]

There are no leads for the 20S. The SR10 is a bluetooth interface unit.

You connect the UHF to the SR10, and pair the 10 with the 20.

[tj189]

I also forgot to ask if you set a default item like the FM Radio to come on automatically when you start the device as I hate going through the process for a 10 minute ride to work twice a day. Surely the must be an option or maybe they could include it in a future firmware update?????

Not automatic but only a 2second hold of the phone button.

11.1 FM Radio On / Off
To turn on the FM radio, press and hold the Phone Button for 2 seconds
until you hear a mid-tone double beep sound. You will then hear a
voice prompt saying “FM on”. In order to turn off the FM radio, press
and hold the Phone Button for 2 seconds until you hear a voice prompt
saying “FM off”. When you power off, the 20S will remember the last
station frequency. When you power it on, the last station frequency will
be playing.

[DaleMcLean]

OR
You can say out loud "hello Sena" and get a reply of "say a command", then say "FM Radio" and Mrs sena will turn it on for you 

As for UHF Brock covered it. SR-10 sends it BT to the 20S, you cable the UHF to the SR-10 (and a PTT supplied with the SR-10) and all is good for lots of voices in your head

[Brock]

voices in your head

Ahhh Yes, the voices,,,,,,they are real you know....

[tj189]

voices in your head

Ahhh Yes, the voices,,,,,,they are real you know....

That's why I use the button, otherwise it gets too crowded in the helmet 

[basadia]

Thanks for the heads up on both the 2 second phone button press and the SR10. I feel a bit conspicuous talking to Sena when there are people around, you do get some funny looks like you are talking to yourself.

[Brock]

Just tell them you are replying to voices in your head

 

[basadia]

Checked the two second button press for FM radio this morning and it works like a charm. Thanks for the heads up on this one much easier than yelling at Sena.