Sena SMH10R Bluetooth Headset
4.5
5
85
85
Excellent feature set for the money, very low profile.
Friend of mine purchased a Scala G9 for his helmet, so I thought I might buy one too, until I saw the price. Also it looked rather clunky on his helmet, and I am very sensitive to noise. I was worried something that large hanging off the side of my helmet would create wind noise. So I started looking around, and the low-profile Sena seemed like a natural choice. Doesn't conference with as many riders as the Scala, but I rarely ride with large groups.
Installation was very easy. I decided to permanently mount the control unit with the provided double-sided tape. They give you the option of using that or a hook-and-loop option. The battery is hook-and-loop only, which is because eventually (after 2 years or so) it will wear out and need to be replaced, just like any other Li-Ion battery. There are also multiple options for mounting the microphone (they provide a boom mic as well as a stick-on mic) and earphones. The various wires were easy to tuck behind my helmet's padding.
It is very low profile--doesn't add any wind noise that I can detect.
The buttons are large--very easy to find and operate with gloves on.
The biggest complaint I have with it is remembering how to operate it.
Most everything is done by tapping, double-tapping or holding down one of the three buttons on the control unit for 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 seconds, followed by a low, mid, high or multiple beeps and/or a voice prompt. If that sounds confusing it's because it truly is, especially with so many functions to remember. I plan to drill the one or two main features that I will use into my head, and hopefully I will remember them when I need them.
Have not had a chance to use the intercom function with anyone yet, but I have used it to listen to music, navigation and receive phone calls. Works well for that. Once I am confident I can learn to operate the thing proficiently, I will probably get another for my passenger. Or I may get one of the regular SMH10 units instead, if it is easier to operate. Don't want to have to give a lecture on how to use it to my passenger. But I haven't looked into that yet.
Had no difficulty pairing it to my HTC One V.
If I were to nitpick, I wish I could remove the battery from the helmet and charge it separately. Instead, the battery has a proprietary connector which connects to the control unit, and the USB port for charging the battery is on the control unit. Which, since I have the control unit permanently attached to the helmet, this means I must bring the entire helmet to the charger rather than just the battery. I think they could have done that a bit smarter, but I guess they wanted only a single USB port on the device, and putting it on the control unit was necessary in order to upgrade its firmware.
June 18, 2013
Good looks, great features, good clarity
Installed it in my Icon Variant for music, Siri, and phone calls for the most part. Install went fairly smoothly, I would recommend leaving the backing paper on the speaker velco until you figure out exactly where you want the speakers. Stuff them in, ride a bit, move them, repeat until comfortable. Then once you figure it out stick them down. Everything else was pretty straightforward.
Call quality is very good, was able to hold a phone conversation at 85mph, which inside an icon variant with no chin curtain while riding a supermoto is a pretty good feat. He said he could hear the bike in the background but it wasn't overpowering. Note: the natural tendency is to yell so you can hear yourself - don't bother, the mic will pick your voice up just fine talking normally.
Music quality is as good as can be expected, not a lot of bass but if you're looking for a great soundsystem get a car. Has plenty of volume, does start to get distorted at very high volumes but if you need it that loud you're not going to notice.
June 17, 2013
Good headset! Works as advertised!
I really love this product. It has truly changed my riding experience with friends. It is great to be able chat or give instructions without stopping. Also it is nice to be able talk normally when stopped without having to remove your helmet.
More difficult to install in my Arai helmet than expected. Talking at speeds below 50 mph is great. Talking at speeds over 60 is useless. Music and calls are very clear. Intercom function works perfectly. I highly recommend this product if you only ride alone or in groups.
June 17, 2013
Low profile, high impact
Revzilla's video review tells you everything you need to know about this product. The install is a little tricky. The controls are a little tricky, but once it's on, your good if you just let music play. Skipping songs and going back are tricky. The sound is meh, but the speakers are so low profile, it's expected. It feels like a solid unit though. I think it will last quite a while, and it fits nicely, with all the cables mostly hidden.
The biggest pro for me is the outgoing sound quality. I called my dad from the freeway, and he couldn't even tell I was on my bike.
The biggest con for me is the control system. It's just not practical to have to take you hand to your helmet and then press and hold a button to make it work. I guess I will get better as I use it more, but it's not second nature yet.
June 17, 2013
another excellent SENA product
i bought this low-profile SMH10R to fit on my new C3 helmet.
The installation went smoothly, the external battery was easy to mount inside the back of the helmet, so i only have the small headset on the outside of the helmet.
I didn't give it a durability score, as i have only had the unit a couple weeks. I will revisit and give a durability review later this year. -if it's like my older, still working SMH-10 unit, then it will prove to be very durable indeed.
The sound clarity is excellent, and volume is great for calls. Music tends to be a little softer, but it IS a motorcycle after all, and i DO like to hear the motor and surrounding traffic :)
As for ease of use, i gave a 4/5, ONLY because the older jog wheel was SO easy to use. This works great, i'm just not used to it yet and it's not as simple as the jog wheel. As i become accustomed to it, i will revisit and review it again.
All in all, an excellent product! I've ridden in some strong rains with it, and it has worked flawlessly so far in all conditions. it also pairs seamlessly with my older SMH-10.
I would recommend this Bluetooth headset/intercom device to anyone in the market for one.
June 17, 2013
Miles of Enjoyment
This is a great product. Initially purchased for two way communication with friend. But have really come to enjoy the ability to listen to music while riding alone. Great range. We tested several times and it stays connected as long as we are in sight of each other. Reconnects by itself. Highly recommend. The only issue I have with it, and it is mostly personal, is that it is hard to initiate a phone call at speed due to inability to hear the confirming "beep" tones. When stationary, much easier. (I know, shouldn't be making calls while riding)! Suggest using the boom mike as we found that to be much clearer and defeats some of the wind noise. Enjoy.
June 17, 2013
Great product
This headset is awesome. Sound qulity is great , the intercom range is good I was about a 10 car distance and was able to talk to my friend and sound quality was great.
It takes a little getting used to since / button does pretty much all the features. But once you own it for a bit you'll learn your buttons.
June 17, 2013
Clear sound and simple to use
i bought this to give my family piece of mind when i am out on the bike so when they call i can answer so they dont automatically think the worst. I use it for music that i was getting from wired ear buds that always snagged on my jacket or anything the wire could catch on. this was a no brainer being bluetooth. However i listen to sirius radio as well as itunes but the pause feature doesnt work when listening to sirius thats really the only down side i see. the mic works well and has a nice clear sound that is easy for people to hear what you're saying despite the wind noise
June 12, 2013