I've used the SMH5 only a few times and already the headset connector has come loose twice while I was riding. I hadn't touched it; I think the wind simply blew it out and I wasn't going all that fast. I looked carefully at the connector and, cripes, there's nothing holding it in place. You need to replace that connector with one with a positive lock. I realize that might require redesigning the main unit as well as the connector, but maybe you can devise something less drastic. Whatever you do, you'd better do it soon or, at least, tell your customers that you're working on it.
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12 comments
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Sena Thank you for your feedback. If you have your SMH5 with serious problem of mounting the main unit to your clamp, please let us know it by submitting a ticket on our web site (http://support.senabluetooth.com/tickets/new). Sena tech support will help you to fix your problem. And we will also soon investigate the main unit's mounting security with SMH5 clamp. We will keep you informed later.
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Tony Schrader I"m experiencing the SAME problem that Mike reported on June 7. My riding partner and I tried out the SMH5 Dual Pack yesterday and both of our connections would disconnect from our main unit MULTIPLE times. I agree with Mike. There should be a "lock" or something that will hold the cable in place. I don't want to use tape to hold them into place. Please look into this! Thanks.
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Mike Wow! User error!
I had to push the connector really forcefully into the Main Unit. Now it sticks by itself.
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Tony Schrader I wish it was user error. Both my riding buddy and myself have pushed the connector in as far as it can go and it still gets blown off and I lose connection. I don't have a windshield so maybe this unit wasn't made for that much wind. What sucks is that I am using electrical tape to hold it on. It's an improvement but still gets disconnected over time. I'm going to return the units once I return home.
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Steve Willis I too have had the plug pop out and it appears to be a design flaw, otherwise it would not happen. Come on Sena, lets get a fix for this?
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Kendall Auel My speaker connector popped out just sitting on my desk. I plugged it back in but now the unit won't power on at all. I'm wondering if the electronics got fried from the connector popping in and out. In any case, the connector design is a serious problem. It would be great if Sena could respond to this in some way.
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Kendall Auel Update -- eventually my SMH5 came back to life. I have no idea why or how. Previously I had tried all combinations of button pushes and also used the paper-clip reset button several times. Then, after letting it sit for 30 minutes, I tried the two-button turn on sequence and voila, it lives. I paired it with my iPhone which worked fine and charged it fully.
After installing onto my Arai Vector2 helmet, I made sure the speaker-microphone connector was pushed on as tight as possible and went for a ride. I get a lot of wind buffeting at high speed, so I specifically wanted to test if the connector would stay put during my ride. I had no problem at all during the ride with the connector, it has a good tight fit that seems to be secure. The music playback and phone features worked satisfactorily, and I was also able to use the Siri voice commands to make phone calls. I guess I'll keep it!
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Tony Schrader All, I have given up on the SMH5. The connector kept disconnecting during long rides. Though I shouldn't purchase the higher cost unit, the SMH10, since I am unemployed, I needed a better communicator. So I got the 10 in the mail and it's obvious, now, why the 5 was NOT tested during it's manufacturing. The 10 design will not lose connection. I strongly believe Sena did NOT quality test the 5 before it's launch.
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Steve Willis I would agree too and suspect they were not correctly field tested before going into production. Not only do the connectors fall apart in use but I find the microphone volume to be very poor at much over 45 mph. -- Boom type microphone for flip front helmets.
The sad thing about Sena is that their customer support via their ticket system appears to fall way down in quality and performance as well...a bit like their product. I have been trying to get a microphone issue sorted for a while now and I would have expected an organised and customer focused company to have had a replacement sent out to me ASAP along with a pre paid package to send the other back for inspection and test...but no, they drag their feet, blame it on wind noise (45 mph and enclosed helmet when automated voice prompts are very loud but microphone coms are weak -pillion to rider).
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Sena Sorry about the inconveniences you've faced.
Please insert the connector as below. Hold the SMH5 main unit tight with left hand and insert the cable tight.
Otherwise, it may not be inserted tight enough. If you follow the guide, it will be rarely taken out.
Anyway, we will try to improve the connector mechanism and let you guys know when ready.
Thank you for all your feedbacks for better products.
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Steve Willis Thank you for getting back to us with an acknowledgement to the problem. As you say, the plug should not be really taken out unless you are swapping helments or forced to charge the unit away from the helmet and its bracket etc.
I am using a thin film of clear silicone sealer around the edge of the plug to maintain the security of the plug and its socket..............not something I should have to do. :-(
Steve.
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Rob Grilli Just re-reading this thread tonight, I just noticed this in the Sena post. "If you follow the guide, it will be rarely taken out." I'm a little unclear on what that means. Do you guys mean it should stop the problem of the connector falling out? (I might add I have never had the problem because the connector is so tight, it's not going anywhere!)
OR, do you mean that the thing should not be unplugged? If so, I have an issue with that. I had problems with the battery draining quicker if I left the connector plugged in and the units turned off. I have since upgraded to V1.2 software, but not checked to see if it was draining faster.
Rob
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