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Sena Tricks and Tips (What I've learned so far...)

Red Leader

October 02, 2015 05:08

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This is just a list of things I've learned so far from my experiences with the Sena 20S (Version 1.5 Firmware)

Firmware Updates:
-Must perform a Factory Reset after every firmware update. See manual for details. 

Choppy Music/Intercom/Radio Solution:
-Pop up your antenna! (Sena Support recommends antenna up when unit is being used.)

Music Sharing:
-SMH5-FM (Firmware 1.2) can host music sharing with 20S (Firmware 1.5), but not the other way around. Sena Support is aware.
-SMH10 and 10C can share with 20S.

Intercom Overlay Sensitivity Levels Explained:
-Not (directly) involved in attenuating music when intercom is active.
-Works when unit is Audio Multitasking (e.g. music+intercom)
-Basically operates as a squelch knob. Level 10 = sensitive = receive "all" sound (weak or strong), level 1 = receive only strong (yelling) sounds. 
-Move towards level 10 if first few syllables of intercom conversation are being cut out or if you can't hear your buddies speak. 
-Move towards level 1 if you don't want to hear your buddy over the intercom singing along quietly with his/her music.

Music Attenuation during Intercom (whilst your significant other speaketh):
-Turn Navigation App option "on" if you don't need music attenuated when buddy talks. 
-Not (directly) involved with Intercom Overlay Sensitivity Levels

 

4-way Intercom with SMH5-FM: 
-Can intercom daisy chain an SMH5-FM onto the end of a 20S line: [20S] - [20S] - [20S] - [SMH5-FM].
-Sena Support says this is not officially supported, but it worked in my case.
-Lots of "popcorn" noises but likely due to improper velcro button mic placement from the SMH5-FM during tests.

Rain Riding:
-Absolutely! No problems so far. 

 

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1 comment

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  Ken Wagnitz February 10, 2016 23:25

  Thanks for the tips, Red Leader.

  I've been very disappointed with the 20S.  I 'upgraded' from SMH10 units after years of happy use, mainly for the music/intercom multitasking.
  My experience is:

  * Very susceptible to noise on intercom mode, ranging from buzz, to crackle, to something like a UFO is coming to get me (lasted 20-30 secs, on all 3 connected units).  In comms mode I always have noise, either constant or coming and going.
  Seems to be exacerbated by power lines.  Too bad they mostly run along highways!  I don't buy the 'antenna up' advice on this.  It doesn't help.
  * Breaks up music in music+intercom mode,  sometimes to the point where I just have to turn off the music.
  * Have had it 'lose it' when riding out of range of a paired headset, so I had to reset.  The constant 'nagging' when out of range of a paired set really bugs me.
  * Despite having an SR10, I haven't been able to Bluetooth connect phone, phone music, GPS and CB (through SR10) without pairing my phone through the GPS.  Maybe its just me, but connectivity is poor, and badly explained in the manual.  Certainly no better than the SMH10.
  * Out of three 20S headsets, one takes much longer than the others to charge.  Possibly faulty battery.  Smacks of poor quality control.  Since it was bought in Singapore, I'm not easily able to get warranty replacement on it.
  * The 20S may look sexier than the SMH10, but I find it much harder to operate with gloves on, especially winter gloves.
  * I don't use the voice commands, regard them as gimmicks.  The double tap is useless, because it is continually triggered by wind turbulence, even at low sensitivity.  Don't see a need for it anyway.
  * Tried to set up a comms group of three.  Just didn't work.  We had two computer-savvy people trying, didn't succeed.  (Haven't tried on later firmware, can't be bothered.)
  * Who are Sena kidding, saying the 20S will connect 8 units?  I find it poor with just 2.  Range is not so brilliant that number 1 and number 8 will be in range on a ride.  Unit hopping?  The noise would be unbearable from one end to the other.

  As far as I can see, Sena have taken a step backward with the 20S, considering the price premium over the SMH10.  The earphone socket is a great feature.  The extra software features are buggy.  The Bluetooth connectivity is noisier than on an SMH10, and flaky.  I will keep updating firmware, but I can't see how this will help what appears to be a noise susceptible Bluetooth transceiver.