Impulse Firmware v1.2.2 Update Issues / Wind Noise / Mic always open.
UPDATE: SENA Confirmed the issue and the support is offering instructions on how to rollback to 1.2.1
ROLLING BACK TO THE PREVIOUS VERSION FIXES THE ISSUE.
Original post:
I'm opening this thread in a desperate attempt to raise awareness on the Impulse Firmware v1.2.2 which came out 03-06-2024
This update made the helmet intercom pointless.
The main issue here is that there is no longer any noise suppression for the wind, so others will hear any background noise, including your bike's exhaust (and I have a stock exhaust).
Not only this, but your microphone will constantly stay on unless you put Blutooth Music Sensitivy to 1 (which is supposed to regulate how music volume goes up and down depending on wind... not your mic sensitivity...)
I have 2 Sena Impulse helmet, and I use those with my girlfriend when we go on rides.
Her helmet was defective, and I had to send it back.
The helmet came back with an older firmware and it was working wonders, even though she was complaining a bit about wind noise, I wasn't her audio quality was incredible.
Last month, I've decided to upgrade the firmware again to 1.2.2 to her helmet, and now we have to disable voice comms when in highways or in windy conditions.
This is incredibly disappointing for a 500-600€ helmet. I had good trust in SENA, but after this I really am disappointed.
I hope an update comes out that fixes this issue.
Support did everything but confirm the issue.
A rollback to a previous firmware seems impossible and support never wanted to give me a way to do so.
RMA costs 20-30€ just for shipping... Which doesn't seem fair to do as the helmets work fine. The firmware isn't.
-
As far the auto focus issue it's in the settings if you want it to auto focus everytime it moves to a new target and by default it is turned off for some reason.
0 -
- Issue: Wind noise may be excessive if the noise control features are not functioning optimally after the update.
-
Solution:
-
Check Noise Control Settings: Make sure that Advanced Noise Control is enabled. This feature filters out background noise like wind and should help mitigate the issue.
- To enable or disable it, use the Sena Utility App or manually through the helmet’s configuration menu.
- Mic Positioning: Double-check the positioning of the microphone inside your helmet. A poorly positioned mic can pick up more wind noise.
- Foam Cover on Mic: Ensure that the foam cover is on the microphone, as it helps reduce wind noise significantly. If it's missing, you can replace it.
-
Check Noise Control Settings: Make sure that Advanced Noise Control is enabled. This feature filters out background noise like wind and should help mitigate the issue.
3. Microphone Always Open (VOX Issue)
- Issue: If the microphone is staying open, it could be due to the VOX (Voice Activation) settings, which control the microphone’s activation based on sound detection.
-
Solution:
-
Disable VOX: If VOX sensitivity is too high, the mic might stay open due to background noise. You can disable or adjust VOX sensitivity in the Sena Utility App.
- To turn off VOX, navigate to Intercom Settings in the app and disable the VOX Intercom feature.
- Alternatively, adjust the VOX sensitivity settings if you prefer to keep it on but want to reduce microphone activity.
- Manual Mic Control: Consider switching off VOX and using manual controls for opening and closing the microphone if the auto-detection is causing issues.
-
Disable VOX: If VOX sensitivity is too high, the mic might stay open due to background noise. You can disable or adjust VOX sensitivity in the Sena Utility App.
4. Improper Intercom Settings
- Issue: The intercom settings could have been altered during the update, causing issues with microphone activation.
-
Solution:
- Check Intercom Settings: Make sure that the intercom is not constantly active. Some helmets have settings for Open Mesh, which keeps the mic open for public communication. Switch to Private Mesh Mode or adjust intercom settings via the Sena Utility App or the device's configuration menu.
5. Ambient Mode Interference
- Issue: Ambient Mode could be picking up excessive wind noise or keeping the microphone open.
-
Solution:
- Make sure Ambient Mode isn’t turned on unintentionally. Ambient Mode is designed to let in external sounds but might pick up wind noise. Toggle this feature off if you’re not using it.
6. Check Bluetooth Pairings
- Issue: If the Sena Impulse is connected to a Bluetooth device (phone, GPS, etc.), it could be keeping the microphone open for constant communication.
-
Solution:
- Disconnect and re-pair any Bluetooth devices to ensure there are no communication conflicts. If the mic issue only happens when connected to a specific device, it might be a pairing or connection issue.
- Check if a third-party app (e.g., GPS, music app) is keeping the microphone open for voice commands.
7. Wind Noise Control Not Working
- Issue: If the update has caused problems with the wind noise control feature, it may not be functioning properly.
-
Solution:
- Turn Off Wind Noise Control: If turning it off improves the situation, you may need to wait for another firmware update or contact Sena customer support for more help.
- You can manage this setting in the Sena Utility App or the device’s menu.
8. Contact Sena Support
- Issue: If the problem persists after trying these solutions, there may be a deeper issue with the firmware update or hardware.
- Solution: Contact Sena Support directly. They may provide specific patches or troubleshooting steps for firmware v1.2.2 or even suggest a replacement if the device is faulty.
By following these steps, you should be able to resolve issues related to firmware v1.2.2, wind noise, and the microphone remaining open on your Sena Impulse. Let me know if these solutions help or if you need further guidance!
0 -
Hello Support Agent MB
Some of the features you listed are not in the sena impulse app to select.
Wind Noise Control and Ambient Mode
I use the helmet in Group Mesh with my partner.
I already did most of the things listed above.
Here you can find my settings: https://imgur.com/a/e1WQJLk
I'd be happy to downgrade to the previous firmware if possible. Anything even 1.2.0 was great.0 -
My wife and I have had this exact same problem to the point of taking the motorcycle in for a service call for excessive noise coming from the bike. Only to realize after multiple changes to the helmets, that the whole problem is the helmets. We have already paid too much money to return one helmet with no success. This is ridiculous. Update the the firmware for pete's sake or give us all the instructions to downgrade the firmware. Leaving us all ready to quit riding with each other because of the the Sena helmets. GET IT FIXED!!!
1 -
I completely agree with everyone experiencing this issue. I purchased two Impulse helmets, and I've already sent mine back three times for replacements. Now my wife’s helmet is having the same problem. We've opened tickets, but nothing seems to be progressing. The open microphone issue is beyond frustrating—on the mesh network, it picks up all the noise, making it impossible to focus. Worse yet, everyone else on the mesh gets blasted by the deafening noise, which is dangerous when you're trying to keep your bike steady.
As a social director and leader of a club with nearly 400 members, this is simply unacceptable. Out of five units in our group, all of us have had to send our helmets in for replacements multiple times. I even went to the point of adding a hug windscreen to cut the noise, this is crazy.
At this point, I think we should seriously consider contacting an attorney for a class action lawsuit. This is not just a manufacturing flaw—it’s a serious safety hazard.
1 -
Unfortunately the support doesn't even want to acknowledge the issue. It's extremely disappointing and makes me regret buying this helmet.
Right now I have an expensive piece of paper holder, as I won't use it until it's fixed.
Sending it back is about 30€ for each helmet for me. Which is stupid and sensless.
I got this helmet not only for the built-in intercom, but for the extended warranty, which made me believe I had a premium product.
SENA NEEDS TO:
1) Give us a rollback feature
2) >> Acknowledge the issue <<
3) Provide an ETA for the new update
4) Consider a compensation for those affected who spent money sending the helmet to them.
I believe that if this isn't addressed by Oct 2024, we might as well give up. Since we get just 1 update a year... with nothing on it.
I'm sure there must be a law against this.0 -
Sena why do you want this?
Sena wants me to change up the settings over and over again back and forth back and forth. We have done all this already so I am not sure of the point to do this over and over multi-imes to fix your issue that you don't have a fix for????
Maybe Sena tech should chime in and gives some ideas of why the same over and over (definition of insanity) getting the same results.......
This helmet is unbalanced in the wind they didn't do wind tunnel testing obviously, so your brains get scrambled if you're directly in the wind and not behind a tall windshield.
Unhappy Camper
0 -
I been working in computer Tech Support and Administration since 1981 and I condsider this whole ordeal as further proof of a once very good company that is now off the rails. Common sense would dictate that if a firmware update was causing major problems, the company that designed the product would allow for the firmware to be easily rolled back if needed.
I have worked with many companies and computer products in my over 43 years in the computer support area and have never been unable to upgrade or downgrade a system or device as needed.
Who ever is in charge of providing an urgent fix for this snafu should be fired immediately.
Also I also agree with Darron Morris's comment above:
-
At this point, I think we should seriously consider contacting an attorney for a class action lawsuit. This is not just a manufacturing flaw—it’s a serious safety hazard.
Sincerely,Keith and Kristin Steger
0 -
-
I just want to say that sena provided a previous firmware for me to downgrade.
TO do so, you need the SENA Device Manager app on your PC, you can download it here.
The helmet needs to be connected to PC Using the USB charging cable and then go in "PC" mode, you do so by pressing the (-) volume down button for 11 seconds and releasing it when the LED becomes white.
To have it recognized by the Sena device manager app you need to
Install the app. A white box will appear telling you that the app is trying to find your device to install drivers. Here you have to press the volume down until the Impulse helmet LED becomes white.
If it is found, it will install the drivers and you should be able to downgrade if you have the previous firmware plus change a few options here and there...0 -
FYI,
Sena Tech Support provided me an earlier version of firmware Impulse_v1.2.1-build0 and the instructions to downgrade mine and my wife's helmet.
I did this yesterday - the phone connection and the bluetooth intercoms seem to be working much better.
I will update this post again after we go riding next week Thursday or Friday.
Best Regards,
Keith Steger
0 -
I purchased my Impulse 17 days ago and wish I had read the information in this string before doing so. I had to send my first helmet back to the supplier due to the charge cord getting hot when plugged in (after unsuccessfully attempting to update the firmware). The second helmet is sitting on the floor next to me with version 1.0.4. The phone app keeps asking for a firmware update but all efforts to do so have failed. This is after multiple efforts of "support" that is now apparently ignoring me. What a stupid decision I made to buy this helmet.
Mike Freer
0 -
I've updated the original post.
Rolling back to 1.2.1 fixes every issue.
Sena Support helps rolling back if asked :)0 -
Marco,
If you don't mind I would appreciate it if you could send a list of your helmets setting's that are working for you now after the firmware downgrade.
My helmet and my wife's are working better but not great after Sena Support provided the firmware downgrade.
Best Regards,
Keith Steger
Keith Steger
0 -
@Keithstegerng can you please share the earlier version of firmware Impulse_v1.2.1-build0 and the instructions to downgrade ?
0 -
Atonin,
If Sena Support doesn't respond to your request by 5 PM CST tonight, I will share the earlier firmware version and the instructions to downgrade this firmware.
Best Regards,
Keith Steger
0 -
Atonin,
I can't add the files to a post here.
What is a valid email address I can use to send the instructions and downgrade firmware to you?
Keith Steger
keithstegerng@gmail.com 0 -
Dear support,
If the issue is confirmed or recognised, and a downgrade is recommended to 2.1 (sp127) or 1.2.1 (sp101), will there be a new release (2.4?) with the fix included?
kr,
Wim
0 -
2.3 has been released and fixed the issue apparently.
0 -
Thank you for your quick response.
Not clear how I can get this release, as I need to use the Schuberth Device Manager. Any news on those practicalities?
0
Iniciar sesión para dejar un comentario.
Comentarios
19 comentarios