SENA SMH 10 test

[sslangs]

Santa Claus left me a set of dual SENA SMH-10 under the Christmas tree.  Finally got a chance to try them out yesterday.  

First: Installation

Install was simple.  The boom mike bracket slips between the outer helmet and the liner.  Simply loosen the two Allen head screws to loosen the bracket, them push the bracket through (loosen the screws as much as possible without pulling the screws out).  It comes with a sticky mount for the bracket if needed (I did not use this because it was very secure without it).  Be sure to position the bracket so that the mic will be as close as possible to your mouth.  Tighten the screws and that part is done.  Next job is to position the helmet speakers.  One speaker has a short wire (left speaker), the other a longer wire (right ear).  I unscrewed the foam inner shell from the outer shell.  This allowed room to run the wire and speaker inside the helmet and though the ear opening in my helmet (HJC Symax II).  I did the same thing for the right speaker.  I tucked the wires between the padding and the liner on the back side of the helmet (I used a small eye glass repair screwdriver).  Charging the unit is easy, there are three ways to charge 1- USB to wall outlet (the "prongs" on the wall outlet are interchangeable with other "prongs" for use outside the USA, not included) , 2- USB to computer, 3 - car charger (cigarette lighter).  The control unit of the SENA (the brains, an large plastic wheel mounted into the base) just snaps into the microphone cradle base plate.  This is a great feature, so that you can take it off the helmet without removing the mic and the speakers (you can leave the helmet on the bike and take the control unit with you)

Pairing.  I paired with an IPHONE 3GS.  This was very easy to do, and this is my first blue tooth device.  You just turn on the SENA, then press the phone button on the SENA for a few seconds (the SENA will flash red and blue) .  Be sure the Bluetooth on the phone is on and searching (settings menu on IPHONE).  It located and paired with my IPHONE in about 3-5 seconds.  That was it, pairing completed!

Sound quality.  This is really the biggest question I had about the system when I was doing my research.  The music sound quality is OK.  Don't mistake this for a high Fidelity set of ear phones / ear buds. (they are stereo though).   But overall that sound is adequate.  I would suggest changing the music settings on you MP3 Player / cell phone (I selected the "Bass Booster" setting on my IPHONE).  Don't get me wrong, they don't sound like a transistor radio, just not as good as the ear buds that came with the IPHONE.  The sound volume is good.  I could hear my music clearly at 65 mph,  with my balaclava on also.  I should also mention that my helmet (HJC Symax II) is a flip up helmet, it produces plenty of wind noise.  It's easy to change tracks forward or back (just press the jog dial, and turn the wheel either direction for + / - track)

Phone calls.  Note, I did not receive any calls while testing.  I did place two calls.  Call one was placed while setting on the bike in a parking lot (Not moving).  I pressed the phone button, waited for the beep and spoke the command "call rugrat iphone" (my daughter's nickname).  After a second or two I could hear the phone ring in the headphones (I had to turn the volume down from the level I had it on when listening to music at 65mph!).  My daughters voice came through very clearly, and at a good volume.  She said she could hear me fine (no wind noise, my helmet was lifted and the wind was blowing a little bit).  She said the volume and sound quality was the same as any other phone call.  We talked for a minute or two, she told me a was a dork (she's 16 ) for using the contraption.  I pressed the phone button again the call disconnected and my music returned (Tom Sawyer by Rush)  Call Two,  I was driving the bike at about 50mph.  Pressed the phone button, waited for the beep and spoke the command "call Bill cell phone" (father-in-law).  this time my helmet was closed (including visor).  The phone rang in and he answered.  The sound quality on my end was superb, great volume and very clear.  He had no idea I was on the bike (zero wind noise, and my father-in-law is brutally honest about everything!).  We talked for about 10 minutes as I drove on the highway at 65mph, the side street to my addition (40mph) and though my addition (20mph) until I parked the bike in the garage.   During the whole conversation he did not hear any wind noise, static or other background sounds.  His voice was crisp, clear and loud (I had to turn the volume down as I drove through the addition).  The volume is easy to adjust, just turn the big wheel (its large enough to turn with gloves without a problem).

Bike to bike, rider to passenger  .  That will be the next test.  The weather has been pretty cool here in Oklahoma, so the wife hasn't been on the bike with me to test intercom yet.

Note.  The system comes with a cord to connect an MP3 by wire.  I have no use for this, so I can not say how it works.  The IPOHNE has the voice command, so it made calling hands free simple.  I kept the phone in my jacket pocket, and had not communication problems between the phone and the SENA.  I read all the reviews on the other systems, and the SENA came in first place (best price also).  I agree, its a great setup in my opinion, but to be fair I have not used any other system.  You really have to do the research on these communication systems because you can't try before you buy, and usually can only purchase from the internet.  I paid $250 (free shipping), though I saw them as cheap as $215 (free shipping) about 3 week prior to Xmas (the price jumped to $250 1 st day or two of December on Amazon).  Well I hope you SPTnet's find this help full.  Stay tuned for the upcoming intercom review.

Scott

[sleazy rider]

I ordered my set Tuesday with a due here date of Friday.  Mine'll get a good workout and then I'll post my thoughts.  Thanks for posting up your review.  

[MidLifeMike]

Excellent pricing you found. Congrats. It sounds like you know what to do with setting it up for Bluetooth. Please keep us informed on your experiences. I am very much looking forward to trying my set out but up here that's not going to happen until late April. All I've done so far is pair it to my HTC Desire Z and play MP3s inside my TZ-R and look silly in the house. Great sound to me though I wanted it for rider/passenger comms foremost. Smartphone pairing was easier and faster with the Sena than with my phone earpiece.

The bonus kicker to all this is that I won the dual set from Sena's Facebook draw last month; just in time to make my Christmas (a tie with getting a copy of Jackie Stewart's autobiography) If one comes up again I'll post a notice on STN.

[tankhead]

Wow! Thanks for the review. I have been looking at these for awhile. when I get some extra cash I will pick up a set. Again, thanks taking the time for this review. These kinds of reviews are what keeps me coming back for more on this site.

[Scratch33]

Thanks for the review.  Having just purchased a Zumo 665 to replace my 2610, the Sena's are next on my buy list.

[cognosticator]

I got a dual set from

http://www.mrhit.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=sena&Search.x=0&Search.y=0

249.00 for the dual setup, been using it for 6 months and a 3000 mile trip with my wife riding her own bike.  Great headset, and I have had the Q2 then the G4 and have decided to keep the Sena system as it works great and I have paired with another riding buddy so it works fine with three headsets, of course all three cannot talk at the same time.

[sslangs]

I'm glad the review is helpful.   I will update as I have more time.  Cognosticator - how did it compare to the scala sets ? BTW great profile pic!

[cognosticator]

I'm glad the review is helpful.   I will update as I have more time.  Cognosticator - how did it compare to the scala sets ? BTW great profile pic!

Thanks on the profile pic  

The sena is a lot more user friendly than the G4, but not near the range, but that is fine with me because the G4 loses connection in the twisties and that is when I run off and leave my wife    GeQ2 was a mono unit and it worked fine I just wanted stereo, even though I can't really tell since I wear earplugs and it is "high fidelity" sound.   I find the Sena simple to operate and it pairs quickly and easily with everything I have paired it with.

[radon222]

Thanks for the review.  Having just purchased a Zumo 665 to replace my 2610, the Sena's are next on my buy list.

Wait did I read that correctly?  You sprang for an up-to-date GPS     lolol  Congrats.

The Sena's have been pretty cool for comms between me and the wife...but I have tried adding others yet.

[sleazy rider]

My set came today.  Installation was easy, but I've done intercom headsets before and knew how to route/hide the wiring.  The battery is charging now.  I broke down, cancelled the Garmin Nuvi 1490 and went with a Zumo 660.  Ouch!  It'll be in my sweaty little palms on Monday, since I also sprung for the overnight shipping.  Walmart tossed in lifetime map updates for free.  

[Mastros2]

Thanks for the review and for the prices.  That may be my next mc purchase.  

[sleazy rider]

WOW!  I'm impressed with the sound quality and ease to use.  Installation was cake, the iPhone paired up easily and the music sounds good enough for riding.  Volume was very good.  Tried calling my buddy and the reception was also excellent.  Final test is Monday evening when the Zumo gets here and I can test it too.  Tentative impression is great piece of high tech for riding.   

[sslangs]

I'm interested to get some feedback on the quality of the intercom usage.  Sleazy, what sold you on the 665?

[sleazy rider]

I ordered a 660 due to the fact I'm going to do at least one LD rally this year, along with an extended trip in June.  I wanted BT connectivity, MP3 player, a larger screen for my old eyes and the latest tech.

[antvq]

Question....

If you are pairing this with a Zumo do you pair your phone with the Zumo or with the headset itself?    

I would think pairing it with the Zumo would work and would give the advantage of being able to see who was calling on screen.

[sleazy rider]

I paired the iPhone with the Zumo and could access my phone book via the GPS.  That's what Sena recommends and it worked well.  Sooner or later, I'll get to road test it.  

[cognosticator]

I paired the iPhone with the Zumo and could access my phone book via the GPS.  That's what Sena recommends and it worked well.  Sooner or later, I'll get to road test it.  

That is the way I did my EVO, works great

[JamminJere]

Cablebandit and I have used the intercom with the SMH-10's paired up Talking with the link open bike to bike for many hours/miles.  Good sound quality, no wind/mic noise... Sounds like he is in my helmet.

I highly recommend them.. Bluetooth to my cell and iPad for music works well too.

JJ

[Skee]

... Sounds like he is in my helmet.

Quite possibly an undesirable feature...LOL

[Cablebandit]

Quite possibly an undesirable feature...LOL

Easy there.  I have the earphone base with a set of ER6i's.  Get out of my head Jerry!