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Sena SMH10 vs. Sena 20S

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Sena 20S

Sena 20S

 

Sena SMH10

Sena SMH10

Let me just start by saying I love my Sena SMH10, it has been with me through rain and shine and has never failed.  It is simple to use and more streamlined than the other options out there.  They came out with the SMH10R which was more streamlined and flat but the battery pack had to be adhered to your helmet which kind of defeated the purpose of being slim and I felt wasn’t a great option for most riders.  However, they totally got it right with the 20S, it is more low profile than the SMH10 and has way more features and functions, which comes with the price tag of around $270 vs. $165 for the SMH10.  The SMH10 can be paired with up to three other headsets, has voice activated calling, an MP3 jack for listening to music, bluetooth music from your phone, GPS Nav pairing and can transfer when you have another incoming call.  The 20S does all that and more including FM radio, pairing an additional phone,  an external antenna to extend the intercom distance, sharing music with an intercom friend, can be paired with up to nine other headsets as long as it is the Sena SMH10 or SMH5 and an ambient noise button, should you choose to listen to the noise around you.

I’ve been riding with it for a few weeks now and just love the sound quality of the Sena, its crystal clear whether it’s a phone call or intercoming with a friend.  The range is approximately 1.2 miles on the 20S and is 980 yards for the SMH10.  For people who are riding two up and just want to be able to talk without yelling, the SMH10 is perfect.  For those that love playing with gadgets and want all the bells and whistles, the 20S is amazing!  There is still so much to figure out on the headset, but the fact I can pair two phones and have one give me turn by turn directions is truly amazing.  Here’s an example of how the 20S operates in the following order of priority:  Highest to the lowest…Ambient mode, Mobile phone, Voice command mode, Intercom, Stereo music by audio cable, Music sharing by Bluetooth, FM radio, Bluetooth stereo music.  A lower priority function is always interrupted by the higher priority function. For example, stereo music is interrupted by an intercom call and intercom conversation is interrupted by an incoming phone call.  Pretty cool huh?  It does it all on its own and with literally only two buttons controlling the whole unit.  Sena sends out updates to firmware occasionally so when you purchase your unit be sure to register it as it is the only way you can get the update.  While I am partial to this brand and it’s products there are many out there to choose from, so do some research know what you want out of the unit you want to purchase and happy hunting!  From our website check out Revzilla, they carry different brands and hopefully you find one that suits your needs!

Vixens Ride!

 

Are you ready to ride?

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Hopping on your bike and taking off spontaneously is great, the freedom of just getting lost and being in the moment…there is nothing quite like it right? Sure if everything goes as planned and you return safe and sound, but how about we take a moment to do a pre bike check for whatever type of riding we plan on doing? If you are planning on a long trip, chances are you’ve put some thought into the trip, the schedule, etc. so why not put some time in checking over your bike to make sure everything is working properly and there are no loose nuts and bolts? Checking your lights, blinkers, brakes (making sure they aren’t too spongy), Oil level, fuel and tire pressures the night before you embark will allow you to rest peacefully before your ride. This also applies to just a quick jaunt around town, if the bike hasn’t been ridden or even looked at for a while, it may require a little attention to get it ready for the riding season. Maybe even a little maintenance at the shop…so before you get on and try to fire it up only to discover that it won’t turn over, get it ready before you plan on riding again so you won’t be frustrated. Now if you are planning on hitting the track, please be mindful that while you think you may pass tech, if you come with less than 50% wear on your tires, you will not be riding or you will be at the mercy of purchasing whatever tires they have at the track in order to continue your day. I know this can be irritating, but remember this is not about you, this about the safety of everyone out there. You are not riding that track alone which is why it is important to know what it will require to pass tech and if there is any question, have your bike serviced within a month or so of the track day and you should be good to go. When you have large groups of people going around the track together at a very spirited pace, it is important not to ride over your head and show off because if you should have to maneuver quickly to avoid someone/something, you may end up being “that guy” that sends out the red flags and stops the whole session. The reason there are requirements are because we all have families and jobs we would like to return to the following day/week so let’s each do our part in making sure we are being safe, not just for ourselves, but considerate to the others we are sharing the road/track with.

That being said, just knowing and being confident that you are good to go can allow your attention to be on the task at hand, riding, and enjoying it. I ride with tunes through my Sena SMH10 (which I personally love) and yes there are plenty of other brands out there, but I have to say for ease of use and clarity I really love it. I have also placed an order on their newest generation of the Sena 20s which you can read about through www.sena.com. It links your music, gps, phone and intercom, allowing multiple applications to be open at the same time. “Sena 20S Audio Multitasking™ technology allows you to have an intercom conversation while simultaneously listening to music, FM radio, or GPS. No longer do users have to deal with the frustrations of interruption-based audio functions of past Bluetooth communication devices. Now audio features won’t interrupt each other but simply overlay for a smooth listening experience.” The SMH10 can intercom between 4 users, now the Sena 20s can link up to 8 at a 1.2 mile range as well as be used with other generation Sena units and non-Sena bluetooth units. This versatility will be groundbreaking as it will allow groups to communicate with each other and keep track of everyone…no more herding kitty cats! I am really excited about their new design which is lower profile and sleeker than the SMH10…look for a review when I finally receive mine, they are due to be released beginning to mid-June. In the meantime, enjoy the beautiful weather!

Vixens Ride!