Sena 20S

[globalrider]

I'm considering a Sena 20S.

I just got a reply back from the Sena Support Team stating the battery is not replaceable.

So I take it if battery capacity after numerous charges drops by enough that talk time is way down, I am just supposed to throw away an expensive item?

Our throw-away society is not my style. Has anyone opened one up yet?

 

[elgin mary]

I've had the Sena 20s for a long time and use it for hours before recharging. I've not noticed any drop off of battery life.

 

[lkraus]

I suspect the 20S is too new for battery life to be a problem. After four years I cannot detect any loss of battery life on my SMH10. A single charge is still enough for 12 hour day, and I can charge it while in use if that ever becomes necessary.

Many devices with "unreplaceable" batteries can have the batteries replaced, but it may require more effort than simply popping a cover and swapping batteries. The Iphone, Ipad, and most tablets and GPS units come to mind, but even these can have new batteries installed. It may require special tools and possibly soldering skills, but it can be done.

If you rule out devices on the basis of a "unreplaceable" battery, you will find that you have few options left.

 

[globalrider]

I've had the Sena 20s for a long time and use it for hours before recharging. I've not noticed any drop off of battery life.

How long have you had it? I take it if I'm mostly using it to connect to my GPS and cell phone, battery time between charges should even be longer.

I look at things long term. My last cell phone was 9 years old (only needed it to make calls) and all I did was replace the battery once. My reason for asking Sena about that.

 

[globalrider]

Thanks Larry. Points taken.

Same for my Garmin 40 LM. Battery had little to no capacity when new. The capacity dropped off after maybe 15 charges so it was definitely a defective battery having worked with batteries in a lab a lot.

 

[daboo]

The Sena 10R has a separate battery, which can be replaced.

Chris

 

[alancoles]

Hi Alex, I don't have the 20S but have used my SMH10 for several years now without it ever running out of juice during a full day of riding unless it hadn't been fully charged before heading out. I don't listen to music or the radio when I ride (my preference) so it is GPS, Phone and Intercom. I did one ride in New England when the unit was quite new where we had the intercom open the entire day plus I was doing some 2-way radio conversation and continuous GPS without it dying. It was very low but still had charge.

I have also used it for two days in a row without recharging, but that was just using GPS and phone with only a bit of intercom use. Typically, if I'm doing a 2-3+ day ride I'll simply plug it in at night along with my cell phone and have never had an issue.

With the 20S if you're listening to music than I'm not sure what the real-life battery life would be, but others here should be able to identify that. As has been mentioned, if that were to become an issue then unlike many other brands, the Sena can be used while being recharged. On my last trip (8 days) I took along a small battery pack and cable just in case there was an issue with my Sena or cell phone. The Sena never needed it, but my cell phone did once.

 

[globalrider]

Thanks Chris and Alan,

As long as I can get about 5 years of life out of a unit, I'd be happy. Plus I can use one of those Lithium battery packs now available. They are small enough to 3M Dual-Lock to the back of a helmet.

Sena seems very optimistic with their claimed 13 hour talk time. Mind you, that purpose would be a distant last since I do not want someone yapping in my ear all day long.

I think it'll be the Sena 20S.

 

[jkersh1]

The 20S can be charged while in use either with the supplemental battery pack Sena has available, or connection to a USB power outlet. I've never gotten more than 10 hours, and as little as 6 hours, from my 20S so some kind of recharge is necessary. A replaceable battery would be my preferred option for a 'wireless' comm system.

 

[alancoles]

...I can use one of those Lithium battery packs now available. They are small enough to 3M Dual-Lock to the back of a helmet...

I use a very small one like this:

Rather than run the risk of losing the battery-pack you can also simply place it in the breast pocket of your jacket and connect it to the Sena directly, I'm sure both methods will provide good results.
...Sena seems very optimistic with their claimed 13 hour talk time. Mind you, that purpose would be a distant last since I do not want someone yapping in my ear all day long.[/QUOTE]That is overly optimistic as is their clams for usable range. Real-world figures seem to be more like 50-75% of what they claim for battery life and range. Definitely 50% if you're talking continuously. Not my preference but some people like to talk constantly. ;-)

 

[globalrider]

I use a very small one like this:
View attachment 57621

I have one that size but it is square in cross section.

That is overly optimistic as is their clams for usable range. Real-world figures seem to be more like 50-75% of what they claim for battery life and range. Definitely 50% if you're talking continuously. Not my preference but some people like to talk constantly. ;-)

Last month while I was touring the Alps, one of the hotels I stayed at had a recent Tourenfahrer magazine that had a bunch of intercoms evaluated. Their results were similar. Manufacturer claims are optimistic.

 

[rtim]

Alex, I have a 20s and it has worked flawlessly for now over a year and about 10,000 miles, including a 16-day trip from Virginia to Colorado/Utah/Arizona and back in June. The battery lasts all day, syncs flawlessly with my buddy's Sena 10s, my iPhone, and my Zumo 660. The battery's life has not diminished at all from what I can tell. I only charge it when it runs low or runs out. I did charge each evening during the aforementioned trip, but I assumed the battery was running low anyway. Like any rechargeable battery, I do not keep it on a charger.

My buddy's 10s acted up on our trip. It would indicate it was fully charged and then die immediately once booted up. Luckily he was able to hardwire it to his RT through the Powerlet port and it worked flawlessly. My 20s has had no issues whatsoever.

 

[globalrider]

An update to my Sena 10R ownership.

My product evaluation: I'm not at all impressed with the audio volume which is all the way at its maximum and above 80 kph (50 mph) is next to useless. And this with wearing a Shoei Neotec helmet that is quite enclosed and quiet. Actually, there is no such thing as a quiet helmet or you would not need earplugs which I use. I tried Etymotic ER20XS Motorsports ear plugs and they were useless at solving the problem. So my other option is to use ear bud speakers...not what I had in mind with this system and I do not want to be that wired.

It is unfortunate that product evaluation by people and on forums are worthless. Interesting that prior to buying the unit and asking people that had one, they all said it worked great. Now that I have one and asked them about the audio volume issue, they admit to it. Knowing that now, I would not have bought ANY communication system.

I performed all the recommendations that Sena provided (Factory Reset) and tried the Advance Noise Control feature. They had no effect. And I am not about to glue the 20S speakers that come with the 10R to my ears.

I think I'll contact Sena and have them take the unit back or have them have the local dealer take the unit back. I have better things to do with almost $300.

 

[BMARC153920]

An update to my Sena 10R ownership.

My product evaluation: I'm not at all impressed with the audio volume which is all the way at its maximum and above 80 kph (50 mph) is next to useless. And this with wearing a Shoei Neotec helmet that is quite enclosed and quiet. Actually, there is no such thing as a quiet helmet or you would not need earplugs which I use. I tried Etymotic ER20XS Motorsports ear plugs and they were useless at solving the problem. So my other option is to use ear bud speakers...not what I had in mind with this system and I do not want to be that wired.

It is unfortunate that product evaluation by people and on forums are worthless. Interesting that prior to buying the unit and asking people that had one, they all said it worked great. Now that I have one and asked them about the audio volume issue, they admit to it. Knowing that now, I would not have bought ANY communication system.

I performed all the recommendations that Sena provided (Factory Reset) and tried the Advance Noise Control feature. They had no effect. And I am not about to glue the 20S speakers that come with the 10R to my ears.

I think I'll contact Sena and have them take the unit back or have them have the local dealer take the unit back. I have better things to do with almost $300.

So all the product evaluations by others, except yours are worthless? Mighty bold statement, especially to someone like me who also has a neotec using an older Sena smh10 unit and can hear fine well over 90 mph.

Is it perfect and audiophile quality, not even close however factors such as wind noise (no matter how quiet the helmet, different bikes, windscreens and rider height all make huge difference), speaker placement (the most important factor when it comes to Sena sound quality, a few mm make a huge difference) and type of ear plugs used all combine to make ones experience better or worse.

And the above doesn't take into account ones own hearing ability and expectations.

Worthless, I think not, for many, the Sena is great, for some, it is acceptable and for a minority it doesn't work for them. But in all, no one's review is worthless all have value.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

 

[jeffkruger]

So all the product evaluations by others, except yours are worthless? Mighty bold statement, especially to someone like me who also has a neotec using an older Sena smh10 unit and can hear fine well over 90 mph.

Is it perfect and audiophile quality, not even close however factors such as wind noise (no matter how quiet the helmet, different bikes, windscreens and rider height all make huge difference), speaker placement (the most important factor when it comes to Sena sound quality, a few mm make a huge difference) and type of ear plugs used all combine to make ones experience better or worse.

And the above doesn't take into account ones own hearing ability and expectations.

Worthless, I think not, for many, the Sena is great, for some, it is acceptable and for a minority it doesn't work for them. But in all, no one's review is worthless all have value.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I agree that it was a pretty horrible statement to make, and in my experience, not at all true. I appreciate it when someone takes the time to give an honest review of a product. Some times I know they can tend to be a bit optimistic because after spending good money folks want to believe what they bought is good. I find that most people are pretty honest in their reviews though, and I appreciate it when they give an idea how long they've been using the product. Taken in aggregate, I think reviews in forums and other places online can help consumers make an informed decision.

I have a pair of 20s's and have been happy with their performance. I enjoy not being tethered. Volume has been sufficient in my Shoei full face helmet. It pairs quickly on it's own every time I turn on my Garmin 665. When I choose to have my phone paired to the Zumo as well the functions all work like they are supposed to. I can hear calls well and folks on the other end of the conversation can hear me and have often been surprised when I tell them I am on a bike. I have found battery life to be 8-10 hours. I have a small charger pack that I often use to top off the charge at a lunch stop, or I can put it in the waterproof pocket of my jacket and charge while using the 20s.

Like a lot of technology, future releases may offer some improvements. As it is, I am well satisfied with the performance of the 20s. I have been using them for about two years now. I also appreciate those of you that take the time to write honest reviews and opinions. Hopefully if we happen to disagree with someone's opinion we can offer our own opinion without insulting or discounting the experiences or opinions of others. It's always possible that someone get's a lesser unit with some type of problem that could affect their experience.

 

[globalrider]

So all the product evaluations by others, except yours are worthless?

Yeah pretty well. When I talk about a product, I do not look at it through rose colored glasses. Like when I write about my Held gloves on my site, I give it a running annual evaluation...as in three years later. For example, the product evaluation in the ON doesn't even mention if a glove's lining it tied to the inside of the glove, a pretty damn important aspect of a glove for motorcyclist. Want another example, battery charger & battery maintainer write ups on here from those who know SFA about batteries or anything electrical.

But back ON TOPIC...user evaluations like the one I got from a rider in the parking lot of my local BMW dealership made no mention of volume issues, yet via a PM later commented on it.

In opened another ticket with Sena. Pissed at this thing!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[globalrider]

Like a lot of technology, future releases may offer some improvements.

I do not need future improvements. I need this POS product to work now, actually last summer when I bought it. If I can't hear my Navigator V above 50 mph, it is useless.

 

[craigjv4]

Did you turn audio boost on?

Download the app and go through the basic settings with the app. It's really easy to change the settings with the app. And the app shows if the firmware is up-to-date or not.

My 20S seems to pair quicker if I have my iphone's bluetooth on first, then turn on the Sena.

I turned off smart volume control; I figured I want to control the volume, not the unit.

I ride with ear plugs and I hear my Nav V and music very well in my Arai; music from my phone with Pandora or music saved on my Nav V. My Sena volume is normally about 80% with ear plugs in.

Without the earplugs; it's loud as heck.

No problem hearing at 80+ mph.

 

[rocketmanli]

Don't know if this would help, but here's a pretty interesting video about upgrading the Sena speakers:

 

[jeffkruger]

Yeah pretty well. When I talk about a product, I do not look at it through rose colored glasses. Like when I write about my Held gloves on my site, I give it a running annual evaluation...as in three years later. For example, the product evaluation in the ON doesn't even mention if a glove's lining it tied to the inside of the glove, a pretty damn important aspect of a glove for motorcyclist. Want another example, battery charger & battery maintainer write ups on here from those who know SFA about batteries or anything electrical.

But back ON TOPIC...user evaluations like the one I got from a rider in the parking lot of my local BMW dealership made no mention of volume issues, yet via a PM later commented on it.

In opened another ticket with Sena. Pissed at this thing!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, what an arrogant thing to say! I'm the CEO of a decent sized company and in the top 1% of all Americans from an income and net worth standpoint. In my most cocky of moods I don't think I'm ever anywhere nearly as arrogant as this display.

I haven't had any volume issues at all with my 20S while riding my GSA. Maybe your hearing isn't the best and it's not the fault of the unit? I had a Starcom Digital prior to the 20s and the 20s volume levels seem a bit better to me. I purchased the 20s from Amazon, so returning them wouldn't have been a problem. I used the heck out of them for the first 30 days to make sure I was happy with them. I left the Starcom installed just in case I didn't like them. If I would have had any doubt, I would have returned them. Not a fan-boy or looking through rose colored glasses. I think they're a good value and work well. If they don't work for you why not just sell them or throw them away and go a different route?

Perhaps your hearing has suffered from years of listening to your own voice as you tell others how their opinions don't matter and you are the only truly objective user of anything?