waxrash
New member
I would like to issue a challenge to anyone who can make a Sena 20s work as described in the manual, in my environment.
I am offering a reward.
First my environment:
Sena 20s (1.3 Firmware) (I have replaced the unit once already just thinking it must be defective, same result on new unit).
Garmin Zumo 660 (software version 5.10, 2015.30 maps)
IPhone 6+ (IOS 8.2)
Settings on my 20s:
VOX Phone: enable
Sidetone: disable
Motion Sensor: High
Audio Multitasking: Enable
Intercom-audio Overlay sensitivity: 6
Navigation App Support: disable
I have logged over 60,000 miles on a my trusty old Sena SMH10. No real problems, but like an idiot, I thought I would upgrade.
I am about 8 months in on my Sena 20s and I find it almost unusable. I talked to others with 20s and they just frown and say theirs behaves the same way.
So why upgrade:
1) The audio multitasking feature. I want the GPS to talk over the audio conference, reduce volume of conference, but don't disconnect.
2) Stop disconnecting the audio conference on each GPS announcement as the SMH10 does.
There are really only two ways recommended in the manual to pair a Bluetooth device (for my environment).
First is as a phone, then as a second phone.
The case studies for my environment from the manual (section 24) are:
1) Phone to 20s using mobile phone pairing, followed by gps to 20s using second mobile phone pairing.
2) Phone to GPS using mobile phone pairing, followed by gps to 20s using mobile phone pairing (not second).
3) GPS to 20s using mobile phone pairing, followed by phone to 20s using second mobile phone pairing.
4) Phone to 20s using mobile phone pairing, followed by gps to 20s using mobile phone pairing.
Case 1 and 3 are identical, just reverses order.
Case 2 and 4 attempt to make the GPS the hub. My preference, but SENA tech support recommended #1
What doesn't work:
1) First in any of these cases I can make the Sena crash. Hard crash and power off. All you have to do is pair with any SMH10 with your 20s. Then factory reset your 20s. Now follow one of the above configs (I verified 1,2 and 3). Now pair your 20s with the SMH10 again (your pairing was lost due to your factory reset). When you go into intercom pairing, your unit will crash. Not a huge problem as long as everyone in your riding group doesn't mind factory resetting their devices when you change your programming.
2) Multitasking seems to only work with my phone. When I get a call, it will override the intercom, putting the intercom in the background. The second my GPS makes an announcement, any audio conference is disconnected and WILL NEVER reconnect. I have to reconnect manually. What a PITA this is, SMH10 worked much better. Technically this is not what the manual says. It says that the intercom conversation has priority and will put everything else in the "background". I'll take either.
3) The FM radio is a joke, but who cares.
At this point I would be totally happy to get back to SMH10 functionality.
So here comes the challenge. I will donate $25 to the charity of your choosing if you can find a method that accomplishes the following behavior in my environment.
1) When the GPS announces a direction, the active intercom conversation remains connected (audio multitasking) per the manual. The GPS will be in the background, but audible, the audio conference continues. My unit behaves as if audio multitasking is disabled, but it is not.
2) When an audio conference is interrupted for any reason, GPS, or phone. It will automatically reconnect to the audio conference. I'm not sure why it ever would disconnect with audio multitasking on, but hey, mine does all the time.
I have taken my MS degree in computer science and 25 years in technology and basically devolved to banging my head on the wall.
Sena support is not a workable solution. They can be helpful, they will offer something to try, but I go on about 4 big group rides per year, and getting a bunch of friends over the try Sena's latest recommendation is not feasible. So on each trip I have tried a new combination. I am out of options.
I am offering a reward.
First my environment:
Sena 20s (1.3 Firmware) (I have replaced the unit once already just thinking it must be defective, same result on new unit).
Garmin Zumo 660 (software version 5.10, 2015.30 maps)
IPhone 6+ (IOS 8.2)
Settings on my 20s:
VOX Phone: enable
Sidetone: disable
Motion Sensor: High
Audio Multitasking: Enable
Intercom-audio Overlay sensitivity: 6
Navigation App Support: disable
I have logged over 60,000 miles on a my trusty old Sena SMH10. No real problems, but like an idiot, I thought I would upgrade.
I am about 8 months in on my Sena 20s and I find it almost unusable. I talked to others with 20s and they just frown and say theirs behaves the same way.
So why upgrade:
1) The audio multitasking feature. I want the GPS to talk over the audio conference, reduce volume of conference, but don't disconnect.
2) Stop disconnecting the audio conference on each GPS announcement as the SMH10 does.
There are really only two ways recommended in the manual to pair a Bluetooth device (for my environment).
First is as a phone, then as a second phone.
The case studies for my environment from the manual (section 24) are:
1) Phone to 20s using mobile phone pairing, followed by gps to 20s using second mobile phone pairing.
2) Phone to GPS using mobile phone pairing, followed by gps to 20s using mobile phone pairing (not second).
3) GPS to 20s using mobile phone pairing, followed by phone to 20s using second mobile phone pairing.
4) Phone to 20s using mobile phone pairing, followed by gps to 20s using mobile phone pairing.
Case 1 and 3 are identical, just reverses order.
Case 2 and 4 attempt to make the GPS the hub. My preference, but SENA tech support recommended #1
What doesn't work:
1) First in any of these cases I can make the Sena crash. Hard crash and power off. All you have to do is pair with any SMH10 with your 20s. Then factory reset your 20s. Now follow one of the above configs (I verified 1,2 and 3). Now pair your 20s with the SMH10 again (your pairing was lost due to your factory reset). When you go into intercom pairing, your unit will crash. Not a huge problem as long as everyone in your riding group doesn't mind factory resetting their devices when you change your programming.
2) Multitasking seems to only work with my phone. When I get a call, it will override the intercom, putting the intercom in the background. The second my GPS makes an announcement, any audio conference is disconnected and WILL NEVER reconnect. I have to reconnect manually. What a PITA this is, SMH10 worked much better. Technically this is not what the manual says. It says that the intercom conversation has priority and will put everything else in the "background". I'll take either.
3) The FM radio is a joke, but who cares.
At this point I would be totally happy to get back to SMH10 functionality.
So here comes the challenge. I will donate $25 to the charity of your choosing if you can find a method that accomplishes the following behavior in my environment.
1) When the GPS announces a direction, the active intercom conversation remains connected (audio multitasking) per the manual. The GPS will be in the background, but audible, the audio conference continues. My unit behaves as if audio multitasking is disabled, but it is not.
2) When an audio conference is interrupted for any reason, GPS, or phone. It will automatically reconnect to the audio conference. I'm not sure why it ever would disconnect with audio multitasking on, but hey, mine does all the time.
I have taken my MS degree in computer science and 25 years in technology and basically devolved to banging my head on the wall.
Sena support is not a workable solution. They can be helpful, they will offer something to try, but I go on about 4 big group rides per year, and getting a bunch of friends over the try Sena's latest recommendation is not feasible. So on each trip I have tried a new combination. I am out of options.
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