Eyes in the back of your head.

[ribbert]

Sena continues to roll out great new products for the motor cycling world.

I was talking to the national importer today and he had literally just received their latest product for evaluation, a motorbike "dash cam"

What makes this unique is small front and rear HD cameras that are mounted separately from the main unit, which you can mount anywhere on the bike.

The main unit has GPS, so if you get rear ended for example, you will have HD footage of the event, exact location, time of day to the second and you own vehicle speed (mixed blessing) all on an SD card.

If you mount additional cameras on your car, you can switch the box into whichever vehicle you're using. The cameras I believe are quite small.

I'm not much on gadgets myself but I do like the sound of this. High percentages of fault seem difficult to prove these days with courts increasingly attributing excessive levels of contributory negligence to the wronged party, and if you are on a bike, well, you just have to have been speeding.

I don't believe there is any info on the dash cam yet but it won't be far away.

Or, for something a little less techy, the Sena 10C. A high quality camera incorporated into the bluetooth intercom unit.
As you can see, it's not much bigger than the 20s intercom standing next to it. There is plenty of info on the net about these. For those that already have Sena intercoms, you would only have to upgrade the one unit.



I bought three 20s's last year and while having a few issues with them, I cannot speak highly enough about the company standing behind their products. I had one replaced early on and rang today to talk about another one that had failed, he mentioned the very first batches had a few issues which resolved and they have had no problems with the later ones.

By the end of the conversation, he said just send all three back and he would swap them over for new ones, just to be sure. He's also throwing in an additional set of speakers, which had nothing to do with warranty, but I wanted spares so I could cut mine off.

I didn't mention this in my last Ride Report, but the battery life and range of the 20s is outstanding.

Noel

[Firehawk068]

Noel,
This is coming at the perfect time.
I've been considering a Bluetooth unit for some time. I have been looking really close at the 20S.
I've seen the camera model but am not sure that I want to spend the money on the extras.

I'll most likely be getting the dual units (one for me, and one for a passenger)
I plan on linking it with my Zumo, and listening to music and directions while I ride.
How long does the battery usually last?

[ribbert]

Noel,
This is coming at the perfect time.
I've been considering a Bluetooth unit for some time. I have been looking really close at the 20S.
I've seen the camera model but am not sure that I want to spend the money on the extras.

I'll most likely be getting the dual units (one for me, and one for a passenger)
I plan on linking it with my Zumo, and listening to music and directions while I ride.
How long does the battery usually last?

Yep Alan, couldn't ride without it anymore, I've had intercom for 6 or 7 years (previously Scala Q2). I have it connected to the Zumo. I don't like verbal directions and don't listen to music but use my phone through it.
Its main function for me though is rider to rider intercom. I do a lot of rides with my brother and we talk all day. The longest day was probably around 12 hrs of near constant chatter and they were not flat at the end.

If you want a more detailed account of my experience with the 20s, let me know and I'll send it to you.

Even a year after their release they are still miles ahead of the competition on technology.

Noel

[racerrad8]

Alan,

Make sure look look to RPM for your Sena needs.

Let me know exactly what you are looking for and I can see what we can do for you.

RPM is also a authorized Sena dealer and has been since 2011.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5503.0

Randy - RPM

[Country Joe]

Alan,

Make sure look look to RPM for your Sena needs.

Let me know exactly what you are looking for and I can see what we can do for you.

RPM is also a authorized Sena dealer and has been since 2011.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5503.0

Randy - RPM

Good reminder, the Sena 20S has made it to my short list.

Joe

[FeralRdr]

Maybe I missed it, but what is the name of the new "Dash Cam" system? 

[great white]

I'll add a little to the discussion.

I was always a dyed in the wool NO HEADSET rider.

The sound of the engine and the rush of the wind were all I needed.

Earlier this year, I bought a Sena SMH10. I went for the 10 instead of the 20 based on price and several reviews I read on the 20 reported issues with the pins on the plug in.

Well, now I don't know how I ever lived without it!

Music, phone, voice gps, voice activation of my IPhone, it will read and write text message though voice for me, read my emails, select music or playlists, open programs, check the weather, etc. Basically I pair it to my iPhone 6 plus and anything you can do with siri, it will access.

The 20 was a high front runner with it's longer battery time and ability to pair with more than 4 riders (I think it's 10), but price ultimately won out. I could get an SMH10 for significantly less than the 20. I just wish I'd gotten the double pack so I would have intercom with my wife when we're on the venture (or maybe I don't? )

I would consider a 20 now, as long as it's early issues are worked out.

[great white]

I'm also curious about the "dash cam".

I've got one on my venture that does front (720P) and rear (VGA) but it's an automobile dash cam model that I just use on the bike. It also gives me the option to use the screen as a rear view camera while it records both front and rear.

I'm assuming the new Sena is at least water proof?

Any product links?

I hope it's not stupid priced as the guts in these things can be had dirt cheap these days. My front/rear one was only 50 bucks and I've got a 1080P one in the truck (front facing only) that only cost me $50. They can be had even cheaper if you dig hard enough.

A waterproof case and some big buttons shouldn't up the cost much.

Would be nice if it was 1080P front and 720P rear and able to take a 64 MB micro SD.

Battery power for 5-10 minutes woudl also be a bonus for after crash evidence and such. I've got the one on mine for when I get rear ended or jablony cut in front of me and wipes me out. Hard to argue with video footage, especially when you can play it back on screen for the police....

If Sena came in around 100 bucks with those features, I'd probably buy a couple. One for each bike.

[markmartin]

Alan,

Make sure look look to RPM for your Sena needs.

Let me know exactly what you are looking for and I can see what we can do for you.

RPM is also a authorized Sena dealer and has been since 2011.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5503.0

Randy - RPM

I was unaware of this Randy, thanks for posting the reminder. I certainly would have gone through you but I only check your FJ specific parts when I'm on your website and didn't know.

I bought a set of 20's a couple of years ago and have had good results with them.  I use them mostly for intercom during two-up riding, and as mentioned, connect to my Android phone.  The verbal GPS directions provide a great safety advantage as opposed to looking down at the screen to see where the hell the next turn is.  

The speakers are of very decent quality, but above 60 mph or so, I get too much wind noise in my Shoei FF helmet to really bother with music or small talk, although we (pillion and me) can still communicate but need to speak louder.  The batteries last all day, but need to be charged all night to receive a full charge.
I recently lost the outside dial off my headset (my fault) and wrote the company to see where I could purchase this repair part.  Sena sent me a new dail immediately at no charge and no shipping.  

I'm interested in reading any reviews on the new camera version of the S-20 and curious how detrimental the camera will be on the battery life of the unit.  

[Firehawk068]

Alan,

Make sure look look to RPM for your Sena needs.

Let me know exactly what you are looking for and I can see what we can do for you.

RPM is also a authorized Sena dealer and has been since 2011.
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=5503.0

Randy - RPM

Thanks Randy,

I must have missed your post about offering Sena products.
That's good to know. 

[ribbert]

I bought three 20s's last year and while having a few issues with them, I cannot speak highly enough about the company standing behind their products. I had one replaced early on and rang today to talk about another one that had failed, he mentioned the very first batches had a few issues which resolved and they have had no problems with the later ones.

By the end of the conversation, he said just send all three back and he would swap them over for new ones, just to be sure. He's also throwing in an additional set of speakers, which had nothing to do with warranty, but I wanted spares so I could cut mine off.

Noel

An update on the above for the folks out there that I know are contemplating buying these.

While I had only returned the units themselves, I received today 3 brand new, never opened boxed sets, complete with all the accessories, again.
The extra pair of speakers he offered to send turned up as a complete clamp kit, which is everything you see below except the unit.



Not only has the service from the retailer been outstanding, but his assurances that Sena are the best company he has dealt with in his 30 years in the business, having at various stages been agent for every major telecommunications company (he has also been in the mobile (cell) business from day one)

There are quite a few dissatisfied purchasers of these units on the net but I suggest the problem lies with the seller, as that is the pathway one must follow under warranty. I'm sure a lot of guys have bought them through eBay sellers who just don't want to know about returns.

The faults only affected the the first batches and they are now glitch free.

Highly recommended, just buy it from someone with a shop front.

Noel

[ZOA NOM]

I've been using a Sena SMH5-FM for a year or so, and having communication and tunes has transformed my riding experience like no other change, with the pinlock style auto-darken shield being a close second. I'm interested in the video capabilities of the 10C, however, as I look to step up in quality and features. The one feature that seems elusive for these camera systems is a loop recording feature. I don't want to have to reach up and press a button to start recording. I want a 5 or 10 minute loop that just runs, and the button press simply saves the file and recording continues.

[ribbert]

I've been using a Sena SMH5-FM for a year or so, and having communication and tunes has transformed my riding experience like no other change, with the pinlock style auto-darken shield being a close second. I'm interested in the video capabilities of the 10C, however, as I look to step up in quality and features. The one feature that seems elusive for these camera systems is a loop recording feature. I don't want to have to reach up and press a button to start recording. I want a 5 or 10 minute loop that just runs, and the button press simply saves the file and recording continues.

The unit referred to below is a dedicated "dash cam" with the looping feature. I don't believe it has been released or there is any info on it yet, but it's around the corner.

Sena continues to roll out great new products for the motor cycling world.

I was talking to the national importer today and he had literally just received their latest product for evaluation, a motorbike "dash cam"

What makes this unique is small front and rear HD cameras that are mounted separately from the main unit, which you can mount anywhere on the bike.

The main unit has GPS, so if you get rear ended for example, you will have HD footage of the event, exact location, time of day to the second and you own vehicle speed (mixed blessing) all on an SD card.

If you mount additional cameras on your car, you can switch the box into whichever vehicle you're using. The cameras I believe are quite small.

I don't believe there is any info on the dash cam yet but it won't be far away.

Noel

Many of the 20s features can be voice activated. Knowing Sena, you will probably be able to activate the loop feature with a spoken command like "Faaaaaaaaaark!" if you are about to be first on the scene of the accident 

It will be hard wired. The 10C's shortcoming is battery life. It'd only good for about 2 hrs and then shuts down when the battery gets to 20% to retain the communication feature.

Noel

[ribbert]

Zoa, check this out.

http://www.innovv.com/

Noel

[ZOA NOM]

Thanks, I'll wait for the good stuff. I was unaware of the battery life problem with the 10c. My current SMH5-FM lasts all day, and has an FM tuner, which is nice. I mostly use the bluetooth connection to the phone, and stream whichever app I like for news, music, calls, etc. With a usb port hard wired for charging the phone, I have to rest before I need to charge anything.

Thanks for the feedback, Noel


edit:

Zoa, check this out.

http://www.innovv.com/

Noel

Uh oh... here we go... Now I'm in trouble.