Poll: Sena vs Cardo? (Scala)

Which comms unit do you have?

  • Total voters
    77
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Does you need to have a phone connected to the sena unit to use it as a communicator between riders. When using the communicator does it use any of the data off of the phone?
I have a Sena SMH10R on its way and maybe should have done a little more research. :)
 
Zx12mark said:
Does you need to have a phone connected to the sena unit to use it as a communicator between riders. When using the communicator does it use any of the data off of the phone?I have a Sena SMH10R on its way and maybe should have done a little more research. :)
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No if you both have sena units (it just uses the BT intercom in the headsets), but yes if you are trying to talk to someone with a different brand (Scala, UClear, etc), as you'd need to use your phone to call their phone.
 
I just read a test of all the main communicators. The new Scala won by a long shot. The Sena came 2nd last. The only one that was rated worse was the Chatterbox, which incedentally was the priciest one as well.

I have a Scala G4. Using the curly cord to run IPOD music into my helmet, I got 22 hrs of music into my helmet without stopping to charge the Scala, and the red low battery warning light still wasn't on. Middle of nowhere West Virginia, I decided to charge it in a restaurant at that point anyways. Using Bluetooth for music streaming will reuce battery life to a mere 6 hrs or so. I never use the Bluetooth on mine, nor do I pair it to my phone. Mostly because I don't ride locally, and I don't use my cell when in the USA unless emergencies warrant it.

I voted for the Scala, becasue the chances of your riding buddies having compatible communicators are higher if you have a Scala. The range on open freeway can be almost out of sight, and in the mountains I can get as much as 30-60 seconds ahead of fellow Scala riders and still maintain contact. Very handy for "gravel midcorner in right side of lane", or "State Trooper in restaurant parking lot" etc.
 
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omnivore said:
I just read a test of all the main communicators. The new Scala won by a long shot. The Sena came 2nd last. The only one that was rated worse was the Chatterbox, which incedentally was the priciest one as well.I have a Scala G4. Using the curly cord to run IPOD music into my helmet, I got 22 hrs of music into my helmet without stopping to charge the Scala, and the red low battery warning light still wasn't on. Middle of nowhere West Virginia, I decided to charge it in a restaurant at that point anyways. Using Bluetooth for music streaming will reuce battery life to a mere 6 hrs or so. I never use the Bluetooth on mine, nor do I pair it to my phone. Mostly because I don't ride locally, and I don't use my cell when in the USA unless emergencies warrant it. I voted for the Scala, becasue the chances of your riding buddies having compatible communicators are higher if you have a Scala. The range on open freeway can be almost out of sight, and in the mountains I can get as much as 30-60 seconds ahead of fellow Scala riders and still maintain contact. Very handy for "gravel midcorner in right side of lane", or "State Trooper in restaurant parking lot" etc.
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I already have a Sena myself but can you post that review? Most I had read in the past put the Sena in the top 2, until maybe the Scala G9 came out.

Also from my own experience I lost count how long the battery lasted on my Sena, but it would have been after a month or two of riding and around 2,000km or so. I always have it paired to my phone, however I use the cable like you do for music from my iPod. As for my own experience on range, typically in urban sprawl I can get maybe 2 intersections behind or ahead of another rider before it begins breaking up.

Although I am extremely happy with my Sena, I have found that more people do have Cardo (Scala) units, albeit typically the older Q2 or similar models...but most have none at all. I'll also say that when you do ride with someone it is pretty awesome and imo safer, as you know how 2 sets of eyes relaying information to each rider, and can warn about upcoming hazards or if someone is speeding up from behind.
 
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I can't recall which magazine. I read Cycle Canada, Inside Motorcycles, and Road Runner mostly. I will look for it tmw....Off to the SOAR banquet today.

Off topic but cool info, We will try to employ the Scalas during endurance races this yr. Handy for bike to pit communication.
 
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I was wondering if you could tell me where you read the comparison. I might still be able to cancel my order but would like to read the pros/cons they have in the test.

......sorry, I was a little late asking. You beat me to it
 
JimmyJam said:
2 of my SENA SMH-10 have broken pins and not working properly anymore :( I suspect its poor quality design when taking on and off the unit, the pins tend to get bent.
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This happened to my Unit but they are more than happy to replace it with the updated designed pins.
No problem with warranty (2 years) quick reply and no drama.


I used to own the scala which was a big fail. Unit crapped out on me while waiting for a call to buy a motorcycle.Loosing the call caused me to loose the bike to another buyer.
It was a short storm in I-81, and the unit(scala) crapped out, i rode with my sena through 5 hrs rain, in snow and temp from -15 to 42 deg and it was solid.
I literally tore off the Scala from my helmet, cursed the hell out on it and throw the unit beside the highway, and laugh when it got ran over by a 18 wheeler.

Better sound quality, ease of use, and best bang for the buck- Sena all the way.
 
I had a G4 Scala... was good for 2yrs n then the buttons for volume up and down broke. I opened the thing to find the buttons badly attached to the device board.

Kinda sad cuz i used the thing day and night for music

Sent from phone
 
Another vote for SMH10. We got it from RocketMoto shortly before our trip and have been using almost every single day for the last 9 months. No major problems at all and we think it's a part of our essential kit.

We've got it hooked up to our Garmin Zumo 660s for mp3 playback, and we're using the helmet clampkits for earbuds instead of the speakers.

Clarity is amazing and the range is about 800m before the signal starts to noticeably degrade. However, Line-Of-Sight affects range, so if you go around the corner, you'll get maybe 400-500m.

The best part of the SMH10 is the simplicity. With one jog dial and a single button, it's very easy to open comms, forward/rewind songs, change volume or make a call even with bulky gloves on. The battery is very good and will last the entire riding day even if you leave the comms on the whole time.

Overall, very happy with the SMH10 and I think you will be too if you get it.
 
I totally agree with light cycle. Been using SENA since the first generation model and they have been awesome.



Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
 
I picked up a dual SMH 5 set for my girlfriend an I since we plan to do some touring this season. Besides playing space cadets with them in the house we havent had any rides out of them yet. We plan to use them for music too but have limited music on our phones and were hoping to use a bluetooth transmitter on older generation Ipods. Just want to get any feedback from anyone who has done this if they have a transmitter tha they can recommend.
 
Why not just add more music to your phone?
CdotRamos said:
I picked up a dual SMH 5 set for my girlfriend an I since we plan to do some touring this season. Besides playing space cadets with them in the house we havent had any rides out of them yet. We plan to use them for music too but have limited music on our phones and were hoping to use a bluetooth transmitter on older generation Ipods. Just want to get any feedback from anyone who has done this if they have a transmitter tha they can recommend.
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CdotRamos said:
No they dont. The newer touch versions may. Thats why Im asking about a bluetooth transmitter. something like this:

http://www.thesource.ca/estore/product.aspx?product=8004761&language=en-CA

It will turn your mp3/Ipod into a bluetooth device. Just checking if anyone has had any experience with them before and one that works well with the Sena in particular.
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Does the Sena have FM radio?
If so pick up a cheap FM transmitter, I have this one and when my daughter takes her Power Wheels Escalade out I connect my iPod to the radio on it with one of these.
It uses very little power from the ipod to run not plugged in.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Car-Charger-...er_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item4168bb29bf
 
Sena does not have FM radio ( SMH10). However it do work well using an audio cord, which is preferred if you want to ride the whole day.
Ive run the sena at most 8 hrs with intercom and BT music from iphone and 18 hrs corded.

Also im not sure if the BT dongle will support control of non BT ipod. What i will do is use a cord and this for control http://www.amazon.ca/Monster-iEZClick-Remote-Control-Black/dp/B000HVHGI6
 
Unfortunately I have the SMH5 so it does not have the aux input for corded music. I think my best bet is to put some more music on my phone. I may try the bluetooth transmitter. Just it buy it from somewhere with a decent return policy if it does not work how I expect it to.
 
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