Sena 20s ?

[The emperor has no clothes]

We are in the market for some communicators. I'm leaning towards the Sena 20. Any opinions ?  $500 for 2. Seem like fair price ?

[IamGCW]

I think that is a hair high.  Check with Pappy on the Florida board.  He bought a pair a little over a year ago.  Seems like the Biketober show price this year was $438 (I think). 

One caution about these units is they might shutdown (by design) when wet.  So if you ride in the rain it is possible you'll loose comm's.  Many carry dry rice in a zip lock bag to speed up the drying time.  These things are about the same price as the Cardo units but are much better (my opinion) with more options.  Points for being able to charge while in use as well as interface via another Sena unit that multiplexes radar detectors, CB, Ham radios, cell, etc. 

Gil (Cardo Scala G9 user, G9 hater)

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks for the reply Gil. Forgive my ignorance when it comes to electronics. What do you mean when you say multiplexes radar detectors, CB, etc. Can these hook up to the I/S CB ? Fortunately or unfortunately it doesn't rain much in my neck of the woods.

[BnB Tom]

I have the Sena SMH10 and SR10.  On our way to Inzane XV we rode many many hours in a downpour one day.  Never a hiccup from either device.
Love em!  

[IamGCW]

Check out this link.  I don't know if it links to the Interstate, but it looks like the Goldwing 1800 might.

http://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SIE-SNA-GW-SR10

Just to be clear for helmet to helmet my today choice would be Sena.  I have Scala (Cardo) and they work great when connected.  But require resets, fiddling with buttons, and relinking units. My G9's last around 9 hours while long rides are 12+ hours.  When the ride ends in a strange city the loss of comms to the other bike is a pain.  That's why the Sena is attractive.  

Both manufactures offer great noise reduction and pretty good range.  If longer range is needed you could use the cell phone to link or the Sena SR10 hub (multiplexer) to a radio (FRS, GMRS, Ham, CB, etc).  Most can't tell I am on the bike when they call my cell.  My G9 has great noise reduction and when the iPhone is used the noise reduction gets much better (go figure).  But I will never buy or recommend another Cardo unit.  When the G9's quit it will likely be Sena to replace them.

If you have multiple helmets then additional mounts can be purchased.  Sena also has a unit for half helmets or no helmet communication.  

In Florida we have noticed the Cardo units are not on display like they were.  

Gil

[The emperor has no clothes]

Check out this link.  I don't know if it links to the Interstate, but it looks like the Goldwing 1800 might.

http://www.sierra-mc.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SIE-SNA-GW-SR10

Just to be clear for helmet to helmet my today choice would be Sena.  I have Scala (Cardo) and they work great when connected.  But require resets, fiddling with buttons, and relinking units. My G9's last around 9 hours while long rides are 12+ hours.  When the ride ends in a strange city the loss of comms to the other bike is a pain.  That's why the Sena is attractive.  

Both manufactures offer great noise reduction and pretty good range.  If longer range is needed you could use the cell phone to link or the Sena SR10 hub (multiplexer) to a radio (FRS, GMRS, Ham, CB, etc).  Most can't tell I am on the bike when they call my cell.  My G9 has great noise reduction and when the iPhone is used the noise reduction gets much better (go figure).  But I will never buy or recommend another Cardo unit.  When the G9's quit it will likely be Sena to replace them.

If you have multiple helmets then additional mounts can be purchased.  Sena also has a unit for half helmets or no helmet communication.  

In Florida we have noticed the Cardo units are not on display like they were.  

Gil

Thanks, very informative