Silver Ranger
Well-known member
Sena 10U first impressions
Recently I received and installed the new Sena 10U bluetooth headset on my Schubert C3 pro helmet. I decided to upgrade from the SMH-10 to see if I could reduce wind noise and increase music volume.
The 10U is very simple and straight froward install. Just follow the video that Sena has on their web page. Took me about 15 minutes. I found no difference in the fit of my helmet with it installed and the battery pack was well hidden and unnoticeable. Once done I powered up the headset and remote. They were already synced from the factory. Next I paired my cellphone with no issues. After that I paired my Garmin Zumo 350. This was not as simple as my cellphone. It took multiple attempts to get them to sync. Overall I am happy with the initial install and setup of the device.
Weather conditions for my test ride were very good with temps in the mid 70s and light winds. For the test I used a set of custom made ear plugs with a 25 db filter installed. I tested speeds from 45 mph to 75 mph with the windscreen in the up and down position.
The first thing I noticed was how much the wind noise was reduced by not having the SMH-10 hanging off the side of my helmet. This was at all speeds and any windscreen position. I want to note that I purchased the 3C pro helmet because it is one of the quietest helmets on the market. So removing a side mount and replacing it with the 10U may not deliver the same results on other helmets.
I placed a call to my wife using the Seri function on the phone with no issues. Seri understood the command the first time. My wife said I was not very clear and sometimes difficult to understand. Her voice was very clear and had plenty of volume behind it.
Music quality from my iPad is about the same as the SMH-10 and the volume at 55 to 75 mph also seemed to match that of the SMH-10. It was hard to tell if it was any louder then my SMH-10. So I added the foam spacers to bring the speakers closer to my ears. This definitely had an impact on both the volume and music quality.
GPS volume is very good and sound quality is clear.
FM radio quality was ok and the volume is too soft for me until I added the foam spacers. Once you program your stations through the phone app it is simple to switch between them. Although the voice prompts are soft and use a female’s voice. This makes it very difficult for me to understand with the poor hearing that I have.
The handlebar remote is cool. It is simple to reach and make changes. However it will take some time to get all of the functions down. I did not find it being on the left grip to be an issue for my hand placement or comfort. The only negative is it can interfere with reaching the handlebar controls on my Gen III. However I was getting accustomed to this by the time I finished my test ride.
The positive of this unit is it is hidden and does not generate the wind noise of the SMH-10. In addition I like the remote control over reaching up to my helmet to make changes.
The negatives are that the unit cannot be swapped out quickly if the battery runs low. Also you cannot remove it to charge the battery and it will not charge when in use.
My first impression is that this is equal or slightly better then the SMH-10 I removed. I am very happy with the reduction in wind noise with my C3 Pro. I feel the upgrade was worth the cost because I can transfer my SMH-10 to my wife’s helmet for when we ride together.
Recently I received and installed the new Sena 10U bluetooth headset on my Schubert C3 pro helmet. I decided to upgrade from the SMH-10 to see if I could reduce wind noise and increase music volume.
The 10U is very simple and straight froward install. Just follow the video that Sena has on their web page. Took me about 15 minutes. I found no difference in the fit of my helmet with it installed and the battery pack was well hidden and unnoticeable. Once done I powered up the headset and remote. They were already synced from the factory. Next I paired my cellphone with no issues. After that I paired my Garmin Zumo 350. This was not as simple as my cellphone. It took multiple attempts to get them to sync. Overall I am happy with the initial install and setup of the device.
Weather conditions for my test ride were very good with temps in the mid 70s and light winds. For the test I used a set of custom made ear plugs with a 25 db filter installed. I tested speeds from 45 mph to 75 mph with the windscreen in the up and down position.
The first thing I noticed was how much the wind noise was reduced by not having the SMH-10 hanging off the side of my helmet. This was at all speeds and any windscreen position. I want to note that I purchased the 3C pro helmet because it is one of the quietest helmets on the market. So removing a side mount and replacing it with the 10U may not deliver the same results on other helmets.
I placed a call to my wife using the Seri function on the phone with no issues. Seri understood the command the first time. My wife said I was not very clear and sometimes difficult to understand. Her voice was very clear and had plenty of volume behind it.
Music quality from my iPad is about the same as the SMH-10 and the volume at 55 to 75 mph also seemed to match that of the SMH-10. It was hard to tell if it was any louder then my SMH-10. So I added the foam spacers to bring the speakers closer to my ears. This definitely had an impact on both the volume and music quality.
GPS volume is very good and sound quality is clear.
FM radio quality was ok and the volume is too soft for me until I added the foam spacers. Once you program your stations through the phone app it is simple to switch between them. Although the voice prompts are soft and use a female’s voice. This makes it very difficult for me to understand with the poor hearing that I have.
The handlebar remote is cool. It is simple to reach and make changes. However it will take some time to get all of the functions down. I did not find it being on the left grip to be an issue for my hand placement or comfort. The only negative is it can interfere with reaching the handlebar controls on my Gen III. However I was getting accustomed to this by the time I finished my test ride.
The positive of this unit is it is hidden and does not generate the wind noise of the SMH-10. In addition I like the remote control over reaching up to my helmet to make changes.
The negatives are that the unit cannot be swapped out quickly if the battery runs low. Also you cannot remove it to charge the battery and it will not charge when in use.
My first impression is that this is equal or slightly better then the SMH-10 I removed. I am very happy with the reduction in wind noise with my C3 Pro. I feel the upgrade was worth the cost because I can transfer my SMH-10 to my wife’s helmet for when we ride together.
