Sena SMH5 intercom.

[colin]

I am thinking about buying a Sena SMH5 intercom.  Is there anyone out there that uses one that could give any advice.
I only want GPS instructions and intercom to pillion.

[Tubby Graver]

Hi. We bought the SMH5 dual kit a couple of months ago and have been very impressed. I link it to google maps on my phone for simple Sat Nav voice guidance and as an intercom to the pillion it’s ideal. I turn it off though over 60mph as wind noise is an issue

Fast bike bits have the dual kit for £185 at present

[SuzukiSte]

I have one great bit of kit clear and easy setup.

[tallpaul]

My partner has one on her lid. Works perfectly well but the battery doesn't have as much life as my 20S and you get seconds of warning from low battery to expiring. The battery life is still very good though.

[Rusty Nuts]

Sounds perfect, TallPaul .The unit shuts down long before the passenger shuts up!

[colin]

for the last 4 years I have been using a scala rider Q1 teamset.
haven't been that impressed with it. intercom cuts out regularly, have to stop and switch off/on and then it reconnects.  and the same with Tom Tom it cuts out the voice. 
1. with the sena can you connect both units to the GPS so pillion can hear also?
2. when you are talking on intercom to pillion will the GPS instructions cut in and override the coms
3. with scala Q1 I have to shout or whistle to open the intercom to speak to wife,  is the sena the same?

[tallpaul]

@ Rusty, I'm saying nothing (boom boom...!)

[Barbel Mick]

@ Colin, with the scala sets after a few minutes of no conversation the headsets will bleep once (I don't always hear it) and go into a standby mode. If you press the 'on/off' button (smaller one at front) once quickly you will hear an 'uptone' after a few seconds, and then transmission is open all the time. Well, until it decides otherwise!!
We find they can be a pain cutting out or not connecting and have to switch off & on again plus occasionally losing the Sat Nav but overall the transmission is good, even at motorway speeds, and I use earplugs plus we're both of an age where our hearing is not the best!! 

[Griff2]

As far as I can see the various brands have their good and not so good points. For years I used an Interphone F5. I thought it was OK but not brilliant. I am now using a Sena SC10U and am struggling with severe wind noise coming from the pillions mic. I suspect there is an element of setup to be dealt with because I am not 100% familiar with it as yet so I will hold judgement for now.

[Tubby Graver]

I get that wind noise from the pillion too, over 50mph ish. I just tap the button and turn her off ????

[mr_diver]

I've been using the £30 BT800 headsets from Ebay.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/800M-Bluetooth-Motorcycle-Interphone-Helmet-Headset-Headphone-Rider-Intercom-UK/263640827222?hash=item3d6237c556%3Ag%3AOuUAAOSweKda40tb&_udlo=20&_sop=15&_sacat=0&_nkw=rider+bluetooth&_from=R40&rt=nc

yes £30 you don't expect much but the sound quality, range, volume and ease of use is far better than that of the Scarla Q2 multiset I bought for our Scotland trip a few years back - both units died 10 miles into the trip- different faults on each that made them useless - Cardo didn't want to know. Interphone and Sena are just as hard to deal with - Used to sell them in a bike shop.

I've used my ebay ones day in day out for 5 years. I've had one die about 4 months ago. But's it's been used to play music on every day for 5 years. £30 well spent.
SWMBO's first unit is going strong, though she thinks she's damaged a speaker with AC/DC a month back.
New headset is £4.49 on ebay from the UK.

Pays your money, make your choice

[Ianmc]

MrD.these are exactly the same as mine,totally brill,as long as my satnav is on,the Bluetooth earpiece stays on.A few minutes after the satnav is off,the earpiece bleeps and automatically shuts down to save the battery.

[UK_Vstrom650]

What's the range like on these for bike to bike comms? I know it says 800m but what are they like in real world use?

I need to replace my Scala G4 headset after 9/10 years of use. My first one developed a fault a year ago & only played sound out of one speaker, so I switched to the wife's as a spare. That one died in the rain recently - the rubber cover had worn out a while ago (Cardio says the G4 is obsolete and they don't have spares) and I'd been using silicone sealant to fill the gap but that wore off, and a downpour killed it. I'm back on my first bit can't hear a thing at speed.

[mr_diver]

to be honest they are good.

Going around corners, when not in line of sight it breaks up a bit, but in a straight line they are good.
Better than the Scarla Q2's I had.

They also auto pick up again which the Scarla's has to be persuaded to do.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Thanks mr_diver, I've just ordered one