Sena free wire and s20evo frustration.

[rmoss]

Well I decided to cut the cord and I am really regretting it right now. For the money I spent it should work flawlessly but it does anything but that.
Talking to sena support is almost a of waste of time. There sulotion to everything is do fault reset or a factory reset several times and that should fix everything. Geat support.
So I'm hoping someone can possibly help me.
I have 2 20S evo and 2 free wires.
Some issues are pairing. I have headsets paired to each other and each free wire paired to a helmet. I also have phoned paired to headset. When I start the .bike it only acknowledges the phone and not the free wire. I need to turn off Bluetooth on phone then turn on headset and then start the bike. After it pairs with free wire I can now turn on Bluetooth. Seems like a lot of work everytime I start bike.
Another issue is echoing in the headsets while talking. I think I have solved that by turning off the bikes intercom and only using the 20Sevos.
Also if you do not unplug the headsets after the blue light comes indicating a full charge they seem to begin to discharge battery. Sena tech says you must unplug as soon as blue light indicates full charge. One headset never changes from red to blue indicating a full charge. Senas suluton is do a factory reset,

Wind is another issue. I use open face helmets and the wind causes headset to cut in and continuously. Once again Sena says factory reset or fault reset. Never had that issue with corded J&Ms

Anybody else having issues.

ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

I should have bought J&M with the Dongle but that was even more pricy.

Robert

[C-dub]

I'm really sorry you're having such issues. I don't think I can be of much help since I am not having any issues with my SRL in my Neotec-2's and Freewire. However, this is what I do and if it helps that'd be great.

I will usually plug the helmet and Freewire in before going to bed at night and blue lights indicating full charge are on in the morning. I don't think I've ever unplugged them as soon as they came on or even shortly after. Since the charges are usually good for something like 8 hours I can get a couple weeks worth of riding to and from work before needing to recharge. On trips we just plug them in overnight at our destination and they've been fine.

When powering up I always turn on the Freewire before the helmet unit. My phone is always already on. Then, when I power up the helmet it always pairs with the phone first and then the Freewire. It says, "Phone connected" and then "Media connected." Media is the Freewire. I have on occasion forgotten to turn off my SRL and Freewire when getting off the bike for whatever reason. That's not a problem, though, since the SRL isn't actually connected to the bike and I don't have the Freewire dependent on the bike for power. If I walked out of range of the Freewire then I do need to power it off then back on in order to reconnect with the SRL. If I did not get out of range and the SRL and Freewire did not disconnect I don't need to do anything since they remained connected even though the bike was off.

All of this only took a few time of manually pairing when I first bought the whole setup. After that they automatically air up, but as long as the phone and Freewire are on before powering up the SRL. It was the same with my wife's SRL, but without a Freewire for her. She didn't want that, so she's only connected to her phone and my SRL via intercom. The intercom connection doesn't do that on its own, but is very simple after the first few times. We don't usually turn that on every time and sometimes while riding down the road I'll suddenly hear my wife in my head. She will activate the intercom pairing on her SRL and mine will connect without me even touching mine. I suppose she could be touching the big button on mine when she's doing this, but I don't think so. I haven't felt her doing that.

My only real complaint about these headsets at all is the sound quality. They are not for audiophiles, but they are MUCH better than the Chatterbox stuff we had 10-15 years ago.

[Terry D]

Yes, I too, always turn on the bike first and it powers on my Freewire. Then I turn on my 20S and it connects first to the phone and then to the Freewire. That is the sequence before I bluetoothed my phone to the TOM TOM GPS. Now, I turn on the bike to power on the Freewire first. I no longer have the phone bluetoothed to the Sena unit but instead to the GPS. I get all the bike's audio from the Freewire and GPS/Phone from the GPS. I can also intercom my Sena unit to my Son's Sena unit and also my friends Sena unit. No more chords.

[rmoss]

Well I guess I better play some more with it. If I do not turn off Bluetooth first I get phone connected media failed.
I was all set to play with it yesterday but when we got set to go for a nice ride mine says low battery and was dead in 2 min. I had only used it 4 times the previous week for 1 hr each time going to work and home. I powered it off whenever it was not in use.
So I will need to wait for next weekend to play with it some more.

On a funny note I received a call on the phone the other day. It never rang or gave a message. I was singing out loud with the music when I heard a voice I sort of reconized. It was my daughter calling me and all she could here was my singing. For what ever reason I looked up as if someone from above was talking to me. We both had a good laugh at that.

[Terry D]

I have the Freewire and Sena 20S. I also have several J&M Headsets but not currently in a helmet because my wife nor daughter ride with me due to medical issues or other reasons. I don't currently have a passenger ride with me the way I Had back in the 1980s to about 2005. But, I thought about having a spare half helmet with the J&M set up just in case. But, I wonder if it will work with the setup I"m currently using. My Freewire Bluetooths all bike's audio to my 20s. My 20s also receives Bluetooth from my TOM TOM GPS which also bluetooths to my Galaxy S7 Phone. I realize my passenger would not be able to hear the GPS nor my phone. But, I'm thinking he or she would be able to still hear the Bike's audio the same as the old days when all we had were J&M headsets.

[2003Cobra]

I have the Freewire and 20s. My set up is much like c-dub. I turn the bike on then I turn the 20s on and I get phone paired then media connected. The wife and I use the sena intercom mainly because we had this set up before I got the goldwing. We do get some wind noise through the intercom but I haven't checked it since I put the new windshield on the bike. When I set up everything up I will pair the phone with the phone 1 pairing then pair the freewire to the #2 phone pairing. Our two head sets are paired using the intercom pairing. I also use the cigarette lighter in the left fairing pocket to power my freewire so it automatically turns on and off with the bike. When I charge my head set up I just plug it in and usually the next day or so I will unplug it. I've not had any battery /charging issues.

Hope this helps.

[rmoss]

Well I guess I should post a update.

Firstly I Returned 1 of the S20 back to Fortnine here in Canada. They where extremely helpful and I had a new unit within a week.

Wife and got it the day before we headed out on a week long holiday so we did not have any real time to test it out.

Headed out on our trip and had echoing and voice lag of a second which made it very hard to communicate. I was ready to rip them off the helmets and throw them away.

Now this is where I feel like a dumby. I thought I had turned off the ICOM when in fact the button was not working properly. I realized this when we got to the hotel and I was double checking everything. I noticed that the ICOM button was still lit up on the dash. I had to push the button several times to get it to turn off. Well what a difference that made. Voice now nice and clear and no echoing. Problem 1 solved.

Problem # 2 Passenger cannot here the music coming from the bike where I the driver can hear it. the only time passenger could here it was when my headset died due to low battery. Passenger can here it on driving slow but cannot here it when at highway speed. We even switched units on helmets and then I could not here it at highway sped so have no ideas what is going on there. (We have 2 Freewires)

Problem # 3
I had them set up to pair with phone first and then Freewire. but when it tries to connect to Freewire I get "connection failed". We have to turned off phone Bluetooth and now it connects to Freewire with no problem. Not a show stopper for me but frustrating that it does not work like it should.

So am I ready to give it a good review and recommend then not likely. However the units themselves work fine. Maybe this is a reason to pick up a new 2018 or 2019 as there is no need for the Freewire.

[Terry D]

Robert: I have the Freewire with the Sena 20S also. I found that Bluetoothing my phone to the 20S first did not work well with the Freewire. So first, I connected the Freewire to the 20S. That worked great. Then I tried connecting the phone to the 20S and that didn't work so well. Everything seemed to not want to connect with key on and 20S on. So, I unpaired the phone to the 20S. Now, it isn't really important for me to have phone connected while riding but it can be a convenience. One of the things you might be in conflict with is the two 20Ss. Are they connected through their own intercom system that Sena has built into them. If so, try unpairing or shutting that down and go back to the intercom on the bike. Or vice versa. Remember, all audio from the bike should be going to each headset connection and each Freewire should be transmitting that audio to each helmet.

I have a TOM TOM GPS mounted to my dash with a special type clamp I made. That TOM TOM has no speaker and it must work through Bluetooth devices. I connect it to the 20S and everything works with the Freewire on and the GPS on and the 20S on. That made me think why doesn't the phone work in that combination. Who knows? Anyway, I'm lucky because my GPS also has the capability to connect to the phone and incoming and outgoing calls can be made through it. That seems to work really well because I can see the difference between an advertiser (I get about 7 a day) and a friend or family calling on The GPS screen just like in my car or truck.

[rmoss]

Terry i will try unpairing the 20S's and go back through the bike. But I guess that means that when the bike is off the headsets wont work.

As far as the phone not pairing its no big deal for us.

Robert

[Terry D]

No. Another option is keep phone paired, but before turning bike on with Freewire on, turn off the bluetooth on the phone. When you turn off the bike take the phone and turn bluetooth back on.

[raven41951]

I thought I was nuts. I have the 20s and the exact same issues. I thought it was me so I just use one Sena bluetoothed to the phone. No problem. Turn on the second Sena and wham. I have not and probably will not take the time to figure out the procedure that works. As said IT SHOULD WORK, OTHERS DO!

[Terry D]

One thing I forgot to mention. When I'm on a long ride or trip and need to stop for gas, I do not shut the bike off because it shuts off the Freewire and my GPS and of course then I lose contact with the 20S. Then the 20S has to reconnect all over again. So for quick gas stops, I turn the key to ACC. That turns off the engine and all the lights on my 2005, but keeps the audio system live and connected to my 20S. Great to listen to music while filling up.

[rmoss]

I find the range using the free wire is not much more than 100ft when communicating between rider and passenger. When the wife goes in to pay for gas 9 times out of ten we lose connection and have to reboot everything.
Also when gassing up I need the key to unlock gas cover so I always end up shutting bike off and of course rebooting.
Sena says they are working on a repair and it should be ready any day now. Of course they told me that in May and still nothing and apparently thats what they have been telling everyone for well over a year. LMAO

[Terry D]

I had a key made, measure and cut the head off, took a radio knob purchased at Lowes and cut a slot in it and JB welled the key to the knob and it sits in my fuel door permanently unless staying overnight at a hotel. The key made is too short to operate the ignition.

[rmoss]

Interesting idea. Might have to try that out.

[2003Cobra]

I had a key made, measure and cut the head off, took a radio knob purchased at Lowes and cut a slot in it and JB welled the key to the knob and it sits in my fuel door permanently unless staying overnight at a hotel. The key made is too short to operate the ignition.

I did the same thing but I just keep it in the key lock for the right fairing pouch. A friend of mine tells me you can have them made at some of the GW ralleys.

[Terry D]

If anyone wants to make one, there is a good video by Cruiserman. Go to Lowes or Walmart or anywhere they make keys. Ask for a 27R (AXXESS 27R) and have the key(s) made. If you want a stock GL radio knob it is part number 35601-MCA-A81 (fits 2001-2005 for sure). I used a black knob that is closely the same from Lowes. The head will be cut off. Two measurements need to be made on the key. The first is by putting the key in the lock and draw a line barely above the chrome lock ring. My line is about 1 3/16 inches above the tip. Then measure how deep you want this key into the radio knob purchased. That is the line to cut off the top of the key. I used a Dremel to cut a diagonal slit into the bottom of the knob deep enough for the key to slide into, but only to the mark you first drew about 1 3/16 inches from the tip. When you are done and the key fits the lock and opens the door and you are satisfied how the knob fits closely to the door. (you may need to sand or cut the key to get the exact fit you want.) Then glue the key in the knob. Cruiserman's video shows he used Gorilla Glue. I used JB Welled. After the glue drys then trim by sanding any excess glue to get a nice finish. This key you just made will also fit the right cubby lock. I first made one using a kitchen drawer pull knob that is aluminum. It works great too.

[C-dub]

One thing I forgot to mention. When I'm on a long ride or trip and need to stop for gas, I do not shut the bike off because it shuts off the Freewire and my GPS and of course then I lose contact with the 20S. Then the 20S has to reconnect all over again. So for quick gas stops, I turn the key to ACC. That turns off the engine and all the lights on my 2005, but keeps the audio system live and connected to my 20S. Great to listen to music while filling up.

The Freewire should not shut off when the bike is turned off. Mine is only connected to the Goldwing factory wired plug and not power. It's power comes from charging the night before and last around 6-15+ hours depending on usage. I have forgotten to turn it off overnight and it still had power the next day.

The helmets also should not lose their connection when away from the Freewire. I think someone else mentioned that. The helmets are connected to each other via bluetooth, not through the Freewire. The Freewire only facilitates the connection to the bike. Unless there is a difference in how the 20S' function compared to the SRL systems we have. If that's the case, then IDK, sorry.

[Terry D]

When the power plug is used on the Freewire and the bike is turned off the power plug is not charging the Freewire and the Freewire is off. On the Freewire box it even says when the power kit that comes with the unit is used the power of the Freewire is controlled by the ignition switch off or on.

[2003Cobra]

When the power plug is used on the Freewire and the bike is turned off the power plug is not charging the Freewire and the Freewire is off. On the Freewire box it even says when the power kit that comes with the unit is used the power of the Freewire is controlled by the ignition switch off or on.

Yep, If you have the Freewire plugged into a power source and the Freewire switch is in the off position the Freewire will turn it's self on or off depending if power is present or not. It is a feature of both the Freewire and the SR10. I have mine plugged into the left fairing pocket power reciprocal and when I turn on the bike the Freewire fires up.

[C-dub]

Thanks guys. I did not set mine up that way and didn’t read that section to know that. I just charge mine up with the helmets each night when we’re on a trip and it works all day long. I’ve only rarely risen long enough in one day to lose it. When we stop for more than just gas, like for lunch, I’ll turn it off and then back on after lunch.

[dtrider]

I don't have a Freewire so I don't know if it was the same issue, but I do have an SM10 Dual BT transmitter so it might be similar.

When I first got my 20S I was having problems getting my phone and the SM10 to both pair to my headset properly. The symptoms kind of sound like what some of you have been mentioning: connect the phone first, can't hear the music from the SM10. Connect the SM10 first, everything is OK (at least for a while).

Come to find out that the phone and the SM10 were fighting over who would control the Media Audio connection. I went to the BT settings on the phone for the 20S device and turned off Media audio (left Phone calls enabled). Everything now works fine. My wife and I can talk to each other, we can both listen to the music coming from the bike's audio system, and we can talk on the phone when necessary.

Might be worth checking in your setup to see if it helps.

/dwight