Bluetooth Advice

[bryanw1]

I’m going to Bluetooth on a wired 2017 GL. I’ve mostly heard about the Sena 10 and 20. Does anyone know how the J&M setups compare with the Sena’s? It appears the cost is around $1k either way. Any input would help.

[redial]

Sorry, BryanW1, I cannot help you but perhaps this will bump it up. And welcome to the clan.

[thrasherg]

Sorry Bryan, I have only used the Sena systems, your cost is about right, for the wing you will need 2 headsets about $500 and two freewire boxes also about $500. The Sena system works very well but it is expensive to kit out a wing with CB access!! I have not tried the Bluetooth J&M setup, but I did run J&M wired headsets before and they worked very well so the Bluetooth setup from them is probably very good, however given the popularity of the Sena units I would suggest going with them so if you ride in a group you might have fewer issues pairing with other riders. Bluetooth standards mean they should all pair easily with other intercoms, but there are often some issues, if you all use the same brand then it’s generally easier

Gary

[bryanw1]

Thanks for your imput. My research supports what you are saying. My group riding primarily is with bikes using CB for bike to bike, and that appears to be the problem with Sena. You can hear communications but can not transmit via Bluetooth. My understanding in talking with J&M is that theirs allows full use. Also, like you, I've used J&M wired headsets for at least 15 years now, and I tend to stay with what I've had success with. It's not always rational though. I bought my first modern Wing in '05 and it came with Nolan helmets. Now I obviously need new ones, and I'm looking at Nolan. Twice the money of some that probably work just as well. Just habit I suppose.

[thrasherg]

If you fit the Sena freewire designed for the goldwing, then the Sena intercom works just fine for the rider and the CB. I had that on my 1800 and the CB was great, but when traveling in groups, few people had CB’s so we would just create a Sena group and link all the intercoms together. The CB offered a longer range, but only if the other bikes had a CB!!

Gary

[bryanw1]

Thank you for your reply. My understanding was that the Sena was not capable of transmitting CB. Apparently they have worked that out. Also the Sena looks like it will be able to link with other riders while connected with a passenger because it uses two Freewire units, where the J&M won’t. Thanks again.

[thrasherg]

I can confirm the freewire works with the CB, you have to push the transmit button on the handlebar (exactly as you would with a wired headset), when you want to transmit using the CB, but it all works correctly.

Gary

[bryanw1]

Thanks. Now I’m checking to see if I can get a couple of 20S headsets pre-installed in HJC IS-MAX 2 helmets from Wingstuff.

[ka4yqi]

Gary, which headsets from sena are you using with the sena firewire? I have the smh10 units, Been using them for years.

Steve

I can confirm the freewire works with the CB, you have to push the transmit button on the handlebar (exactly as you would with a wired headset), when you want to transmit using the CB, but it all works correctly.

Gary

[thrasherg]

I started with the sena10's but ended upgrading to the 20's as it allows us to have a larger group of riders in a a group intercom mode. Both headsets worked perfectly with the Freewire and CB. The Sena20S just has more features!! Don't believe anything about the longer range, I can't tell any difference between the 10S and the 20S for range, but if you can get the 20's they are a nicer unit.

Gary

[ka4yqi]

So you never try it out with smh10? They were some of the first ones before the 20s models.

[thrasherg]

No, I have never used the smh10 headsets, so no idea if the freewire would work with them, I would contact Sena and ask if that is the headset you are going to use.

Gary

[PastoT]

I went with the Sena 10s headsets and a Sena Freewire on my 2002. Absolutely awesome. I had BT from the bike only for 3+ years but a wired helmet for summer use with my CB. I have two Bell Mag-9 Sena helmets for hot weather and thus ordered 10s mounts for the Sena specific to these helmets, real nice set up, in turn I mounted the stock 10s adapters to my Scorpion Modular helmets so the 10s units move from one to the other in seconds. Initially the 2d headset simply received bike audio from the my previous BT transmitter. Having the cash now a second free wire for pillion use is on the way. The earlier SMH10 units don't support completely the Freewire capabilities so get at least the 10s version. If you don't need to talk to the bike you can use a Sena dual transmitter (SM-10 I believe) to supply audio to both headsets. My freewire is wired to the bike and thus I needn't charge it. The 10s headsets are good for about 9 hours or so, but you can charge them while in use if you are on a long haul. All my audio is wired to the bike aux in and thus transmitted to my helmet, and my phone is also connected separately via BT to my helmet. Press bike PTT and I transmit on the CB with no hassle, if the bike's intercom is on it hears your mic without PTT and thus could be monitored by a Zumo. I Personally love this setup.

[ka4yqi]

Thanks, been doing some checking and sure enough the smh10 does not work with the freewire. As long as the smh10 works we be using them. Unless I find someone that wants them bad. I have read that the 20s is water resistant not waterproof and now the 20s evo is suppose to be better. The smh10 was top of the line when it was bought and now they have so many, it hard to figure out what the best for what I going to do. I got the circuit to be able to put another smh10 on the cb to use, which I have. Oh well it 6 of 1 or half a dozen of the other.

[PastoT]

I got the 10s set so marry up with my summer helmets and their speakers are better than the SMH10 speakers. I would have gone with the 20s but the don't work with Bell mag-9 Sena custom recess. I've been soaked with the 10s no issue. I suspect they're all ok if you're not paying with buttons during a downpour, them all bets are off.

[bryanw1]

I decided on the J&M with the 45mm speakers. Haven’t heard any other BT units but I have to say this is the best sound I’ve heard on a motorcycle. I’ve always been wired and upgraded headsets regularly, but this is much better than anything I’ve had so far. Music is excellent. Intercom and phone calls are really good. They’ve finally gotten rid of the wind noise interference. The dongle won’t be out for a couple more weeks so I haven’t tried the integration with the bikes audio yet.

[keithgrg357]

I have a 2006 Goldwing Lehman trike. It has all options, I think, including Audio, GPS and CB packages. Here is what I would like to do if possible:

1-Hear bike's stereo both Bluetooth helmets -Have helmets but no Bluetooth headsets yet

2-intercom between passenger

3-Use both iphones individually

4-Install and listen to satellite radio while wife hears bike's stereo audio

5-Use CB while wife uses iPhone or stereo

6-Prioritize iPhone GPS WAZE APP when traveling and hear turns

Is my wish list possible and is there an cheaper way than SENA? As far as I know they are the only game in town and are cashing in on it.

[bryanw1]

J&M is another way to go. You only need one dongle vs two with Sena, but the headsets are more so I think it would be about the same cost. One major difference you may find is in costumer service. Another is that J&M is wired directly to the system. There is no charging and it turns off and on with the key. I just barely got mine and have only used it enough to test it. It integrates with the bikes audio so the only difference between the wired and BT is the wire. Everything else, CB, intercom, navigation, stereo, etc. is the same. The exception is phone calls can be received/placed by pushing a button on the helmet unit. When a call is made the helmet disconnects from the bike and works through the phone just as if the helmets were only connected to each other.

When one party gets a call it is not heard by the other and the only difference is there is no intercom during the call.

The only down side I can see is you cannot play music from the phone without disconnecting from the bike. There are,however, two USB leads off the dongle to plug in a phone or any other accessory, to use as an accessory. I haven’t tried this yet so I’m only guessing it would work fine.

One advantage I found is the dongle is two channel so the CB will xmit and rcv without losing stereo capability from the radio.

[Scooter363y]

I have had both the wired J&M and a sena20s. Both workout about the same on price. After using the sena I wouldn't go back to a wired system.

I listen to music from my phone along with audio gps directions and I can take a phone call! Ain't technology great!

Ride safe
Scooter