The review about this product
The SMH-10 is a great unit that performs as advertised. Setup is pretty painless if you follow the directions closely. Installation is simple but be aware that different helmets might present different challenges. I bought the matched set. Installed mine in a Scorpion Modular exo-900 helmet. The speaker cut outs were NOT big enough to house the Sena speakers and are therefore squeezed into place using friction. My friend installed his on an HJC modular and the speaker cutouts on that helmet are the perfect size to use the adhesive pads. So before you buy this unit check the helmet you plan to install it on and make sure that the logisitics work.
As far as sound, pairing, ease of use etc...once you are paired, operation is pretty simple. Pairing the units for intercom speech was simple as well. The unit is currently paired to my iPod Nano, and Blackberry 9370. While I can use the 9370 for audio playback, I prefer to use the nano for music.
Now here is where the quirks come in: rare but some occasional dropping of a paired device. I will be riding and all of a sudden the music cuts out...so I have to stop and re-pair and then get moving again. Granted this doesn't happen very often, but it is frustrating when it does. I don't know if this is the SENA or my device so I can't difinitely say that the SENA is the problem, I don't know enough about Bluetooth technology
The sound quality is pretty good for what it is. It is NOT going to sound like a 7.1 surround sound home theater system, and it is a little lacking in bass. Funny enough, it sounds better while wearing ear plugs...I use the cheapo foam ear plugs and I find that the sound in better and has more clarity, as strange as it sounds. It also helps to set your MP3 player to 'bass boost' or equivalent.
I have yet to use the intercom as my friend and I have not been out together yet to test it, but I've read that the range/distance (Line of sight) is pretty accurate.
Finally the desktop software presents the biggest issue. It is very buggy and makes firmware upgrades VERY difficult. Running on a windows 7 system, my OS was able to find the SENA when plugged in via USB but the SENA desktop software could not find the SENA...huh???? finally I had to run the app as an administrator and it worked, but it was a very clunky process, not very intuitive at all.
a recommendation: disable the voice activation settings. I've found that wind noise can confuse the unit. In fact the directions tell you to blow into the mic to activate the voice activation for the intercom. But when you open the vents on your helmet, the airflow can accidentally trigger the voice activation, and then you hear 10 seconds of silence followed by "intercom failed" verbal prompt..gets a little frustrating..so my suggestion is to deactivate the voice activation feature..a simple tap on the jog wheel activated the intercom just as easily and without the frustration I would guess.
So all in all I am pleased with the Sena SMH-10, it works as advertised and really brings a whole new dynamic to riding. There is nothing better than cruising on a winding country road while your favorite artist is playing (literally) in your head!!!
UPDATE: So I've had the chance to use the intercom system and I can say it works as advertised. I didn't really test the range, but during line of sight, the intercom works flawlessly. The sound is clear, articulate and easy to use. I'm pleased to say that Sena has updated the drivers and desktop app and made it much more user friendly. we got caught in a rainstorm and the unit kept on working. The only issue we both had was that on occasion the right speaker cut out for some reason...but this problem seemed to resolve itself spontaneously. So all in all a very good buy, and I have no regrets.
