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For years, the idea of a motorcycle intercom seemed to be for the rider and his pillion to discuss the next rest stop on their big cruiser bike with a couple of plug in wired headsets. With the advent of Bluetooth technology, the concept of rider to rider communication has spread throughout the motorcycle universe. If you’re still wildly waving your arms at your buddy when it is time for a pit stop, it is time for a leap into current technology.
Dual sport and adventure riders on individual bikes will reap huge benefits from being able to communicate with their buddies. It is not just about where and when to stop for a burger and gas, but once off the pavement, sending warnings about rocks and ruts or being alerted when the guy in the back goes down makes a huge difference in the riding dynamics and sharing the fun.
Although there are a number of decent intercoms out there, the newest top of the food chain is the SENA 20S. It comes with a whole host of features, but the ones that puts it at the top of the list is its connectivity with the SENA Prism action camera and the ability to talk with non-SENA intercoms.
We’ve all see some of the motorcycle action videos that have flooded the internet; perhaps you’ve even posted some of your own. It is part of our sport to be able to relive the moments and laugh at our get-offs. GoPro has dominated the action camera market since its introduction.
Using the Prism in single photo mode, this 5MB shot shows great detail even directly into the sun.
Although a great product, it currently lacks the ability to provide voice-over on the go. The Prism camera, combined with the 20S, provides this feature with flawless HD video and real time voice-over video; and it can all be controlled with a simple tap of your headset.
The heart of the system is the 20S Bluetooth communicator. Available in either single or dual unit packaging. Its electronics platform is built around the new Bluetooth 4.0 format which yields longer battery life and better connectivity. There is now the ability to pair up to 8 headsets in a communications group.
A major advance for SENA is the ability, with the 20S, to pair to non-SENA devices. In the past, this meant that if you had a SENA and your buddy had a different brand, you couldn’t talk to each other. The SENA software creates a work-around this lack of compatibility with Bluetooth black magic by seeing the other intercom unit as a cell phone.
The 20S also functions with a cell phone, allowing you to answer calls by a simple touch to the jog wheel on the side of the helmet; if you have music on your phone, that can also be connected. If you have an MP3 player, or wired iPod, there is a port for the included cable on the device. If you like FM radio while you’re riding, there is a receiver built in as well that can be preset to 10 stations.
