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Sena 10U and Sena 3S Preview

The Intercoms Without an Intercom Module

Review Summary
Pros
Cons

October 17, 2014 – The Sena 10U is a motorcycle Bluetooth communication system that is completely self-contained in the speakers.

UPDATE: Sena 10U review now posted!

That means the 10U does not have the traditional clip-on intercom module.

The entire intercom “brains” are contained in one speaker while the battery is contained in the other speaker.

Attach the boom mic and a slip-in volume control and you’ll never know the helmet has an intercom attached.

This means the intercom system with helmet is lighter; it preserves the helmet’s aerodynamics and it’s safer, because there’s no external intercom module or intercom mount.

Each Sena 10U is custom-designed to fit specific helmets, so the speakers can be molded to fit precisely in each helmet’s ear pockets.

The 10U is controlled via the Sena low-power Bluetooth hand grip remote control, also used to control the Sena Prism action camera (Preview). Following is a Sena press release, edited by webBikeWorld.

Sena 10U

The Sena 10U with handlebar remote is designed for premium helmet brands including Shoei and Schuberth.

The initial 10U release will fit the Shoei GT-Air (review); the Shoei Neotec (review); the Shoei J-Cruise (review); the SCHUBERTH C3 (review) and the SCHUBERTH C3 Pro (review).

With Bluetooth 4.1 technology, the 10U is an installation-free unibody design that fits into the helmet ear pockets allowing for easy and versatile use.

The 10U features four-way intercom communication up to 900 meters with Universal Intercom and Group Intercom technology as well as intuitive voice prompts and voice commands.

Through the use of innovative technology, the 10U offers safe and easy operations with a wireless remote as well as a two-button control pad for emergency control.

Additional key features include music sharing, built-in FM radio tuner, Advanced Noise Control and an external wired antenna for in-helmet with installation.

Sena claims up to 12 hours talk time, 10 days stand-by time, and an exclusive smartphone app for iPhone and Android all while being firmware upgradeable.

Sena 3S

The Sena 3S (photos below) was also announced at the 2014 AIMExpo.

The Sena 3S is another “self-contained” intercom that includes a Bluetooth 3.0 stereo headset and Bluetooth intercom designed specifically for motorcycles and entry level riders.

The Sena 3S is the second generation of a similar intercom system designed for Nexx, the Nexx SX-Com (review).

While the 3S may not have all the features of higher-end intercom communications systems like the Sena SMH10B (review), the Sena 20S (review) or others, it has “everything you need and nothing you don’t”. Sometimes, simpler is better.

With the 3S, users can call hands free on Bluetooth mobile phone, listen to stereo music, and have two-way intercom conversations in full duplex with a passenger or other riders. Also, the easy-to-access and intuitive two-button operations make the 3S a perfect companion for motorcycles.

The easy-to-use design is tailored to entry-level riders and those new to Bluetooth communication devices.

The Sena 3S will be available in two models: the 3S-B and 3S-W. The 3S-B is the Sena 3S Bluetooth Headset and Intercom with a boom microphone kit, while the 3S-W is the Sena 3S Bluetooth Headset and Intercom with a wired microphone kit designed for full-face helmets.

With the boom mic, the two-button control base is built into the microphone, while the wireless microphone kit has the control pad separate from the mic for ease of use.

Sena 3S Features

  • Two-button control pad separate from the mic for ease of use.
  • Bluetooth intercom up to 200 meters (220 yards) in open terrain.
  • Bluetooth pairing for dual mobile phones.
  • Voice prompts.
  • Bluetooth stereo headset by A2DP.
  • Bluetooth music playback control by AVRCP: play, pause, track forward and track back.
  • Easy operations by two-button.
  • Sufficient sound level with integrated audio booster.
  • Bluetooth hands-free for Bluetooth mobile phones.
  • Crystal clear and natural sound quality.
  • Up to 8 hours talk time, 7 days stand-by time.
  • Individual volume control for each audio source.
  • Installation friendly unibody design.
  • Firmware upgradeable.
  • Peace of mind – thanks to the two-year warranty.

Sena 3S Specifications

  • Talk time: 8 hours.
  • Stand-by time: 7 days.
  • Working distance (intercom): up to 200 meters (220 yards) in open terrain.
  • Operating temperature: -10˚C ~ 55˚C (14°F ~ 131°F).
  • Dimensions:
    • Speaker: 39.9 mm x 39.9 mm x 11.3 mm ( 1.6 in x 1.6 in x 0.4 in )
    • Boom microphone length: 180.0 mm ( 7.1 in )
  • Weight:
    • Headset: 59 g ( 2.08 oz )
  • Bluetooth:
    • Profile: Headset Profile, Hands-Free Profile (HFP), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio Video. Remote Control Profile (AVRCP).
    • Bluetooth 3.0
  • Audio:
    • Built-in SBC Codec
    • Noise cancellation
    • Wind noise reduction
    • Wide volume control
    • Sample rate: 48kHz (DAC)
  • Battery:
    • Charging time: 2.5 hours
    • Type: Lithium polymer battery

In the Box

  • Bluetooth Built-in Speaker-microphone Unit
  • USB Power & Data Cable (Micro USB Type)
  • Microphone Sponges
  • Male Velcro Pads for Speakers
  • Female Velcro Pads for Speakers

 

Availability

The Sena 3S will be available in Q4 of 2014 for the price of $99.00 for a single kit. The 10U is set to official launch and join Sena’s innovative product line in 2015.

Sena 10U Shoei
Sena 10U for Shoei helmets. the slip-in volume control is at the lower left.
Sena 10U Shoei Boom Mic
Sena 10U for Shoei, boom mic and speakers.
Sena 10U Schuberth
Sena 10U for SCHUBERTH helmets with volume control, which slips in to cheek pad.
Sena 10U SCHUBERTH Boom Mic
Sena 10U for Schuberth, boom mic and speakers.
Sena 10U Remote Control
Sena 10U hand grip remote control.
Sena 3S-W With Wired Mic
Sena 3S-W with wired mic.
Sena 3S-B With Boom Mic
Sena 3S-B with boom mic.
Sena 3S-B Boom Mic Close-up
Sena 3S-B boom mic close-up.
More webBikeWorld:

More2014 AIMExpo Reports

Publication Date: October 17, 2014

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