Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/520905
P152 CN III PRODUCT REVIEW SENA 20S MOTORCYCLE BLUETOOTH COMMUNICATION SYSTEM LIST PRICE: $299.00 (single pack); $549.00 (dual pack) Website: www.sena.com Standout Feature Bluetooth 4.1, multi-way intercom, audio multitasking, FM radio, phone capabilities Rider Analysis After using Sena's latest 20S Bluetooth dual communication system for just a few days, I quickly started asking myself the question: how in the heck did I ever live without it!? The Sena 20S is an amazing product that can greatly enhance your motorcycle riding experience (it did mine), especially if you're a commuter, such as myself. The 20S has seemingly a million features, but I only needed just a few of them to make my daily commute a much more enjoyable experience. Once connected to my smartphone (an iPhone 6 Plus in my case), which was easy to do, I had the ability to listen—rather clearly I might add— to music (usually in my case, via my personal playlist, or Pandora, iHeart Radio or whatever). Even without a phone, the 20S has a built-in FM radio (but no AM). With the 20S, I could also receive and make phone calls and even send and receive texts (both with the help of Siri), and listen to GPS directions (which unobtrusively overlaps whatever you're already listening to). As an intercom, the S20 is awesome. You can pair up to eight riders, though we tried that a couple of times but it was never what I would call a complete success, but you'll most likely use it with just two users, and that always worked well for me. There are way too many features of the 20S to mention here, but the bottom line is that they all work great. The 20S is simple to install on full-face, open and modular helmets, is easy to operate via voice prompts and simple finger- tapping on the headset main unit—there's also a large jog dial to easily control volume. Phone conversations were clear—the person on the other end had no clue I was on a motorcycle and was usually shocked when I told them I was. After you hang up, music automatically returns. I used the 20S in rain without a problem and the rechargeable battery lasts a long time, up to 13 hours of talk time per charge. Sena also offers its Bluetooth-compatible Prism video camera that can be attached to the system; we will have a review on the Prism a little later. The 20S comes in a single ($299.00) or dual pack ($549.00) with all of the necessary hardware to fit a variety of helmets. The Sena 20S is a state-of-the art motorcycle and powersports Bluetooth communication system that features the latest Bluetooth 4.1 technology with dual Bluetooth communication modules, to create one of the most advanced Blutetooth headsets on the market. With the 20S, users can call handsfree with their Bluetooth mobile phones, listen to stereo music or voice instructions of GPS naviagation by Bluetooth wirelessly, and have intercom conversations in full duplex with a passenger or other riders.