Gear & Products

Sena 10S Bluetooth Helmet Communications

Connect to your passengers or other vehicles

September 8, 2017

UTV Driver

We know you’re happy riding side by side in a UTV. Don’t you agree, it would be a little nicer if you could talk to your passenger? Trying to hear with a helmet on or dealing with wind and engine noises makes this difficult without a shouting or better yet using a communication device.UTV Driver

One of the simplest way to communicate between passenger in a UTV is with the use of helmet mounted bluetooth systems. Sena’s most affordable option to do this is their 10S system. Each unit separately sells for $239 or you can by a pair for $439 and that’s exactly what we put to the test over the Summer. Along with the reasonable price some bluetooth systems sell for, the ease of use and installation is why we recommend them.UTV Driver

To try out the Sena system, we installed it inside a pair of affordable, DOT approved G Max helmets that you can get at any power sports dealer. When choosing a helmet to mount any kind of communication system in, you have to make sure, it has removable components such as cheek pads and liners as well as large ear ports. The G Max GM46.2 helmets had exactly that. In fact, in the past, we have named the $89.95 helmet one of 7 Perfect Helmets For UTV Drivers Of All Ages.UTV Driver

Once you have the helmet liner and cheek pads removed, you basically lay out the speakers and stick them into place with pads Velcro. The boom mic has a Velcro Base that too can be attached to the inside of the helmet and run along the chin bar. Finally, the communication cradle clamps to the side of your helmet by slipping between the outer and inner shells then tightens down with a supplied Allen wrench.UTV Driver

Along with rider to rider communication abilities, the 10S has a built in FM radio and will link with up to two cell phones when using the Sena Smartphone App. After pairing up to 3 other riders together, the units are easy to reach and turn on even while wearing gloves. To power up you need two fingers and then after, a single tap on the large “Jog” dial is all you need for normal operation. Sena claims, this unit has a range of a full mile with open terrain. We we know it works well enough to just stay out of someones dust on the trail and stay connected. If you do get disconnected, you pull up to the other person, tap your Jog dial and it quickly reconnects. But for riding in the same vehicle, conversations are crystal clear without any buzzing, static or dropped connections. The only interruption we ever had is when one of the riders bumped the Jog dial against the seat, roll cage or seat belt. If you are paying attention, you know when this happens after you hear a faint beep then nothing else. You can simply tap the Jog dial to reconnect.UTV Driver

Talk time is estimated at 12 hours. We have gotten through an entire weekend or more without charging the units. You have to plug the units into a micro USB port for charging and that typically take a couple hours. If you want to leave the helmets in the garage, you can simply pop the comm unit off the helmet in just one second and bring it inside the house to do it. A 12V car charger works as well.UTV Driver

Not only are we impressed with how well the 10S system is to use, the price is nearly half of what you would pay to get into a permanent system from companies like PCI and Rugged Radios. Not to say that their products don't work, they do, and they do well. However a Bluetooth system is more practical for the family of two, three or four and you can take them with you on to other machines like borrowed or rental machines, Waverunners and ATV's. Sena also has great working head sets called Tuff Talk for those situation you don't need a helmet. See our Tuff Talk review HERE. You can buy direct through Sena after you click https://www.sena.com. Contact them directly at 888-333-SENA.UTV Driver