Sena SR10 Review: Part 1 of 6
by Rick K. and H.B.C. for webBikeWorld.com
Part 1: Introduction and Specifications
The much-anticipated Sena SR10 Bluetooth "hub" has arrived!
I viewed a prototype of the SR10 at the 2011 Dealer Powersports Expo (report) in Indianapolis back in February of this year.
Sena has been working on the SR10 ever since and they sent a pair for this review.
We're taking a slightly different approach with this review. I'd usually wait until we have all the data, reports, photos and feedback from the webBikeWorld evaluators before I published the full review.
But since the Sena SR10 is such a new and important device, with huge potential, I decided to publish this initial "First Look" to describe the product and some background first.
Then H.B.C. will take over for a detailed "on the road" evaluation, which will be published as Part 2. Also, be sure to read H.B.C.'s companion piece to this article, "The Future of Motorcycle Bluetooth".
The Sena SR10 Bluetooth "hub" is an advanced Bluetooth adapter that expands the capabilities of a motorcycle intercom. It will work with any Bluetooth motorcycle intercom system, although of course, Sena would prefer that it was used with the Sena SMH10 (review)!
Sena calls the SR10 a "two-way radio adapter", but that seems to limit
the capabilities of this device, which does more than connect two-way radios
(typically an FRS/GMRS type, such as the Motorola Talkabout MC220R
Someday, perhaps (and perhaps soon), all of these features will be built right into a tiny motorcycle intercom unit, but until then, the SR10 provides a greatly enhanced capability set for what was once a basic motorcycle rider-to-passenger intercom.
The Sena SMH10 has been substantially improved in the short time it has been available. It's now in version 3.2 and the firmware in the new mini-USB SMH10 intercom can be upgraded, something owners have been asking for since version 1 of the SMH10 was released.
It's interesting to note that in the last 5 years or so, the capabilities of motorcycle intercom systems have increased and improved enormously. It wasn't that long ago when just having a good wired rider-to-passenger intercom was "the thing".
Then came the first attempts at applying Bluetooth technology to motorcycle intercoms and although the promise was there, the reality was, well, let's just say we were underwhelmed. Obscure button-pushing sequences and a range of only a couple of meters was the norm.
Like all electronic gear though, performance and capabilities rapidly improved -- motivated also by competition as more motorcycle intercom manufacturers appeared seemingly by the week.
But motorcyclists are a demanding lot and with the fantastic capabilities of smart phones, tablet computers and other highly portable devices, they know there could be more and they wanted it now.
One of the most important features requested by webBikeWorld visitors is an improved bike-to-bike capability. I don't know where all these groups of riders are who want to talk with multiple partners while they're on the road, but apparently they do.
We get more emails asking about multiple intercom bike-to-bike connections than anything else with regards to motorcycle intercoms. About the only way to get multiple connections on a Bluetooth wireless motorcycle intercom at this point in time is to connect it to an FRS/GMRS radio.
Some day, this capability or similar may be included right in the intercom unit itself, along with the ability to connect to all the other mobile devices motorcyclists want, such as GPS, cell phones, MP3 players, radios and more.
And, don't forget that passenger!
Bluetooth was never designed for this type of bandwidth, but electronics engineers have been pushing the envelope to make it happen.
The Sena SR10 is an interesting and unique approach to solving the multiple-connection issue; offload the work to a Bluetooth-enabled hub or two-way radio adapter to do the work.
The Sena SR10 is a small device that weighs 84 grams and measures by 51 mm wide by 23 mm thick and 107 mm long from one end to the tip of the connector on the other end.
It can be mounted on the handlebars, mounted on a belt clip (included) or placed in a tank bag or even a coat pocket.
It has two auxiliary (AUX) ports on one end (see photos) that provide a connection to non-Bluetooth enabled devices like a GPS, MP3 player or radar detector.
It also has a larger central mini-DIN port to connect an FRS/GMRS or two-way radio, such as those available from Motorola, Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu or Midland.
H.B.C. will be evaluating all these connections and Sena said that the higher quality radios provide better connectivity and sound quality, but since most riders probably will not want to spend $250.00 each on a two-way radio, the sub-$100-per-pair Midland or Motorola radios will be used as a more realistic solution.
By connecting to a two-way radio, the intercom-to-intercom communications range can be greatly increased, while allowing multiple riders to talk on the same channel.
Also, we will be evaluating other connectivity of the SR10, including how it interfaces with a GPS while listening to music, connecting with a cell phone and more.
The SR10 has a built-in, non-removable battery that can be charged via the USB port. Sena claims a battery life of 12 hours with up to 10 days standby time.
The SR10 can connect one two-way radio and one mobile phone simultaneously. It is compatible with standard stereo or mono Bluetooth headsets. It has an AUX input for GPS or a radar detector. Sena also offers an optional 12V kit to power the SR10 by the motorcycle's electrical system. The SR10 is firmware upgradeable and it has a two-year limited warranty. The list price is $199.00.
Here is the Sena SR10 Owner's Manual in .pdf format. Here is the Sena SR10 Datasheet in .pdf format.
Sena has a variety of cables that will connect various FRS/GMRS and two-way radios to the SR10. Don't forget, you'll need an SR10 for each rider who wants to talk in a group.
The SR10 includes a wall charger, a handlebar mounting kit and a mounting clip, along with a selection of cables to connect various electronic devices to the auxiliary ports. The SR10 is covered in a soft-touch, rubber-like material that is water resistant.
Sena is also releasing cables for CB radios and for the Honda Gold Wing, Harley Ultra Classic and BMW K1200 LT, along with a do-it-yourself wiring kit.
Specifications of the Sena SR10 include:
(approx. $35.00/pair);
(approx. $69.00/pair); 
at (Yikes!) $289.00 each.
Note that the SR10 supports the common Bluetooth HFP (Hands-Free Profile), used to connect a cell phone with an external speaker. The Bluetooth HFP profile wasn't designed to relay stereo music from an MP3 player, so the audio quality will most likely be equivalent to a mono-quality cell phone. We will evaluate this capability and report back in Part 2 of this review.
The Sena SR10 has a lot of potential to change the way motorcyclists communicate. Over the next several weeks, in Part 2 of this review, H.B.C. will be evaluating the SR10 in the "real world" to uncover all its secrets, so stay tuned!
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From "J.F." (April 2012): "The latest SMH10 4.0 firmware upgrade (report) supports Bluetooth 3.0 and multipoint, albeit still limited at this point. As a result it's now possible to pair with two "headsets"; the SR10 and my smartphone, for instance.
When a transmission comes in over the SR10/radio the music, intercom, etc. on my SMH is somewhat muted, but the connection is retained. Another nice side benefit is that I can get stereo tunes from the smartphone and add the radio connectivity.
This is a great example of the value of firmware upgrades. I haven't had a chance to test fully -- I'll get that on a trip with a bunch of friends w/o SMH's (but with radio's) this coming week. My initial tests around town worked flawlessly.
By the way, in your initial review you said 'Don't forget, you'll need an SR10 for each rider who wants to talk in a group.' That could be misleading, I think. Anyone who already has wired radio connectivity won't need an SR10. This allows folks with Bluetooth headsets to join groups that are already radio enabled."
From "D.H." (April 2012): "For the guy who wants to use multiple Sena SMH10s with one SR10 for endurance kart racing, save your money!
The solution is much simpler than dealing with multiple pairings or profiles. Just unclip the SMH10 from the first driver's helmet and snap it into the second driver's helmet mount when they switch places at the wheel.
Done in mere seconds, and for only a little more than half the cost of having two SMH10s (you do have to buy an extra helmet mount setup)."
From "T.G." (February 2012): "Is it possible to pair
two SMH-10 headsets to the single SR10 so the passenger could hear the
conversation that is being had via the two-way radio connected to the SR10?"
Reply From HBC: The SR10 can be paired discretely with more
than one Bluetooth headset, but it is only "active" with one (in the usual
Bluetooth one-to-one relationship), so no "sharing" or broadcast ability to
a second headset is available.
Having said that, the newly announced SM10 Bluetooth
Adapter (report), that does work on a "broadcast" principle to one or
two paired headsets will support this type of audio sharing, but in the
information released so far it isn’t clear if the SM10 will have the ability
to support a PTT feature for a two-way radio.
We will know more, hopefully once one of the new devices are in hand. There may be the potential for incoming audio, say from a two-way radio, to be shared via the SM10, but I suspect only one user, typically the rider, might be able to transmit.
This is an (albeit) limited capability that one or two other headsets
have tried to provide but not without issues. I believe the only other
device that approaches this ability is made by AKE, one of which we haven’t
managed to evaluate, yet.
Also from "T.G.": "We also go kart racing and are looking at
using this system for our pit to kart comms. So my question is, if we have
the SR10 connected to a two-way in the kart and the driver has a paired
SMH10 in his helmet he should be able to talk no problems to a guy in the
pits with a two-way radio?
Here is the tricky part: we endurance race so we do driver changes throughout a race. Is it possible to pair a second SMH10 (in the second driver's helmet) to the same SR10, so when the second driver jumps in the kart the SR10 will automatically recognize the new SMH10 and the new driver will be able to communicate straight away?
The plan would be to have an FRS/GMRS radio in the kart connected to the SR10 and the SR10 connected to the SMH10 in the first driver's helmet. We would have a person in the pit with the second FRS/GMRS radio to communicate with the driver.
When that first driver gets out and the second driver gets in with the second SMH10 in his helmet, we are wondering if the SR10 could just automatically recognize the second SMH10. So he could the use the radio in the kart to communicate to the pit radio.
Pretty unusual request! Thanks again for your help"
Reply From HBC: Having driven as a team member in this type of racing, this is a familiar requirement and in reality using one SR10 with two headsets will work as long as the basic rules are observed, and appreciated from a timing perspective.
As the SR10 can only be "active" or linked with audio with one headset at
a time, attempting to use multiple headsets can mess up the one to one
profile relationship and put the SR10 into a loop of sorts (been there,
experienced it, rebooted). But again, with the basic rules observed, there
are a couple of possible configuration options:
a. Configuration One: Kart-mounted SR10 with two-way radio for comms to pits
or wherever. If the two individual driver headsets are paired in individual
sessions to the single SR10 in the kart before the race (Driver 2 and then
Driver 1 -- last-in, first out rule), then Driver 1 would activate his
headset with SR10 and two-radio link initially.
When coming in for the driver swap, Driver 1 would turn off his headset
and Driver 2 turns his on and after five to ten seconds a single beep in the
headset will let him know that the two devices have found each other, so
Driver 2 is now empowered.
(I tried this configuration during the original SR10 and Sena SMH Version 2
evaluation and it worked, as it did again this evening -- you just need to
turn one headset off and turn the second one on -- the SR10 will find the
"live" one and it never failed to work, although it sometimes can take ten
to fifteen seconds. If the SR10 seems confused, manually activating the link
by a quick double push on the PTT should clear its head and activate the
link).
b. Scenario Two: A bit more complex and involving two SR10 units. Two
drivers, each with a Bluetooth headset and an SR10, paired respectively,
with one two-way radio mounted on the kart. It only takes five seconds or
less to switch the radio cable from one SR10 to the second, much like other
endurance race teams do in just unplugging their harness or their harness
and radio for a fully charged one.
In the good "old" days (or even today), team members or drivers typically
carried a complete system -- radio, harness and headset. But Bluetooth
headsets, hubs and adapters have added a whole new dimension, even though
the Bluetooth one to one relationship provides some limitations.
For what it's worth, another option that may be viable involves the use of
multiple compatible paired Bluetooth headsets, in which case switching
between or to Driver, 1, Driver 2 and Pits would just take a single, or
multiple push of the appropriate intercom button.
But this common system environment depends on Bluetooth being able to
work within the race environment, e.g. noise, electrical interference and
distances. If the distances involved are within a typical link range for the
systems being used (many smaller tracks would be), it can work. Race teams
have and are using this type of setup, with two-way radios as the
alternative or for back-up.
(I have used three paired Bluetooth headsets at our local track on the odd
occasion and it works well, although at the extreme outer edge (close to one
km and with a rock mound or two between), the link might be lost or go
scratchy for a few seconds, but otherwise it was overall useable.)
Newer systems that use multi-connectivity and multi-point capabilities will
bring multi-party conferencing to the fore, better for team efforts, and
greatly extend overall link ranges serially by using other paired systems
for relay purposes, so the Driver on a long or large track could be linked
all the way back to the Pits via one or two other compatible headsets worn
and deployed by other members of the team at strategic locations; a bit more
complex, but an approach.
Once more of the new systems are in hand, these capabilities can be
evaluated as they promise to bring another dimension to headset use.
Hope this helps, let us know what you use and how it all works – feedback
and your own solutions are always great to get."
From "J.O." (January 2012): "My friend and I have the Sena SMH10 headsets and they work great when we ride together. Will they work normally when the SR10 is connected?
I am interested in the SR10 for bike to car communication with my Kenwood UHF radios. Often when we go on camping trips, my wife drives our truck pulling a camper and I follow along on my bike to our destination. I would like to be able to communicate with her and this unit seems like the answer. However, I would still like the headset to work as always with my phone, iPod and intercom.
I was wondering if I have to run my iPod and phone through the hub or if the headset will just recognize the hub as another BT device. Another good solution for me would be a non helmet BT device that will connect to the car hands free system. Then I could talk to the car as if it was another Sena headset."
HBC Replies:
Q1: "My friend and I have the Sena SMH10 headsets and they work great when we ride together. Will they work normally when the SR10 is connected?"
First off, it bears repeating that Bluetooth headset systems see the SR10 adapter or hub as a "headset" and treat it as a paired phone and typically a paired phone has the highest priority -- this in itself is both a plus and minus.
As such, the Sena SMH10 systems will work normally and the intercom will provide excellent rider to rider support, until an SR10 link is activated. Once this happens, the intercom feature, along with other audio, will not be available until such time as the SR10 link is dropped or closed, whereupon audio should resume, although as I continue to find out, it's not always seamless and typically the intercom link must be manually restarted.
This is probably the weakest point regarding the SR10 and SMH10 configuration; something I didn’t expect, but it occurs. The current 1.1 firmware for the SR10 and 1.3 firmware for the Sena SMH10 didn’t fix this issue either (its actually worse), but I am sure Sena will be looking at it.
For what its worth, and as I noted in the SR10 evaluation, most other Bluetooth headsets actually work better with the SR10 than the SMH10 does -- go figure -- and the Midland NeXt system actually lets the user pair the SR10 as a primary or secondary device, with very acceptable results – stay tuned for that evaluation.
Q2: "I am interested in the SR10 for bike to car communication with my Kenwood UHF radios. Often when we go on camping trips, my wife drives our truck pulling a camper and I follow along on my bike to our destination. I would like to be able to communicate with her and this unit seems like the answer. However, I would still like the headset to work as always with my phone, iPod and intercom."
This scenario is just about perfect for the SR10. As long as your Kenwood works well with the SR10 (my VHF/UHF radios do), then you shouldn’t have any issues and if you are riding alone and probably not using the intercom often or at all, then the SR10 and headset link would only impact other headset audio.
Q3: "I was wondering if I have to run my iPod and phone through the hub or if the headset will just recognize the hub as another BT device. Another good solution for me would be a non helmet BT device that will connect to the car hands free system. Then I could talk to the car as if it was another Sena headset."
Appreciating the mono audio stream from the SR10 and the audio switching priorities within the headset, one configuration is to pair the phone to the SR10 via its hands-free Bluetooth link or the AUX 2 port to handle that service, then connect the iPod to the headset using the wired connection (or via Bluetooth using the A2DP profile) so you have full stereo. The intercom will be available when the SR10 link is not active.
I recommend wiring the stereo music device for the reason that it helps to minimize Bluetooth profile conflicts. Looking ahead towards Spring, it is likely that firmware enhancements for the SR10 may provide stereo streaming and multi-device/multi-point connectivity, but until then, the current connection limitations must be understood.
And on a final point regarding non-helmet Bluetooth headsets -- so far the SR10 has paired and worked with an older wiRevo Headset (review) and I’m just waiting to get one or two newer Bluetooth stereo headsets that support the HSP/HFP, A2DP and AVRCP profiles -- these products should work well with the SR10 for non-helmet applications and connect to Bluetooth systems in the four-wheelers.
Don’t forget that many manufacturers of motorcycle Bluetooth systems now offer ergonomically designed options for other types of helmets and personal use.
Let us know how it all works out and don’t hesitate to pose your questions, and provide feedback to the Editor.
From "M.H." (November 2011): "I've been a Sena SMH10 fan shortly after the Bluetooth headset was introduced. But the new SR10 Bluetooth hub, isn't ready for prime-time in my opinion.
As soon as the SR10 was paired with my Droid X and to the SMH10, two major problems arose. Let me begin with a run down of what was (wired) connected to the SR10: Beltronics Radar Detector (audio out) to Aux port 1. Garmin GPS to Aux Port 2. A Kenwood FRS transceiver to the radio port. The SR10 was then paired to the SMH10 Bluetooth headeset.
All 3 devices do operate properly with the SR10. The SMH10 was paired to the SR10, and to the Droid X Smartphone.
Problem 1. Loss of Voice Commands to the Smartphone. I have spoken with Dan at Sena about this, and he informed me that a new version of firmware to be released shortly will address this oversight. How could Sena not have caught this flaw before releasing the SR10?
Problem 2. The SR10 takes priority over many functions of the SMH10. For example, if one is using the SMH10 in the intercom mode, and a audio signal is detected by the SR10 from my radar detector, GPS, or FRS radio, the active intercom is connection is dropped. As long as that audio signal is present, I can not use the SMH10 intercom.
A better solution (if possible) would be if the SR10 and SMH10 could "mix" the audio, instead of dropping the intercom connection.
A prime example is when my Beltronics radar detector goes active, I have no way of passing that info alone to other riders, due to the intercom feature of the SMH10 being dropped and locked out. Maybe this can't be done with current technology, but in my scenario, this is another major flaw.
For the time being, I'm removing the SR10 from my bike, and going back to the way I was using the SHM10 (which worked flawlessly). Maybe if Sena would have put a few of these devices into the hands of people such as myself who are going to test these things to the limit in the real world, instead of a lab, these issues could have been addressed prior to the SR10 hitting the retail market."
Follow-up from "M.H." (December 2011): "I've been a longtime user of the SMH10. The units work perfect paired to my Motorola Droid X. Phone, MP3, Navigation, all streamed wirelessly to my helmet. Excellent device. The SR10 though is another story.
I connected one of my amateur radios to the radio port, a Garmin GPS and a Beltronics RADAR detector to Aux ports 1 & 2. 1st problem, when the SR10 was introduced into the mix, loss of voice command control of my Android phone. Not good. Sena acknowledged the issue, and said they would produce a fix.
After waiting and waiting for Sena to fix the voice command issues with an update, the problems continue. After updating my SMH10 to v 3.3 and the SR10 to v 1.1 (the fix), the voice commands from my Android phone "somewhat" work, but now I have lost the MP3 function from my phone. Sena's solution? Buy a separate Bluetooth MP3 player!" (Remainder edited).
Editor's Reply: Thanks for the info. I'd have to say, you're probably connecting more devices than I ever imagined possible and way more than we'd ever be able to use for evaluation purposes. So you're way beyond anything we have any knowledge of -- you're basically a pioneer in this thing! I guess you can say that you're on the "bleeding edge" of this new technology!
In its defense, I'd have to say it's a very new type of device and I would expect that there would be many bugs, especially trying to connect this many devices. Frankly, I'm surprised any of it works, knowing how rapidly electronics technology evolves and how difficult it is to get it all to connect! In fact, it sounds like the problem you are having is the fault of Bluetooth 2.1.
It's my understanding that Sena will be upgrading the device through firmware, and that's one of the upsides -- only a couple of years ago, once you bought one of these devices, that was it -- if you wanted an upgrade, you'd have to buy another. At least we can hope for firmware upgrades now. So I'd suggest waiting for the next firmware upgrade, which I understand is supposed to fix the issues.
In fact, I contacted Sena about this and here's what they said:
"Since the current Bluetooth 2.1 software supports only one connection for profile, the SMH10 can accept only one HFP connection. It means the users should connect their smartphone first to SR10 by HFP (or wired) and then connect SR10 to SMH10 in serial.
[Smartphone] --- HFP (wired) --- [SR10] --- HFP --- [SMH10]
In order to listen to music, smartphone should make separate connection to SMH10 by A2DP (currently, smartphone is connected by HFP with SR10, not with SMH10). In this case, smartphone connection is unstable, i.e. A2DP with SMH10, HFP with SR10.
Usually, the smart phones pair all profiles together with the devices. Users need to use wired connection between smartphone and SR10 to resolve this issues.
We have a solution though. We are supposed to release firmware update for the SMH10 in early Feb. It supports Bluetooth v3.0 and multi-point connection which enables SMH10 to connect a couple of HFP devices at the same time, i.e.:
[Smartphone] --- HFP/A2DP --- [SMH10] --- HFP --- [SR10].
I believe it would resolve this issues eventually. It is not that easy, but we may have to catch up the technology changes accordingly since the smartphone is still in evolution rapidly."
From "T.G." (October 2011): "I had (an SR10) for 3 hours and was unable to get the iPhone voice control to work through it. Headset to phone without the SR10 worked flawlessly. It seems that the SR10 was not sending the 3 second answer button push to the phone.
The problem I am running into is companies not completely flushing out a product first. The Sena SR10 is a awesome device except it removes a critical part of functionality from my cellphone: the voice dialing and control.
It eliminates the 3 second answer press on the helmet that brings up the iPhone's voice control that lets me dial a number, change what music I am playing, etc.
Problem is the SR10, while from the outside looks like the perfect tool to fix the problems with Bluetooth, it only goes half way and misses a feature that is so important, that I returned the product.
Not only the iPhone does voice control, My Motorola Razr from 10 years ago did it. Most Nokias and Android phones do as well. This is a critical safety feature that any device for motorcycles must support flawlessly.
It's not Sena's fault, a lot of headset makers screw this feature up. Some headsets power off for a 3 second press, thus making voice control broken. It's mostly because the engineers do not test all features, or beta test their hardware completely.
The industry is too fragmented with Bluetooth, and helmet Bluetooth systems are always about 3-4 years behind everyone else. For the past 3 years you can buy the "executive" headsets that will pair with several phones and let you easily manage what device is what, they have voice feedback telling you what phone you are using, the connection and even battery condition feedback.
My wife's $39.00 one even lets you load different voices to it. Yet the $399.99 top of the line helmet Bluetooth device out there barely matches the features of a $39.00 special, but throws in useless things like a FM radio that does not keep its stations or pull in anything with any clarity.
Bluetooth can be not only the future of motorcycle communications, but the complete leader in it. The headset makers need to up their game and make sure their devices support all the features on phones that people will rely on for safety and function.
A2DP is essential; sending button press commands to the phone for using the phones voice control is essential. Multiple headsets for intercom from pillion to driver is essential. Yes -- even (for) three -- I know people that ride two-up plus a sidecar. All three of them need to communicate.
Plus other features, BMW will probably be the first, but letting the bike warn me in my helmet is the future. Even if it says "Attention: Turn signal is still on" will be helpful, but I would love to hear a audible warning if I lose front tire pressure, fuel low, speed warning, etc...and this will require Bluetooth headsets to connect to a large number of devices at one time.
Hopefully one of the companies out there are listening and will work on giving Motorcyclists the Bluetooth helmet headset that we need. I also hope that the SR10 can be fixed in software to add the ability for cellphone voice controls. I will certainly re-purchase the unit if they fix this issue."
Editor's Reply: I asked Sena about this and they said they are aware of the problem with the iPhone and are working on a solution that will be released in a SR10 firmware update with other enhancements.
