Review on 🏍️ SENA 20S-EVO-01D Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset Communication System, 2 Pack, Black: Enhanced Riding Experience by Dave Russell

So, foreword - this is my first BT communication headset. After using headphones for a few years and briefly experimenting with a cheaper, unbranded system, I decided it was finally time to make the leap in favor of the famous Sena 20S. Choosing the EVO model purely because the built-in antennas mean fewer parts to break. The main reason for buying this device was to improve media controls in gloves for simple functions like changing tracks, pausing music, etc., but more on that later. Installation was easy and almost fun with the HJC RPHA 11 Pro having ample speaker cutouts. Every helmet made these days has speaker cutouts. Although it took about an hour to install, I do have a bit of OCD, particularly when it comes to sound - for the best results in both what you hear and how you are heard, just take your time with the installation. However, one day I was amazed at how well the Sena connected to my Google Pixel phone. The charging time for the device was less than an hour, which gave me time to read the manual. Pairing was never disappointing or confusing - another big issue I hoped was solved with this purchase. Back to the media controls, they were a bit confusing at first. Press and turn the BACK wheel to skip to the next track!? NEXT scroll to decrease the volume? If you say so, Sena, I thought to myself. I'm happy to report that once you learn the controls, life becomes a lot easier than Bluetooth headphones! Like I said, I didn't buy this communication device, which seems crazy to me, I know, but at the same time, I REALLY immediately realized what makes the Sena special is how many features it packs. It could be for everyone in that regard, but in all cases it's an update of the setup you're currently using. Haven't tested the connection yet, but as far as I know they're hardly worth the effort and have a limited range. Passenger to passenger sounds kind of intriguing, but I'm not paying $300+ for the convenience of being annoyed by a passenger in the back of the bike. It's important to note that I quickly realized that even with a modern helmet, speaker placement is critical in these systems. to get usable sound. The speakers themselves are mostly junk. I'm not impressed with their amplitude or frequency response. They're big and tinny only to get "loud" at the expense of really good sound. It should be noted that I immediately activated the louder volume setting in the app. It worked to a certain extent. Now keep in mind that due to the wide range of what this communication system is addressing, it is almost impossible to transmit high-quality audio (where it is important to hear every word) through exposed helmet-mounted speakers. A lot happens when riding a motorcycle, including vibration, road noise, traffic noise and the weather. The speakers still did their job well, but they could mostly be thrown away. I used a wired microphone internally mounted as close to my mouth as possible for maximum performance. I wasn't immediately impressed with Sena's voice commands, as Sena didn't recognize anything after several attempts to execute basic commands in a static environment (not while driving). I quickly realized that the problem wasn't with the microphone, but with Sena's lousy voice control. I switched to Android Assistant with the back button and life just got a lot easier. Every Sena function can be triggered with physical input, completely eliminating the need for voice control. What you really want to control is what your phone is doing, and Siri and Google Assistant have that covered. With proper mic placement, "call dad,” "shuffle the xxx playlist,” and "read my last message” become second nature. An important aspect here is the sound quality. The whole system falls apart if you don't hear it. I and many others are now on a quest for the best headphones that will work under a helmet to maximize the efficiency of the entire system. A cruel twist of fate has led me to revert to headphones again, but this time wired with better ones media control. Perhaps the ideal system does not exist? It's also a bit disappointing that other features like FM radio and "Ambient Sound Mode" don't work either. Both work pretty bad. Issues that other reviews ad nauseam like the Sena isn't waterproof, bulkier, and also a little pricey, which is subjective. I bought the Sena 20s EVO for $200, which I think is reasonable given the fact that the mesh Technology is disabled now, fair find the market with all major manufacturers and maybe even some new players in the future. However, the mesh technology itself is not yet available and, as far as I know, has additional range problems. I ended up buying this device for music and media control and in that regard my expectations have been met and exceeded. As with many things motorcycle related, then comes the customization part. At the same time, it's refreshing to just put on a helmet with speakers in its basic form. It's nice to know audio is always there (to a limited extent) and more than an upgrade for things like navigation or determining if you've missed a call without the hassle of headphones. As mentioned before, there is no such thing as a perfect setup - but because the Sena 20s EVO is so far from it, it has a 'not bad, but could be better' status.