I just started to ride ATV’s with my wife. Chose the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus. We only use it for intercom. It works amazing. Having said that, Sena and Cardo are laughing all the way to the bank, they are insanely expensive. Very simple devices for today’s standards. Oooh, Bluetooth, FM radio, charging while using the device??😂 I honestly have no idea why you can’t intercom with 500 riders within a reasonable range and get a 10 pack of these things for under $200
Long time Sena user, multiple head sets from the smh 5 upto the 30k, couple in between. I lost the rubber on the 30k charge port rendering it useless in the rain which I ride a lot in. I emailed sena to get a replacement tiny rubber grommet and they wanted me to send the whole unit to them and charge me 70 dollars. Am now a cardo bold user, as simple as that. Customer service is key!!
I have had 2 separate Sena 30S units. The first lasted a couple of months before taking a trip around Lake Superior. The cold near the lake and warmer humid air at the top of the hills shorted out the unit and fried the board. 5 months later a replacement came. First trip back from West Virginia through a rain shower shorted out the replacement unit so that only bluetooth still works and only if I plug in a USB cable. Taken apart, the buttons are fairly well protected with o-rings and seals but the risible antenna is another story. There is direct open access to the motherboard at the pivot which makes it useless against weather. If I were to get another Sena product (unlikely) I would use electrical tape over the antenna and the mesh button to try to seal it off as even in the down position, it can capillary water into the unit. I don't ride in parades where I need to talk to 25 other people at once. I DO need to hear gps directions without the need to look at a screen in inclement weather where my focus needs to be on road conditions. This fact alone seals the deal which one I prefer. Only when Sena feels the need to produce an IP67+ style unit would I come back to the table. They are not cheap units and throwing away $270 for less than one year's total use is nuts.
@@BenJamin-ou7kd, they have not fixed the weather reliability issue in any of their units so the critique remains valid. None of their units carry IP67 rating and are listed as "weather resistant" which truly means very little... my 30S said the same thing.
A friend and I recently came back from West Virginia where we experienced Tropical Storm Fred for a few days on the road. Several hours of wet weather and about 2 hours of heavy torrential rains and the Cardo Pactalk Bold units were communicating in Mesh about 1/2 mile apart in heavy rain and faithfully giving me my gps turns throughout the day. Choose what you want...but if you purchase the Sena, save it for sunny days.
Don't know about Sena, but I had 3 packtalks for 5 years already and zero single problem with those. Fully waterproof, easy to live with, no pairing issues whatsoever.
We use private channels for our groups and open mesh for big groups/random pick-ups. You don't ride with a bunch on open, you split off and go private unless someone signals a go to open, because the group is taking a gas break. With Mesh 2.0, reconnecting is a button push, and disconnecting is a button push. If someone on a 20S EVO is connected to two Mesh riders, the private mesh gets sent to the 20S EVO and forwarded on bluetooth to an open mesh, so one person in the group rides both open and private and we take turns. It's no more clunky than normal all 20S connections. If then SENA is using bluetooth, battery is about 9 hours. Using mesh, about 7 hours. Using BOTH its about 6 hours.
I got myself a Cardo Packtalk Black. It's gorgeous, because of its 45mm JBL Speakers, you can hear remarkable difference. Tried it for 5 straight hours in the rain. Never did I encountered any issue. And as an Asian, English is not my natural language (you can definitely tell in the way a construct this comment) but the Cardo never failed to execute voice command with my natural voice. Lastly it's way cheaper than Sena. So I'm all Cardo Packtalk Black all the way. Can't wait for the the EDGE to arrive
Sena 50 series has voice commands to easily control most Mesh functions. (Cardo does not have any voice commands for Mesh) USB-C charging cable has a built-in WIFI module. Set it up once to connect to internet through your home WIFI and it automatically installs firmware updates when they become available. USB-C connection can charge the battery 60% in 20 minutes. Earphone jack on cradle disconnects speakers when earphones are plugged in. Ambient button near bottom of cradle turns on an external microphone so if you stop for gas/convenience store and don't take off your helmet, you can easily hear conversation with store clerks etc.
I'm in a group with 10+ bikes, most of us have 50s, with one 30k, one 20c and one cardo. Before we hit the road we turn on open mesh. The 30k supports mesh so it blends in seamlessly. We pair the 20c and cardo to a specific 50s, and they were relayed into the mesh group no problem. Keep in mind that since bluetooth is tied to a specific 50s, they have to be close to that unit to talk instead of being able to roam inside the group. And cardo can only be paired by universal intercom, which took us couple of days to figure out how.
I have a Sena 20, 30, and 50. Just recently decided to get a Packtalk Bold. I got pretty tired of all the issues related to the Sena’s. Battery life, wind noise canceling, voice commands, and app is much better with the Cardo. Also I look ke the waterproof
The other player on the Cardo side is the Packtalk Slim, perhaps a better differentiator than the 50R with Sena. I have been very pleased with my Packtalk Bold and oddly have never had BT connection issues with my Goldwing, it reliably connects every time regardless of what order I turn them on. The only time I have ever had to reconnect or re-pair has been after the Goldwing firmware updates that wipe everything out.
One Cardo user using a Sena mesh blue, forwards all Cardo comms to Sena open mesh. and all Sena open mesh get pushed to the Mesh blue and the Cardo connected to the Mesh Blue forwards to the Cardo group mesh.
I have cardo bold. Bought it same time my brother bought his Sena 50S. I drive almost 2 years almost daily in rain, sun and cold. My brother drives only summer and sunny days. While ago he bought his second 50S. Because first one was crapped after one week driving in the rain. Have to admit that sounds quality on Sena is little better in my opinion.
Based on this review I am pleased to know that my decision to continue to use Sena is the right one. You left out the fact that the Sena has tone controls. Tone controls may well offset any benefits that the Cardo's JBL speakers provide (or better yet further enhance the experience with the Sena if you bought a set of them - or perhaps the iAsus Xsound 3 - and connected those to your Sena 50). And whether they are better or not, for those of us who use 'ear buds' Cardo's JBL speakers are a non-issue. Remember, with ear buds your battery lasts longer, and if you use a noise isolating sleeve with your earphones you get the benefits of ear plugs and the possibility of 'you are there' sound reproduction. And, if you don't want to use the speakers you can leave them out altogether and install the supplied weatherproofing cover over the Sena speaker jacks. I see in the comments that some people seem to have issues with wind noise picked up by their microphones. No one I ride with has any problems on that score. Could they have microphone reversed, with the front facing the wind stream? You also didn't mention Sena's ambient microphone, which has served me well over the years. And there is the handlebar remote - another life saver, though Sena needs to add a function to support the mesh radio - you still need to use the button on the module to turn Mesh Intercom on and off if you aren't using voice command. As to the 'waterproofness' of the Sena, I've had the SMH10B, the 20s (which is the same as the 20S EVO, by the way) and the 30K and all have been through torrential rain without issue - yet I see people complaining about even light rain causing problems - the only pro-active thing I do is to wipe the contacts down after riding in driving rain. I wonder if a LIGHT application of Vaseline to the contacts on the clamp wouldn't prevent issues for those who have experienced issues? Lastly, bear in mind that pairing up a Cardo (or any other intercom brand) to bridge it into a Mesh connection (Sena's Cardo's or anything else) is a huge compromise - range is very short on Universal-paired devices and it does use up one of the cell phone connections.
Why are these things so expensive? I can get a Chinese ham radio for $30 with a bluetooth helmet mic that will run circles around these things and a line of sight range of 25-30 miles.
Using CARDO PACKTALK BOLD ... It's the best and never had any issue connecting my KTM Adventure or the mobile phone. Automatic volume leveler works the best incase of wind noise increase .. volume automatically increases and also the ambient noise filter is also the highlight.
This is a really well done comparison. The format where you show the text on the left with details under each point is a great choice. I will also say you touch on a point I have not seen in other reviews; you mention both can be charged while in use. This is a HUGE deal for a long-distance rider. I carry a 10AH battery in a small breast-positioned pocket in my jacket and run the cable to the SENA. It is good for two days in a row, 20 hours/day. I play music all the time (which is a drain on the battery). You list 15 users on MESH as an advantage for CARDIO. Why? SENA allows more riders. How is it an advantage for CARDIO? For me the bottom-line is I am too deeply invested n SENA to change hordes.
Thanks for the kind words. The 15 rider advantage was a little confusing. I meant to clarify that it is an advantage over a traditional Bluetooth intercom with a 4 rider max.
I have the PackTalk and I must say that the sound quality and ease of use are great. Also being waterproof instead of water resistant like the Sena is a must in the U.K.
I use the Cardo PackTalk Bold. I find the sound quality superior to the Sena 20S I previously used. Also, I found that powering up my Cardo PTB, then powering up my 2018 Gold Wing, then connecting my iPhone 11, all work fairly well. I have the most difficulty connecting Apple Car Play. Seems I sometimes have to connect, disconnect, then reconnect a few times before ACP is recognized. There was a Cardo PTB firmware update in May or June. Likewise, I believe the Gold Wing has had 2 software updates in the last few months. It’s my understanding that the most recent software update was to make the infotainment system compatible with Android auto.
Unfortunately all the firmware updates on the Cardo Packtalk and Goldwing did not improve the connectivity of Apple Carplay. That has been my experience. It is still a crap shoot whether it starts up the first time or not.
I never have to reconnect my 30k to my 2018 GW regardless if I turn the 30K off or leave it on when I turn off my Wing. I have upgraded to mesh 2.0 and it is a huge improvement. I have ridden in heavy rain all day and never have issues with the Sena. I also use Bose NC ear buds using the Sena earbud socket and the sound quality is exceptional and increases my Sena 30K battery life by some 50% because the NC earbuds have their own battery and the Sena headphones take more power.
Now you're talking. That's exactly why I'm interested in the Sena. Being able to interface directly to the Bose noise cancelling via the 3.5mm jack in the Sena. That's a game changer. I'm on my 3rd set of Bose in-ear NC over about 10 years. On those all day rides, the silence and the comfort really count... I've had a Cardo G9X pair since 2014. Hated them every single day. My BMW 1250 hated them too. Connecting them to the Wing and interfacing with Android Auto is a random affair. I've tried the CarLink Wireless Android device which improved the initial connection which was great. However, when making a phone call, the microphone stops working.
Merv, how did you package the Bose NC unit and the short 3.5mm jack cable onto your helmet. Velcro? How did you hide the length of cable to the earbuds?
I have a 20s and 30k. I've never had any issues with water. I've ridden through hurricanes and thunderstorms with both and have not had a problem. Another bonus with the sena 20s and 30k is that the helmet mount is directly compatible with the 50s. So you don't have to change parts out when you get a newer unit. Also the 20s and 30k can use the new high definition speakers that the 50s comes with (which they now sell separately). One more thing with the sena units that is a huge advantage with the older Goldwings (2017 and older, I have a 2000) and Harley Davidsons is that you can get a helmet mount that comes with a different connection on the back (in place of the aux port) and a special cable that connects to the infotainment system. So you can still use the cb radio (which I do often on group rides). Those helmet mounts also come with a plate that goes in place of the sena communicator to turn it into a passive hardwired headset. So if the communication unit gets smashed or needs to charge and you can't charge it while riding, just put that plate on, and you can still use the cb. And sena has the freewire system as well for full bluetooth to the motorcycle.
I have used the Scala Rider, currently use the Cardo Packtalk bold, and have used the Sena SMH-10 (old analog unit) and more recently, the Sena 20S, which finally died on me due to heavy rain. Both units do the job, but between Packtalk bold and Sena 20S, the clear winner in noise reduction is Packtalk bold. The ambient noise was so quiet when speaking to a buddy, I had to ask him if he was still connected to me. I am getting the 50S delivered tomorrow, so I will look forward to the fast charging system! IMHO opinion, I don't have a basis yet for the 50S, but I'm guessing that either will easily meet your needs.
I like the waterproof feature on the Cardo. Tech help is much better with Cardo. Bluetooth connects better to my bikes audio with the Cardo than the SENA.
I have connected my 50S via bluetooth to both 20 & 20EVO while ann other 50S connected to two other 20S and into an open mesh group of 16 riders bring the group total to 22 riders. The 50S remembers those 20S units and reconnect the next time we are all together again. and thereb are several easy way to connect with the SENA Connect App.
I am a long time Sena user. I've been reasonably happy with bluetooth intercom, but have had nothing but trouble with the Mesh. When I first got my 30K, I gave up completely on Mesh until they upgraded to Mesh 2.0. I've only tried it a couple of times, but found it to be no better. Range is about 50 feet and then it starts breaking up, cutting out and is virtually unusable.
Cruiseman, Good review of these two units. One thing I haven't seen any comments about is riding in a group using CB's. Most GWRRA Chapter members are riding earlier versions of the Wing and communicate via CB's. I tried Cardo and couldn't make it work while using CB's. In fact, Cardo told me it would never work while using CB's. That was a couple of years ago so maybe that's changed. But for the foreseeable future, some folks will be riding with CB's and my headset needs to be able to communicate with them. So I'm now using Motion 6 headsets by UClear. You said a mouth full when you said that the Bluetooth technology isn't there yet. I'm still working with UClear to resolve a host of issues that mainly occur when I ride 2 up. Riding solo everything, include CB use, works pretty well. Having had a Cardo, I do think the sound quality of the Motion 6 is not as good as Cardo. But I don't think anyone has solved all of the issues of using Bluetooth on a very high tech 2018+ Goldwing.
No. I don't know anything about freewire. Just that it won't work trying to use the CB directly through the 2018 Wing. And, again, things may have changed because I was talking about my initial experience with Cardo and my post was 11 months ago on top of that.
Actually the Sena has Harman&Kardon speakers, and Harman&Kardon actually bought JBL as a company... and i really wouldn't be surprised if these were exactly the same speakers.
The only thing i seem to mis with every review is : how well do both systems Noise Canceling Feature work? Im taking delivery of my sena 50s tomorrow and cant wait to test it out but id love to see a video/explanation/answer/experience on this matter
Great video, thanks. This subject is like Apple vs Android. To me, I use the Sena 30K because I started with the Sena 10s, then 20s, and now 30k and probably a 50R in the future. My riding group also uses Sena. I have no experience with Cardio so I can not comment on which is better. Another group I ride with still uses CB radios. For just communications, the CB wins hands down if your motorcycle is so equipped. I think the technology will only get better and pretty soon we will all be laughing about using these devices.
One thing that I think you failed to address is customer service. I had a nightmare of a time getting Sena to fix or replace my faulty headset. I switched to cardo and, through my own fault, damaged the cardo packtalk bold. I called Cardo and told them my mistake. They sent me a brand new unit no questions asked and no charge. Search the internet, my story is not an isolated incident. Cardo is 100 times better in customer support!
I have a Sena 30k updated and it has one serious shortcoming that Sena claims they will be fixing with a future firmware upgrade. You cannot use the Bluetooth intercom system, as with the driver and passenger having Open Mic intercom, and also have bluetooth music from the phone. This is a pretty serious shortcoming in my opinion. I want to be able to talk to my passenger via Bluetooth, and still listen to my music and let her listen to hers from her phone.
@@cruisemansgarage I will have to try it. I was very impressed with the full duplex Bluetooth intercom system. I was just disappointed I could not use it.
My riding buddy and I just bought the Sena 50R dual pack so we can communicate on our rides. I was blown away at the quality and easy installation. Still getting to grips with the full operation, but very impressed so far. My main impression is that this has opened up a new world for us both in our shared experiences and from a safety aspect.
Buyer's remorse will always be around, you just have to pull the trigger when you need it and be happy with what you have. Packtalk Bold Black edition for me.
Using SENA 30K (with new firmware for MESH 2.0). I am impressed by one-half mile using BT. I cannot get that unless I am in a line-of-sight and not going too fast. In canyons It can drop to a few hundred yards,
My 30K goes about that far with bluetooth as well. It does cut out more than the mesh. The 2.0 is a marked improvement over the previous mesh. Do you notice any interference with overhead power lines?
On my 2021 GoldWing my Cardo Packtalk connected very easily, and stays connected. I normally have my Cardo on before I turn the Bike on, and it always connect up. I have my phone as device 1, and the Bike is "Mobile 2". However, it works all the time. The only thing that has skipped a beat here and there is the Android Auto.
I was a long time sena user as well. Had the 50S and just didn’t like it. The voice commands worked 2 times out of 10 for me. The app for both android and iPhone was crashing, and I just wanted a smaller unit. Bought the bold and it’s been great, I’m sold in the Cardo ecosystem it’s nicer. Going to be upgrading to the new Edge soon.
Packtalk Bold (3 year old tech) is being compared to Sena 50 (brand new tech) H2O proof (Cardo) vs. Water Resistant (Sena) Cardo for the win all the way!
Cardo has been in the mesh market for years now. Sena just caught up, developed a mesh network that accepts more communicators, but is still not waterproof. Cardo still wins!
I purchased the Sena HD branded 30k to be compatible with the HD Boom Box and WHIM. IT all pairs right up and makes Bluetooth connection for Music intercom phone and nav. works flawlessly if you never move. the moment you move any wind causes the mike to go into vox mode and shut off all music nav phone making those functions useless at anything over 5MPH even with the VOX sensitivity set low. Eventually you lose the intercom with your passenger also. Nothing you can do but wait for it to come back on for a couple of minutes or shut it off and back on. On a two-hour ride you can get 15 minutes of use at best. the cost for a pair of these and a WHIM for use on Harleys will be about 1000 bucks, don't waste your money, you would be better off with two cans and a string. I'm seriously considering unpairing them from the boom box and using it strictly for intercom a task my old SMH10 handled just fine. Money would be better spent on an aftermarket amp and upgraded speakers
I’ve used 30K without issues. Mesh is nice if you ride with others who have it. My ride buddies don’t so it was mostly useless except for connection to my Tour 6sp. I’ve gone to a Sena 10C Evo which I like. Connects flawlessly to the bike. I can shut down the bike, get gas, visit the Cstore, come back out and the bike reconnects to CarPlay without any other intervention 99% of the time. I can even remove the phone and later reconnect it without issues unless I turn off the headset. I’m running the newest Honda Navi update and Sena’s version 1.2 firmware. I had updated to Sena 1.2.1 and had some issues so I reverted back and am happy again. I did have to re-pair the headset after the Honda update. I’ve ridden in heavy rain on several occasions and had no water issues with either 30K or 10C Evo. Perhaps more info than you want, but thought some would be interested.
After hearing of real customer service issues with Sena I purchased the Cardo Packtalk bold. I'm very happy with it so far, just need to get used to the features!
Just to point out that Cardo units are rated at IP67 and are relatively waterproof (backed by the manufacturer) whereas Sena units are NOT waterproof or water resistant in any way. Sena units come with 'dust covers' for open ports and button gaiters etc but are not suitable for rain! Sena make no mention of 'weatherproofing of any of its product documentation. I live in Northern England and found out the hard way. Wet weather riders be warned!
I can’t comment on Cardo, but I enjoy Sena products. I just upgraded to 50S from 30K (and 20S before that) each Sena has been much improved. Looking forward to using Open Mesh as the COVID situation improves. Sound quality is excellent!
I have had my sena 20s for a few years, have done tours in storming rain, never an issue with it going out, or fading. of course it was by accident I did the first rain ride. previously would remove. First time, totally forgot about it because it was heavy rains. I was very concerned, but it kept on playing music. since then, never remove it unless ti charge. surely the 50s is of same or better quality of water resistance. Good video.
Really wish comparisons would include 1) use with CB for single and two-up riding and 2) two-up riding. Both of those are very common configurations that need to be addressed for the community.
My Sena 30K has been through some dramatic downpours without any issues. Maybe it's not waterproof but I've had no issues in the rain. The mesh 2.0 is much better and the way it pairs up is fantastic. I think it still suffers a little from environmental interference such as power lines but generally it's better. We've been able to go about a mile and still communicate but it has to be line of site. Around some big mountain curves it cuts out quickly. Overall I like my Sena 30K even though it could be better and seems to compare favorably to the two Sena products you reviewed. I have no idea on the Cardo since I've never used it.
Yep. I've ridden days and days in the rain with Sena SMH10, Sena 20S, and less so with 30K and never had issues with these devices even years later. My wife has had the same experience and arguably more rain since she is taller and on the back, she really got hit and her own bike had way less protection. Your mileage may vary.
That other reviewer dropped both into glasses of water- the cardo kept working, unaffected but the sena drowned and stopped working. The other significant test he did was wind noise/noise cancellation with the mike held out front in the wind at speed- cardo was hands down the winner there. Sena’s open mesh is interesting but I agree with your opinion that more than a handful of riders trying to communicate would be crazy time unless you’re a tour operator.
Nice comparison. I'm stoked to see the tech moving forward. I've actually joined an open mesh (on channel 1 I guess) with my Sena 30K with two riders I never spoke to again. I just tapped the button since I saw one of them had a 30K. I politely left the mesh quickly but they laughed. I wonder if they moved to the non-open mesh later. :)
I have a 20s and 50s, there are known capacitor issues with the 50s they have poor quality control that Sena didn't want to correct. My 50s won't hold a charge for a day while sitting. It's not a battery issue, it's a board quality control issue. My next comm unit will be a Cardo which I'm going to buy shortly. I upgraded the battery on my 20s and I even upgraded the battery on the 50s after Sena wouldn't address the issues. The new battery did not correct the issues making it a board issue.
I use the Sena 20S EVO, but I seldom ride in a group. My wife and I both use the 20S EVO so that we can communicate together, but she sits right behind me. I like the idea of the Mesh connection, but haven’t really had the need as I seldom ride in a group. I ride a Kawasaki Concours 14 2019.
My experience with the wind noise with my Sena 20S Evo is only with a passanger wearing a shorty or 3/4 helmet and the mic is in the wind..when my passanger wears a full face helmet wind noise is not a problem...also bike to bike with a rider who wears a 3/4 helmet, wind is not a problem because the fairing is blocking the wind...only with a passanger on board who is not wearing a full face have I had wind noise issues...not sure any headset will not have wind noise if the mic is exposed to the wind...waterproof issue...well I have ridden for hundreds of miles at at time in heavy rain more than once and have not had any issues with my Sena 20S Evo....really dont think the waterproof issue is a issue at all.
Good review but it is obvious you are a Sena user and not a Cardo person. My question is about WIND NOISE. My wife and use Sena 20 Evos and we previously had 20's. Both sets have bad wind noise that keep whooshing through our ears at speed because we are linked to each other. Sena has no suggestions other than trying other microphone covers. I have heard that the 50's have the same issue. Cardo folks have said their units have far better noise-cancelling software that kills the wind noise coming through the microphones. Anyone have any real life comparisons between the units ? Thanks - Doug
Actually, I use both. I have a PackTalk Bold mounted to my IS-Max 2 and the Sena 50R (currently) mounted to my Symax III. I wear a modular helmet and have no issues with wind noise on either headset. My SO wears a ¾ helmet and she will get some wind noise through hers when her face shield is up.
@@cruisemansgarage Thanks! We both wear modular helmets and the wind noise hits worst when the screen is open a bit. It does not seem to matter where we put the microphones. We try to keep them right behind the chin guard. We move them around a bit, but wind noise is awful coming through our ears. We often must turn off the microphones and just listen to books, music, or podcasts because of the sound interruption of the wind. Then, we click-in by pressing the jog-dial when we want to talk. I would prefer a system that filtered out the wind sound. IT can be very irritating and loud. - Doug
Doug White I had the Sena 20s and constantly had an open mic from it picking up wind. I’ve recently bought the cardo and when you are not talking it is totally silent. However the cardo does have a few issues. Mine just doesn’t want to work through mesh on music sharing. I suppose you win on some things and lose on others. They both have there faults.
I can verify cardo systems Bluetooth headset is 100% waterproof because I have the freecom 4 cardio dual pair and they are 100% waterproof No doubt I've ridden and pouring down rain for hours on end they never cut out and they never lose power. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Good review, but have a question about wind noise. Our 20s evo seems to get a lot of wind noise when connected(intercom on) to someone. It will fade out the music quite often, and yes the outside mic is off. Did you check the two systems for wind noise with intercom on? Also when installing their phone application. Why does the Sena want to have permission to take pictures and record video off your phone before allowing you to install their application? What does PackTalk ask permission for, before allowing you to use their application. This is the game breaker for me.
I’ve tried sena 10c,20s,20s evo on rain with no problem, and i’ve used the bridge mesh 20s to 30k using bluetooth, and join the mesh, and it does work, never tried the bridge with other brand tho
i got some serious issue on 50r. listening to music with open mesh will fade the music as soon as noise captured like rev the bike, loud noise from outside. it doesnt identify which is which for filtering. it should be filter only the voice and nothing else. returning and will get the bold
15:22 I ride with friends who have Packtalk. I got cheap Chinese Bluetooth unit for my pillion and when I pair them and bridge them into the mesh they can hear and communicate with the pack. In fact to loud and clear 😆
My Sena 20s Evo started playing up with distortion in sound and crackling sounds and activating the "ambient sound" when I rode in heavy rain, so now I'm looking to get a cardo
I've ridden days and days in the rain with Sena SMH10, Sena 20S, and less so with 30K and never had issues with these devices even years later. My wife has had the same experience and arguably more rain since she is taller and on the back, she really got hit and her own bike had way less protection. Your mileage may vary.
I own the Sena 50s and rode in the rain all day in Oregon with no problems. The issue I'm having with my Sena has to do with getting it to pair via Bluetooth to my buddies Cardo Packtalk Bold. I wish the Sena 50s mesh was compatible with Cardo's mesh.
I'm a year late. lol. Thanks for the review. Some details you don't seem to cover are the voice commands and wind noise reduction. The Cardo units offer much more in the way of voice commands. On my SRL and 30K there is no possibility to reach Siri or Google. My helmet has the SRL (Shoei Neotec 2) and my son's helmet (Neotec 1) has the 30K - the wind noise from his unit is bit of a nightmare (yes, of course we have tried lots of things to correct it!). I still have my SRL but I am looking to change to Cardo because of the voice commands...
What is the battery life of the Cardo/Sena battery packs when not connected to the USB in hours ?? Accordingly, what is the charge time on these units from a Low unusable state to a fully charged state ? I believe you did not mention battery performance in this video ? TY 4 Ta Vids !! Lol
Connection with Packtalk is still a mystery to me after more or less 5 years usage with Goldwing and BMW communication systems... Where can I find a replacement battery because mine is dying after two hours of usage? I have to connect to an external battery but it is a pain.
Sena Mesh 2.0 is limited connection to the first 6 riders connecting to the group mesh. Open mesh I don't understand the use of it, they should work on connection method and not selling unusable options for riding... How many times are 24 riders at the same time? did some one test the limit of mesh connections on borh systems and how they connect?
In Mesh 2.0, every Mesh connection starts in Open Mesh. Then, if you want to, you can create a private group Mesh from those that are connected. Or, at least that is the way I read it.
We like to snowmobile a lot and I have the Garmin Rhino GPS. What would you recommend for those that like to be in the snow whether its snowmobiling or skiing?
which is better for just rider and passenger communication? I really dont do bike to bike comms. Mainly music, phone and talking with my passenger. Thanks for any help
Question...does Cardo make a Bluetooth adapter for non-BT devices to connect them to the CArdo device? For example, attach this BT adapter to a CB radio to receive and transmit?
Cardo is the one that used JBL speakers, not sena. The new range of Sena that they call quantum will have Harman Kardon speakers because people were going cardo simply because the speakers were that much superior.
We got a Sena 10s when we bought our 2019 goldwing. The wind noise is horrible and the voice is garbled to the point I have no idea what my corider is saying. I'm looking for something else.
In the FAQ on the website for the slim it states "Can I use this product in the rain? Sure. All cardo units are IP67 waterproof. This means you can ride in the rain, and enjoy top communication." I emailed the company to find out if this is 100% correct for the bold and other units.
Just need cardo to come out with a newer model with type C. I have both a cardo packtalk bold and slim on different helmets and they were released a couple years ago compare to the 50s/50r.
A well done review, I was pleased by watching it. If I may, I would also consider for your future review other aspects, which are not secondary: customer support, compatibility with previous helmet sets same brand, and average cost. All around good job👍, keep up! 😄
Hi, can you please tell me if the package of a new unit comes with some kind of seal? I just received my packtalk duo today and didn’t find any seal on the outside box and none on the inside box, which I’m not sure if is a brand new one or just a return from someone else. Thanks
I just started to ride ATV’s with my wife. Chose the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus. We only use it for intercom. It works amazing. Having said that, Sena and Cardo are laughing all the way to the bank, they are insanely expensive. Very simple devices for today’s standards. Oooh, Bluetooth, FM radio, charging while using the device??😂 I honestly have no idea why you can’t intercom with 500 riders within a reasonable range and get a 10 pack of these things for under $200
Long time Sena user, multiple head sets from the smh 5 upto the 30k, couple in between. I lost the rubber on the 30k charge port rendering it useless in the rain which I ride a lot in. I emailed sena to get a replacement tiny rubber grommet and they wanted me to send the whole unit to them and charge me 70 dollars. Am now a cardo bold user, as simple as that. Customer service is key!!
I have had 2 separate Sena 30S units. The first lasted a couple of months before taking a trip around Lake Superior. The cold near the lake and warmer humid air at the top of the hills shorted out the unit and fried the board. 5 months later a replacement came. First trip back from West Virginia through a rain shower shorted out the replacement unit so that only bluetooth still works and only if I plug in a USB cable. Taken apart, the buttons are fairly well protected with o-rings and seals but the risible antenna is another story. There is direct open access to the motherboard at the pivot which makes it useless against weather. If I were to get another Sena product (unlikely) I would use electrical tape over the antenna and the mesh button to try to seal it off as even in the down position, it can capillary water into the unit.
I don't ride in parades where I need to talk to 25 other people at once. I DO need to hear gps directions without the need to look at a screen in inclement weather where my focus needs to be on road conditions. This fact alone seals the deal which one I prefer. Only when Sena feels the need to produce an IP67+ style unit would I come back to the table. They are not cheap units and throwing away $270 for less than one year's total use is nuts.
This is the review for 50s snd 50r,
@@BenJamin-ou7kd, they have not fixed the weather reliability issue in any of their units so the critique remains valid. None of their units carry IP67 rating and are listed as "weather resistant" which truly means very little... my 30S said the same thing.
A friend and I recently came back from West Virginia where we experienced Tropical Storm Fred for a few days on the road. Several hours of wet weather and about 2 hours of heavy torrential rains and the Cardo Pactalk Bold units were communicating in Mesh about 1/2 mile apart in heavy rain and faithfully giving me my gps turns throughout the day. Choose what you want...but if you purchase the Sena, save it for sunny days.
Don't know about Sena, but I had 3 packtalks for 5 years already and zero single problem with those. Fully waterproof, easy to live with, no pairing issues whatsoever.
We use private channels for our groups and open mesh for big groups/random pick-ups. You don't ride with a bunch on open, you split off and go private unless someone signals a go to open, because the group is taking a gas break. With Mesh 2.0, reconnecting is a button push, and disconnecting is a button push. If someone on a 20S EVO is connected to two Mesh riders, the private mesh gets sent to the 20S EVO and forwarded on bluetooth to an open mesh, so one person in the group rides both open and private and we take turns. It's no more clunky than normal all 20S connections. If then SENA is using bluetooth, battery is about 9 hours. Using mesh, about 7 hours. Using BOTH its about 6 hours.
Actually the JBL speakers connect to the Cardo Packtalk Bold using the same connector as wired earbuds.
I got myself a Cardo Packtalk Black. It's gorgeous, because of its 45mm JBL Speakers, you can hear remarkable difference. Tried it for 5 straight hours in the rain. Never did I encountered any issue. And as an Asian, English is not my natural language (you can definitely tell in the way a construct this comment) but the Cardo never failed to execute voice command with my natural voice. Lastly it's way cheaper than Sena. So I'm all Cardo Packtalk Black all the way. Can't wait for the the EDGE to arrive
Sena 50 series has voice commands to easily control most Mesh functions. (Cardo does not have any voice commands for Mesh) USB-C charging cable has a built-in WIFI module. Set it up once to connect to internet through your home WIFI and it automatically installs firmware updates when they become available. USB-C connection can charge the battery 60% in 20 minutes. Earphone jack on cradle disconnects speakers when earphones are plugged in. Ambient button near bottom of cradle turns on an external microphone so if you stop for gas/convenience store and don't take off your helmet, you can easily hear conversation with store clerks etc.
I'm in a group with 10+ bikes, most of us have 50s, with one 30k, one 20c and one cardo. Before we hit the road we turn on open mesh. The 30k supports mesh so it blends in seamlessly. We pair the 20c and cardo to a specific 50s, and they were relayed into the mesh group no problem. Keep in mind that since bluetooth is tied to a specific 50s, they have to be close to that unit to talk instead of being able to roam inside the group. And cardo can only be paired by universal intercom, which took us couple of days to figure out how.
I have a Sena 20, 30, and 50. Just recently decided to get a Packtalk Bold. I got pretty tired of all the issues related to the Sena’s. Battery life, wind noise canceling, voice commands, and app is much better with the Cardo. Also I look ke the waterproof
Yes a non 30K/50 user can pair via bluetooth and bridge to mesh network perfectly. As usual, if bluetooth pairin is 4 or less, very stable connection.
The other player on the Cardo side is the Packtalk Slim, perhaps a better differentiator than the 50R with Sena. I have been very pleased with my Packtalk Bold and oddly have never had BT connection issues with my Goldwing, it reliably connects every time regardless of what order I turn them on. The only time I have ever had to reconnect or re-pair has been after the Goldwing firmware updates that wipe everything out.
One Cardo user using a Sena mesh blue, forwards all Cardo comms to Sena open mesh. and all Sena open mesh get pushed to the Mesh blue and the Cardo connected to the Mesh Blue forwards to the Cardo group mesh.
I have cardo bold. Bought it same time my brother bought his Sena 50S. I drive almost 2 years almost daily in rain, sun and cold. My brother drives only summer and sunny days. While ago he bought his second 50S. Because first one was crapped after one week driving in the rain.
Have to admit that sounds quality on Sena is little better in my opinion.
Based on this review I am pleased to know that my decision to continue to use Sena is the right one.
You left out the fact that the Sena has tone controls. Tone controls may well offset any benefits that the Cardo's JBL speakers provide (or better yet further enhance the experience with the Sena if you bought a set of them - or perhaps the iAsus Xsound 3 - and connected those to your Sena 50). And whether they are better or not, for those of us who use 'ear buds' Cardo's JBL speakers are a non-issue. Remember, with ear buds your battery lasts longer, and if you use a noise isolating sleeve with your earphones you get the benefits of ear plugs and the possibility of 'you are there' sound reproduction. And, if you don't want to use the speakers you can leave them out altogether and install the supplied weatherproofing cover over the Sena speaker jacks.
I see in the comments that some people seem to have issues with wind noise picked up by their microphones. No one I ride with has any problems on that score. Could they have microphone reversed, with the front facing the wind stream?
You also didn't mention Sena's ambient microphone, which has served me well over the years.
And there is the handlebar remote - another life saver, though Sena needs to add a function to support the mesh radio - you still need to use the button on the module to turn Mesh Intercom on and off if you aren't using voice command.
As to the 'waterproofness' of the Sena, I've had the SMH10B, the 20s (which is the same as the 20S EVO, by the way) and the 30K and all have been through torrential rain without issue - yet I see people complaining about even light rain causing problems - the only pro-active thing I do is to wipe the contacts down after riding in driving rain. I wonder if a LIGHT application of Vaseline to the contacts on the clamp wouldn't prevent issues for those who have experienced issues?
Lastly, bear in mind that pairing up a Cardo (or any other intercom brand) to bridge it into a Mesh connection (Sena's Cardo's or anything else) is a huge compromise - range is very short on Universal-paired devices and it does use up one of the cell phone connections.
Why are these things so expensive? I can get a Chinese ham radio for $30 with a bluetooth helmet mic that will run circles around these things and a line of sight range of 25-30 miles.
Using CARDO PACKTALK BOLD ... It's the best and never had any issue connecting my KTM Adventure or the mobile phone. Automatic volume leveler works the best incase of wind noise increase .. volume automatically increases and also the ambient noise filter is also the highlight.
This is a really well done comparison. The format where you show the text on the left with details under each point is a great choice. I will also say you touch on a point I have not seen in other reviews; you mention both can be charged while in use. This is a HUGE deal for a long-distance rider. I carry a 10AH battery in a small breast-positioned pocket in my jacket and run the cable to the SENA. It is good for two days in a row, 20 hours/day. I play music all the time (which is a drain on the battery). You list 15 users on MESH as an advantage for CARDIO. Why? SENA allows more riders. How is it an advantage for CARDIO? For me the bottom-line is I am too deeply invested n SENA to change hordes.
Thanks for the kind words. The 15 rider advantage was a little confusing. I meant to clarify that it is an advantage over a traditional Bluetooth intercom with a 4 rider max.
I went for a Sena 50S, as I have different helmets, so easy just to replace the outside unit. Each helmet has its own mounting kit.
That’s one thing I’m thinking about. Looks like the pack talk has a sticky. And the Sena has a clamp . Is that correct?
@@nycowboy2288 50s has clamp.
I have the PackTalk and I must say that the sound quality and ease of use are great. Also being waterproof instead of water resistant like the Sena is a must in the U.K.
I agree with previous comment about Sena haveing ear bud port. Get high quality noise reduction/hearing protection buds and sound is EXCELLENT.
Would you tell us what model of earbuds do you use?
@@czaras_ I prefer Etymotic Research and have several model varients, I do not have their highest level ones.
I use the Cardo PackTalk Bold. I find the sound quality superior to the Sena 20S I previously used. Also, I found that powering up my Cardo PTB, then powering up my 2018 Gold Wing, then connecting my iPhone 11, all work fairly well. I have the most difficulty connecting Apple Car Play. Seems I sometimes have to connect, disconnect, then reconnect a few times before ACP is recognized. There was a Cardo PTB firmware update in May or June. Likewise, I believe the Gold Wing has had 2 software updates in the last few months. It’s my understanding that the most recent software update was to make the infotainment system compatible with Android auto.
Unfortunately all the firmware updates on the Cardo Packtalk and Goldwing did not improve the connectivity of Apple Carplay. That has been my experience. It is still a crap shoot whether it starts up the first time or not.
@@harrybenson9983 2022 Wing: Android Auto - crap shoot, still
I never have to reconnect my 30k to my 2018 GW regardless if I turn the 30K off or leave it on when I turn off my Wing. I have upgraded to mesh 2.0 and it is a huge improvement. I have ridden in heavy rain all day and never have issues with the Sena. I also use Bose NC ear buds using the Sena earbud socket and the sound quality is exceptional and increases my Sena 30K battery life by some 50% because the NC earbuds have their own battery and the Sena headphones take more power.
Now you're talking. That's exactly why I'm interested in the Sena. Being able to interface directly to the Bose noise cancelling via the 3.5mm jack in the Sena. That's a game changer. I'm on my 3rd set of Bose in-ear NC over about 10 years. On those all day rides, the silence and the comfort really count... I've had a Cardo G9X pair since 2014. Hated them every single day. My BMW 1250 hated them too. Connecting them to the Wing and interfacing with Android Auto is a random affair. I've tried the CarLink Wireless Android device which improved the initial connection which was great. However, when making a phone call, the microphone stops working.
Merv, how did you package the Bose NC unit and the short 3.5mm jack cable onto your helmet. Velcro? How did you hide the length of cable to the earbuds?
I have a 20s and 30k. I've never had any issues with water. I've ridden through hurricanes and thunderstorms with both and have not had a problem.
Another bonus with the sena 20s and 30k is that the helmet mount is directly compatible with the 50s. So you don't have to change parts out when you get a newer unit. Also the 20s and 30k can use the new high definition speakers that the 50s comes with (which they now sell separately).
One more thing with the sena units that is a huge advantage with the older Goldwings (2017 and older, I have a 2000) and Harley Davidsons is that you can get a helmet mount that comes with a different connection on the back (in place of the aux port) and a special cable that connects to the infotainment system. So you can still use the cb radio (which I do often on group rides). Those helmet mounts also come with a plate that goes in place of the sena communicator to turn it into a passive hardwired headset. So if the communication unit gets smashed or needs to charge and you can't charge it while riding, just put that plate on, and you can still use the cb. And sena has the freewire system as well for full bluetooth to the motorcycle.
I have used the Scala Rider, currently use the Cardo Packtalk bold, and have used the Sena SMH-10 (old analog unit) and more recently, the Sena 20S, which finally died on me due to heavy rain. Both units do the job, but between Packtalk bold and Sena 20S, the clear winner in noise reduction is Packtalk bold. The ambient noise was so quiet when speaking to a buddy, I had to ask him if he was still connected to me. I am getting the 50S delivered tomorrow, so I will look forward to the fast charging system! IMHO opinion, I don't have a basis yet for the 50S, but I'm guessing that either will easily meet your needs.
At the end of your video you did not say which is the best in your opinion and why. Maybe you might want to change the title of your video!
I like the waterproof feature on the Cardo. Tech help is much better with Cardo. Bluetooth connects better to my bikes audio with the Cardo than the SENA.
does water prove do anything?
I have connected my 50S via bluetooth to both 20 & 20EVO while ann other 50S connected to two other 20S and into an open mesh group of 16 riders bring the group total to 22 riders. The 50S remembers those 20S units and reconnect the next time we are all together again. and thereb are several easy way to connect with the SENA Connect App.
I am a long time Sena user. I've been reasonably happy with bluetooth intercom, but have had nothing but trouble with the Mesh. When I first got my 30K, I gave up completely on Mesh until they upgraded to Mesh 2.0. I've only tried it a couple of times, but found it to be no better. Range is about 50 feet and then it starts breaking up, cutting out and is virtually unusable.
Cruiseman, Good review of these two units. One thing I haven't seen any comments about is riding in a group using CB's. Most GWRRA Chapter members are riding earlier versions of the Wing and communicate via CB's. I tried Cardo and couldn't make it work while using CB's. In fact, Cardo told me it would never work while using CB's. That was a couple of years ago so maybe that's changed. But for the foreseeable future, some folks will be riding with CB's and my headset needs to be able to communicate with them. So I'm now using Motion 6 headsets by UClear. You said a mouth full when you said that the Bluetooth technology isn't there yet. I'm still working with UClear to resolve a host of issues that mainly occur when I ride 2 up. Riding solo everything, include CB use, works pretty well. Having had a Cardo, I do think the sound quality of the Motion 6 is not as good as Cardo. But I don't think anyone has solved all of the issues of using Bluetooth on a very high tech 2018+ Goldwing.
so you are saying that the cardo will not pair with a freewire
No. I don't know anything about freewire. Just that it won't work trying to use the CB directly through the 2018 Wing. And, again, things may have changed because I was talking about my initial experience with Cardo and my post was 11 months ago on top of that.
The Cardo sound is excellent. I don’t have any other brand to compare, but I think the Cardo is the bests out there.
Actually the Sena has Harman&Kardon speakers, and Harman&Kardon actually bought JBL as a company... and i really wouldn't be surprised if these were exactly the same speakers.
I only hear statements - no real test of the mic or anything else related to unit being waterproof or water resistant.
The only thing i seem to mis with every review is : how well do both systems Noise Canceling Feature work? Im taking delivery of my sena 50s tomorrow and cant wait to test it out but id love to see a video/explanation/answer/experience on this matter
Great video, thanks. This subject is like Apple vs Android. To me, I use the Sena 30K because I started with the Sena 10s, then 20s, and now 30k and probably a 50R in the future. My riding group also uses Sena. I have no experience with Cardio so I can not comment on which is better. Another group I ride with still uses CB radios. For just communications, the CB wins hands down if your motorcycle is so equipped. I think the technology will only get better and pretty soon we will all be laughing about using these devices.
One thing that I think you failed to address is customer service. I had a nightmare of a time getting Sena to fix or replace my faulty headset. I switched to cardo and, through my own fault, damaged the cardo packtalk bold. I called Cardo and told them my mistake. They sent me a brand new unit no questions asked and no charge. Search the internet, my story is not an isolated incident. Cardo is 100 times better in customer support!
Another advantage of Sena’s USB-C is for vloggers like yourself that use GoPro equipment. Now the charging cables are compatible among the devices.
I have a Sena 30k updated and it has one serious shortcoming that Sena claims they will be fixing with a future firmware upgrade. You cannot use the Bluetooth intercom system, as with the driver and passenger having Open Mic intercom, and also have bluetooth music from the phone. This is a pretty serious shortcoming in my opinion. I want to be able to talk to my passenger via Bluetooth, and still listen to my music and let her listen to hers from her phone.
Why not communicate with your passenger using Mesh?
@@cruisemansgarage I will have to try it. I was very impressed with the full duplex Bluetooth intercom system. I was just disappointed I could not use it.
My riding buddy and I just bought the Sena 50R dual pack so we can communicate on our rides. I was blown away at the quality and easy installation. Still getting to grips with the full operation, but very impressed so far. My main impression is that this has opened up a new world for us both in our shared experiences and from a safety aspect.
Are you still as impressed now as you were making this review?
i want to buy a packtalk bold but im worried they will release a USB C version right after i click buy
USB-C is fine but the microUSB connector works just fine. It is a great headset. You will not make a mistake.
Buyer's remorse will always be around, you just have to pull the trigger when you need it and be happy with what you have. Packtalk Bold Black edition for me.
USB Adapters are pretty cheap !! Lol
Using SENA 30K (with new firmware for MESH 2.0). I am impressed by one-half mile using BT. I cannot get that unless I am in a line-of-sight and not going too fast. In canyons It can drop to a few hundred yards,
My 30K goes about that far with bluetooth as well. It does cut out more than the mesh. The 2.0 is a marked improvement over the previous mesh. Do you notice any interference with overhead power lines?
On my 2021 GoldWing my Cardo Packtalk connected very easily, and stays connected. I normally have my Cardo on before I turn the Bike on, and it always connect up. I have my phone as device 1, and the Bike is "Mobile 2". However, it works all the time. The only thing that has skipped a beat here and there is the Android Auto.
I was a long time sena user as well. Had the 50S and just didn’t like it. The voice commands worked 2 times out of 10 for me. The app for both android and iPhone was crashing, and I just wanted a smaller unit. Bought the bold and it’s been great, I’m sold in the Cardo ecosystem it’s nicer. Going to be upgrading to the new Edge soon.
Packtalk Bold (3 year old tech) is being compared to Sena 50 (brand new tech) H2O proof (Cardo) vs. Water Resistant (Sena) Cardo for the win all the way!
Jon Frankel totally agree
Another vote for the PackTalk Bold
Cardo has been in the mesh market for years now. Sena just caught up, developed a mesh network that accepts more communicators, but is still not waterproof. Cardo still wins!
I purchased the Sena HD branded 30k to be compatible with the HD Boom Box and WHIM. IT all pairs right up and makes Bluetooth connection for Music intercom phone and nav. works flawlessly if you never move. the moment you move any wind causes the mike to go into vox mode and shut off all music nav phone making those functions useless at anything over 5MPH even with the VOX sensitivity set low. Eventually you lose the intercom with your passenger also. Nothing you can do but wait for it to come back on for a couple of minutes or shut it off and back on. On a two-hour ride you can get 15 minutes of use at best. the cost for a pair of these and a WHIM for use on Harleys will be about 1000 bucks, don't waste your money, you would be better off with two cans and a string. I'm seriously considering unpairing them from the boom box and using it strictly for intercom a task my old SMH10 handled just fine. Money would be better spent on an aftermarket amp and upgraded speakers
I’ve used 30K without issues. Mesh is nice if you ride with others who have it. My ride buddies don’t so it was mostly useless except for connection to my Tour 6sp. I’ve gone to a Sena 10C Evo which I like. Connects flawlessly to the bike. I can shut down the bike, get gas, visit the Cstore, come back out and the bike reconnects to CarPlay without any other intervention 99% of the time. I can even remove the phone and later reconnect it without issues unless I turn off the headset. I’m running the newest Honda Navi update and Sena’s version 1.2 firmware. I had updated to Sena 1.2.1 and had some issues so I reverted back and am happy again. I did have to re-pair the headset after the Honda update. I’ve ridden in heavy rain on several occasions and had no water issues with either 30K or 10C Evo.
Perhaps more info than you want, but thought some would be interested.
Maybe a comparison between the latest Cardo Edge, would be better.
After hearing of real customer service issues with Sena I purchased the Cardo Packtalk bold. I'm very happy with it so far, just need to get used to the features!
Like what
Just to point out that Cardo units are rated at IP67 and are relatively waterproof (backed by the manufacturer) whereas Sena units are NOT waterproof or water resistant in any way. Sena units come with 'dust covers' for open ports and button gaiters etc but are not suitable for rain! Sena make no mention of 'weatherproofing of any of its product documentation. I live in Northern England and found out the hard way. Wet weather riders be warned!
I can’t comment on Cardo, but I enjoy Sena products. I just upgraded to 50S from 30K (and 20S before that) each Sena has been much improved. Looking forward to using Open Mesh as the COVID situation improves. Sound quality is excellent!
And BTW, I’ve spent all day in heavy rain beating on my 20S and 30K without any issues - perhaps I’ve just been lucky.
@@jimpatton7683 I've never had any issues with Sena 20S, 30K nor 50S in any rain or downpours.
This was a very well rounded comparison, thank you. I have never had a problem with my Sena 30k and will continue with it for now.
Thanks for sharing
I have had my sena 20s for a few years, have done tours in storming rain, never an issue with it going out, or fading. of course it was by accident I did the first rain ride. previously would remove. First time, totally forgot about it because it was heavy rains. I was very concerned, but it kept on playing music. since then, never remove it unless ti charge. surely the 50s is of same or better quality of water resistance. Good video.
My 50R connects every time to my BMW GS1250. Good review by the way.
Very possible it could be an issue with the Goldwing Bluetooth.
Have you find the 50R Volume? I need something quite loud so I can hear through air plugs
Really wish comparisons would include 1) use with CB for single and two-up riding and 2) two-up riding.
Both of those are very common configurations that need to be addressed for the community.
I have SLR 2s for rider and passenger and just got the 50S dual pack
My Sena 30K has been through some dramatic downpours without any issues. Maybe it's not waterproof but I've had no issues in the rain.
The mesh 2.0 is much better and the way it pairs up is fantastic. I think it still suffers a little from environmental interference such as power lines but generally it's better.
We've been able to go about a mile and still communicate but it has to be line of site. Around some big mountain curves it cuts out quickly.
Overall I like my Sena 30K even though it could be better and seems to compare favorably to the two Sena products you reviewed. I have no idea on the Cardo since I've never used it.
I suspect your experience with rain and Sena is pretty typical.
Yep. I've ridden days and days in the rain with Sena SMH10, Sena 20S, and less so with 30K and never had issues with these devices even years later. My wife has had the same experience and arguably more rain since she is taller and on the back, she really got hit and her own bike had way less protection. Your mileage may vary.
That other reviewer dropped both into glasses of water- the cardo kept working, unaffected but the sena drowned and stopped working. The other significant test he did was wind noise/noise cancellation with the mike held out front in the wind at speed- cardo was hands down the winner there. Sena’s open mesh is interesting but I agree with your opinion that more than a handful of riders trying to communicate would be crazy time unless you’re a tour operator.
Nice comparison. I'm stoked to see the tech moving forward. I've actually joined an open mesh (on channel 1 I guess) with my Sena 30K with two riders I never spoke to again. I just tapped the button since I saw one of them had a 30K. I politely left the mesh quickly but they laughed. I wonder if they moved to the non-open mesh later. :)
I have a 20s and 50s, there are known capacitor issues with the 50s they have poor quality control that Sena didn't want to correct. My 50s won't hold a charge for a day while sitting. It's not a battery issue, it's a board quality control issue. My next comm unit will be a Cardo which I'm going to buy shortly. I upgraded the battery on my 20s and I even upgraded the battery on the 50s after Sena wouldn't address the issues. The new battery did not correct the issues making it a board issue.
I will be reviewing the new PackTalk Edge very soon!
I use the Sena 20S EVO, but I seldom ride in a group. My wife and I both use the 20S EVO so that we can communicate together, but she sits right behind me. I like the idea of the Mesh connection, but haven’t really had the need as I seldom ride in a group. I ride a Kawasaki Concours 14 2019.
If you check back to this review, do you know anything about the Sena model made for Nolan N Com?
My experience with the wind noise with my Sena 20S Evo is only with a passanger wearing a shorty or 3/4 helmet and the mic is in the wind..when my passanger wears a full face helmet wind noise is not a problem...also bike to bike with a rider who wears a 3/4 helmet, wind is not a problem because the fairing is blocking the wind...only with a passanger on board who is not wearing a full face have I had wind noise issues...not sure any headset will not have wind noise if the mic is exposed to the wind...waterproof issue...well I have ridden for hundreds of miles at at time in heavy rain more than once and have not had any issues with my Sena 20S Evo....really dont think the waterproof issue is a issue at all.
I can see where that would be a problem.
Good review but it is obvious you are a Sena user and not a Cardo person. My question is about WIND NOISE. My wife and use Sena 20 Evos and we previously had 20's. Both sets have bad wind noise that keep whooshing through our ears at speed because we are linked to each other. Sena has no suggestions other than trying other microphone covers. I have heard that the 50's have the same issue. Cardo folks have said their units have far better noise-cancelling software that kills the wind noise coming through the microphones. Anyone have any real life comparisons between the units ? Thanks - Doug
Actually that is more the wind sock and placement of the mic and helmet type
Actually, I use both. I have a PackTalk Bold mounted to my IS-Max 2 and the Sena 50R (currently) mounted to my Symax III. I wear a modular helmet and have no issues with wind noise on either headset. My SO wears a ¾ helmet and she will get some wind noise through hers when her face shield is up.
@@cruisemansgarage Thanks! We both wear modular helmets and the wind noise hits worst when the screen is open a bit. It does not seem to matter where we put the microphones. We try to keep them right behind the chin guard. We move them around a bit, but wind noise is awful coming through our ears. We often must turn off the microphones and just listen to books, music, or podcasts because of the sound interruption of the wind. Then, we click-in by pressing the jog-dial when we want to talk. I would prefer a system that filtered out the wind sound. IT can be very irritating and loud. - Doug
Doug White I had the Sena 20s and constantly had an open mic from it picking up wind. I’ve recently bought the cardo and when you are not talking it is totally silent. However the cardo does have a few issues. Mine just doesn’t want to work through mesh on music sharing. I suppose you win on some things and lose on others. They both have there faults.
@@dougwhite3059 is it possible that you have Sidetone turned on. Try turning Sidetone OFF and see if that helps.
I can verify cardo systems Bluetooth headset is 100% waterproof because I have the freecom 4 cardio dual pair and they are 100% waterproof No doubt I've ridden and pouring down rain for hours on end they never cut out and they never lose power. 👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Good review, but have a question about wind noise. Our 20s evo seems to get a lot of wind noise when connected(intercom on) to someone. It will fade out the music quite often, and yes the outside mic is off. Did you check the two systems for wind noise with intercom on? Also when installing their phone application. Why does the Sena want to have permission to take pictures and record video off your phone before allowing you to install their application? What does PackTalk ask permission for, before allowing you to use their application. This is the game breaker for me.
Very good comments and video. One of the best videos I have seen....
Open Mesh is awesome. I once was gassing up, and my buddy passed by. I heard him on sena, and said hi, scared the shit out of him
I’ve tried sena 10c,20s,20s evo on rain with no problem, and i’ve used the bridge mesh 20s to 30k using bluetooth, and join the mesh, and it does work, never tried the bridge with other brand tho
i got some serious issue on 50r. listening to music with open mesh will fade the music as soon as noise captured like rev the bike, loud noise from outside. it doesnt identify which is which for filtering. it should be filter only the voice and nothing else. returning and will get the bold
Great video, very nicely edited, researched and presented. Greatly appreciated. THANK YOU
The Cardo is rated IP67 waterproof and dustproof.
15:22 I ride with friends who have Packtalk. I got cheap Chinese Bluetooth unit for my pillion and when I pair them and bridge them into the mesh they can hear and communicate with the pack. In fact to loud and clear 😆
Good comparison. Leaning towards a new Sena 50R in 2021.
My Sena 20s Evo started playing up with distortion in sound and crackling sounds and activating the "ambient sound" when I rode in heavy rain, so now I'm looking to get a cardo
Hi, I just bought sena 50s..and I thing( after ur comments) I shuld buy cardos because I living in Ireland 🌧️🌦️☔
"Sena uses speakers powered by JBL" Really? I thought it was the other way; Cardo uses JBL.
do you even have Sena?
Not sure what part of the video you are referring to, but at 8:20 he says, another advantage of the pack talk (Cardo) is the speakers by JBL.
@@ClinttheGreat I think he's taking about @2:16 when it comes onscreen and says "sena has jbl speakers"
Yes, he appears to have mistyped the bullet point stating that the Sena uses JBL. It is indeed _Cardo_ that uses JBL speakers.
Great True World Test. Exactly what are you using to get the audio OFF the headset into your video camera. Thanks, Eric.
I use the Sena 10c pro with camera. Very reliable.
it is, it is
I'm new to these, think I'm going with the cards due to being water "proof" I've been caught in the rain too many times
I've ridden days and days in the rain with Sena SMH10, Sena 20S, and less so with 30K and never had issues with these devices even years later. My wife has had the same experience and arguably more rain since she is taller and on the back, she really got hit and her own bike had way less protection. Your mileage may vary.
Great video mate. Answered a tone of questions for me.
Keep up the great work 👍👍
I own the Sena 50s and rode in the rain all day in Oregon with no problems. The issue I'm having with my Sena has to do with getting it to pair via Bluetooth to my buddies Cardo Packtalk Bold. I wish the Sena 50s mesh was compatible with Cardo's mesh.
Maybe someday Sena and Cardo will create a standard for mesh network like Bluetooth had years ago to make it universal.
@@danaszalajeski4416 I wanna be in the room when it happens. 🤣
@@danaszalajeski4416 Good luck with that.
I'm a year late. lol. Thanks for the review. Some details you don't seem to cover are the voice commands and wind noise reduction. The Cardo units offer much more in the way of voice commands. On my SRL and 30K there is no possibility to reach Siri or Google. My helmet has the SRL (Shoei Neotec 2) and my son's helmet (Neotec 1) has the 30K - the wind noise from his unit is bit of a nightmare (yes, of course we have tried lots of things to correct it!). I still have my SRL but I am looking to change to Cardo because of the voice commands...
What is the battery life of the Cardo/Sena battery packs when not connected to the USB in hours ?? Accordingly, what is the charge time on these units from a Low unusable state to a fully charged state ? I believe you did not mention battery performance in this video ? TY 4 Ta Vids !! Lol
Connection with Packtalk is still a mystery to me after more or less 5 years usage with Goldwing and BMW communication systems... Where can I find a replacement battery because mine is dying after two hours of usage? I have to connect to an external battery but it is a pain.
I'm not sure if the battery can be replaced. You would need to contact Cardo about that.
Thanks for the review. My 20S has died. Will you be doing the new 50S with camera?
I have the Cardo PackTalk Bold the box has the IP rating it's says IP67 Waterproof.
Sena Mesh 2.0 is limited connection to the first 6 riders connecting to the group mesh. Open mesh I don't understand the use of it, they should work on connection method and not selling unusable options for riding... How many times are 24 riders at the same time? did some one test the limit of mesh connections on borh systems and how they connect?
In Mesh 2.0, every Mesh connection starts in Open Mesh. Then, if you want to, you can create a private group Mesh from those that are connected. Or, at least that is the way I read it.
We like to snowmobile a lot and I have the Garmin Rhino GPS. What would you recommend for those that like to be in the snow whether its snowmobiling or skiing?
which is better for just rider and passenger communication? I really dont do bike to bike comms. Mainly music, phone and talking with my passenger. Thanks for any help
Question...does Cardo make a Bluetooth adapter for non-BT devices to connect them to the CArdo device? For example, attach this BT adapter to a CB radio to receive and transmit?
I am not aware of anything like that.
Sena SR10 works with 2 way radios, pairs with Sena communucators, probably cardo too.
Cardo is the one that used JBL speakers, not sena. The new range of Sena that they call quantum will have Harman Kardon speakers because people were going cardo simply because the speakers were that much superior.
We got a Sena 10s when we bought our 2019 goldwing. The wind noise is horrible and the voice is garbled to the point I have no idea what my corider is saying. I'm looking for something else.
In the FAQ on the website for the slim it states "Can I use this product in the rain?
Sure. All cardo units are IP67 waterproof. This means you can ride in the rain, and enjoy top communication."
I emailed the company to find out if this is 100% correct for the bold and other units.
What was the response from Cardo?
@@davidprobst8200 that was the response
@@RanGer-498 Okay, I wasn't reading it that way, thank you!
@@davidprobst8200 no worries..im going to try using Dielectric grease on my sena to see if it helps in the rain just incase.
Cardo packtalk bold and packtalk slim they both offer 2 models
Just need cardo to come out with a newer model with type C. I have both a cardo packtalk bold and slim on different helmets and they were released a couple years ago compare to the 50s/50r.
Very informative video Cruiseman. Keep them coming. 👍 Be safe and ride safely.
OK for us folks with an older bike (05-gl1800)... wile any of these pair to a Sena freewire.
and will ANY cardo pair to a freewire
A well done review, I was pleased by watching it. If I may, I would also consider for your future review other aspects, which are not secondary: customer support, compatibility with previous helmet sets same brand, and average cost. All around good job👍, keep up! 😄
Hi, can you please tell me if the package of a new unit comes with some kind of seal?
I just received my packtalk duo today and didn’t find any seal on the outside box and none on the inside box, which I’m not sure if is a brand new one or just a return from someone else.
Thanks
Great review. good comparison and text bullet points. Subscribed!
Love this comparison...excellent way of laying out the differences between the two.