Sena 10C - Blurry Image Issue

Terminus

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
312
Location
Aurora, IL
All,

I just got the Sena 10C and tried it out on a ride last week. Overall it is sweet, but I was noticing the images were not as clear as I would expect. Up close the images on the video and still shots are clear. Far away objects get blurry. There is no focusing the camera, so I am a bit confused. I submitted a ticket to Sena's help desk, but all they did is answer like good IT staff and told me to reset and reboot. (I have done that already..... ::010::). Have any of you experienced this? Do I have a defective unit or is this how the 10C is?

Actually here are a couple of pictures you can see for reference:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3F7nBvG-9mbjVNazlFUG01YXM/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3F7nBvG-9mdldqMktUYlBGSU0/view?usp=sharing

Thanks in advance!
 

Dirt_Dad

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5,955
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
Sorry, have no suggestion for you on the camera. I did consider that camera at one point, but held off on getting it.

I am wondering about the heated grip controller on the Gen 2 bike. Did you have a problem with the OEM grips?
 

Terminus

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
312
Location
Aurora, IL
Sorry, I don't have the ES so I don't have the OEM heated grips. I put on the Oxford grips and they are flawless.
 

RicoChet

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2016
Messages
356
Location
Richmond Hill, ON
Interesting problem. From what it looks like to me, it looks like the camera aperture is open pretty wide so the focus being closer is better but further out it gets blurry. There is no other reason I Can think of where the foreground is in focus and the background is blurred out. I was going to suggest something simple like clean your lens but this seems completely different. Keep us posted!
 

Dirt_Dad

Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
Joined
Sep 21, 2010
Messages
5,955
Location
Northern Virginia, USA
Terminus said:
Sorry, I don't have the ES so I don't have the OEM heated grips.
For some reason I had it in my head that both gen 2 versions had heated grips. I guess I was wrong on that. I've used the Oxfords in the past and agree, they do a great job.

Good luck with the camera.
 

Terminus

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
312
Location
Aurora, IL
All,

After going back and forth with Sena support, I think they are going to replace the camera. The problem is they are on back order. I have heard others online waiting over 8 weeks for a replacement. Also, I have to send my camera to them and wait. I can't wait for them to get the camera back in stock. I just bought this off of Amazon at the beginning of September. I am wondering if I can still return it directly to Amazon? A lot of time electronics you can't return once you open them. Do you know Amazon's policy?
 

Terminus

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
312
Location
Aurora, IL
RicoChet said:
Interesting problem. From what it looks like to me, it looks like the camera aperture is open pretty wide so the focus being closer is better but further out it gets blurry. There is no other reason I Can think of where the foreground is in focus and the background is blurred out. I was going to suggest something simple like clean your lens but this seems completely different. Keep us posted!
You are spot on. I have seen a few others post this same issue about this camera in other forums. Most others that have this camera say they do not have this problem with it. Hopefully I just got a bad one. The funny thing is the support person at Sena basically said the camera they have does the same thing so for quite a while I could not convince them it was not supposed to be that way!!! I think I was finally able to convince them that the camera they have is also not working right..... Not entirely sure who is supporting who???
 

Checkswrecks

Ungenear to broked stuff
Staff member
Global Moderator
2011 Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 7, 2011
Messages
11,489
Location
Damascus, MD
Sena only has a few dozen employees and they are innovative, they do support their products the best they can, but they are not camera people. There've been times when they've been overwhelmed before.
 

Terminus

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
312
Location
Aurora, IL
Checkswrecks said:
Sena only has a few dozen employees and they are innovative, they do support their products the best they can, but they are not camera people. There've been times when they've been overwhelmed before.
Agreed. They have been very good overall. I am not saying they were not. The biggest problem I had was the person helping me had the same defective camera so they thought it was normal. I think this issue I am experiencing is pretty rare overall.

Beside the camera focus, the unit is very cool.
 

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
All,

I just got the Sena 10C and tried it out on a ride last week. Overall it is sweet, but I was noticing the images were not as clear as I would expect. Up close the images on the video and still shots are clear. Far away objects get blurry. There is no focusing the camera, so I am a bit confused. I submitted a ticket to Sena's help desk, but all they did is answer like good IT staff and told me to reset and reboot. (I have done that already..... ::010::). Have any of you experienced this? Do I have a defective unit or is this how the 10C is?

Actually here are a couple of pictures you can see for reference:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3F7nBvG-9mbjVNazlFUG01YXM/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx3F7nBvG-9mdldqMktUYlBGSU0/view?usp=sharing

Thanks in advance!
Hopefully, you or someone out there can help me out.
I bought a Sena prism tube wifi helmet camera.
Should arrive tomorrow.
I bought a 10,000 MA or ten AMP power pack to provide power for hopefully a day's ride of 6 hours or possibly longer.
So, here's my question, does this camera come with a cable to allow me to connect to the portable power pack that I plan to stow in my riding jacket??
The battery life of this camera is minimal, maybe 2 hours in our summer weather but about half of that in the spring and fall riding weather...(Canada)
Any advice or comments greatly appreciated.
SHUMBA


Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk
 

Terminus

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
312
Location
Aurora, IL
Hopefully, you or someone out there can help me out.
I bought a Sena prism tube wifi helmet camera.
Should arrive tomorrow.
I bought a 10,000 MA or ten AMP power pack to provide power for hopefully a day's ride of 6 hours or possibly longer.
So, here's my question, does this camera come with a cable to allow me to connect to the portable power pack that I plan to stow in my riding jacket??
The battery life of this camera is minimal, maybe 2 hours in our summer weather but about half of that in the spring and fall riding weather...(Canada)
Any advice or comments greatly appreciated.
SHUMBA


Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk
I am not 100% positive on the cable for the prism. For the 10C and 10Pro models I have had, Sena provides the standard micro USB charging cable (micro USB to USB 2.0). That being said it is only about a foot long so there is no way you could use that to reach from the unit to the portable battery which will probably be in your jacket somewhere. I would plan on buying a longer one. Also if you can find one get one that is spiraled and not straight. That way there is some give if you turn you head too far or if your gear hangs on the cord. You want to avoid putting stress on the micro charging port on the cameras. My experience is they are a bit delicate.
 

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
I am not 100% positive on the cable for the prism. For the 10C and 10Pro models I have had, Sena provides the standard micro USB charging cable (micro USB to USB 2.0). That being said it is only about a foot long so there is no way you could use that to reach from the unit to the portable battery which will probably be in your jacket somewhere. I would plan on buying a longer one. Also if you can find one get one that is spiraled and not straight. That way there is some give if you turn you head too far or if your gear hangs on the cord. You want to avoid putting stress on the micro charging port on the cameras. My experience is they are a bit delicate.
Thanks for your reply and great advice.
The camera arrived today and I have mounted it onto my helmet using the mount with the two screws.
Nice secure mount. It appears that it will accept power from a 10,000 MA power pack that I will stow in a pocket. This should increase my riding time to a full day, vs. only about two hours with the cameras internal battery.
A stretchy cable, USB to micro USB will be a great idea. The video is reasonable, and adequate for my purpose, as all that I need is a "witness camera". The only problem I'm having is connecting my smart phone (android) to the camera. The Sena camera app is easy to find, but connecting the phone to the camera hasn't happened.
I called Sena's tech support and they were unable to assist with connecting the phone to the camera. Hmmmmm???
I'll call Sena again tomorrow and hopefully I'll have better luck. I know that I am not alone as I have read numerous blogs from frustrated Sena prism tube owners.
Someone out there made a water proof fix that allows this camera to be plugged into the power pack. When connected to an external power source, the rear of the camera is left open to the elements.
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
SHUMBA


Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
 

Terminus

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2016
Messages
312
Location
Aurora, IL
Thanks for your reply and great advice.
The camera arrived today and I have mounted it onto my helmet using the mount with the two screws.
Nice secure mount. It appears that it will accept power from a 10,000 MA power pack that I will stow in a pocket. This should increase my riding time to a full day, vs. only about two hours with the cameras internal battery.
A stretchy cable, USB to micro USB will be a great idea. The video is reasonable, and adequate for my purpose, as all that I need is a "witness camera". The only problem I'm having is connecting my smart phone (android) to the camera. The Sena camera app is easy to find, but connecting the phone to the camera hasn't happened.
I called Sena's tech support and they were unable to assist with connecting the phone to the camera. Hmmmmm???
I'll call Sena again tomorrow and hopefully I'll have better luck. I know that I am not alone as I have read numerous blogs from frustrated Sena prism tube owners.
Someone out there made a water proof fix that allows this camera to be plugged into the power pack. When connected to an external power source, the rear of the camera is left open to the elements.
Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
SHUMBA


Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
Yeah, connecting to the Sena camera app can be tricky. The key is to connect to it immediately after you turn the camera on. The WIFI on the camera only stays on for I think 15 or 30 seconds or something (unless it connects with your phone). After that it turns off and you can't connect to it until you turn it off and on again. Also you will only want to connect to it periodically to update settings or check how the camera is mounted/pointing. When your phone is connected to it by WIFI, it will not have an internet connection. Specifically what problem are you having on getting connected?
 

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
Yeah, connecting to the Sena camera app can be tricky. The key is to connect to it immediately after you turn the camera on. The WIFI on the camera only stays on for I think 15 or 30 seconds or something (unless it connects with your phone). After that it turns off and you can't connect to it until you turn it off and on again. Also you will only want to connect to it periodically to update settings or check how the camera is mounted/pointing. When your phone is connected to it by WIFI, it will not have an internet connection. Specifically what problem are you having on getting connected?
Finally finally finally, I got my Sena Prism tube with wifi to connect to my Android phone
I have a Samsung Galaxy A5 phone.
The Sena rep, I called again today was very helpful, but on the final command on my smart I had to hit the back button on the lower right hand of the phone.
The rep was telling me to click on the arrow to the left of the wifi at the top left of my phone..seems like these phones have suttle differences which only become apparent when trying to install and use a new device.
So, all good now. I took the camera for a short car ride in the fog this afternoon .
For a $200. (CANADIAN) it does a pretty good job adequate for my purpose. As stated earlier, all I need is a witness device .
Hope this helps, because if you buy this camera you may encounter some difficulties with the setup.
Sena needs to provide a much better guide to alleviate the frustration of the setup of this camera.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
 

SHUMBA

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2018
Messages
1,242
Location
ONTARIO, CANADA
Finally finally finally, I got my Sena Prism tube with wifi to connect to my Android phone
I have a Samsung Galaxy A5 phone.
The Sena rep, I called again today was very helpful, but on the final command on my smart I had to hit the back button on the lower right hand of the phone.
The rep was telling me to click on the arrow to the left of the wifi at the top left of my phone..seems like these phones have suttle differences which only become apparent when trying to install and use a new device.
So, all good now. I took the camera for a short car ride in the fog this afternoon .
For a $200. (CANADIAN) it does a pretty good job adequate for my purpose. As stated earlier, all I need is a witness device .
Hope this helps, because if you buy this camera you may encounter some difficulties with the setup.
Sena needs to provide a much better guide to alleviate the frustration of the setup of this camera.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-A520W using Tapatalk
Further to: The Sena prism tube camera comes with a screw on cap that screws onto the rear of the camera thus covering the rear or open end which harbours the micro sd card, the format button, the reset button and the micro USB charging port....all of which must be kept dry .
In addition, Sena provides or includes another screw on cap that also screws onto the rear of the camera thus allowing "on the go charging" and recording from either the bike's 12 volt socket via a USB plug or a portable power pack (that's what I'm using). Problem is, it definitely will not keep out any moisture.. Here's my 2 cents worth along with a 2 cent fix. I took some black duct tape (colour don't matter), folded it over so I get three layers of tape together with the sticky sides on the inside, then cut a small square slot to allow the micro usb to pass through the hole, but first, put the screw on cap with the hole onto your cable, I used a usb curly cable, usb > micro USB.
The duct tape forms a water proof (resistant) seal to prevent any moisture from entering the rear of the camera.
Try to find a right angle micro usb end if you can, I was unable to find one. Also too, I used a tye wrap or zip tie and anchored the cable to the rear of the camera to prevent the micro USB from any movement.
I tested the camera again today, mounted onto my helmet attached to my portable battery pack in my riding jacket pocket. All worked very well, I'm totally impressed with the resolution of this inconspicuous little device.
Ok, disclosure this all took place at home inside of my house.
Yesterday could have been a riding day, but it rained katz and dawgs, rain drops the size of moose turds.
Our day started out at 11 degrees C, (51 F) and by midnight it was zero C, or 32 F. Woke up to snow this morning.....
Com'on springtime.
SHUMBA



Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk
 
Top