Solo rider, Sena SMH5 or Scala Q1?

[UK Bloke]

I'm looking to get a BT helmet unit to connect to my Zumo 660 and my iPhone and can't decide between these two units....
Intercom isn't a huge priority, nor is FM radio.
The SMH5 has been out for a while now and the Q1 is a new product, as they are evenly priced I can't decide.
Any thoughts?
Ta

 

[creggur]

Have had nothing but great service from my SMH-10 - Sena makes good stuff and has excellent customer service/support in my experience... Three years and counting on my 10.

 

[iffy]

Go for the SMH10 i've not heard good things about the SMH5, however i've not tried the 5, but have the 10 which will be the next item purchase after some luggage

 

[Xdriver]

Get the 10. Besides my heated jacket and gloves, it's the best thing I've bought as far as gear is concerned. Can here my tunes at 80 with earplugs. Works flawlessly with iPhone, and other 10 users.

 

[CDMartin884]

I ride solo, and use the SMH10R, and it rocks. Plays my iTunes, syncs to my my iPhone, and can go intercom when I ride with others that use Sena products. Sound is clear, the system is streamlined, and its a great package. I also hate the whole boom mic thing, so the fact that it comes with a wired mic even makes it better.

 

[SuperCal]

I have the SMH-5 (actually two of them), it works pretty well and I have no complaints with it. When using as an intercom between bikes the range seems fair, I'd have to say 300yds in clear air. One thing I'd suggest is getting the "large speaker upgrade". They're alot louder and the sound quality is a bit better. Best thing about them is that they work awesome with the voice commands on my phone (nokia lumina 920) and let me make and take calls and text just by talking ::008::

 

[ThatsLife]

I have the smh-5 and I love it. I did however end up buying the larger speaker upgrade for it. The included speakers are fine for intercom and phone use but for music the larger speakers are an improvement. My friend has the smh-10 and he is happy with his also.

I will add that the smh-5 will only pair with one thing at a time. So GPS or phone but not both at the same time. The smh-10 will do multi pairings though. That aspect doesn't bother me but is something to consider.

 

[UK Bloke]

Thanks for all your comments.
Interesting that no Scala Q1 comments, maybe because it is a new unit and not many people have them...

 

[10 ER AY]

Another SMH10 user. Best communicator I've used. I even talked TenereJack into getting one and I think he likes it pretty well too. My dad and other friends use them and no one has had any issues.

I've had Colletts and they were horrible. One of my friends switched from a Scala to the SMH10 and promptly sold his Scalas. The Sena just works really well and the updates are nice. Now that I can send/receive text from it also, I am smitten with the SMH.

 

[UK Bloke]

How do you send/receive texts using the 10 and does the 5 also do this??
FYI - I have an iPhone 4.

 

[10 ER AY]

How do you send/receive texts using the 10 and does the 5 also do this??
FYI - I have an iPhone 4.

I have an android phone but once its linked if you get a text it comes up and tells you "You have a text from ....., It says:......."

Friday my buddy sent me a text asking me where I was and the Sena said "Bloke is requesting your location. The message says Where the f..k are you?" (Ironically, his name is Bloke, too. lol)

To respond you just tap the phone button and say "send text to ....." and then it asks for the dialogue. Say what you want to say, the Sena reads it back to you and off it goes. It should work even better with the Iphone since you have the Siri built in. I have to use an app called Dragon for it to work on mine. Samsung's have a built in voice app and it works way better than mine, too.

I dont have a 5 so I can't say for certain if it works, but I would assume it does. As far as I know the only difference in the 10 and 5 is range and number of pairings.

 

[zamfield]

I got the SMH10R a few months ago and it's very good.
I wasn't impressed with the fact that the battery sticks to the back of the helmet, but it grows on you and now I don't notice it.
The quality of the bluetooth is excellent. Pairs up effortlessly and holds a long charge... not to mention it's a very slim device.

 

[fredz43]

Thanks for all your comments.
Interesting that no Scala Q1 comments, maybe because it is a new unit and not many people have them...

I have had the Scala Q2, then the later G4 and now the G9 and love them. I use it to connect to my phone, to my Zumo, use it for intercom bike to bike and use the FM tuner to listen to the FM output of my Sat radio. The Q1 has only been available a month or so and doesn't have the features of the G9, so I am not interested in it. It seems that you only want to listen to your phone and Zumo, so you don't really need to get the top of the line, whichever brand you go with.