Sena 50S Review and Sena 50R Review | Cruiseman's Reviews | 2022

This is a re-release of a video posted in 2020 with new information and improvements to audio quality.
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[@epicfakesound1]

The only review that clearly described the difference between the two models. Thank you!

[@carvama1]

I've had the 50S for almost two years. It's a great unit and works perfectly in wide open places. Really up to a mile. In the mountains you lose connection frequently around curves. BT does better than mesh in mountains. BT also lasts longer. My first 50S died after about 5 hours on mesh. I replaced it with another and it last most of the day. When the mesh operates it's actually incredibly. We've been able to speak to oncoming riders on the other side of the road. I wished it lasted longer and not be subjected to what I think is electrical interference but mostly it's excellent. The one thing, that I think is problematic is that phone calls don't announce themselves but just break in to the intercom conversation. We haven't figured that one out.

[@andrewoverhere8525]

Hey man this is the most comprehensive video someone's put out on these. Thanks

[@j.t.8759]

Cruiseman, One thing I forgot to mention for iPhone users in my previous post. My experience has been that the Sena voice commands and "Hey Siri" voice commands don't "play well" together. In other words, if I'm using my "Hey Siri" voice commands, the Sena voice commands will no longer work. Easy work around...If I need to use the Sena voice commands, I simply do a quick reboot of my 50R unit. Honest answer, as I mentioned in my earlier post, with the exception of the Sena, "mesh on" command, I can get my "Hey Siri" commands to do so much more and I'm so familiar with them. As for turning the Sena mesh on/off, the little mesh button is soooooo simple to find/use. Thanks again for the great job you do. Would love to meet you one day for coffee in the Carrollton area, if you'd like. I'm up in Denton. Take care!

[@dblenman]

I own 4 50R's and my kids and I use them exclusively for off road riding. We've had them for almost 2 years and love them and I couldn't imagine riding without them. I do wish that the range was a little longer - but it is good enough for how we ride.

[@MrFirey66]

20S 30K 50S SENA BLUETOOTH WATERPROOF PROTECTION CASE COVER on eBay covers the 50s great for rain

[@darrensweeney1201]

I appreciate the very descriptive review on these two head units from Sena. I've been on the fence on Purchasing , but do to your review I certainly know that the 50S is what I want. Much appreciated for posting this video Cheers,

[@cruisemansgarage]

amzn.to/3FPWJhY

[@samuroadventure1227]

I got mine last week and I love it.

[@dennism665]

I’ve had two for a couple of years. Upgraded from the 30K when they were first released. They work very well. I’m surprised you found it necessary to review again, and I was at first disappointed there was really nothing new (for me) in the post, but…I noticed your Wing pairing showed your Zumo XT paired to the bike. I have always had mine paired to the Sena as second phone/gps. So I did learn something new. I think I’ll try that to see if I like it better.

[@AmerSheikh]

The features seem very similar to those of a cardo packtalk bold. Good to see Don back on 2 wheels.

[@dezmondpope3872]

best review video I've seen

[@03flhtcui]

Good video and detailed analysis of the features of each unit and how they differ. The music selection on the other hand I found to be annoying, too loud and borderline obnoxious.

[@tomdelaney19464]

I purchased the 50R shortly after your 1st review, I had some issues playing music but that stopped after the unit had an update. So make sure you check on unit software updates. My main preference is for listening to music and this headset sounds great, I'm a metalhead so just wished it was louder.

[@dannypierce3520]

Definitely want to get the 50S! Question: If my wife and I are connected through the “Mesh connection” can I still play my motorcycle radio, through the motorcycle speakers, and just pause the Stereo when we need to communicate through the headset? Thanks in advance!

[@bubblehead7680]

I thought Don got rid of his GW? I have a Cardo that I bought just before I got sick, so I haven't yet used it. I'll probably just hold on to it and if it goes out then I might consider the Sena.

[@DavidSmith-fw6uj]

Love from DeKalb Mississippi USA 🇺🇸

[@donrozette2706]

Cruiseman - Great review and instructions as always. One thing that was not clear. You described pairing the headset to the phone to manage headset configuration, you also described pairing the headset to your Goldwing. It looked like both pairings leveraged the "phone pairing" and neither leveraged the "2nd phone pairing". In the way you've got things connected does the connection between the Goldwing and headset and between the headset and the phone conflict with each other in any way? 2nd question...Are you and your passenger using group mesh for intercom purposes? If you are using the group mesh while connected to Goldwing audio do the different audio sources prioritize properly?

[@cruisemansgarage]

I should have made that more clear. When you pair to the phone, it will blow out the pairing to the Goldwing and vice-versa. So, if you pair to the phone to use the app, you will need to remove that pairing from your phone, then re-pair the headset to the Goldwing. You can use group mesh for intercom with passenger, or open mesh. I usually use open mesh just because it is automatic.

[@donrozette2706]

@@cruisemansgarage Thankyou Cruise man. A friend purchased these for himself and his wife and hasn't been able to get them to work properly. I think it's his lack of tech savviness but will find out today, as I volunteered to help get the headsets working.

[@jandrewsmith3992]

I was never able to get my Sena Spider working completely with my Goldwing. It was fine for listening to music but it stubbornly refused to let me take or make phone calls via the Bluetooth connection. I would up replacing it with a Cardo Packtalk. Does anyone want to buy my Sena Spider? It’s still in the box, nearly new.

[@kennydinthephilippines2655]

Why didnt you go over the filmwear update how to do that that’s part of the set up

[@1jlbrannon]

Cruiseman...thanks for another good review. But a couple of things I don't think you addressed... All my riding friends have the evo 20s... Will the 50s connect to the eco 20s??? other thing I wanted to find out is if you can charge the 50s as you are using it?

[@cruisemansgarage]

It "should". It still has a bluetooth bridge that should allow you to connect to their riding group.

[@carvama1]

You can charge it as you use it. I've done it but the length of the connector can be limiting so get a long one.

[@dennism665]

Be very careful that you don’t have multiple bt connections wilt bridging with another bt (20S) user. I’ve always gotten lots of “popcorn” noise, making conversation virtually impossible. Read the 50S manual for more info.

[@ndfan77]

With the 20S, incoming calls don't work right when the phone is paired to both the Sena 20S and the GoldWing (and of course the 20S is also paired with the GoldWing). The only way incoming calls work reliably with the 20S is if the phone is NOT paired with the Sena 20S (i.e. phone is paired with GW, and Sena 20S is only paired with GW and not the phone too). I would guess the 50S also suffers from this issue? If so -- how are we supposed to access all the great, new configuration options in the Android/iPhone Sena apps if we can't pair the phones with the 50S!?

[@rodzimmerman1979]

I prefer to listen through ear plugs. Do these allow for true stereo sound for the music or just mono ?

[@andrewoverhere8525]

Stereo

[@kymmoulds]

The battery packed it in on my 50S just a couple of months outside its warranty. sena said to bad you'll have to buy another one of you want a replacement. Stuff you sena. I've gone over to Cardo. GOOD BY sena and thanks for all the fish!!!!!! DO NOT BUY SENA YOU'LL REGRET IT!!!!!

[@Doubledeepfried]

Have my 20S for over 8 years, and never failed me. But ordered the 50r for the sound upgrade

[@ckholiness]

What helmet are you wearing Cruise man?

[@LuhnRob]

Will the mesh option talk to Cardo pack talk?

[@aprilwilcox5065]

I'm in the process of making a decision about which Bluetooth to buy and you video sealed the deal for me.... I did have a couple questions... Tell me if I'm understanding the correctly.... I will have the option to listen to the music on my phone as well as the music on the motorcycles radio???? Also if my husband and I both are wearing these will be be able to talk to each other easily(I am the passenger and he is the driver) I have a full face helmet and he can not hear me unless I lift the mouth area .. thank you for your time

[@cruisemansgarage]

Yes, you will be able to talk to each other. As for music, it is really either/or. You can pair to your phone to listen to music on your phone, OR pair to your motorcycle (Goldwing) to use its audio system. If you are using CarPlay or Android Auto, you can listen to the music on your phone through that system.

[@aprilwilcox5065]

@@cruisemansgarage thank you very much, you've been so helpful

[@ghostpepperrides4805]

50R Two years I think. We love the mesh but battery life is only 2.5 hours. Never was good. Solo with mess on not talking to anyone battery is 4 to 5 hours.

[@fonso1961]

I've ordered and paid for the sena 50c which was supposed to be launched in January, then they said March, still no word about delivery to the UK. Do you know if the sena 50c is in the stores in the US?

[@dennism665]

Haven’t seen it released here yet. I thought it would be available at Daytona, but didn’t see it there either. I kind of like the 50C too, but not the $500 price.

[@fonso1961]

I have the 30k i bought the wife the 50c for Christmas 🎄 but to be honest I'm getting fed up with waiting especially when I have paid upfront.

[@quinmarais9068]

I have 5 x Sena 20's and 2 x Cardo bold and ride in a group of 3~4 peeps - I prefer the SENA for clarity in a group. I regret buying CARDO last year but one of my buddies had it and raved - it's a fail for me with low intercom volume and its impossible to hear him/and his mates at speed... My 2 big complaints with both SENA and CARDO for these expensive units are a) no Micr0SD recording of chats (Cruisermans comment) - for video editing later - and/or b) no GoPro interaction/output jack? Why can't SENA have a meeting with GoPro, and make them wirelessly integrated? I might get a 50R (but if they address a) or b) above - The 'R" to stick onto my ADV helmet as I don't want to break my left collarbone with the bulky drop down mount of the S (or have issues with my LEATT ADV neck brace not allowing me to tilt my head left) BTW SENA - I sealed the S20 with tape and drilled a small drain hole at the bottom - and never had a problem in rain ever again.

[@DoucetteMichael]

Can you be listening to music and talk on the intercom at the same time with the 50S?

[@cruisemansgarage]

Yes. When you talk, it will mute the music.

[@pearpuree1134]

can you connect to two phones at once ?

[@billdonoho3905]

Older man, New rider after 30 plus years! Last M/C 1978! Just bought this Comm System and have no idea what the heck I am doing! Friend/neighbor has an older Sena 20 system But I am completely lost! Hate techknowledgy of today!!! But I do ride with groups and want the ability to communicate with others!!! Screaming at each other at 60mph sucks LOL! Got it installed on my helmet (50S) but have no idea what to do next!! Have it pared to his old unit and I think to my phone but how do I do all of the adjustments??? Do I hhok the cable to the phone and to the computer or the 50s to the computer? I am reallly confused and getting ready to send this thing back and go back to screaming at the other riders!!!!!! Help Please!!!!

[@alkanian]

Just got the 50s, garbage, can’t hear anything in my shark helmet… either he installed it wrong and there’s more wind noise than ever… gonna go back tomorrow to troubleshoot

[@dlos1987]

30K firmware doesn't update because Sena won't sign them drivers to Microsoft. Shame on Sena. Why would anyone want to purchase new devices from Sena and this is what's going to happen. 1000s of us are stuck with 30ks that won't update

[@carvama1]

You can always update the 30k from Sena site. Microsoft doesn't need to get involved at all. Nobody is stuck with a device that won't update. When I had my 30k I updated it regularly by connecting it to my pc and using the Sena software.

[@dlos1987]

@@carvama1 So you don't think I tried to do that? Well, I had a tech tell me that Sena did not sign permission to Microsoft for that driver to update the Sena 30k. So there was no sense for me to send it to them because that can't update it either. Now what should I do now Manny?

[@webheadwilks]

Oh, so you say that Sena did not pay you to do this video while they send you more than $600 worth of equipment.

[@adriangeller9140]

Best com so who cares

[@Proxopoff]

Such a selfish ride on a road with two bikes parallel each other on a low speed and right lines, so every one have to overtake from right line🤦‍♂️ Thinking about others on the road is a part of traffic social

[@AlanTrades]

Horrible audio