Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: h2smokin on February 02, 2013, 11:24:37 AM
-
I'm having problems trying to upgrade my Sena bluetooth to the new version. Anyone else having issues? I went through heck the last time as well. Any ideas or instructions people may have appreciated . Their website is no help. Thanks
-
Whats happening ? when you say having trouble is the software down loaded is failing is not opening what kind of operating system is it ? I upgraded last week on win 7 had no issues.
-
It is not recognizing my devices . I have windows vista on my puters and remember having the same sort of problem before. I have disconnected all wireless devices from the puters which was a problem before as well . No matter what it just does not recognize anything
-
so have you used the sena on the same pc ? if so have you plugged into the same usb port? not plugged into a usb hub ?
if I were TS it I would unplug the sena uninstall the update from control panel, then reboot then re download the software, once installed follow the instructions. Sorry not much help worth a try.
-
I've had intermittent problems with this very thing... Try all of your USB ports. Sometimes a port won't recognize a device. Sometimes it will only recognize a device that was previously recognized before on that particular port. On my home Dell, I had to move my wireless mouse/keyboard thingy to another USB port and then I used that port for the device. It happened to me on the SENA and on my Garmin.
Stupid Windows.. :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: Give me an IBM mainframe any day of the week.
I use Windows 7 64bit. Vista is a piece of carp. I give it the sign of the cross and back away quickly.
-
Vista is not supported by their software. They recommended I have a friend with a mac do My last upgrade.
-
Well it figures vista not supported. Somehow though I managed to get the 2 devices upgraded from 4.0 to 4.1 version but it took forever and it now says I have the latest version. Maybe I will wait and see if they fix the 4.2 version. I have deleted the files and then redid them on both puters but nothing is working now . Oh well they work as is for now. Thanks
-
Even though they say that I have Vista and all the previous updates have installed fine after a couple attempts.
-
do you have a wireless keyboard or mouse? this could be the problem I tried it on a laptop and it worked.....it also gave me a warning on the laptop about the computers bluetooth devices that i did not get on the desktop(yes or no box to check if using bluetooth keyboard or mouse). This was the issue of me getting the device manager to recognize my SR10 from that point i was ok.....still cant get the SR10 to pair w my iphone5 any suggestions?
Thanks
-
I redid everything again today. Unpaired everything from my media player and phone. Then reinstalled everything again and reupdated both units. One of the units has now been paired with my phone and media device and working. It's updated to 4.1 version . The website said that the new beta may have some bugs still so I will wait on that. It was the unpairing and redoing that got things going again I think. You should give that a try BROZ. In the meantime its working so I'm leaving it as is . Thanks
-
I got it it thanks. One thing I noticed when SMH 10 is paired to my phone it says version 4.1 but I installed the beta version 4.2 and the device manager said I downloaded and installed 4.2. Maybe it's just a titling issue on the beta version?
-
My upgrade manager shows my SMH10 at v4.2rc1 once it recognized the device.
-
My upgrade manager shows my SMH10 at v4.2rc1 once it recognized the device.
Did the upgrade make much difference Jim?
-
Haven't tried it yet, it was snowing here this morning. Might be some time until I go out with the bike again.
-
For what it's worth, if your satisfied with how your current level of Sena updates works....leave it alone.
Sena updates seem to cause more bugs than it the upgrade is worth.
-
I upgraded to 4.1.1 with no problem. Beta software is called "beta" for a reason. It's not fully tested (I'm in the software business). My Sena is working great and I'll let you guys test 4.2 for me.
-
What, me worry?
-
I had some problems with this but was able to figure it out. For the record I am running Windows XP SP3.
After downloading the new Firmware Device Manager, it was unable to recognize the device.
Now I noticed that the new device manager is actually a different program than the old manager (SMH10 Manager vs SenaBluetoothDeviceManager ). In order for the new software to recognize the device you need to
1) Ensure no other bluetooth devices show up in the (Windows) Device Manager, except for the Bluetooth Bus Enumerator
2) Plug the Sena device into the USB cable and power it up while looking at the USB section of the Device Manager. Take note of which device shows up.
3) For the new device, right click and do an "Update Driver". Browse for the c:\program files\sena technologies\senabluetoothdevicemanager directory. It should find a driver in there then proceed to load the driver
4) Fire up the SenaBluetoothDeviceManager. It should now recognize the device. Also you should see in the Windows Device Manager that what formerly showed as a USB Device now appears as SMH10
5) You should be able to proceed with the firmware upgrade. You need to manually download the new firmware as it is beta sw and the new SenaBluetoothDeviceManager software will only try to download the prior production release (4.1.1)
But if you are running Windows 7 or later but having a similar issue with the new bluetooth device manager not recognizing the device, i would imagine that a similar principle would be in effect.
-
I have yet to actually try the new firmware out. But it says it has higher volume for music playback, which is probably a good thing. I don't really have a need for the multipoint feature.
-
I had some problems with this but was able to figure it out. For the record I am running Windows XP SP3.
After downloading the new Firmware Device Manager, it was unable to recognize the device.
Now I noticed that the new device manager is actually a different program than the old manager (SMH10 Manager vs SenaBluetoothDeviceManager ). In order for the new software to recognize the device you need to
1) Ensure no other bluetooth devices show up in the (Windows) Device Manager, except for the Bluetooth Bus Enumerator
2) Plug the Sena device into the USB cable and power it up while looking at the USB section of the Device Manager. Take note of which device shows up.
3) For the new device, right click and do an "Update Driver". Browse for the c:\program files\sena technologies\senabluetoothdevicemanager directory. It should find a driver in there then proceed to load the driver
4) Fire up the SenaBluetoothDeviceManager. It should now recognize the device. Also you should see in the Windows Device Manager that what formerly showed as a USB Device now appears as SMH10
5) You should be able to proceed with the firmware upgrade. You need to manually download the new firmware as it is beta sw and the new SenaBluetoothDeviceManager software will only try to download the prior production release (4.1.1)
But if you are running Windows 7 or later but having a similar issue with the new bluetooth device manager not recognizing the device, i would imagine that a similar principle would be in effect.
Wow, sounds complicated. I'm glad I didn't have any problems with W7. Stupid Windows.
-
Mine seems to be working good over the last couple of days now. I can't tell if the volume is any better though. I have a tall windscreen on the bike currently which always helps . Gonna put the short screen on this weekend and try and see if there is any improvement with it
-
Wow, sounds complicated. I'm glad I didn't have any problems with W7. Stupid Windows.
I am kind of a geek on this stuff, not unlike motorcycles, so not so bad.
It looks like the issue is that Sena wrote a new device manager to work across all their devices instead of having a different piece of manager software for each device, which seems like a good idea. But the old device driver does not work with the new Sena device manager, so the driver needs to be replaced with the one that shipped with the new Sena device manager. But, it appears that Sena has not properly written the installation script so for now I had to manually install the newer device driver. I have told them about this so hopefully they get it fixed.
If the sound boost is not enough I think I will go with the helmet attachment that supports earbuds instead of speakers -- only $40.
-
Vista is not supported by their software. They recommended I have a friend with a mac do My last upgrade.
^^^a post full of win right there! Everyday there are more Macs and less winders in the world 8)
-
If the sound boost is not enough I think I will go with the helmet attachment that supports earbuds instead of speakers -- only $40.
I'm trying the beta version and there is a noticeable sound boost, although it isn't much help because of the amount of distortion when the volume is at max. I would love to use earbuds, but with my Shoei X-11, I have to unfold my ears after putting on my helmet and I alway accidentally pull out the earbuds. I've tried durags without any success. I don't like the feel of the durag with the helmet, especially on lengthy rides. Any suggestions anyone?
-
I just tried out the beta firmware and it is most definitely louder, to a point well past ear splitting.
On my helmet I fashioned some closed cell foam to position the speakers closer (right next to) my ears and that certainly contributes to higher volume received. These do have the effect of requiring me to unfold my ears, but it has been a worthwhile tradeoff.
Just for a test I tried on earbuds with my full face helmet (having removed the extra foam and speakers) and sure enough they fall out of my ears. I tried this with my Bose earbuds which I have found to be by far the most comfortable earbuds to run with that will actually stay in my ears due to the lanyard that moves the weight of the cord bouncing around to my neck away from the point of attachment to my ear. So if I ever use these with the Sena, it will require poking my fingers from the visor opening and from below to ensure good earbud fit after the helmet is on. Oh well, another tradeoff between comfort and ease of use.
-
One of the main things I like about the Sena over my F4 is the fact that it is much louder. In fact I never turn it all the way up even with 4.4.1. So I don't think I need 4.2.
-
One of the main things I like about the Sena over my F4 is the fact that it is much louder. In fact I never turn it all the way up even with 4.4.1. So I don't think I need 4.2.
Do you wear ear plugs when you ride? I find I need the volume with ear plugs, but it is deafening when I don't wear the plugs. The wind noise bothers me so I'd rather ride with the ear plugs.
-
Do you wear ear plugs when you ride? I find I need the volume with ear plugs, but it is deafening when I don't wear the plugs. The wind noise bothers me so I'd rather ride with the ear plugs.
No I don't wear ear plugs. I have strange ear canal and none fit properly. After about 1 hour even with molded plugs they are uncomfortable. I can see why you would need them louder with plugs. But doesn't that defeat the purpose of plugs? If you wear ear plugs I would think the optional Sena mount for ear buds along with a high quality in the ear canal buds would be the ticket.
-
No I don't wear ear plugs. I have strange ear canal and none fit properly. After about 1 hour even with molded plugs they are uncomfortable. I can see why you would need them louder with plugs. But doesn't that defeat the purpose of plugs? If you wear ear plugs I would think the optional Sena mount for ear buds along with a high quality in the ear canal buds would be the ticket.
It doesn't defeat the purpose. The plugs block the damaging noise from the wind. I can hear the music just fine and with the plugs it is at a level that isn't damaging.
I don't know where you got your molded earplugs, but I suffer from the same problem. I had an audiologist do my impressions and ordered my plugs from her. I have three pair, one normal ones I use for sleeping, and travel on planes, they are just in the canal, I have a pair made for motorcycling, and a pair of full shell plugs, but I rarely use those, they are more of a pain to put in. I wear the plugs every day without problems. I generally sleep with ear plugs. These work well for me. On the motorcycle I can ride all day with these and not have pain.
I have ridden with in ear earphones, but prefer not having wires attached. I found that often the seal around the earphone would be broken as I put the helmet on, defeating the earplug effect of the earphones, allowing the wind noise to be passed. I used noise isolating earphones. The ear plugs stay put since there is nothing protruding to be hit by the helmet when I put it on.
I need to preserve what is left of my hearing so I will always ride with earplugs. Wind noise on the bike is one of the most damaging things for your ears. Over a 10-15 hour day on the bike, the damage can be considerable.
-
+1
-
It doesn't defeat the purpose. The plugs block the damaging noise from the wind. I can hear the music just fine and with the plugs it is at a level that isn't damaging.
I don't know where you got your molded earplugs, but I suffer from the same problem. I had an audiologist do my impressions and ordered my plugs from her. I have three pair, one normal ones I use for sleeping, and travel on planes, they are just in the canal, I have a pair made for motorcycling, and a pair of full shell plugs, but I rarely use those, they are more of a pain to put in. I wear the plugs every day without problems. I generally sleep with ear plugs. These work well for me. On the motorcycle I can ride all day with these and not have pain.
I have ridden with in ear earphones, but prefer not having wires attached. I found that often the seal around the earphone would be broken as I put the helmet on, defeating the earplug effect of the earphones, allowing the wind noise to be passed. I used noise isolating earphones. The ear plugs stay put since there is nothing protruding to be hit by the helmet when I put it on.
I need to preserve what is left of my hearing so I will always ride with earplugs. Wind noise on the bike is one of the most damaging things for your ears. Over a 10-15 hour day on the bike, the damage can be considerable.
I got them at a gun show from an amateur. I got them for shooting and they do work but just not the best. I may have to go find an audiologist that can do them right. Would really like to have them with ear buds molded in.
-
Custom Ear plugs I bought a kit from a guy for $20 and they worked but I found the ear buds came out so I went to a local hobby store bought a latex mix and made my own still experimenting to get it right so its a work in progress.
-
Maybe I should give these a try: http://www.averysound.com/as.bk-home.html (http://www.averysound.com/as.bk-home.html)
But at ~$140 they are pricy.
-
Why would you use a Beta version? They're saying, "we have no clue, please test this for us for free, thanks!" Screw that.
I have Sena and it's better than that garbage Cardo Scala Q2 I had but their support is beyond pathetic.
-
Why would you use a Beta version?
I like living dangerously? What's the worse that could happen? You reset it back to the previous version. It's not like it's going to self destruct while you are wearing it or send a massive electric pulse into your brain.....whoa here just a minute. That's scary talk...I might just hold off a bit. One never knows about what the Man has planned.
-
I got them at a gun show from an amateur. I got them for shooting and they do work but just not the best. I may have to go find an audiologist that can do them right. Would really like to have them with ear buds molded in.
I would go to an audiologist. My first ones form her didn't seal well, so they were remade, new molds and new plugs at no cost. Definitely worth going to the doctor for that type of service. I also did some research and found that for noise suppression ear plugs, the mold should me made using a bite block, which holds your mouth open, this way the ear canal is opened larger so they when your mouth is closed or partially closed, the seal will be better. If your mouth is closed while doing the impression, it will be a looser fit, especially if you open your mouth wider at some point.
I have always questioned the practice of having basically an amateur doing the impressions for ear plugs. I would rather have someone with proper training do it. The great thing is that if I ordered my plugs form my doctor, the molds were free. All in all a great deal. She also will slightly modify them id there is a spot that causes discomfort by filing and shaping them a bit if necessary. This is something an audiologist does often when fitting hearing aids. Well worth it to me.
-
Maybe I should give these a try: http://www.averysound.com/as.bk-home.html (http://www.averysound.com/as.bk-home.html)
But at ~$140 they are pricy.
Mine were cheaper through the audiologist, and they will make them for earphones as well. Mine are from Westone which is the company that makes a lot of what you find offered on the internet.
-
Mine were cheaper through the audiologist, and they will make them for earphones as well. Mine are from Westone which is the company that makes a lot of what you find offered on the internet.
Thanks for the info. Will look for a local audiologist.
-
Why would you use a Beta version? They're saying, "we have no clue, please test this for us for free, thanks!" Screw that.
I have Sena and it's better than that garbage Cardo Scala Q2 I had but their support is beyond pathetic.
The Beta version is definitely louder.
FWIW I have found Sena's support to be knowledgeable and informative, especially Dan Kim. It helps to log a ticket with them. But depending on your level of IT comfort I can see how frustration can set in. But hey, part of the purpose of this forum is for us to help each other out as well.
Whenever a Beta is released there should be some expectation of things being less than perfect. Which certainly is the case here. Hopefully based on feedback they quickly fix the issues found during the Beta stage. But now that I figured out how to get the device driver installed the actual firmware works well.
-
I installed the beta and I agree you can definitely notice the increased volume. However, due to the overpowering of the speakers, you hear distortion when it is set to max. The only reason Sena increased the volume is because they are so good at listening to their customers. Although, I think I liked it better before, when I could set it to max and not worry about hearing the distortion of the speakers. Now, I find myself constantly adjusting the volume, depending on the song, until I find the perfect balance. I would have rather Sena offered an upgraded speaker set as an accessory. So, after some research, I ordered the Tork X-Pro speakers and the SMH-A0304. I was going to go the earbud route, but I noticed a lot of people complaining of painful ears after long rides. I also tried some earbuds for a short ride and they didn't seem to block out enough wind noise, at least not as much as my ear plugs do. Although, I didn't try the expensive custom molded earpieces. I'm hopeful that the new speakers will be better than the stock Sena speakers.
-
I noticed the same thing, that some songs are too loud.
One suggestion that I have yet to try is to normalize the volume of my music library. For iTunes I believe there is something called Sound Check that will normalize the playback volume.
-
I installed the beta and I agree you can definitely notice the increased volume. However, due to the overpowering of the speakers, you hear distortion when it is set to max. The only reason Sena increased the volume is because they are so good at listening to their customers. Although, I think I liked it better before, when I could set it to max and not worry about hearing the distortion of the speakers. Now, I find myself constantly adjusting the volume, depending on the song, until I find the perfect balance. I would have rather Sena offered an upgraded speaker set as an accessory. So, after some research, I ordered the Tork X-Pro speakers and the SMH-A0304. I was going to go the earbud route, but I noticed a lot of people complaining of painful ears after long rides. I also tried some earbuds for a short ride and they didn't seem to block out enough wind noise, at least not as much as my ear plugs do. Although, I didn't try the expensive custom molded earpieces. I'm hopeful that the new speakers will be better than the stock Sena speakers.
I had the variable volume problem before the upgrade. I noticed it on a rental car as well with my MP3 player that I use with the Sena unit. I kept constantly adjusting the volume of the radio depending on the songs. It's the way it came off of Windows Media Player...
-
One suggestion that I have yet to try is to normalize the volume of my music library. For iTunes I believe there is something called Sound Check that will normalize the playback volume.
I've been meaning to do this. It is very simple to do, within iTunes select your playlist and click on iTunes then preferences. In preferences, check the box for "Sound Check" then click "Okay."
These instructions are for those that are using a Mac, however, the instructions may work with other operating systems.
Thanks for the reminder.
Shannon
-
I've been meaning to do this. It is very simple to do, within iTunes select your playlist and click on iTunes then preferences. In preferences, check the box for "Sound Check" then click "Okay."
These instructions are for those that are using a Mac, however, the instructions may work with other operating systems.
Thanks for the reminder.
Shannon
I found it. While there is a setting in iTunes, for the iPhone you need to check the Sound Check box in Settings --> Music
-
I love my Sena SMH10. It is the only one that sells an accessory mounting plate that allows you to plug in your headphones or earbuds of choice.
You want this:
http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/acc_SMH-A0303.php (http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/acc_SMH-A0303.php)
Sena's Electronics modules are the same. This mounting clamp has a boom mic (which works in either a Full-face or 3/4 helmet) and a 3.5mm jack for your phones.
You can put in whatever phones you like the sound of that will fit. I am using Koss KSC75 Portable Stereophone Headphones ($16 at Amazon). These puppies fit my Shoei and have amazing bass response. Take the earclips off, they just snap off. They're loud too. Heck, open your wallet and get some Sennheisers.
The trick is to mount them in your helmet with a small piece of foam cushioning, about 3/4" thick. Use Silicone glue to mount the foam to the helmet shell, and more glue to mount the phone to the foam. The foam acts as a spring. It retracts a bit when you put the helmet on, and the expands back so the phones just contact your outer ear. If headphones don't touch your ear, you will loose bass response rapidly. Not so tight that it's painful, just enough to touch. Takes some fiddling and cutting the foam to the right thickness for your ears. Much better than the crap headphones they sell, which are all-midrange intercom style phones. Leave the stock foam covers on the phones for cushioning comfort, or get some that are bigger for your particular ear.
The only downside to the Sena is the bike-to-bike intercom distance is very short. But I don't want to talk to anybody anyway. I use old fashioned hand signals.
-
I love my Sena SMH10. It is the only one that sells an accessory mounting plate that allows you to plug in your headphones or earbuds of choice.
You want this:
http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/acc_SMH-A0303.php (http://www.senabluetooth.com/products/acc_SMH-A0303.php)
Sena's Electronics modules are the same. This mounting clamp has a boom mic (which works in either a Full-face or 3/4 helmet) and a 3.5mm jack for your phones.
You can put in whatever phones you like the sound of that will fit. I am using Koss KSC75 Portable Stereophone Headphones ($16 at Amazon). These puppies fit my Shoei and have amazing bass response. Take the earclips off, they just snap off. They're loud too. Heck, open your wallet and get some Sennheisers.
The trick is to mount them in your helmet with a small piece of foam cushioning, about 3/4" thick. Use Silicone glue to mount the foam to the helmet shell, and more glue to mount the phone to the foam. The foam acts as a spring. It retracts a bit when you put the helmet on, and the expands back so the phones just contact your outer ear. If headphones don't touch your ear, you will loose bass response rapidly. Not so tight that it's painful, just enough to touch. Takes some fiddling and cutting the foam to the right thickness for your ears. Much better than the crap headphones they sell, which are all-midrange intercom style phones. Leave the stock foam covers on the phones for cushioning comfort, or get some that are bigger for your particular ear.
The only downside to the Sena is the bike-to-bike intercom distance is very short. But I don't want to talk to anybody anyway. I use old fashioned hand signals.
+1 on all counts, including "Heck, open your wallet and get some Sennheisers"!! These rock.