new Sena upgrade Beta problems?

[h2smokin]

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

[mkurland]

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.

[stevewfl]

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 

[scgoan]

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?

[mkurland]

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.

[Rhino]

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.

[PH14]

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.

[Rhino]

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.

[PH14]

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.

[VirginiaJim]

+1

[Rhino]

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.

[scubadoguk]

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.

[Rhino]

Maybe I should give these a try: http://www.averysound.com/as.bk-home.html

But at ~$140 they are pricy.

[PlaynInPeoria]

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.

[VirginiaJim]

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.

[PH14]

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.

[PH14]

Maybe I should give these a try: 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.

[Rhino]

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.

[mkurland]

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.

[scgoan]

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.