Most budget intercoms make you guess how much battery is left. The Sena 5S shows it on a small LCD, along with volume and the active RF channel. You also get HD speakers and Sena's build reputation, with over 300 buyers averaging 4.5 stars. That screen is the reason this one stands out.
Unlike many other Bluetooth systems, the Sena 5S is extremely easy to operate because it simply uses a 2-person Bluetooth intercom with those two riders able to communicate with each other as far as 800 meters away in an open area. Additionally, the 5S has HD speakers and that screen displays power, volume, and RF information. This product does not include mesh, does not allow multiple riders to communicate in groups and doesn't need any apps. There are times that is exactly what you want.
Specifications and Build Quality
The Sena 5S is one of the lower-end Bluetooth communication products made by Sena. As such, it provides intercom capabilities between two riders up to a distance of approximately 800 meters in open areas. Therefore, based upon the above description, it should adequately serve rider-to-passenger communications and/or communications between fellow riders on a typical ride. Since it does not contain mesh technology, it was not created for large group rides. If you anticipate riding in a group of three or more individuals, I would recommend considering a mesh enabled model, such as the Sena 50S.
The speakers contained on the 5S are significantly louder and possess greater bass than did the prior low-end Sena units. While the overall audio quality provided by the 5S is satisfactory enough for listening to music and GPS directions, it is unlikely that it will offer superior speaker performance compared to more expensive units offered by Sena (such as the Sena 50S) and/or Cardo (Packtalk).
The Sena 5S contains a clamping kit and a boom microphone. The clamping kit can attach to nearly every type of helmet shell design, including open face, modular, and full face. The boom microphone captures your voice very effectively despite being subjected to wind conditions. A wire connected microphone is available as well for open-face helmets where a boom microphone may not properly fit.
In addition to providing power information regarding the unit itself (the LCD screen), the screen indicates the RF frequency being utilized on the FM radio and the selected volume. Although the screen is relatively small, it appears to be easily legible utilizing a simple segment display vs. a touch screen display.
Audio and Microphone Capability
As previously mentioned, the primary improvement over prior units (i.e., SMH5) is that the speakers on the 5S provide additional volume and improved bass response compared to units at this price point. The wind noise filter provided by the 5S performs reasonably well. However, starting around approximately 60 miles per hour, you begin to experience significant wind noise while communicating with another individual. At normal cruising speed (approximately 40-55 miles per hour), you'll find that both parties can communicate clearly and you'll rarely need to ask someone to repeat themselves.
Although not perfect, the boom microphone effectively captures your voice with little wind interference. In addition to the boom microphone, a wired mic option is available for those that cannot utilize the boom mic due to an open-face helmet design. Both options are included in the original package so you can choose which method best suits your specific helmet requirements.
The ability to overlay audio (music) onto GPS directionals functions very well. When you receive an incoming intercom call, music playback stops temporarily to allow you to engage in communication with the calling party. Following completion of your conversation, music playback resumes automatically after approximately one second, thus preventing you from missing any part of your initial conversation.
Amazon Customer Reviews
Over 300 customer reviews have been written for this product with an average of 4.5 stars. Nearly all of these customer reviewers state that this product provides exactly what it promises: straightforward Bluetooth communication without any superfluous complications.
Customers often praise the LCD screen allowing them to quickly view battery status and volume without needing to access an application on their mobile device. Customers also appreciate having a built-in FM radio for listening to music without needing to stream from their mobile device and subsequently consume their mobile device's battery during extended periods of riding.
Customer complaints primarily relate to reduced range in mountainous terrain. In hilly terrain, effective range reduces from approximately 800 meters in open terrain to approximately 300-400 feet. That represents an unavoidable physical limitation and not necessarily an engineering problem with the product. Nonetheless, that is something to be aware of before making a purchase if you frequently ride in mountainous regions.
Intercom usage typically lasts around ten hours while FM radio/music usage typically lasts seven to eight hours depending upon user preference and how heavily the system is utilized. Users indicate that for prolonged days of riding that requires constant communication between participants, recharging may occur during lunch breaks or utilizing a portable rechargeable USB battery pack.
Users indicate that button sensitivity is somewhat stiff when brand-new. However, once broken in, they function perfectly even when wearing thicker winter gloves. Some users report difficulty operating buttons using their winter gloves. However, functionality improves greatly once gloves have worn in sufficiently to reduce stiffness.
Which Rider Uses This Intercom?
Riders desiring reliable Bluetooth communication capabilities for solo operation or pairs of riders who do not desire mesh features or the added expense associated with such features will benefit from purchasing the Sena 5S. The setup process from removing packaging materials to initiating communication will take less than five minutes.
One of the key benefits for this user base is that this product offers extremely simple setup processes requiring no application pairing or firmware upgrades. Riders who prefer spending time enjoying their ride versus configuring various settings will appreciate this product's ease-of-use.
Not recommended for use by riders who regularly participate in group rides consisting of three or more individuals. The only limiting factor of this product is that it will only support communication between two individuals. Riders participating in group rides would be better suited exploring mesh products. If that sounds like your riding, you can check the Sena 5S price on Amazon and compare current color and bundle options.
To evaluate whether or not this product meets your requirements, please reference our intercom comparison chart to determine how this product compares to other communication devices on the market. Alternatively, you can browse more reviews and guides on our main blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on the Sena 5S before you buy.
How Does the Sena 5S Compare to the Sena 3S?
The Sena 5S offers a number of improvements over the Sena 3S, including high definition speakers, an LCD display for viewing battery status/volume/RF channel, and a longer maximum communication distance of 800m. The Sena 3S offers fewer features at a lower cost. Given that you will be able to visually assess battery level without needing to guess, I believe that this single feature alone makes the 5S worth more money than the 3S.
Will My Sena 5S Connect to Other Sena Models?
Yes. Yourthe Sena connections to other Sena models with similar capabilities (e.g., Sena 3S). Unfortunately, mesh-enabled models (e.g., Sena 50S and Sena 30K) are incompatible with the non-mesh capable Sena 5S because they utilize different protocols.
Do I Need to Press Buttons on the Screen to Get an Indication of Battery Status?
No. Unlike smartphones that require pressing buttons or inputting pin codes, you simply read what appears on the display panel. As with all mechanical components, some users report that buttons feel stiff when first using gloves with thickness equal to or greater than those of heavy winter gloves. However, users find buttons are easier to manipulate when wearing thinner gloves and/or gloves become softer once broken in over time.
Approximately How Long Does It Take to Fully Charge My Sena 5S?
Approximately two hours via USB-C connection for a full recharge, significantly faster than older Sena models utilizing Micro-USB ports. Charging via USB-C also allows you to utilize the exact same cable used for charging your smartphone.
Is My Sena 5S Water Resistant?
Water resistant, protected against rain and splashing. It is not suitable for submersion, so do not leave it mounted in a downpour overnight or spray it directly with a pressure washer.
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