The Sena 60S dual pack combines all the things many expect when using a dual pack (the latest version of Sena’s mesh 3.0), the WAVE cloud intercom system, second generation Harman Kardon Audio, IPX7 waterproofing, and 24 hours of talk time into one unit. There isn’t another product on the market that offers the same amount of features. And neither is there anything else on the market that is going to cost you the same amount of money.
Mesh 3.0 and What Range Numbers Really Mean
That tradeoff is worth naming before the next section.
WAVE Changes What Range Even Means
That context matters because the next part of the review is where the money question gets answered.
Audio, Sealing, and Battery
When Sena says 2 km between Two riders and 8 km between 6 or more they mean what they say. When i say mesh and numbers confuse me, it’s because most people don’t know how mesh works. As each additional headset becomes a relay point in your mesh network, every additional headset increases the range of your network. Think of it like this: a larger group is essentially extending your network the same way adding repeaters would extend a radio link.
In essence the group is acting like a bigger antenna. So, while a Bluetooth chain will break whenever someone drops out of the chain due to taking a call, mesh networks will simply find a new path around that dropped user. This is why touring groups continue to come back to this type of tech. The ability to scale and maintain connectivity in large groups is unmatched.
T should be noted that mesh doesn’t eliminate the effects of real-world terrain. Those quoted ranges are based on a clear line-of-sight and will be greatly reduced in areas where the terrain severely reduces visibility such as on winding roads with steep drop-offs. However, once you lose line-of-sight, the mesh network will reform itself immediately upon gaining line-of-sight again without having to have any person touch any buttons. We provide a side-by-side comparison of the 60s with some other less expensive mesh products.
Who Should Actually Buy This
WAVE is what sets this generation apart from previous generations. Rather than relying on the radio frequency (rf) links between headsets, WAVE uses your mobile device's internet access to create a cloud-based communication channel. Therefore, riders may communicate across an unlimited distance with friends who may be hundreds of miles away. Two friends can ride in separate states and talk to each other via their headsets.
This is significant for those who travel extensively by motorcycle. Before WAVE was introduced, splitting up to do something in the afternoon would typically result in sending a text message from gas stations. Now, with a cloud-based communication channel, you can remain in contact with your fellow travelers throughout the duration of the separation. Of course, the obvious drawback of using WAVE is that it relies on your mobile device having a cellular connection.
Unfortunately, these types of connections are commonly unavailable in remote locations such as mountainous and desert regions, precisely where having reliable communication is most important. Since i haven't had first-hand experience testing coverage behavior myself, consider WAVE to be a feature that provides excellent performance on populated highways but is lost in rural areas.
Standard Bluetooth pairing continues to function normally for phone calls, GPS navigation prompts and playing music, therefore, none of the fundamental functions were sacrificed to introduce the newer features.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Harman Kardon tuned drivers in the second generation units represent the aspect of the product that gets dismissed as "branding" until you've heard it through your helmet while traveling at high speeds. All helmets have speakers that compete for space next to your ear inside an enclosure filled with wind noise. Most speakers attempt to address this challenge by producing higher decibel levels rather than improving clarity. If you have better-tuned speakers, however, you'll be able to hear and understand voice clearly at lower volumes which is far more valuable after six hours of continuous riding than raw power output is.
The waterproof rating of IPX7 covers submersion in water (not merely splashing) making it the correct rating for equipment attached to the exterior of a helmet during inclement weather. The talk-time battery life is specified as 24 hours. While this represents a theoretical maximum possible usage under idealized test conditions (i.e., light use of mesh networking), prolonged heavy use including simultaneous mesh networking and music streaming will certainly reduce this capability. Even with generous estimates of usage however, this represents ample time for an extended touring day plus time for an evening ride home prior to needing recharge.
Automatic over-the-air firmware updates occur automatically using wi-fi connectivity through the phone app. While this feature is frequently overlooked when evaluating purchasing decisions, it represents a key reason why premium brands maintain their reputations. Purchasing a Sena headset today ensures that you will receive updates and enhancements for years to come. Conversely, budget manufacturers rarely offer similar support capabilities.
What is the difference between Mesh and WAVE?
There are several categories of riders that would derive full value from this product:
- riders that ride in groups regularly
- tourers (riders who tour great distances)
- riders who are planning to purchase headsets for multiple riders or are joining a group of riders already utilizing Sena mesh
The best customer for this product are those who utilize their headsets for communication purposes more often than not. Namely group riders or those who plan to tour extensively.
If you ride alone or only need music/navigation functionality then skip it. Riding alone eliminates any benefit derived from mesh networking/WAVE/cloud networking, and thus results in an unnecessary expense relative to providing simple music/navigation functionality at a significantly lower cost. Likewise, if you’re in a group that utilizes a competitive mesh networking solution then skip it since cross-brand mesh solutions are currently unresolved.
T comes down to money vs. Confidence. I couldn’t make any claims indicating the 60s performs poorly. This is an extremely capable device. Whether or not you feel comfortable spending 200 dollars+ on this capability ultimately depends on how much time per year you spend riding with others. You can view pricing information on Amazon. Our hands-on tests include comparisons with less expensive mesh competitors for budget-conscious buyers.
Does the 8 kilometer range figure apply to two riders?
Here is what matters next.
Will it work with other brands?
Mesh creates a direct wireless network between individual headsets with each unit acting as a relay point for adjacent headsets. Using mesh allows users within a short radius (~2km between Two users ~8km with six or more users) to establish intercom connectivity using a local area network. WAVE establishes an internet-based connection via mobile devices allowing users to connect over potentially infinite distance where there exists cellular coverage.
They serve distinct purposes and the 60s does both.
Is 24 hours of battery realistic?
No, Two headsets will get approximately 2km of range. Six or more headsets will achieve the quoted 8km of range as each additional headset adds to your network as a relay point increasing total network size/range.
Can I use it in heavy rain?
Yes, with respect to basic Bluetooth functionality: yes. With regard to mesh functionality: no. Proprietary mesh protocols employed by manufacturers prevent cross-platform compatibility thereby reducing a multi-brand/multi-model group to basic Bluetooth intercom functionality with loss of self-repair/self-heal characteristics unique to mesh networks.
Do firmware updates require a computer?
You can check the Sena price on Amazon if this matches your build.
Yes, it’s a talk time specification generated in controlled testing environments, therefore extreme use cases (heavy mesh activity + music streaming) will likely decrease actual time provided. Nonetheless, based on conservative estimates, it should easily provide adequate capacity for a lengthy touring day plus an evening ride back to dinner without needing to recharge during the middle of the day.
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Pull up the intercom comparison table to see where this lands.