Looking for feedback on Using Cardo vs Sena on a Shoei GT Air III?

[JimH]

I have a Shoei GT Air III helmet and I am looking to add a Bluetooth system to it. Sena makes systems designed to work with Shoei. With an older Shoei helmet I used a Cardo system, but it was somewhat rigged to work. I did like it. Reading reviews, it seems the Cardo is much better rated than Sena. I was looking for any feedback from someone using a Sena system with a Shoei helmet and how it worked.
Or if you used a current Cardo with a GT Air III how it was to get it installed.
Thanks in advance,
Jim

 

[mecsw500]

I've been using Sena SRL2 with Shoei GT Air II and a regular full face Shoei my wife likes.

They've been pretty good, though not perfect. Sometimes they drop, then you have to just press the connect button on the rider's helmet, but that's pretty rare. I would expect the SRL3 to be an improvement on at least 5 years of technology.

 

[LMFD38]

Shoei RF-1200 with Sena 10s another RF-1200 with 10s now 50s and couple of RF-1400's with 50s. All have worked well no matter the helmet or which model. Will say upgraded the one 1200 to 50s as I ride with folks who utilize Cardo so it is able to sync up with them as well, whereas the 10s could not.

 

[RayBJ]

I have both systems, Cardo & Sena. Helmet brand aside, The Cardo intercom system is better than the Sena's. Especially in heavy rain or interstate speeds. Sena's VOX control thinks wind noise is speech and opens the mic so everyone can listen to your hissing. Sena 50 IS NOT WATERPROOF and can shut down if rain is heavy. The Cardos don't have those issues. The 1 thing Sena has over Cardo is Mesh connection ease. Cardo needs to set up 'groups' to isolate channels but Sena is wide open to anyone in range (makes for fun discussions in busy biker areas).
Again, not based on built-in Shoei rigs, just the hardware/software differences.

 

[troop]

Yup... Over the years, I've had multiple Sena units. Recently, I switched to try a Cardo Freecom 4x. I'm never going back to Sena.

 

[mecsw500]

I got all confused. I have a Shoei Neo Tech II and my wife has a GT-Air II.

Both have Sena SRL2 built ins for the Shoei helmets. Although the Sena has its ups and downs over the past 5 years, with the latest firmware they are much more stable. I update them from my Mac every few months or so. They don’t drop signal like they used to. We just did a 6 hour ride to Southern Utah, half of which was in torrential rain and the sets got plenty wet but never missed a beat. They seem pretty waterproof fitted into the slots on the helmet.

Both are helmets are due for replacement next year and at the moment I’m going to start out trying the Sena SRL3. But if that doesn’t work out I’ll return them for Cardo units.

I don’t connect the comms to the Spyder though, I just have our two helmets connected and my iPhone to the rider’s helmet, so I don’t have anything complicated set up. I don’t use voice commands and I just touch the center button on the rider helmet at the start of the ride to keep constant comms with my passenger. The iPhone just gives me Apple Maps directions, I don’t use it for calls on the move.

The batteries will be five years old at the end of this year, but they were still working fine after over six hours.

Now I have friends who swear by the Cardo units, but they use all the fancy mesh capabilities that I’ll never use.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Methinks this is really just another example that's like so many other things... saaay, tires, oils, dealers even, and a whole lot more besides!

Not only is 'how good anything might be' soo subjective and highly dependent upon what you use it for and how you use it; but also, while you might be perfectly satisfied with whatever it is that you're using now, and it might even be waaay better than something you've used for the same thing in the past; but until you either try everything, or you finally get to use something that truly IS seriously better, then whatever it is that you've got/are using now might seem to be great, or at least perfectly adequate!

Me, I dunno why any of you are using those old, out of date, under-performing Ken... no, wrong subject! - XP... No! Still the wrong subject! It's Sena or Cardo comms units that're the point here - but why, when the latest offerings from UClear are sooo much better/provide clearer comms is just beyond me?!

Just Sayin'

 

[JimH]

I got all confused. I have a Shoei Neo Tech II and my wife has a GT-Air II.

Both have Sena SRL2 built ins for the Shoei helmets. Although the Sena has its ups and downs over the past 5 years, with the latest firmware they are much more stable. I update them from my Mac every few months or so. They don’t drop signal like they used to. We just did a 6 hour ride to Southern Utah, half of which was in torrential rain and the sets got plenty wet but never missed a beat. They seem pretty waterproof fitted into the slots on the helmet.

Both are helmets are due for replacement next year and at the moment I’m going to start out trying the Sena SRL3. But if that doesn’t work out I’ll return them for Cardo units.

I don’t connect the comms to the Spyder though, I just have our two helmets connected and my iPhone to the rider’s helmet, so I don’t have anything complicated set up. I don’t use voice commands and I just touch the center button on the rider helmet at the start of the ride to keep constant comms with my passenger. The iPhone just gives me Apple Maps directions, I don’t use it for calls on the move.

The batteries will be five years old at the end of this year, but they were still working fine after over six hours.

Now I have friends who swear by the Cardo units, but they use all the fancy mesh capabilities that I’ll never use.

Thanks for the tip. I searched the Cardo site and see they do have a kit made for the GT-Air III. My mistake for not searching there in the first place. When I bought several years ago it was not an option. Thanks for the info.
Note to self: Search vendor website prior to asking.
Thanks for all the replies,
Jim

 

[mecsw500]

Thanks for the tip. I searched the Cardo site and see they do have a kit made for the GT-Air III. My mistake for not searching there in the first place. When I bought several years ago it was not an option. Thanks for the info.
Note to self: Search vendor website prior to asking.
Thanks for all the replies,
Jim

Yes, I too only figured it out after researching new helmets for next year.

I might switch to some other brand than Shoei though as I think the new idea of requiring the center button release to open the visor might drive me a bit mad on the III versions. I like the simple tab on the side of the visor to open it.

I’d go with the II’s again, but I’d had to look at the manufacture date as I don’t want them to be too long into their five year life.

 

[troop]

Cardo has a 20% off sale that ends today. FYI...