That is the primary time I’ve put in a Bluetooth intercom communications unit and had zero frustration connecting with different manufacturers and the identical model. I lead with that assertion as a result of it has been a significant annoyance till the Sena 50C. The 50C has the simple connectivity capabilities because the Sena 50S and 50R, together with an built-in 4K digicam, and all of it works.
Though not a purpose-built stand-alone motion sports activities video digicam, the Sena 50C is handy and produces high quality video and audio. Video recording is actually a hand motion or voice order away, and it’s a $190 premium over the 50S and 50R audio-only models. The Sena 50C is a feature-rich mesh intercom, Bluetooth intercom, and 4K digicam unit priced at $549 MSRP.Sena first built-in a digicam into its state-of-the-art Bluetooth intercom models with the 10C Professional; the 10C Evo succeeded it. Now we’ve got the 50C with the exceptional mesh connection know-how whereas retaining Bluetooth functionality and compatibility.On the highest decision settings, the brand new Sena 50C shoots 4K video at 30 frames per second and might take 12MP pictures. It has picture stabilization at each 30 and 60 fps at 1080p. The unit will loop report, and you’ll mark video sections for saving with a voice command or button press.
As quickly because it arrived, I reached out to a couple associates who I knew had Sena 50R models so I may check the one-button press connection. It really works as marketed.I got here as much as the group, pressed the mesh button one time, and inside moments our group was speaking. It was the simplest intercom pairing I’ve ever skilled.It was nearly as straightforward to attach a aggressive model Bluetooth communications unit by fastidiously following the step-by-step directions. Connecting with a non-Sena unit is mainly the identical as connecting a second cell phone. Whilst you have restricted vary and the non-Sena unit has restricted performance, you possibly can discuss.
In Open Mesh intercom mode, a disbursed group of six riders can most likely nonetheless discuss if unfold out evenly over 5 miles. You may create as much as 9 teams of limitless individuals in Open Mesh mode, the place anybody on the chosen channel can take part.In case you are in a busy space like a ride-in occasion, Sturgis or Daytona, you possibly can create a non-public Group Mesh of as much as 24 invite-only individuals. If it’s important to step again to Bluetooth, you possibly can create a four-unit grouping or a mix of mesh and Bluetooth.I mounted the Sena 50C on the Bell MX-9 Journey DLX MIPS helmet I’ve been testing. I used the clamp unit with the offset thumb wheel to regulate the vertical picture to maintain the digicam just a bit farther out from the shell. That further half-inch eliminates nearly all the helmet from being seen on the precise aspect of the 120-degree discipline of view.
One other clamp with out the infinite, vertical adjuster can nonetheless regulate 8, 20, or 32 levels upwards, relying on how you put in the clamp. The lens has 30 levels of horizontal rotation to stage the digicam with the horizon.You can too use the included 3M stick-on mount to affix the Sena 50C to your helmet. Nevertheless, I modify helmets pretty typically and want the portability function of the clamps.
Sena will get my appreciation for the standard of the voice command recognition. Despite the fact that all three buttons and the jog dial are glove-friendly, not having to take my left hand off the handlebar whereas navigating on-road and off-road twisties or tough terrain is an actual security function. There are 25 voice instructions doable. The 4 Sena instructions that I take advantage of probably the most are:
- “Hey Sena, digicam on.”
- “Hey Sena, digicam off.”
- “Hey Sena, recording.”
- “Hey Sena, cease recording.”
“Hey Siri” and “Hey Google” are all the time listening additionally. It’s straightforward to make cellphone calls, ship textual content messages, begin and cease music, get instructions, or another function you will have out there in your Apple or Android cellphone. Final Motorcycling Affiliate Editor Kelly Callan stories that she must be cautious to not say “Hey [insert name here]” when beginning a dialog over the intercom, as it’ll set off an undesirable operate on the non-camera Sena 50S.
Additionally, if you happen to sing alongside together with your tunes, flip off the 50C’s VOX (voice-operated) intercom function. In any other case, you’ll maintain keying your intercom.Sena has two apps for controlling your 50C out of your cellphone—a digicam management app and a communications management app. Utilizing the built-in WiFi on the 50C, the Sena Digicam management app permits you to take pictures, begin and cease recording, fine-tune the digicam settings to fit your recording necessities, and examine stills and video. There’s built-in digital picture stabilization within the 1080p EIS video recording mode.Stills are mounted at 12MP, or 8.3MP if taken when recording at any decision beneath 2160p. You may’t take stills when recording at 2160p. The time-lapse mode might be set at intervals of 1, 2, 5, or 10 seconds.
You’re going to get about 90 minutes of video recording from the 50C’s inside battery. If you wish to report your complete day of scenic marvel, it’s essential to plug your 50C into an exterior energy provide, akin to an influence financial institution.The brand new Sena 50C has a Bluetooth discuss time of over 20 hours or a mesh intercom discuss time of over 10 hours. After all, if you happen to use the digicam for over 90 minutes, your battery can be nearly out of energy. It would absolutely cost in about 2.5 hours however provides you with a number of hours of discuss time with only a lunch cease of charging time. The provided USB-C charging cable additionally has a built-in WiFi adapter to simply replace the 50C’s firmware whereas charging.;
There’s a recording time/GB utilization chart within the downloadable person information that reveals you possibly can report 15 hours of 1080p/30 fps on a 128 GB microSD card. There’s a 4GB most single video dimension restrict, so you should have 32 4GB movies if you’re going to report for 15 hours straight. You’ll have to buy a UHS Pace Class 3 (U3) or greater microSD card. I take advantage of the 32 GB capability. It’s near the digicam battery capability, and I simply take quick clips for sharing highlights.I’ve my Sena 10C Evo connected to my touring modular helmet. The 50C plugs into the 10C Evo mount and works, much less the voice instructions; there have to be one thing within the newer 50C microphone that allows the voice command functionality.Whereas swapping management models, I checked the constancy of the 10C Evo audio system in comparison with the brand new Sena 50 collection Harman Kardon audio system. The brand new Harman Kardon audio system have an undeniably fuller, extra sturdy, and better constancy sound. Despite the fact that I’m not an audiophile, the distinction is apparent to me. The standard of the Harman Kardon audio system additionally interprets to raised readability when listening on the cellphone or throughout intercom conversations. Harmon Kardon additionally makes the 50C’s microphone.
The Sena 50C handbook is 73 pages lengthy, and it accommodates nearly all the information you will have to study its options. I had a query about creating multiple Group Mesh channel, and I couldn’t discover the reply within the handbook or Consumer Information. So, I phoned Sena customer support. I acquired a really good human who answered my query rapidly. The Consumer Information solely references a single Group Mesh, and that’s as a result of there is just one non-public Group Mesh out there.
For those who don’t suppose you want a built-in helmet cam, remember the fact that taking one-handed pictures from a digital digicam is harmful. It’s not simply the distraction—it’s additionally what is likely to be hiding behind your hand. I took this picture at 40 mph on Colorado’s Million Greenback Freeway (U.S. Route 550) of a street signal I used to be excited to be seeing. Once I appeared on the image later, I noticed what simply may need taken me out—a deer that I didn’t see as a result of my hand and the digicam had been blocking it from my view. Taking one-handed pictures whereas using is illegitimate in 24 states and never coated by most cellphone warranties while you drop it. The Sena 50C is a big leap ahead from hand-held images whereas bike using.
I’ve had many Sena Bluetooth fashions for the reason that first SMH10 got here out and have by no means had a failure. When you have an issue with the 50C, the unit comes with a three-year guarantee.I don’t know the way Sena may make its bike intercom models any higher than this feature-rich system. The 4K digicam is simply icing on the Sena 50C cake.Sena 50C SpecsVIDEO
- 2160p: 30fps (4K)
- 1440p: 30fps (2K/QHD)
- 1080p: 60fps (HD)
- 1080p: 30fps (HD)
- 1080p: 60fps (HD) + EIS
- 1080p: 30fps (HD) + EIS
- Video recording time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Video file format: MP4 (H.264)
- Most video bit fee: 60 Mb/s (4K)
- Subject of view: 120 levels
- Aperture: f/2.4
- Lens rotation: 30 levels
STILL IMAGE
- Decision: 12 MP (4:3 ratio)
- Burst taking pictures: 8 fps
- Time lapse: 1-, 2-, 5-, or 10-second intervals
INTERCOM
- Speak time with out video: Bluetooth, 22 hours; mesh, 12 hours
- Battery cost time: 2.5 hours
- Battery capability: 1450 mAh (lithium polymer)
- Mesh intercom open-terrain working distance: As much as 1.2 miles (5 miles with six riders or extra)
- Bluetooth: 5.1 (1.0 miles open-terrain working distance)
- WiFi: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/a (as much as 49 ft)
DIMENSIONS
- Top: 2.3 inches
- Width: 3.7 inches
- Depth: 1.2 inches
- Weight: 3.17 ounces
- Speaker diameter: 36mm
- Speaker depth: 6.5mm
Guarantee: 3 yearsSena 50C Worth: $549 MSRP
