The Sena 50R mesh intercom headset has been around for a while. It’s the top of Sena’s extensive motorcycling helmet communicator range, standing side-by-side with the 50S. They differ only in switchgear—the 50R has three buttons for the main controls plus the mesh intercom button on the back edge, while the 50S replaces the three buttons with a jog wheel and keeps the mesh intercom button on the back edge. The 50R and 50S each have an MSRP of $359 ($639 for the Dual Pack), and now we bring you the Sena 50R review.
For many years, I used a long-in-the-tooth Sena 20S with that same jog wheel control and loved it. Now it is time to try buttons, along with the many and powerful new features integrated into the 50 series units. Let’s take a deep dive into the Sena 50R and what it offers since Associate Editor Kelly Callan reviewed the Sena 50S last year.
Sena’s 50 Series headsets are full-featured units that skimp on nothing, offering just about every feature known in the motorcycle helmet communications device universe, except for a camera. The Sena 50R features include voice command operation, GoPro voice command (Hero8 Black and newer), FM radio, Harmon Kardon speakers, mesh and Bluetooth (BT) intercoms, GPS pairing, smartphone pairing (calls, music), second mobile phone pairing (HFP or A2DP), firmware updates via Wi-Fi through a smartphone, and BT 5 operation for faster data speed and longer battery life. Plus, if you mount your smartphone on the handlebar, the Sena Motorcycles app is a great way to control everything on the 50R.
I installed the 50R on a Scorpion Exo-ST1400 Carbon helmet, which has long been one of my favorites, and one that is super easy on which to install communicators. It has ear pockets that support the newest 40-45 mm speakers, and its AirFit inflatable cheek pad system bladders slightly overlap the bottom of the speaker pockets, giving a bit more support to the speakers. Spacers are included with the 50R to bring the speakers closer to the rider’s ears if a helmet’s speaker pockets are too deep and you want the speakers closer to your ears. These were not needed with the Scorpion helmet.
Once the installation was complete, I did what I always do with a new helmet intercom device—I charged it and checked for a firmware update; one was available. Until now, I had always worked with the easy-to-use Sena Device Manager on my desktop. However, now I can update my firmware through the charging cable/Wi-Fi adapter included with the 50R, so I had to give this a go.
Doing this allows users to update firmware and requires a Wi-Fi access point to get the job done. I followed the instructions and was rewarded with an easy procedure and installation to the latest firmware version. It’s not complicated, so I won’t go into details, but it did take a couple of tries. Photos in the gallery accompanying this review show some of the updating screenshots. In the future, I may do updates using the Device Manager. However, it’s nice to know I can do this on the road in a hotel room or anywhere Wi-Fi is available, when necessary.
With the firmware updated, I’m ready to take this unit out for a ride and experience its features and whether it delivers the performance I want in a communicator.
The button controls require that I get a feel for their location. Fortunately, with lightweight gloves, it is not hard to find them all. Heavier gloves require a bit more practice to locate the correct buttons. I may still be partial to the round jog dial for ease of use, as there is no need to find buttons. Regardless, the Sena 0R’s button setup is easy to use.
I also paired the unit with the dash infotainment system on the Ultimate Motorcycling BMW R 1250 RS Project Bike. This worked splendidly and took away the need to touch the unit. All the controls, including volume, are actuated by the multi-controller wonder wheel on the BMW’s left handlebar. I have not tried this on motorcycles.
On motorcycles without infotainment systems, I can use the Sena Handlebar Remote I have reviewed. It allows me to have control from the remote clamped to the left grip. Pairing these remotes to the 50R is a two-minute process.
Of course, I can eliminate most button pushing by using voice commands, starting by saying, “Hey Sena.” Eight languages are supported, and I found that the unit was responsive to my accent-free English commands and accurately performed functions like music on/off, mesh on/off, FM radio, and telephone operation. I did not have a GoPro to test those voice functions.
It is also easy to say “Hey Google” or “Siri” and have your smartphone handle some of the functionality not included with the Sena 50R, such as calling numbers not already saved in the unit or reading messages while moving.
No motorcycle helmet-to-helmet intercom review is complete without, at least, briefly touching on intercom operation. As mentioned above, the 50R offers both BT and mesh intercoms. Mesh is the latest and greatest for ease of use, clarity, flexibility, and range. One button push enables open mesh (the main channel of nine), and that is all it takes for a group to connect. More options for group mesh with private conversations are available; however, I never had enough riders to explore this. Also available is the Mesh Reach-Out Request feature, which allows you to ask another compatibly equipped rider to turn on their intercom.
Sena does offer the Sena +Mesh unit we reviewed to allow Sena BT-only legacy users to connect to a mesh group and the Sena MeshPort Blue accessory we have reviewed, which allows any manufacturer’s BT intercom to connect to a Sena mesh group.
The Sena 50R’s 40mm Harmon Kardon speakers deliver an acceptable volume level, even at highway speeds. Manufacturers limit the maximum volume to prevent potential hearing loss of the user.
All told, I found the Sena 50R to be all it claims to be, and operates seamlessly. It is a perfect example of a well-thought-out and impressively built piece of electronics that has been fine-tuned to give effortless and trouble-free service.
Sena 50R Specs
ELECTRONICS
Talk time: Bluetooth, up to 13 hours; mesh, up to 8 hours
Battery charge time: 1 hour (fast charge: 20 minutes = six hours of talk time)
Battery: Lithium polymer
Mesh intercom working distance: Up to 1.2 miles unobstructed (5 miles with six riders or more)
Bluetooth working distance: Up to 1.2 miles unobstructed
Bluetooth: 5.0
Speakers: Harmon Kardon
DIMENSIONS
Height: 1.9 inches
Width: 3.8 inches
Depth: 1.1 inches
Weight: 2.29 ounces
Speaker diameter: 40mm
Speaker depth: 7.2mm
Warranty: 3 years
Sena 50R Price: $359 MSRP (Dual pack: $639)
Sena 50R Review Photo Gallery
Sena 50R Screenshot Gallery
