Bike to Bike intercom communication, Sena 20S or Cardo PackTalk Headset?

[nwrvman]

A group of us are planning few trips this and in the coming years.
We always talked about getting some communication devices from bike to bike.
We've narrowed it down to the two mentioned in the title above.
Have you any experience with either of them?
I'd love to hear from you.
Thanks
john c.

[jbexeter]

Sena user here, does everything it says on the tin and more, my main reason for purchase was to take and make mobile phone calls while on the move, and have audio GPS directions so I don't have to buy another device or have my expensive mobile phone hanging out in the breeze.

Excellent clarity both for myself and the person on the other end of the phone.

Don't know anything about any other brands as I have never used them, bought Sena on a personal recommendation and think it was worth every penny and more, simple USB charging same socket as my phone, simple helmet fixing, simple controls, simple mic and speaker install... it rocks.

[masstch]

What JB said, verbatim.
I've been running the SMH10 for years with various configurations of other bluetooth gadgets and while I've had some aggravation with other widgets, the SMH10s have been very very solid. The battery charge lasts way longer than your riding day. I've used it as a music machine on an iron-butt ride and it ran close to thirteen hours playing music. intercom, bike to bike with three others 4700 miles on a Yellowstone trip. It was FAR FAR more useful than expected.
I don't have any experience with the 20s but I know it's 'better/newer/more capable.
One area where the SMH10 is lacking is with speaker quality. A friend came up with a simple upgrade with some speakers from a headphone and several of us have done that, with great results. I've been told that the newer units have much better speakers already.
They also offer the 10C, which has a camera built in.
Note that Sena JUST NOW came out with a new 10S, I know nothing about it.
Note also that they just announced a SENA HELMET.
I LIKE the headset and use it all the time whether two-up, solo, with other bikes or alone. I where a modular lid and I have everything fed to it, AM/FM/CD/XM/WX/GPS/iPhone. Some other gadgets are needed to do all that, but the headset is very capable. I have answered calls before to keep from missing import stuff and I'll tell 'em that I need to pull over and get off the bike. They invariably say: "wait, you're on a motorcycle  I swear it sounds like you're in your office!!"

[FlaHeatWave]

Been running the Cardo's for about 30 months / 35000 miles.
All the positives listed about the Sena, I can say about the Cardo.
Cardo's have a 3.5 millimeter jack to change the speakers out if needed, is what swayed me to Cardo over the Sena. Easy to use earbuds or plugg in different speakers.

We use them primarily for sharing music off of the phone, and communication between the BSR and myself, but have used them in a group of 7 riders in the North Carolina mountains, and I was very impressed with the bike 2 bike communications.

Cardo Support is outstanding!

Purchased from RevZilla, price match, and outstanding customer service!
I don't think you can go wrong with either the Cardo or Sena.

A tip; when installing the speakers in the helmet, take your time and make sure the speakers are centered directly over your ears...

[nwrvman]

FlaHeatWave, is it Packtalk you used? or was it different version?
How was the  bike 2 bike distance?
Does it drop off at certain distance?
Is the advertised distance of 1 ml accurate like on open prairie?
Do other riders reconnect seamlessly or have to manually reconnect the next day after shutting off the headsets?
Does the passenger and drives duo pack always connected?
Thanks

[bigfoot5x]

Another vote for SENA. Wife and I have the SMH10's. Bought them for bike to bike communication and have ended up liking the bluetooth connection to phone for calls and GPS directions as well as music. Batteries last all day and then some. Friends have seen the units and bought same brand so we now can communicate with other riders within limitations. I'm sure newer models allow more people in the loop. I chose them because the buttons were big and easy to use with gloves on. Communication is line of sight. Don't know if they are as far as advertised but if we can see each other we can talk. I did have a problem  with the battery on 1 unit. I bought a two pack since it was for wife and I. It would not charge or hold a charge within a few months of purchase. Called and the unit was replaced free of charge. No problems since and it has been probably 4 years since I bought them.

[FlaHeatWave]

FlaHeatWave, is it Packtalk you used? or was it different version?
How was the  bike 2 bike distance?
Does it drop off at certain distance?
Is the advertised distance of 1 ml accurate like on open prairie?
Do other riders reconnect seamlessly or have to manually reconnect the next day after shutting off the headsets?
Does the passenger and drives duo pack always connected?
Thanks

We have the Q3 Teamset, and a pair of G9s with the firmware update. No direct experience with the PackTalk, as that is "after my time"

'Was riding solo with a Q3 the time I was in the mountains (some G9s, G9Xs, I was the only one with a Q3) was 6th in line of 7, had good communication with the whole group over a mile at times, not line of sight, never did drop off. IMO the mile estimate is good, maybe conservative... At first we were experimenting with them, all open mike, then after a while I turned on my Bluetooth music from my phone, when somebody would speak, the comm would override the music, then after a bit of silence (no comm) the music would automatically play again... really like that feature...

With the G9s / G9Xs, once the B2B group is set up, they remain paired, reconnect seamlessly.

I don't have any experience with BSR and Group at the same time...

I checked out the Sena 20 and Cardo PackTalk on Revzilla yesterday, a lot of complaints about Sena support, I would look to the Cardo as my experiences with their support is fantastic, easy/ quick to get on the phone, great attitude, know their stuff, go the extra mile to satisfy the customer, it's a shame more companies aren't like that anymore...