Motorcycles

Sena innovates with Bluetooth half-helmet

Sena innovates with Bluetooth half-helmet
Sena incorporated a very discrete Bluetooth communication system in the Cavalry half-helmet
Sena incorporated a very discrete Bluetooth communication system in the Cavalry half-helmet
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The only tell-tale sign of the Sena Cavalry's communication system is the built-in control panel on the helmet's left side
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The only tell-tale sign of the Sena Cavalry's communication system is the built-in control panel on the helmet's left side
The ear cups attach to the nylon straps of the Sena Cavalry helmet, shielding the ears from the air stream for better acoustics on the open road
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The ear cups attach to the nylon straps of the Sena Cavalry helmet, shielding the ears from the air stream for better acoustics on the open road
The Sena Cavalry looks like any typical motorcycle half-helmet from its right-hand side
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The Sena Cavalry looks like any typical motorcycle half-helmet from its right-hand side
The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet in glossy black finish
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The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet in glossy black finish
Sena incorporated a very discrete Bluetooth communication system in the Cavalry half-helmet
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Sena incorporated a very discrete Bluetooth communication system in the Cavalry half-helmet
The Bluetooth module is built in to the outer shell of the Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet
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The Bluetooth module is built in to the outer shell of the Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet
The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet secures in place with a double D-ring setup
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The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet secures in place with a double D-ring setup
The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet in matte black finish
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The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet in matte black finish
The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet incorporates a microphone right above the forehead and two speakers next to the ears
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The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet incorporates a microphone right above the forehead and two speakers next to the ears
The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet features a removable peak visor
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The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet features a removable peak visor
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Known primarily for its wide range of add-on Bluetooth communication devices, Sena has introduced the first motorcycle half-helmet with integrated coms system. The Cavalry incorporates a discretely pre-wired Bluetooth setup, featuring the basic technologies one would expect in a Sena communicator.

Having attained a leading position in the motorcycle Bluetooth market, it is only logical that Sena would progress to offering helmets with factory pre-installed systems. The announcement of the Intelligent Noise Cancelling motorcycle helmet came in late 2015 to signal the company's opening to a new market, but, while waiting for the flagship full-face lid to finally hit the markets, Sena introduced the first half-helmet with integrated coms.

The Cavalry is a typical half-shell motorcycle helmet, built with a composite fiberglass outer shell, removable peak visor and double D-ring retention system. As for its communication system, this is more or less the same setup used in the Smart helmet for cyclists – minus the action camera that is not available as a built-in option for the Cavalry.

The waterproof communicator is compatible with Bluetooth 4.1 and can support up to four connections within a maximum range of 900 m (0.5 mi) on open terrain. Its li-ion battery can supply up to 10 hours of talk time and will require another three for a full charge.

The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet incorporates a microphone right above the forehead and two speakers next to the ears
The Sena Cavalry motorcycle half-helmet incorporates a microphone right above the forehead and two speakers next to the ears

The helmet's inner shell houses the built-in microphone above the forehead area, while two HD speakers are positioned above the ears. Sena's noise control technology will probably come in very handy, given that the microphone sits several inches above the rider's mouth. The same case can be made for the ear cups that are ordered separately to provide some noise-cancelling services at higher speeds.

Typically for Sena, the Cavalry's system can connect to a smart device via the basic headset app for iOS and Android. This way the rider can fiddle with the communicator's settings, make and receive phone calls, follow GPS voice instructions, listen to stored music and share it with other connected companions, and configure the built-in FM radio receiver.

The Cavalry helmet is already available to order from Sena's online store, only in black with the selection of either matte or glossy finish, retailing for US$349.

Source: Sena

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1 comment
1 comment
Daishi
The bluetooth thing is cool but a half helmets are only to minimally comply with helmet laws for people who prefer not to wear a helmet but have to. They offer very little protection in an accident. You have about a 65% chance of hitting face first which is an area half helmets do almost nothing to protect. You need eye protection anyway and something over your mouth if you don't want to eat bugs so just throwing on a full helmet is probably less work. Here is a helmet impact diagram http://i.imgur.com/0Tmn7b0.jpg