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Sena and Cardo communicators

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Jim Allen

4/10/2024 10:03 AM

I've used Sena comms with Mesh for a few years, and have generally been pleased with their ability to link with other Sena and Sena Mesh units.

Historically, Sena and Cardo, the 2 leading brands, did not play well together. "Universal pairing" was wonky at best, and has been discontinued on Sena 50 series.

Late last year, Cardo issued software updates that permit any Cardo Bluetooth to connect with a Sena with Bluetooth (according to the internet). In addition, it appears to me that Cardos with bluetooth and DMC v2 mesh (like Edge and Neo) can bring in a DMC mesh group, and a Sena with Bluetooth and Mesh v2 can bring in a Sena Mesh group.

Q (finally): have any of you with Cardo communicators tried this? If not, would you like to test this? Seems like this could help with group communications on Club rides!

Ed Zarb

4/10/2024 10:13 AM

You are correct, but I believe everyone in the group has to switch to Bluetooth. I have not tried it but I am sure a member would be more than willing to do so. If I am on a ride with you approach me so we can try it.

Ed Zarb

Alan Brosche

4/10/2024 11:37 AM

I am the opposite, a long time Cardo user. I have the Packtalk Black which are about 1 1/2 years old. I did not buy the Edge or Neo because I liked the Packtalk better, having used them for years. I bought the Sena50r last week for the weekday rides we are doing with the group. I will experiment with connecting the two, but I am pretty sure it is like Ed says, Bluetooth only.

I have to say, I still like my Cardo better at this point.

Charles Altman

4/10/2024 11:45 AM

I actually watched a video from Cardo on this recently. One Cardo and one Sena user has to bridge their coms with Bluetooth. Then they can both switch to mesh and everyone in both mesh groups can communicate as long as the bridge people stay close enough to maintain their Bluetooth connection.

Jim Allen

4/10/2024 11:59 AM

Charles, that is my understanding as well. Even if the majority of the group is on Sena Mesh, only one Sena user must connect via Bluetooth to a Cardo, to bring the Cardo user(s) into the Sena Mesh group.

Sounds similar to the way someone with a Bluetooth-only Sena (such as a 10 or 20 series) can connect via Bluetooth to a Mesh user, and as long as they close enough to maintain contact with that individual, they can participate in the Mesh call.

Alan, it's worth a try, to see if "bridge" gives you the benefit of both Sean and Cardo technology.

Jim

Jimmy Simmons

4/10/2024 12:01 PM

I just added a another helmet with a Sena 50. So I have a Cardo and Sena setup now to change it up. Connecting a Cardo to a Sena is not easy but can be done with Patience. Is there any other brands out there that are just as good with a better pairing process?

Jim Allen

4/10/2024 2:13 PM

Jimmy,

I think there are other brands that will pair Bluetooth with Cardo (thanks to their 2023 update), but I am not aware of anything that will pair natively with a 50S except another Sena.

But then there is the Sena Meshport Blue adapter .

Jim

Jimmy Simmons

4/10/2024 3:41 PM

I've paired a 50s and cardo Packtalk bold last year it was difficult. I'll look into what you mentioned.

Thanks

Kenneth Bruce

4/19/2024 6:36 AM

Went on a ride this last weekend to the Devils Triangle in East Tennessee with my cousin. He had a Cardo Unit and I have a Sena SRL Mesh unit.

The pairing process had to be Bluetooth. Tried to pair through use of each of the respective unit’s phone apps but could only get it to connect by using the buttons on the units.

After pairing it worked rather well even after losing line of site around mountain curves.

There was only him and I on the ride so I can’t speak as to how a mesh group would work but I’m pretty sure after initial pairing of the two units then all mesh participants on each of the respective units can talk to each other. The two units paired would bridge the groups.

If there is a large group of riders it would be good to stage the two paired unit riders near each other in the group to minimize the chance of losing the bridge.

David Geiger

4/19/2024 7:38 AM

I’ve tried this, and I have not been successful in using both Bluetooth and mesh to connect several riders. I’ve only been successful in pairing two individual units, then I lose contact with all other riders. I also short circuited this by adding a cardo to my helmet in addition to my sena 50s. This keeps me in contact with riders of both persuasions, but becomes a pain when I’m then the messenger. lol

David Geiger

Jim Allen

4/19/2024 8:12 AM

Thanks for the report, Kenny.

Was it a Sena SRL 2, or SRL 3?

Do you know which Cardo your cousin uses?

Jim Allen

Kenneth Bruce

4/19/2024 8:56 AM

Sena Unit: SRL-Mesh

Cardo Unit: PackTalk Neo

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