This is a review of the Sena X1 Smart Cycling Helmet, which features built-in Bluetooth intercom, speakers, and microphone. All features are controlled with three buttons on the side of the helmet. This review was contributed by reader and guest poster, Michael Moster. Thanks Michael!
I give my Sena X1 Smart Cycling Helmet 5 stars for “once its in use”. My wife and I both got one, and once we got them working, we absolutely LOVE them. Note, I think these are only worth the money if you want the intercom feature. I bought it for the intercom feature as I like to ride a fair bit faster than my wife and she and I are often quite a distance apart when riding. The music from my phone or radio is awesome of course, but you can get that with earbuds and keep just one in so you can hear road noise.
Because of the safety factor that you can hear all of the road noise around you, the sound quality of music is decent when the volume is up … far from the quality of the great sound you’d get from earbuds, but far far safer than wearing earbuds. The clarity of the intercom is just amazing … even at a long distance. They say it’s good for 900 meters (half a mile) and I’m guessing that is accurate, as we were quite far away and having crystal clear conversation when riding. I expected wind noise, but there was none whatsoever.
So my helmet (which arrived first) gets 5 stars for everything. Had no problems with it at all.
My wife’s gets 2 stars on the first helmet (size M) that came. The adjustable headband knob would not turn and that made the helmet too small for her. I sent it back as defective and Amazon replaced it with a new one, but this time I bought another Large helmet as she found that the adjustable headband on my helmet could be adjusted down to a perfect fit for her. (All electronics were great with her first helmet that got returned.)
Her new Large helmet arrived and the sizing worked great, but we had a difficult time getting her helmet to synch with the phone to play music. We could get it to work with the intercom or the FM radio easily, but could not get it to work with the music on the phone. Finally, after a lot of fooling around with it and looking online, she got it working. Not even sure what she did to make it work.
When you are listening to music you just reach up and press one button and then you are in intercom mode, then one of you presses the button and you are back to your music. Couldn’t be better!
Up to four people can connect together. There are three buttons on the helmet. A raised center one does most of the commands (by holding it down for various lengths of time, til you hear voice prompts). Other buttons on either side will adjust volume, and let you skip tracks forward or back. It did not take too long to get the hang of it.
I ordered my helmet through Amazon in September and paid $200 US for it, and had to wait about a month for it. I think that is because these have not been on the market that long and the orders were backlogged. My wife’s Medium size was ordered at the same time, but came a lot later and was the same price. However, when I went to return the Medium size and swap it for Large, the price had dropped to $100 US and it was shipped immediately!
Bottom Line on the Sena X1 Smart Cycling Helmet
Even though we had some problems….. we are both REALLY happy we bought them!
Technical Specs of the Sena X1 Smart Cycling Helmet
- Fully Bluetooth integrated bicycle helmet with HD Audio speakers and microphone
- Talk with up to 3 other friends via Bluetooth intercom over up to 900 meters (0.5 miles) in open terrain
- Connect with your phone for fitness aps, GPS, music or to take or make phone calls.
- User-friendly three-button design on the side of the helmet makes it easy to navigate and use
- Sena’s patented Advanced Noise Control technology for minimal wind and background noise allows you to communicate easily while riding.
- Compatibility with additional Bluetooth accessories and smartphone apps for larger intercom groups and feature controls
- Operating time: 16 Hours talk time, Charging time 3.5 hours with Lithium Polymer Battery, Weight 350 g (12.35 oz)
