Sena has addressed the rising demand for mesh intercom by introducing the SRL-Mesh, a mesh radio-enabled communications unit for three Shoei motorcycle helmets—the Neotec II, GT-Air II, and J-Cruise II.
Previously, Sena offered the SRL and then the SRL2 communicators for these same helmets. The SRL2 utilized the then-current Sena 20S DNA. I had speculated that, given the popularity of these helmets, their long production run, and continued strong sales even in the face of the third generation of these helmets about to be released, it made sense to offer this third-generation SRL. Sena also shows the SRL3 to be paired with the upcoming Neotec III, GT-Air III, and J-Cruise III. The Shoei Neotec III is just out in the US, and we will review that helmet and the SRL3 soon.
Currently, the SRL-Mesh is available with Sena 50R DNA for those who want it all. It offers Harmon Kardon speakers and microphone, mesh, Bluetooth (four-user) intercoms, Bluetooth 5.0, noise control, FM radio, and voice commands, just to get started.
If you’re late to the game and care about helmet-to-helmet communications, mesh radio has many advantages over the old Bluetooth (BT) type. Without getting technical, it operates on different frequencies than BT and does not have the inherent limitations of the BT signal. However, the claimed range is similar—about 1.2 miles under perfect conditions and up to five miles with six or more riders stretched out. Talk time is rated at eight hours, with 2.5 hours required for a full charge of the lithium polymer battery.
Mesh allows easy connections between riders, segmented groups on different “channels”, has less static, and facilitates riders entering and exiting the pattern seamlessly. Some old BT systems increased range by repeating a signal down the line, though if any rider swapped positions or left the group, the connections could be lost. That is not the case with mesh radio.
Installation of the Sena SRL-Mesh for Shoei helmets is straightforward, even though it looks a bit complicated when the octopus-like unit is removed from the box. There are no installation instructions within the packaging, so I recommend you download the manual from Sena’s website—all will become clear. Also, there are several good YouTube how-to videos explaining the finer points.
Everything, save the microphone, is connected out of the box, and the unit I received had a fully charged battery. Once the installer clips the battery/brain/charging port into the rear nacelle in the helmet, the rest falls into place. The unit is ingeniously designed so that the cables are just the right size, and the holding clips and antennas literally drop into their respective positions. The Harman Kardon speakers require no hook-and-loop to secure; they nicely snap into the ear receptacle areas. Even the boom microphone presses into an existing channel built into the helmet to make things easy and clean. Press in the boom, tidy things up, and Bob’s your uncle. The first power on will automatically enter phone pairing mode, which connected with my iPhone 14 on the first try.
Users of any prior version, or any Sena with buttons (versus the rotary jog wheel on S models), will know how to operate this. The control head is in the left side nacelle and, for the first time, the SRL-Mesh uses the right nacelle to install the mesh radio on/off button. One press, and you’re connected to your group with no time spent standing in a parking lot trying to pair with other riders. Many readers will smile or curse when remembering those often-frustrating sessions in the Bluetooth era.
As with all comm units, I checked the firmware version and found v1.4, which is the latest. The SRL-Mesh uses the same Wi-Fi/charging cable as the 50R, which I discussed in the 50R review. Charging is via a USB-C cable, and you may use any USB-C cable if the included cable is not at hand.
The Harman Kardon sound is top-notch and can play louder than I require without distortion. Function changes are rapid, and the voice commands are generally accurate. I often use the control buttons to make choices, yet the Sena app makes operation a breeze and intuitive if your phone is mounted within reach. I paired the unit to my BMW R 1250 RS infotainment console and can operate it right through the dashboard, and that includes using the Multi Controller wheel to raise and lower volume. FM radio is one key press away and can tune to pre-designated stations or scan for new stations.
The mesh and BT intercoms work as expected. I really am a mesh radio lover, and the one-button access is a pleasure to use. I have not tried the group mesh feature, as I do not have enough riding friends with compatible units. I can send a request to a nearby Sena mesh-equipped rider to turn on their mesh intercom if theirs is not activated. They hear “mesh intercom requested” and know to press the one button to connect. If I activate Audio Multitasking, I can listen to music while the intercom is in operation. The unit quiets the music when someone speaks and then ups the volume once the conversation ends.
Siri and Google Assistant are readily available via key press or voice command. As with all modern Sena units, I can enter the configuration menu (choices shown in the gallery photos) via button presses in the configuration menu feature, through the app, or on my desktop. As with their other offerings, there are multiple ways to pair extra equipment to the unit, like a GPS or a second phone.
If you own one of these lids, the Sena SRL-Mesh for Shoei helmets is the primo way to add a comm unit ($359 MSRP). I’ve ridden many miles with it and have found this new Sena unit to be a perfect companion, whether talking to other riders, listening to my music library, running online music services, or making and taking phone calls. Highly recommended.
Sena SRL-Mesh for Shoei Helmets Review Photo Gallery
