Sena SRL-Mesh comms system - SAVE £56.50 when purchased with a new Shoei helmet

New for 2022 is the Sena SRL Mesh comms. unit that has been created by Shoei in conjunction with Sena to integrate with the Shoei Neotec 2, the GT Air 2 and the J-Cruise 2. It joins, and sits alongside, the existing SRL 2 unit that will not be discontinued.

Sena is the leading name in integrated, motorcycle comms. systems, and although some individuals prefer Cardo because of its historical strength in Mesh technology, Sena has become the chosen partner for the major helmet brands; specifically, Arai, Schuberth and Shoei.

The original SRL 2 was created to fit seamlessly into the aforementioned Shoei helmets. You simply remove the plastic covers on each side of the helmet. A new cover that incorporates the operating buttons replaces the one on the left hand side of the helmet; another one incorporating the antenna replaces the cover on the right side. This leaves no protuberances on the outside of the helmet, thus reducing wind noise. The speakers clip into pre-formed ear wells and the wiring runs along prescribed channels. It makes for a really neat installation.

The new SRL-Mesh system integrates into the helmet in exactly the same way. It does represent a technical upgrade over the SRL 2, although we would suggest that it could be considered an unnecessary extravagance for most people, as the standard Bluetooth system used in the SRL 2 is more than up to the job for most people.

There are two main areas in which the new system betters the old one. The first is the quality of the speakers and microphone. The second is the new system’s Mesh compatibility.

The new system uses a Harman Kardon microphone and speakers. If you are a music buff, you will definitely notice the difference; the quality of sound is much improved, but you will also enjoy greater clarity when talking to somebody over the phone. Other people will also hear you better because of the upgraded microphone

The new system is also, of course, Mesh enabled, although it will still work as a Bluetooth comms. if the other riders in your group do not use Mesh. Mesh is basically better when you want to ride with a larger number of riders, as the signal can daisy-chain from rider to rider meaning that you can talk of much greater distances. Re-connecting with riders who have strayed out of range is also improved when Mesh is used.

In Bluetooth mode, the talk distance is up to around a mile when in line of sight, and in this mode you can have a group of up to four riders. In Group Mesh configuration with a closed group you can have 24 people in your group, but in Open Mesh the number of people who can be part of the group is virtually limitless. And in Mesh configuration the talk distance can, in theory, be up to five miles or more. In Open Mesh you can switch between nine different channels

What Shoei is telling us is that the talk-time in both Bluetooth and Mesh configurations is eight hours. This we are going to check, as the talk-time on Mesh is usually much less than it is on Bluetooth.

The question for some is going to be whether it is worthwhile upgrading from the old system to the new one, and similarly whether it is worth paying more for the newer system than the old one. Our view is that, unless the quality of sound is hugely important to you, and unless you really need Mesh, you may be better off with the SRL 2. If, for example, you use the comms. purely for the satnav and the phone, or for communicating with a pillion or just a couple of mates, stick with the SRL 2; it is more than up to the job. If, by contrast, you spend a lot of time listening to music, and if you need Mesh, it’s got to be the new comms..

The new system is currently about 30% more expensive than the old one, but if the difference in price does not concern you too much, then it cannot be denied that with the SRL-Mesh you are buying into more recent technology, and you will be acquiring a certain degree of future proofing. Remember, of course, that if you buy this, or any, comms. when you buy a helmet, you will save the 20% VAT.

Our own observation would be that whilst Mesh is very much in vogue right now, most people do not need it, and would not derive much of a benefit from the extra expenditure. But, as ever in these situations, there are no rights and no wrongs!