If you are looking for a helmet that combines style, comfort, protection, and connectivity, you might want to check out the Sena Latitude S1 helmet. This helmet is not just a piece of headgear, but also a smart device that lets you communicate with your friends, listen to music, and access your phone features via Bluetooth. In this review, I will tell you everything you need to know about this helmet, including its features, ease of use, performance, support, value for money, and pros and cons. I will also compare it with other similar helmets in the market and tell you who it is for and who it is not for. By the end of this review, you will have a clear idea of whether the Sena Latitude S1 helmet is the right choice for you or not.
Sena Latitude S1 Helmet Review in 2023
Features
The Sena Latitude S1 has many features that make it stand out from other helmets. Here are some of the main ones:
- Bluetooth 4.1 technology: This feature allows you to connect your helmet with your smartphone, MP3 player, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. You can use it to make and receive phone calls, listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, and control your device’s functions with voice commands or the jog dial on the side of the helmet. You can also pair your helmet with up to three other Sena helmets and have a group intercom conversation with them up to a range of 900 meters1.
- Advanced noise reduction technology: This feature reduces the wind and background noise while you are riding, so you can hear your audio and intercom clearly and without distortion. It also enhances your voice quality when you are speaking on the phone or with other riders1.
- Sleek design: The helmet has a sleek and stylish design that ensures maximum comfort and protection. It has a lightweight shell made of ABS thermoplastic resin that is durable and impact-resistant. It has 10 vents that can be opened or closed with a gloved hand to adjust the airflow and temperature inside the helmet. It also has a removable and washable liner that is soft and breathable .
- Integrated speakers and microphone: The helmet has built-in speakers and microphone that are hidden inside the ear pads. The speakers deliver high-quality sound with bass boost and volume control. The microphone has a flexible boom that can be adjusted to your preferred position.
- Safety certifications: The helmet meets the safety standards of ASTM F2040 (snow sports), CE EN1077 (skiing and snowboarding), CPSC 1203 (bicycling), and DOT FMVSS No. 218 (motorcycling). This means that it can protect your head from various types of impacts and injuries.
Ease of Use
The Sena Latitude S1 is easy to use and operate. Here are some of the aspects that make it user-friendly:
- Simple pairing process: To pair your helmet with your device or another helmet, you just need to press and hold the jog dial for five seconds until you hear a voice prompt saying “phone pairing” or “intercom pairing”. Then, you can follow the instructions on your device or scan the QR code on the other helmet’s app to complete the pairing.
- Intuitive jog dial: The jog dial is a multifunctional button that lets you control your helmet’s functions with simple gestures. You can rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise to adjust the volume, press it once to answer or end a call or intercom, press it twice to activate voice commands or redial the last number, press it three times to play or pause music, or press and hold it for two seconds to switch between phone mode and intercom mode.
- Voice prompts: The helmet has voice prompts that guide you through its functions and settings. You can hear them through the speakers or through your earbuds if you connect them via the 3.5 mm audio jack on the back of the helmet.
- Sena Outdoor app: The app is a free download that lets you customize your helmet’s settings and features. You can use it to set up your FM radio stations, adjust the audio equalizer, update the firmware, access the user manual, and more.
Performance
The Sena Latitude S1 performs well in various conditions and scenarios. Here are some of the aspects that show its performance:
- Battery life: The helmet has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 15 hours of talk time or 20 hours of standby time on a single charge. You can charge it with the USB-C cable that comes with the helmet. It takes about an hour to fully charge.
- Sound quality: The helmet delivers clear and crisp sound with good bass and volume. You can hear your audio and intercom without any interference or distortion, even at high speeds or in windy environments. The noise reduction technology also helps to filter out the unwanted noise and enhance your voice quality.
- Connectivity: The helmet has a stable and reliable Bluetooth connection that works up to a range of 900 meters for intercom and up to 10 meters for phone or music. You can also connect it with other Sena devices or non-Sena devices that support the Universal Intercom protocol.
- Comfort and fit: The helmet fits snugly and comfortably on your head, thanks to the adjustable wheel on the back and the removable liner. It is lightweight and well-ventilated, so you don’t feel too hot or sweaty inside. It also integrates well with different types of goggles and masks.
Support
The Sena Latitude S1 comes with a two-year warranty that covers any defects or malfunctions in the product1. You can contact Sena’s customer service team via phone, email, or online chat if you have any questions or issues with your helmet. They are friendly and helpful, and they will try to resolve your problem as soon as possible. You can also find useful resources on Sena’s website, such as FAQs, videos, tutorials, manuals, and firmware updates
Value for Money
The Sena Latitude S1 costs $159.95 on Sena’s official website. This is a reasonable price for a helmet that offers both safety and functionality. Compared to other similar helmets in the market, such as the Smith Vantage ($300) or the Giro Range MIPS ($250), the Sena Latitude S1 is cheaper and has more features. It is also cheaper than buying a separate helmet and a Bluetooth headset. Therefore, I think that the Sena Latitude S1 helmet offers good value for money.
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Sena Latitude Snow Helmet:
Pros
- Bluetooth connectivity that lets you communicate with other riders, listen to music, and access your phone features
- Advanced noise reduction technology that reduces wind and background noise and enhances voice quality
- Sleek design that ensures comfort and protection
- Integrated speakers and microphone that deliver high-quality sound
- Safety certifications that meet various standards
- Easy to use and operate with the jog dial, voice prompts, and app
- Long battery life that lasts up to 15 hours of talk time
- Stable and reliable Bluetooth connection that works up to 900 meters for intercom
- Reasonable price for a helmet that offers both safety and functionality
Cons
- Ear pads are not removable due to the integrated Bluetooth system
- Only one color scheme available (black with yellow vents)
- No FM radio capability on the S1 model
Conclusion
The Sena Latitude S1 is a smart helmet for smart riders who want to enjoy winter sports with style, comfort, protection, and connectivity. It has many features that make it stand out from other helmets, such as Bluetooth technology, noise reduction technology, sleek design, integrated speakers and microphone, safety certifications, ease of use, performance, support, and value for money. It also has some drawbacks, such as non-removable ear pads, limited color options, and no FM radio on the S1 model. However, these are minor issues compared to the benefits that this helmet offers. Therefore, I recommend the Sena Latitude S1 to anyone who is looking for a helmet that combines safety and functionality in one device.
I hope you found this review helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments about this product or this review, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for reading!