Frequently Asked Questions

You can view and download the full User's Guide for the PRISM and PRISM LITE via the links below. 

PRISM User Guide | Sena
PRISM LITE User Guide | Sena

The Prism comes packaged with a wide variety of mounts to fit the needs of installing the Prism onto a helmet or a motorcycle. Here is a description of each of the mounts to use with a helmet or a motorcycle along with an example of how each of the mounts for the Prism can be used.

 

Helmet Mounts

 

Helmet Clamp Kit

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The Helmet Clamp Kit enables you to mount the Prism on the side of a helmet. The Helmet Clamp Kit uses a Screw Lock which you can loosen to insert the Support Plate which is what holds the Prism onto the Helmet Clamp Kit. Provided in the package is a rubber pad for placing in-between the Helmet Clamp Kit so that the clamp kit presses against the side of the helmet as much as possible. This is necessary for helmets that are designed with a non-flat surface around the rim of the helmet.

*The Waterproof case cannot be used with the Helmet Clamp Kit.

 An example of using the Helmet Clamp Kit on a helmet.

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Glued Surface Mounting Adapter

The Glued Surface Mounting Adapter enables you to mount the Prism on the side of a helmet using the Support Plate without using the Helmet Clamp Kit. This is an alternative to the Helmet Clamp Kit.

*The Waterproof case cannot be used with the Glued Surface Adhesive Mount.

 

An example of using the Glued Surface Mounting Adapter on a motorcycle helmet.

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 Helmet Surface Mount

The Helmet Surface Mount enables you to mount the camera on any surface of the helmet. You can adjust the camera angle by rotating the joints. When you are not using the camera, unscrew the camera from the pivot. The Helmet Surface Mount requires the Curved Glued Surface Mounting Adapter.

 

An example of using the Helmet Surface Mount on a motorcycle helmet:

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 Goggle Mount

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The Google Mount enables you to mount the camera on the goggle band. This is useful when you wear a helmet and a goggle separately.

*The Waterproof case cannot be used with the Google Mount if you use the Screw Lock and the Support Plate.

 

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 Motorcycle Mounts

 *Note: When using any of the motorcycle mounts, use the QRM wire to tie the Prism and mount to the motorcycle to prevent losing the camera and the mount while riding on the road.

 

Top Surface Adhesive Mount

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The QRM Top Surface Mount enables you to mount your camera on a flat or curved surface such as windshield, gas tank or a helmet. You can adjust the camera angle by rotating the ball joint on the QRM body. When you are not using the camera, you can simply separate the camera-attached QRM head from the QRM body. The Top Surface Adhesive Mount requires either the Curved Glued Surface Mounting Adapter or the Flat Surface Glued Surface Mounting Adapter.

 

An example of using the Top Surface Adhesive Mount on a motorcycle:

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Handlebar Mount

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The QRM Handlebar Mount enables you to mount the camera on your motorcycle’s handlebar (between 7/8’’ and 1 1/2’’ diameter). You can choose the directions of the mounting arm and the U-bolt to best fit the mount on your handlebar. When you are not using the camera, you can take out the camera-attached QRM head from the QRM body.

 

An example of using the Handlebar Mount on a motorcycle:

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 Dual Suction Cup Mount

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The QRM Dual Suction Cup Mount enables you to mount the camera on surfaces that require some height for recording such as windshield, gas tank, and trunk. You can adjust the camera angle by rotating the wheel joints or the ball joints on the legs. When you are not using the camera, you can simply take out the camera-attached QRM head from the QRM body. The Suction Cup Covers are included in the package for protecting the adhesive of the suction cups when you do not have Dual Suction Cup Mount attached to a surface. 

 

An example of using the Dual Suction Cup Mount on a motorcycle:

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 Single Suction Cup Mount

QRM Single Suction Cup Mount can be installed on any relatively flat surface on a motorcycle. You can simply adjust the angle to make the view that you want. You can use the short leg that comes packaged with the Prism and one of the two suction cups to make the Single Suction Cup Mount.

 

An example of using the Single Suction Cup Mount on a motorcycle:

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The 2 black disks that are included in the packaging for the Prism in the lower left of the image above are for maintaining the adhesive of the suctions when they are not attached to a surface. When the white pieces of paper are removed from the suction cups after using them for the first time then you will need to use the black disks to maintaining the adhesive so that they will continue to firmly attach to a surface for each subsequent use of the Suction Cup mount.

If the rubber on the Suction Cup mounts become hard due to freezing temperatures in the environment then do not try to remove the suction cups as they have become brittle and will break apart if they are removed from the surface. Give time to allow the rubber to thaw in a warmer environment before removing the suction cups to prevent the rubber from breaking apart.

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 The Prism comes with the following QRM types for mounting the camera onto a motorcycle: The Handlebar Mount, The Top Surface Mount, and The Suction Cup Mount

 

To use the Quick Release Mounting system,

1. Screw the QRM Head to the screw hole on the bottom of the Prism using a flat head screw driver.

2. Insert the QRM Head into the QRM Body.

3. Slide the QRM Body Lock forward to lock the QRM Head into place.

 

The QRM head can also be used with the Waterproof Case that comes with the Sena Prism.

 

The QRM Handlebar Mount enables you to mount the camera on your motorcycle’s handlebar (between 7/8’’ and 1 1/2’’ diameter). You can choose the directions of the mounting arm and the U-bolt to best fit the mount on your handlebar. When you are not using the camera, you can take out the camera-attached QRM head from the QRM body.

 

The Handlebar Mount can be mounted on locations such as: The Handlebar, The Engine guard, The Frame guard, or a different location of your choosing.

 

The QRM Top Surface Mount enables you to mount your camera on a flat or curved surface. You can adjust the camera angle by rotating the ball joint on the QRM body. When you are not using the camera, you can simply separate the camera-attached QRM head from the QRM body.

 

The Top Surface Mount can be mounted on flat or curves surfaces such as: The Top Case, The Pannier Case, The Front Fender, or a different location or your choosing.

 

The QRM Suction Cup Mount enables you to mount the camera on surfaces that require some height for recording. You can adjust the camera angle by rotating the wheel joints or the ball joints on the legs. When you are not using the camera, you can simply take out the camera-attached QRM head from the QRM body. The QRM Suction Mount is interchangeable between using two suction cups or a single suction cup.

 

The Dual Suction Cup Mount or the Single Suction Cup Mount can be mounted on: The Pannier Case (Side Case), The Top Case, The Windshield, or a different location of your choice.

 

Note: When installing the Prism to a motorcycle, use the QRM wire to tie the QRM system to the motorcycle to protect it from any accidental falling.

 

Video:

 

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Here is how to install the Prism using the Helmet Clamp mount onto a helmet:

1. Attach the clamp kit to the side of the helmet.

2. Slide the screw plate onto the clamp kit.

3. Insert the ball joint of the support plate into the screw plate.

4. Attach the Prism to the support plate by tilting the top of the Prism and fitting the camera into the groove on the support plate then push bottom of the Prism towards the support plate until it snaps into place.

5. To release the Prism from the support plate, use your thumb to pull down on the bottom portion of the support plate and the Prism can be removed.

You can adjust the Prism for the desired viewing angle by loosening the screw plate then tightening the screw plate when finished.

 

The Helmet Surface Mount enables you to mount the camera on any surface of the helmet. You can adjust the camera angle by rotating the joints. When you are not using the camera, unscrew the camera from the pivot.

 

Here is how to install the Prism using the Helmet Surface Mount onto a helmet:

1. Place the Curved Helmet Surface Mount on the helmet like we have done so here on the top of this helmet.

2. Slide the Helmet Pivot Lock into the Curved Helmet Surface Mount.

3. Insert the pivot onto the Helmet Pivot Lock.

4. Insert the thumb screw to tighten the pivot.

5. Screw the Prism onto the pivot using the pivot screw.

You can adjust the Prism for the desired viewing angle by loosening the thumb screw on the Pivot Lock and/ or the pivot screw then tightening the thumbscrew screw and the pivot screw when finished.

 

The Google Mount enables you to mount the camera on the goggle band. This is useful when you wear a helmet and a goggle separately.

 

Here is how to install the Prism using the Goggle Mount onto a helmet:

1. Attach the Goggle Mount to the strap of the goggles.

2. Place the ball joint screw on the slide lock.

3. Insert the ball joint of the support plate into the slide lock.

4. Attach the Prism to the support plate by tilting the top of the Prism and fitting the camera into the groove on the support plate then push bottom of the Prism towards the support plate until it snaps into place.

5. To release the Prism from the support plate, use your thumb to pull down on the bottom portion of the support plate and the Prism can be removed.

You can adjust the Prism for the desired viewing angle by loosening the thumb screw on the Pivot Lock and/ or the pivot screw then tightening the thumbscrew screw and the pivot screw when finished.

 

Video:

 

The rubber pieces on the Suction Cup Mount for the Prism will turn white if they are left out in wet weather after a certain amount of time. What you can do to fix this is to place the rubber pieces of the suction cups under running water and wipe them down with a cloth.

Here is how to pair an iPhone or an Android smartphone to the Sena Prism to use the Prism Smartphone App:

 1. On the Prism, press the Mode button to navigate to the Settings menu.

2. Press the Shot button on the Prism once to select the Settings menu.

3. While in the Settings menu, press the Mode button to cycle through the different settings options.

4. Press the Shot button to select the settings item that shows the Device icon.

5. Press the Mode button to cycle to Smartphone pairing.

6. Press the Shot button once to select Smartphone pairing. The LED on the Prism will start flashing red and blue.

7. On your smartphone, navigate to the Bluetooth menu within the Settings menu. Before proceeding, make sure that the Bluetooth functionality is enabled on your smartphone.

8. While the Prism is in Smartphone Pairing mode, wait for the Prism to appear on the list of Bluetooth devices.

9. Select the Prism when it appears in the list of Bluetooth devices.

10. Wait for the devices to pair together.

 

Video:

 

Here is how to pair a Sena headset or a non-Sena headset to the Sena Prism:

 1. On the Sena Prism, navigate to the Settings menu by pressing the Mode button.

2. Press the Shot button once to select the Settings menu.

3. While in the Settings menu, press the Mode button to cycle through the different settings options.

4. Press the Shot button to select the settings item that shows the Device icon.

5. Press the Menu button to cycle to the Headset Pairing option.

6. Press the Shot button to select Headset pairing. The LED on the Prism will start flashing red and blue.

7. To pair a Sena headset to the Prism, place the Sena headset into intercom pairing mode.

8. Wait for the devices to pair together.

10. When the Sena headset is paired to the Prism, you will hear the voice prompt say “Prism connected, Setting mode”.

9. To pair a non-Sena headset to the Prism, use the same steps to place the Prism into Headset Pairing mode followed by placing the non-Sena headset into mobile phone pairing mode.

11. Depending on the non-Sena headset, you may hear the voice prompt say “Prism connected, Setting mode” when the non-Sena headset is paired to the Prism.

 

Video:

 

Here is a table from the User's Guide of the Sena Prism for the recording times for each video resolution / frame rate and the total time for each size of a compatible micro-SD card:

 Prism_Recording_Times.jpg

Unfortunately, listening to music and recording audio from a headset is not possible because of the Prism having a higher priority than stereo music (A2DP).

It takes about 3.5 hours to completely charge the battery on the Prism. The Prism comes packaged with a micro-USB cable for charging the battery and updating the firmware. In addition, the micro-USB cable can be used to charge the battery of the Prism while the back door is closed by uncovering the charging port and inserting the cable into the micro-USB port.

Yes. The battery can be removed after unlocking the back door and moving the spring-loaded lock that holds in the battery. Additional batteries for the Prism can be purchased on our online store here: http://www.buysena.com/camera-audio-pack/prism/sca-a0102.html.

Here are the recommended audio settings on the Prism: 

Bluetooth Audio - On

Internal Microphone Gain - High

Ultra HD Audio Mode - On

Internal Microphone Auto Mute - On

 

Sena recommends to have the Bluetooth Audio Recording feature turned “On”, the internal microphone gain set to “High” and the Internal Microphone Auto Mute turned “On”. With this configuration, whenever a Bluetooth headset is connected to the Prism for recording audio from the headset’s microphone then the internal microphone on the Prism will automatically be disabled. If a person does not want to record audio from a Bluetooth headset then Prism will record outside audio through the internal microphone because the internal microphone gain is set to “High”.

 

Video:

 

Here is how you can control the Sena Prism over Bluetooth with a Sena headset that uses a Jog Dial:

 To cycle through the different camera modes on the Prism, press down on the Jog Dial and rotate.

To use the current camera mode, hold down the Jog Dial for one second. On the video mode, holding down the Jog Dial for one second will start recording video. To stop recording video, hold down the Jog Dial again for one second.

While you are recording video, you can take a still photo by tapping the phone button once.

To put the Prism into Sleep Mode and temporarily turn off the camera and conserve battery, tap the phone button three times.

To wake the Prism from Sleep Mode, tap the phone button three times.

If the Prism has been disconnected from the Sena headset, tap the phone button three times.

 

Here is how you can control the Sena Prism over Bluetooth with a Sena headset that uses three buttons:

 

To cycle through the different camera modes on the Prism, press down on the Plus (+) or Minus (-) button for one second.

To use the current camera mode, hold down the Center button for one second. On the video mode, holding down the Center button for one second will start recording video. To stop recording video, hold down the Center button again for one second.

While you are recording video, you can take a still photo by holding down the Center button for three seconds.

To put the Prism into Sleep Mode and temporarily turn off the camera and conserve battery, hold down the Minus (-) button for three seconds.

To wake the Prism from Sleep Mode, hold down the Minus (-) button for three seconds.

If the Prism has been disconnected from the Sena headset, tap the Plus (+) button and the Minus (-) button at the same time.

 Here is how you can control the Sena Prism using a non-Sena headset:

 To use the current camera mode, use the operation to start a phone call on the non-Sena headset.

If you are recording a video in the Video Mode, use operation to start a phone call on the non-Sena headset. If you are recording a video in the Video Mode, use the operation to end a phone call to stop the video recording.

To start a Time-lapse Video recording, use operation to start a phone call on the non-Sena headset. To stop recording a video in the Time-lapse Video mode, use the operation to end a phone call to stop the video recording.

 

Video:

 

Here is are the camera modes and the resolutions / frame rates on the Prism:

 Video – 1080P 30FPS, 720P 60FPS, 720P 30FPS, 480P 120FPS

Single Shot – 3.5MP (3:2), 3.2MP (4:3), 3.0MP (16:9), 5.0MP (16:9)

Burst Shot - 3.5MP (3:2), 3.2MP (4:3), 3.0MP (16:9)

Time-Lapse Video / Time Lapse Photo - 1080P 30FPS, 720P 30FPS / 3.5MP (3:2), 3.2MP (4:3), 3.0MP (16:9)

Playback – Only available if a micro-HDMI cable is connected.

Setting

Yes. The Prism comes packaged with a micro-USB cable for charging the battery and updating the firmware. In addition, the micro-USB cable can be used to update the firmware of the Prism while the back door is closed by uncovering the charging port and inserting the cable into the micro-USB port. You can use the Sena Device Manager to upgrade the firmware of the Prism after connecting it to your computer.