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Places 2 Ride is a guide to places to go and things to do on a motorcycle. Our blog features motorcycling news, notable riding gear, opinionated rants and the occasional tech article. We also include notices for upcoming events and places to ride that have been added to our website.
February 19, 2009
Cardo Scala Rider Q2: It's Okay to Talk and Ride
It's official: the Scala Rider Q2 communicator has been added to our list of required riding equipment!
Cardo is a German company that offers a line of motorcycle communication systems that use Bluetooth technology. They are designed for communicating between rider-to-passenger, or bike-to-bike up to 540 yards. They also interface with Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, radar detectors, GPS units, etc.
Way back in August 2007 we reviewed the Cardo Scala Rider Team Set and found it to be one of the better motorcycle intercom systems on the market. Back then we wondered if anyone would buy these cell phones with this new Bluetooth stuff.
What a difference a year and a half makes.
Today nearly every phone, GPS and baby bottle is equipped with Bluetooth! And Cardo has refined their entire product line to reduce background noise, improved microphones and better auto-gain to make conversations crystal clear.We recently had a chance to try out Cardo's current flagship communication system- the Cardo Systems Scala Rider Q2 Multiset.
I say "current" because their new Q4 is already shipping and promises to be even more impressive! But I digress.
First off, unlike the Rider Team Set, the Q2 Multiset contains two identical headsets(look for the orange dot!). There is no gimp headset or passenger-only unit in this system- so either party can initiate a conversation, answer a call, listen to music, etc. This is important for anyone who may want to use the set alternatively for rider/passenger duty as well as bike-to-bike communication.
To get started the unit must be "paired" to another Scala module or a Bluetooth-enabled device. If you've ever used a cordless keyboard or mouse it's a similar idea. The process is dead simple and only takes a couple of minutes to pair the two Cardo modules for intercom use. Configuring a cell phone to interface with the Cardo was only slightly more complex.
Next came the hardest part- mounting the headset brackets to our helmets. It's not really "hard," but some people might be intimidated by this step. It doesn't require drilling holes or anything destructive- but you very well might need to dismantle the interior of your helmet. Cardo provides two different attachment plates to accommodate different types of helmets. One plate is adhesive-backed and the other is a clamp style. We tried the clamp-on plate on helmets from Arai, Scorpion and Shark- all of them required partial disassembly of the helmet. Another mounting pitfall is positioning the bracket so the mic is in front of your pie hole, this is important if you want people to hear you. On the Arai Quantum 2 we just barely managed to get the bracket far enough forward.
You might prefer to opt for the stick-on plate if you'd rather not overhaul your helmet's innards, or to properly position the microphone. Some people expressed skepticism but the adhesive is heavy duty and the plate is made to conform to the helmet's curves. Just make sure you clean off your greasy fingerprints with the handy swab included with the set!
Next you'll need to position the speakers and mic. The mic is on a flexible boom so it's no problem. Velcro is included on the speakers so typically these can just be stuck to your helmet liner. It took me a couple of trial fittings to get them positioned so they were directly next to my ears, but not uncomfortable. If they are too far away you'll need to shim them up with foam rubber or you won't be able to hear very well at high speed with ear plugs in.
Cardo bracket mounted on the Arai Quantum 2. The cheek pad and lower trim must be removed to fish the wires through and get the clamp plate into the helmet. The Shark helmet (below) also requires working around the lower trim.
Show us your helmet!
Once these "mechanical issues" were overcome we found the intercom a great addition to our rides. Initializing a conversation usually requires nothing more than someone start talking. Sometimes we have found it necessary to manually connect by pushing one of the control button. The advertised 1/3 mile range is pretty darn accurate- but they don't mention it's strictly line-of-sight. We never noticed any problem with vehicles blocking the signal, but buildings will turn you off in a heartbeat.
Using the Cardo with a phone was not something I personally felt compelled to do. I don't normally talk on the phone while driving and didn't feel the need to do so while riding. But if you have the desire, and a Bluetooth-enabled phone, it works quite well. Calls can be accepted, rejected or initiated by voice command. If your phone has music capability you can also take advantage of that too- just remember you won't be able to yak with your buddy at the same time. The phone has priority over all other audio sources.
Music lovers can also use the 1/8" external audio input for jacking in their MP3 player. And if that's not convenient enough, the Q2 includes a built-in FM tuner with six station memory (I was surprised how often I found myself using that feature). Either of these audio sources are considered low priority and will be overridden by an incoming cell phone call or the intercom.
Battery life has been impressive, even in day to day use. The set includes an AC adapter and an optional 12 volt charger is available. Cardo claims the lithium-ion battery is good for 8 hours of talk time and up to 10 days on standby. Recharging is quick, max 3 hours, although the charge indicator always takes several seconds to come on.
The era of arcane hand signals has officially ended. But a good deal of the Cardo's performance relies on the installation. The headset must be installed correctly or it will not work as promised. Most of the gripes we've heard could probably be rectified by re-positioning the mic and/or speakers in the helmet. Beyond that, these are the best motorcycle communicators we've had the chance to use. So give them a shot- I bet you'll add them to your required equipment list too!
Available online from...
Amazon.com
Bike Bandit
Cycle Gear Direct
Motorcycle Superstore
Shop eBay for the Cardo Scala Q2 Multiset
Cardo is a German company that offers a line of motorcycle communication systems that use Bluetooth technology. They are designed for communicating between rider-to-passenger, or bike-to-bike up to 540 yards. They also interface with Bluetooth-enabled cell phones, radar detectors, GPS units, etc.
Way back in August 2007 we reviewed the Cardo Scala Rider Team Set and found it to be one of the better motorcycle intercom systems on the market. Back then we wondered if anyone would buy these cell phones with this new Bluetooth stuff.
What a difference a year and a half makes.
Today nearly every phone, GPS and baby bottle is equipped with Bluetooth! And Cardo has refined their entire product line to reduce background noise, improved microphones and better auto-gain to make conversations crystal clear.We recently had a chance to try out Cardo's current flagship communication system- the Cardo Systems Scala Rider Q2 Multiset.
First off, unlike the Rider Team Set, the Q2 Multiset contains two identical headsets(look for the orange dot!). There is no gimp headset or passenger-only unit in this system- so either party can initiate a conversation, answer a call, listen to music, etc. This is important for anyone who may want to use the set alternatively for rider/passenger duty as well as bike-to-bike communication.
To get started the unit must be "paired" to another Scala module or a Bluetooth-enabled device. If you've ever used a cordless keyboard or mouse it's a similar idea. The process is dead simple and only takes a couple of minutes to pair the two Cardo modules for intercom use. Configuring a cell phone to interface with the Cardo was only slightly more complex.
Next came the hardest part- mounting the headset brackets to our helmets. It's not really "hard," but some people might be intimidated by this step. It doesn't require drilling holes or anything destructive- but you very well might need to dismantle the interior of your helmet. Cardo provides two different attachment plates to accommodate different types of helmets. One plate is adhesive-backed and the other is a clamp style. We tried the clamp-on plate on helmets from Arai, Scorpion and Shark- all of them required partial disassembly of the helmet. Another mounting pitfall is positioning the bracket so the mic is in front of your pie hole, this is important if you want people to hear you. On the Arai Quantum 2 we just barely managed to get the bracket far enough forward.
You might prefer to opt for the stick-on plate if you'd rather not overhaul your helmet's innards, or to properly position the microphone. Some people expressed skepticism but the adhesive is heavy duty and the plate is made to conform to the helmet's curves. Just make sure you clean off your greasy fingerprints with the handy swab included with the set!
Next you'll need to position the speakers and mic. The mic is on a flexible boom so it's no problem. Velcro is included on the speakers so typically these can just be stuck to your helmet liner. It took me a couple of trial fittings to get them positioned so they were directly next to my ears, but not uncomfortable. If they are too far away you'll need to shim them up with foam rubber or you won't be able to hear very well at high speed with ear plugs in.
Cardo bracket mounted on the Arai Quantum 2. The cheek pad and lower trim must be removed to fish the wires through and get the clamp plate into the helmet. The Shark helmet (below) also requires working around the lower trim.
Show us your helmet!
Once these "mechanical issues" were overcome we found the intercom a great addition to our rides. Initializing a conversation usually requires nothing more than someone start talking. Sometimes we have found it necessary to manually connect by pushing one of the control button. The advertised 1/3 mile range is pretty darn accurate- but they don't mention it's strictly line-of-sight. We never noticed any problem with vehicles blocking the signal, but buildings will turn you off in a heartbeat.
Using the Cardo with a phone was not something I personally felt compelled to do. I don't normally talk on the phone while driving and didn't feel the need to do so while riding. But if you have the desire, and a Bluetooth-enabled phone, it works quite well. Calls can be accepted, rejected or initiated by voice command. If your phone has music capability you can also take advantage of that too- just remember you won't be able to yak with your buddy at the same time. The phone has priority over all other audio sources.
Music lovers can also use the 1/8" external audio input for jacking in their MP3 player. And if that's not convenient enough, the Q2 includes a built-in FM tuner with six station memory (I was surprised how often I found myself using that feature). Either of these audio sources are considered low priority and will be overridden by an incoming cell phone call or the intercom.
Battery life has been impressive, even in day to day use. The set includes an AC adapter and an optional 12 volt charger is available. Cardo claims the lithium-ion battery is good for 8 hours of talk time and up to 10 days on standby. Recharging is quick, max 3 hours, although the charge indicator always takes several seconds to come on.The era of arcane hand signals has officially ended. But a good deal of the Cardo's performance relies on the installation. The headset must be installed correctly or it will not work as promised. Most of the gripes we've heard could probably be rectified by re-positioning the mic and/or speakers in the helmet. Beyond that, these are the best motorcycle communicators we've had the chance to use. So give them a shot- I bet you'll add them to your required equipment list too!
Available online from...
Amazon.com
Bike Bandit
Cycle Gear Direct
Motorcycle Superstore
Shop eBay for the Cardo Scala Q2 Multiset
Labels: review
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