Cardo Scala Q2

[keystiger]

Well.....had to do it......have been refraining in this "economy" from the mass purchasing of various motorcycle addiction support toys---I mean gadgets.....er....uhm....toys fits better...but got such an amazing deal on a complete (1 for me and 1 for my gal) set I had to do it....I just had to really.....uhm its a security issue. really.....it is.......see, she has diminished hearing in one ear so with full face helmets and the road noise we just can't communicate .....really.....had to be done......don't judge me..... :ya2:

So, when they arrive next week, I will post a "review". :y115:

link to the site with the closeout intercoms....

http://www.newenough.com/parts/closeouts/accessories/cardo_systems/q2_multiset_bluetooth_rider_to_rider_intercom.html

 

[keystiger]

They arrived!

Certainly a quality product. :y115: Even the packaging was impressive. These are the Scala Q2 version. I understand a newer Q4 version exists which is smaller, lighter, and offers further distance communication and longer battery life. However for our needs (and price point) the Q2 was the right choice.

Provided with a bolt on clip or an adhesive clip to attach the unit to the helmet depending on your helmet construction one maybe a better option.
The bolt on worked on both of ours and installed on two helmets in less than 30 min. Placing the speakers just right in the helmet takes a little trial and error to get them in just the right spot for best sound clarity.

I was concerned the unit and wired speakers would be bulky and uncomfortable in the helmet. They are not. I was also concerned as I wear glasses that the speakers would interfere with the ability to get the glasses off and on with ease, they did not. ANd the microphone unit is very flexible and easy to move "out of the way" when putting the helmet off and on.

The preliminary testing went well. We are able to hear one another great. No need to shout or yell, just speaking in a normal voice works wonderfully. The FM radio feature is nice----personally won't use it much I prefer to "hear the road" and the sounds of my Triumph when I ride, but it is a nice option. Though it is slightly bothersome to get set up, finding and selecting stations that is. I have not "synced" the cell phone or a GPS to it yet, though these are also features available. Still fighting the fact I can talk on the cell phone while on the bike........often times AVOIDING the "cell hell" is the reason I take the bike and not the truck ! :ya2:

All in all I give a big thumbs up :y115: and feel it was well worth the "scratch" to be able to communicate with my passenger safely and clearly. I see where it will also be a huge asset as she starts riding her own bike soon. As a newbie it will be great for me to be able to talk to her and communicate directions or hazards in the road from my bike, or even from a stationary position in a parking lot or practice area while she is practicing.

We wear only full face helmets so I can't make claim to how this unit would do with an open face helmet, though I am told it is designed for just that.

Hope this helps if anyone is looking to purchase.
:y18:

 

[CarlS]

Mae Lyne and I have a set and they work fine - if we are riding two up. I am going to have to get a bike to bike set up. They are a bit of a pain to set up. Kike you, I can do without the radio. :ya2:

 

[keystiger]

Well a follow up report.....if anyone is interested. We used the Scala intercoms on the ride to the Dauphin Island Vintage bike show (posted in Events) and they worked excellently, even on the interstate in a 30 mph. crosswind going across the Mobile Bay we could still speak and hear one another.

A big to the guys at Scala!

 

[CarlS]

They do work very well. We like ours.

 

[DaveM]

Very handy thing to have and I was at one time thinking about getting a set but just never did in the end

 

[The Seeker]

My "significant other" never rides with me, she's just not a motorcycle person.

But let me ask here.....

1) I would like to have a way to answer my cellphone if it should ring while I'm riding......will these do that and do I have to buy a set of two?

2) If another riding buddy (or even three) have these, could we ALL talk to one another? Does everyone have to have a matched set?


Maybe I should just get a bluetooth thing for my cellphone instead? It really sucks to have to quickly find a spot to pull over, remove my full face helmet, and then by the time I do that, the cellphone has gone to the voicemail!!

 

[CarlS]

AJ, some the setups for between bike communication allow for cell phone connections, GPS connections, CD players, etc. To talk between bikes, all you need to do is make sure everyone is on the same channel. The make of the setup does not matter. I deliberately do not want my cell phone hooked up to my headset. I don't need the distraction. Talking on the intercom or between bikes is voice activated or button activated.

 

[DaveM]

For you cell phone you could just get the normal cell headset and that would be all you need

 

[keystiger]

Mine does allow the cell, gps all that stuff through bluetooth. I have not done the set up to allow it however, as i prefer not to deal with cell calls while riding but it is an option with the Q2 if you desire, and YEs, per Carl you can talk between multiple bikes once the systems are "synced" up. seems 4 is the max if I remeber correctly though. And ANy SCALA product should communicate with any other i.e. newer models v.s. older models.

Hope that helps.

 

[The Seeker]

Yes, thanks all for the replies.

I just have to now figure out what would be the best for my situation.