[ducks517]

Want to get a nice set of communication devices for helmets that has good functions. I want to buy them before the upcoming riding season. I would like a set that can play music, talk and bluetooth would be awesome. What are you guys using with Pro's and Con's for all of them. Also where you guys bought them. Want to search out the best set for the money. Those 8 hr rides would be nice with a little communication between the two of us. Think my daughter and girlfriend would be real happy with them. May need a shut off switch too. LOL

Thanks guys
Len

 

[Todds9]

This was already discussed in another thread. Use the search feature! (bet you never heard that before) :bigthumbsup:

 

[bigg5512]

Have chatterbox its the best to me everyone tune into same channel and go, they didn't have bluetooth version years ago when I bought it but may get soon

 

[CMHGUY]

I have the Cardo Scala Rider Q2 set, they now make a Cardo Scala Rider G4.. The X and I enjoyed them and it has radio (but no good in the mountains) But you can plug in your ipod and can answer ur phone if you need... The G4 is out now, not sure if it better or not but I like mine.... :bigthumbsup: I got mine off of ebay.. Am thinking about upgrading to the G4 since the X took hers when she left ... :dontknow: Let me know what you end up with Len..

 

[Nitrogary]

ive got the scala G4, sound quality is great and the FM radio has presets but if im using the radio,then my phone doesnt ring through. IE fm turns off and you hear the phone ringing... if im blutoothing themusic from my adndriod phone, then the telephone function works great....but honestly, i like the radio feature better. maybe i dont have something setup correctly either...i think i may buy the motoralo chatterbox though and give it a try

 

[JohnC]

I have the Cardo Scala Rider Q2 set, they now make a Cardo Scala Rider G4.. The X and I enjoyed them and it has radio (but no good in the mountains) But you can plug in your ipod and can answer ur phone if you need... The G4 is out now, not sure if it better or not but I like mine.... :bigthumbsup: I got mine off of ebay.. Am thinking about upgrading to the G4 since the X took hers when she left ... :dontknow: Let me know what you end up with Len..

I have the Q2 set as well, the wife and I really like it.

 

[M109Dreamer]

I have the Scala Q2 as well. My only issue with them is that you need to use them in a full face helmet. At freeway speeds under 65 mph they are pretty decent, above that they can be a little difficult to hear, but I'm hard of hearing I am told also. I use them with my Shark modular helmet. The new Scala G4 version has Bluetooth and conference calling. I'm not sure if the Q2 is bluetooth (I believe so but not possitive) but I never use it. Oh, and when you start getting to much chatter, you can just push the button to turn them off. Especially when everyone starts singing songs in your ear. But they might get a little ticked off when they try talking to you and find out you turned them off, wife has picked up on that trick.

I only use them when we are going on long rides, or making alot of stops. It does make it easier when my navigator changes her mind and want to go a different direction or make a different stop as planned.

When I was looking at the differnet ones I didn't care for the Chatterbox because the box on the side of the helmet was much larger and bulkier than the Scala ones. You can go to the Scala web site and compare the different models.

http://www.cardosystems.com/homepage

I also got mine at 50% off on black Friday last year at Cycle Gear. I believe The final price was around $160 for the Q2 multi set. That was another reason I got them as well.

 

[Chapmandoo]

Funny this topic is at the top of the page the day after I have this chat with my wife ... She is getting tired of yelling over my shoulder and me not hearing her. I tell her it is the wind because we are going so fast but she knows I am just ignoring her!

I looked at the Cardo Scala Rider G4 and have only one question ... how well does this system fit under a full face helmet?

No i have not used the search function ... I am cpu illiterate.

 

[TheRone]

I've been looking at these as well. Most reviews pick the Sena SMH-10 as the overall best system. Here is a link to one of the reviews: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/2010-motorcycle-intercom-comparison.htm

Cardo is coming out with a Scala G9 system very shortly and here is a preview of it: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/cardo-scala-rider-g9/

I'll wait until some user feedback is available on the G9 before I decide. No hurry, just got a few more inches of snow today.

 

[BigpapaM109]

Scala Q2 here and love it. Also have a g4 and that allows you to link 3 together. Giddy, Mary and myself ride and chat all the time. Can hear very clear upwards of 90 mph.

I had chatterbox in the past and hated it. Their voice activation absolutely sucked for loud bikes and the units were very pricey and very big. I cannot say whether they have improved but i am a huge scala fan.

 

[JohnC]

Funny this topic is at the top of the page the day after I have this chat with my wife ... She is getting tired of yelling over my shoulder and me not hearing her. I tell her it is the wind because we are going so fast but she knows I am just ignoring her!

I looked at the Cardo Scala Rider G4 and have only one question ... how well does this system fit under a full face helmet?

No i have not used the search function ... I am cpu illiterate.

LOL, got tired of the wife knocking on the back of my helmet to get my attention, then yelling we missed our exit a ways back. No ignoring that, or the leg pinch either.

We use our system with both open or full face helmets, only thing is with freeway speeds and open helmets, sometimes the voice activation stays activated, which kills the battery faster. And for some reason, our system needs ambiant noise, like starting the bike, to get it to come on. I asked around, I guess this is common on Scala systems.

 

[STL-TIGER]

Oh Snap!

This was already discussed in another thread. Use the search feature! (bet you never heard that before) :bigthumbsup:

 

[Chapmandoo]

LOL, got tired of the wife knocking on the back of my helmet to get my attention, then yelling we missed our exit a ways back. No ignoring that, or the leg pinch either.

We use our system with both open or full face helmets, only thing is with freeway speeds and open helmets, sometimes the voice activation stays activated, which kills the battery faster. And for some reason, our system needs ambiant noise, like starting the bike, to get it to come on. I asked around, I guess this is common on Scala systems.

I just did some research fast and looks like the Q2 PRO Multiset will be what I am looking for. Not to thread hijack but this was a question I recently has as well. Thank you all for your input!

 

[ducks517]

This was already discussed in another thread. Use the search feature! (bet you never heard that before) :bigthumbsup:

Search sucks and should be deleted as a button. It would work well if people knew how to "tag" threads that way stuff that actually related to the topic showed up. I try to tag all my threads that way it will actually work in the search feature. So this is why I choose not to waste my life using the search feature.

 

[ducks517]

Am thinking about upgrading to the G4 since the X took hers when she left ... :dontknow:

Maybe its a sign she wants to still work things out just at a distance. LOL

 

[ducks517]

Scala Q2 here and love it. Also have a g4 and that allows you to link 3 together. Giddy, Mary and myself ride and chat all the time. Can hear very clear upwards of 90 mph.

I had chatterbox in the past and hated it. Their voice activation absolutely sucked for loud bikes and the units were very pricey and very big. I cannot say whether they have improved but i am a huge scala fan.

Harris you guys have the boom mic or the wire one that hooks into the front of your helmet? I like the Scala models. Not sure I like the boom. Wonder if there is any difference in performance between the two. I have a full face so either would work.

 

[08-109LE]

Harris you guys have the boom mic or the wire one that hooks into the front of your helmet? I like the Scala models. Not sure I like the boom. Wonder if there is any difference in performance between the two. I have a full face so either would work.

I also have the G4 and love it. The Q2s are not true stereo, the G4s are. I previously had the Q2s and am much happier with the G4s.

Everyone has pretty much stated all there is to know above, but to answer your question to Harris, I have the boom mike in a full face and it is not a problem at all...I actually like the flexibility it provides as I want to go to a flip up Nolan and then I will have to have the boom...so glad I got it.

You will like the G4 if you go that route...

One thing I did (someone else on here gets the credit as I did not come up with the idea...) was to shave some 2-liter bottle caps down about 1/3 the way and slipped them behind the fabric where the speakers go so they are closer to my ears...way clearer and louder...

Just a thought.

Good luck with your decision...

Chip

 

[BigpapaM109]

I also have the G4 and love it. The Q2s are not true stereo, the G4s are. I previously had the Q2s and am much happier with the G4s.

Everyone has pretty much stated all there is to know above, but to answer your question to Harris, I have the boom mike in a full face and it is not a problem at all...I actually like the flexibility it provides as I want to go to a flip up Nolan and then I will have to have the boom...so glad I got it.

You will like the G4 if you go that route...

One thing I did (someone else on here gets the credit as I did not come up with the idea...) was to shave some 2-liter bottle caps down about 1/3 the way and slipped them behind the fabric where the speakers go so they are closer to my ears...way clearer and louder...

Just a thought.

Good luck with your decision...

Chip

The other thing you can do is take some styrofoam pads and do the same thing. Len, we have the boom bike in ours. The boom mike in a full faced helmet really depends on how much room you have. Put your hand in front of your chin and see if you have room about the width of your hand. If not, the fuzzy mike will rest on your lips. I had a helmet and got rid of it for that reason. My new helmet has plenty of room. FYI, they come with two pads for the mic. One is more flat for full face and one is round for open face.

 

[Nitrogary]

Funny this topic is at the top of the page the day after I have this chat with my wife ... She is getting tired of yelling over my shoulder and me not hearing her. I tell her it is the wind because we are going so fast but she knows I am just ignoring her!

I looked at the Cardo Scala Rider G4 and have only one question ... how well does this system fit under a full face helmet?

No i have not used the search function ... I am cpu illiterate.

i want to add that the scala units (i have the Q?), the boom mic is a pain in the butt,keester,heine,rear end, derriere. i have a modular helmet and i have to reposition it every damn time so its not pressed against my face after i put the helmet on. i dont understan why they didnt make a mountable mic for the front of the helmet only being connected by a this wire...very annoying...converesely, since i like tolisten to FM alot,i enjoy the auto volume control the turns the volume up or down depending on speed/noise, works very well and quickly

 

[Zoom]

We have the Q2 and they've worked fine for about 3 years now. They have the boom mic but you can also get a hard wire kit for them that lets you mount the mic semi-permanent in the chin guard. We also use them on 3/4 helmets and they work OK there too.

If you really like listening to music and want to stream it via bluetooth, the G4 may do you better. I think they are stereo bluetooth and the Q2's are mono. You can plug your ipod or phone directly into them and get stereo, but via bluetooth it's mono.

Battery life is great too. As I said, we've had ours about 3 years and use them on every ride. We rode Saturday and I wanted to run the units down to get a good charge in them, and they stayed on until late Sunday evening. At least 30 hours of time. Talking will reduce the time some but we've never had them go dead on a ride.