Post by teffort on Jun 3, 2008 9:52:38 GMT
I don't know if anyone else has tried the Cardo Scala Q2 but I recently invested in a pair of these headsets so I thought I would let you know my experiences of using the system over the past few weeks.
The Q2 is a Bluetooth comms system that enables you to communicate with other Cardo Scala headsets via Bluetooth (without cables) so is ideal for rider to pillion use. The benefit of the Q2 is that it has a reported range of up to 500 metres in open terrain so you can communicate with another rider using the same system provided you don't get too far apart. You can also pair the system with a third headset so you could have three riders communicating but I've only tried it with two. The headsets are not cheap - best price around is £120 so a pair will cost you about the same as a full Intaride or Starcom kit (without the radio).
I've previously used a Starcom Advanced system and found this was pretty good for rider to pillion use but I never found it much use with a radio for bike to bike because the communication quality was poor (and it doesn't help that my hearing is not brilliant either). My wife recently passed her CBT and is practicing her riding on a YBR125 so the Scala system seemed ideal to use both when we go out for rides together or when she rides pillion with me. The Scala system has a base unit that secures to the side of your helmet via a clamp and two small allen bolts. This is attached to a microphone on a stem which you position in front of your mouth and dual earpieces that attach to velcro pads inside your helmet. We've attached these ok to a Shoei Raid II and a Schubeth S1 with no problems. Spec says they can be used on flip front helmets too but I've not tried this. The control box clips to the base unit via a plastic spring arrangement and can be removed when not in use and when being charged. The spec says you get up to 8 hours talk time when fully charged and up to 10 days on standby but I've not tested this out fully.
Before initial use the headsets have to be paired as is usual with Bluetooth devices. This is quite straightforward. Once paired, the communication with the other headset is supposed to connect automatically once you are in a "noisy environment". I've found this a bit iffy and, in any case, you often want to communicate before starting the bike up. This is done by just pressing a button on one of the paired base units and, after a couple of seconds delay, communication is established. The voice quality is pretty good - I would say better than the Starcom system I used previously because there is less wind noise picked up by the microphones at speed. Initially the sound through the earpieces seems quieter than with the Starcom but the volume increases as background noise increases so it remains good. I would say that comms are good up to about 60mph - thereafter it becomes difficult to hear. The base units have four buttons, each with multi functions and they can be a bit fiddly to use on the move, especially with gloves on. However, you don't generally need to touch the buttons very much unless resetting the volume, turning the radio on and off or switching channels. When used in bike to bike mode we've found the communications pretty good with bikes up to about 300m apart, even when separated by traffic and in towns with buildings around. When the range limit is reached you hear a bit of crackling and voice comms start to break up. I've found that connection to the other headset is sometimes lost while on the move. It is then necessary to press a button on the control unit to re establish. This is fiddly the first few tmes you do it but you do get used to where the button is with use.
The system has a built in FM radio with ability to preset up to 6 stations. I've only used this a couple of times but it seems ok. The radio is unique to each set so rider and pillion can be tuned in to different stations. Radio is interrupted by voice comms. The system will also pair to most mobile phones (fine with my Nokia) and also to GPS systems. That said, I've not been able to pair with my TomTom Go520 - although the GPS can see the headset it doesn't seem to recognise the access code "0000" when I enter it. I've e-mailed both TomTom and Cardo Scala tech help service about this but haven't received a reply.
The system is said to be rain and snow resistant but not fully waterproof so I would be wary of using it in heavy rain.
To summarize, I list below what I see as the good and bad points of the system from my experience so far:
PROS
Good quality comms with NO cables
Flexible use for both rider to pillion and rider to rider applications (provided same helmet is used).
Better quality rider to rider comms than with PMR radio (from my experience)
Built in FM radio
CONS
Limited use for large groups - can only pair with two other headsets
Can't connect to MP3 player (although radio is good alternative)
May not pair with all GPS systems (see above)
Requires regular recharge from mains
If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to ask
The Q2 is a Bluetooth comms system that enables you to communicate with other Cardo Scala headsets via Bluetooth (without cables) so is ideal for rider to pillion use. The benefit of the Q2 is that it has a reported range of up to 500 metres in open terrain so you can communicate with another rider using the same system provided you don't get too far apart. You can also pair the system with a third headset so you could have three riders communicating but I've only tried it with two. The headsets are not cheap - best price around is £120 so a pair will cost you about the same as a full Intaride or Starcom kit (without the radio).
I've previously used a Starcom Advanced system and found this was pretty good for rider to pillion use but I never found it much use with a radio for bike to bike because the communication quality was poor (and it doesn't help that my hearing is not brilliant either). My wife recently passed her CBT and is practicing her riding on a YBR125 so the Scala system seemed ideal to use both when we go out for rides together or when she rides pillion with me. The Scala system has a base unit that secures to the side of your helmet via a clamp and two small allen bolts. This is attached to a microphone on a stem which you position in front of your mouth and dual earpieces that attach to velcro pads inside your helmet. We've attached these ok to a Shoei Raid II and a Schubeth S1 with no problems. Spec says they can be used on flip front helmets too but I've not tried this. The control box clips to the base unit via a plastic spring arrangement and can be removed when not in use and when being charged. The spec says you get up to 8 hours talk time when fully charged and up to 10 days on standby but I've not tested this out fully.
Before initial use the headsets have to be paired as is usual with Bluetooth devices. This is quite straightforward. Once paired, the communication with the other headset is supposed to connect automatically once you are in a "noisy environment". I've found this a bit iffy and, in any case, you often want to communicate before starting the bike up. This is done by just pressing a button on one of the paired base units and, after a couple of seconds delay, communication is established. The voice quality is pretty good - I would say better than the Starcom system I used previously because there is less wind noise picked up by the microphones at speed. Initially the sound through the earpieces seems quieter than with the Starcom but the volume increases as background noise increases so it remains good. I would say that comms are good up to about 60mph - thereafter it becomes difficult to hear. The base units have four buttons, each with multi functions and they can be a bit fiddly to use on the move, especially with gloves on. However, you don't generally need to touch the buttons very much unless resetting the volume, turning the radio on and off or switching channels. When used in bike to bike mode we've found the communications pretty good with bikes up to about 300m apart, even when separated by traffic and in towns with buildings around. When the range limit is reached you hear a bit of crackling and voice comms start to break up. I've found that connection to the other headset is sometimes lost while on the move. It is then necessary to press a button on the control unit to re establish. This is fiddly the first few tmes you do it but you do get used to where the button is with use.
The system has a built in FM radio with ability to preset up to 6 stations. I've only used this a couple of times but it seems ok. The radio is unique to each set so rider and pillion can be tuned in to different stations. Radio is interrupted by voice comms. The system will also pair to most mobile phones (fine with my Nokia) and also to GPS systems. That said, I've not been able to pair with my TomTom Go520 - although the GPS can see the headset it doesn't seem to recognise the access code "0000" when I enter it. I've e-mailed both TomTom and Cardo Scala tech help service about this but haven't received a reply.
The system is said to be rain and snow resistant but not fully waterproof so I would be wary of using it in heavy rain.
To summarize, I list below what I see as the good and bad points of the system from my experience so far:
PROS
Good quality comms with NO cables
Flexible use for both rider to pillion and rider to rider applications (provided same helmet is used).
Better quality rider to rider comms than with PMR radio (from my experience)
Built in FM radio
CONS
Limited use for large groups - can only pair with two other headsets
Can't connect to MP3 player (although radio is good alternative)
May not pair with all GPS systems (see above)
Requires regular recharge from mains
If anyone has any specific questions, please feel free to ask
