Sam Lowe
Cesar Millan
Chris McGinnis
Jason Fogelson
Bryson Forbes
Amy Graff
Karla Henriquez
Product Review: Scala Rider G4 PowerSet
January 26 2012 by Jason Fogelson
I just got back from a week-long ride from Southern California into Arizona and back, which you'll be reading about here very soon. Luckily, my wife Robin was able to take time off from work to ride along as my passenger. We took the opportunity to test a new Bluetooth communication system, instead of using the onboard intercom system on the 2012 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic that we rode. We've used the H-D system in the past, and it works like a charm. The only downside to the H-D system, if there is one, is that it is not wireless. Bluetooth wireless systems have spoiled me. I use a Bluetooth stereo headset every day when I'm not on my bike, so I figured it would be fun to try one on this trip.
Cardo Systems sent me a sample Scala Rider G4 PowerSet (retail price $489/street price $329) to test on this trip. The system includes everything you need to equip a pair of helmets, from helmet clamps to glue plates, from chargers to foam microphone covers, and of course, two Scala Rider G4 units. I plugged in the G4 units to charge overnight (The manual recommends charging for at least four hours before initial use). I installed the helmet clamps on our full-face helmets. Installation took about 10 minutes per helmet using the included Allen wrench, and required no alteration to the helmet. The helmet clamp includes the boom microphone, mounted on a flexible gooseneck. Twin, velcro-backed speakers are also wired to the helmet clamp, and they fit easily into the ear pockets of Robin's Shoei RF-1100 helmet and my Vega lid. The G4 unit is about the size of two packs of gum. It snaps easily and snugly into the helmet clamp.
The pair of G4 units arrived already paired to each other via Bluetooth. Upon powering up both units, we were immediately connected. The G4 has just five buttons, each smartly placed and easy to identify and operate with a gloved hand. An LED indicator light flashes blue or red to indicate function.
Carrying on a conversation between rider and pillion is simple, once you get the hang of the G4. First, one of you has to open a line of communication by triggering the VOX function with a loud noise. We discovered that a sharp "WHOOP!" would open a channel, and we could then converse naturally for a few minutes. After 30 seconds of silence, and the VOX channel would shut down, reverting to silence. It is also possible to leave a VOX channel open at all times, but doing so results in a constant hiss of road noise, so we chose the "WHOOP!" method.
The G4 isn't limited to rider/pillion communication. It can also be used for bike-to-bike conversations, and up to four compatible Scala Rider units can be connected for an extended conversation. Cardo claims an effective intercom range of up to one mile, which could be quite useful in some small group riding situations. We didn't test the range, but we did have a few amusing conversations at gas stops along the road. If I wore my helmet while going in to pick up a receipt, Robin's voice would frequently pop into my head, saying things she knew would make me laugh. I'm sure I left several gas station clerks convinced that I had more than one screw loose.
The G4 isn't limited to helmet-to-helmet communications. It is also possible to pair a Bluetooth phone to either unit. I don't recommend having a mobile phone conversation while operating a motorcycle, but I can see pairing the phone to the passenger's headset. The G4 works as seamlessly as any Bluetooth headset, and is easy to pair to a phone.
G4 also gives you three ways to get other sounds into your helmet. You can pair a Bluetooth stereo device like an MP3 player or GPS unit with the G4. You can plug an MP3 player or other device directly to the G4 with a stereo mini (3.5 mm) connection. The G4 also has a built in FM radio receiver, so you can listen to over the air FM radio -- or if you're tricky, you can use an FM dongle like Griffin's iTrip on your iPod, and create your own little bubble of FM music. We tried all three methods, and each one delivered clear, musical sound. Robin even listened to some talk-only podcasts during the trip, and once she got the volume dialed in, had no trouble understanding conversation over the G4. The tricky thing was that if we wanted to listen to the same music or podcast at the same time, we had to use the FM method, or resort to a splitter on the wired MP3 connection, which defeated the whole wireless advantage, as we were then tethered to each other all over again. I could not get my Bluetooth device to connect to both G4 units at once, just one at a time.
G4 has a few flaws, at least the way I wanted to use it. The "WHOOP!" method of initiating conversation was not foolproof, and we sometimes had to restart the G4 in order to get the two headsets to connect to each other. Because of the way that the G4 prioritizes its connections, multiple inputs sometimes compete with each other. For instance, if you're listening to music via a wired connection, intercom communications take priority. The voice connection takes all of the bandwidth, and the music shuts off. Once the voice connection closes, the music returns -- thoughtfully fading up, rather than snapping back on at full volume. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but it doesn't do much for continuity if you're listening to a podcast, or missing your favorite song. I would much rather control a blend or mix of sounds in my headset, as I can in most wired systems.
If I had to choose between the wired system on a Harley-Davidson Electra Glide/Road Glide versus the Scala Rider G4, I'd probably choose the factory option. The H-D option doesn't do as many things as the G4, but what it does do, it does better. If I had a Road King, Softail, Dyna, Sportster or V-Rod and wanted a quick solution to helmet-to-helmet communication and entertainment options, I would definitely consider Cardo's Scala Rider G4 PowerSet.
As The World's Biggest Hotel Family℠, we know it is a big world out there
with lots of places to see and experience. Best Western's You Must Be
Trippin' travel blog offers travel tips, ideas and feature destinations
to make your next trip a success. We are also interested in where
you've been trippin' and invite you to share your travel ideas, tips
and destinations with us.
Please wait while my tweets load 
Follow Us
