SCALA Q4

[camaroz1985]

They aren't very good at replying to emails.  It took them a long time to get back to me when I had a pairing issue.

[atadaskew]

I have the Scala Q2 and would not go to the Q4 now that Interphone has come out with their latest.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/interphone-f4/

Check out the volume comparisons.  With the Q2 it basically needs to be at max volume the entire time, and even then it gets really difficult to hear anything over 60mph.  The F4 is crazy loud (and supposedly clear) in comparison.

Another huge minus for the Scala is that it is not remotely weatherproof due to the way the electrical contacts work.  It even recommends that you do not use it in the rain!  So what are you supposed to do, uninstall it if you see bad weather coming?

Not sure if the Q4 will improve on the issues I've pointed out, but I have a feeling they will add features, instead of correct usage issues.

[kendenton]

The F4 is still just two-headsets max, right?  You can't have 3 riders chatting at the same time?

[camaroz1985]

Reading the G4 manual's section in pairing 3 or more headsets is making my brain hurt.

You aren't kidding.   At least they outlined basically every possible combination.

[three west]

I have the Scala Q2 and would not go to the Q4 now that Interphone has come out with their latest.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-intercoms/interphone-f4/

I would agree, but it looks like the blueant unit costs about double?

[atadaskew]

I would agree, but it looks like the blueant unit costs about double?

The price of the Q2 was much higher when it 1st came out, so I expect this one to drop as well.  But if it works this much better, it's worth it.  I'd would not buy the Scala system now this is out.  Not only does it have much lower volume, but you will ruin it if you ride in the rain.

[pcrdude]

The corded mic option is not available for the G4.

I just pulled the trigger and bought one with the boom mike.

I will post a review after I test it.  Unfortunately, I don't have any way to test the intercom or bike to bike functions unless someone else here buys one, and lives within a 'reasonable' ride distance

[pcrdude]

Scala Rider G4 Review Part One

I have been waiting for a "good" Bluetooth helmet communication and entertainment system for almost three years.  The specifications for the Scala Rider G4 looked like it would fit the bill nicely, so I pulled the trigger and bought one.

Necessary criteria for purchase:

A2DP and AVRCP with quality sound for music loud enough to hear clearly

Intercom with three separate riders in full duplex

Full duplex communication with four people; two riders and their passengers

Greater than 1/2 mile range (G4 claims one mile with flip up antenna)

It is relatively cold here today (42 F), but I installed and test rode.

Particulars:

FJR1300A, Shoei RF1000, T-Mobile Android G1.

The installation was very easy.  I had to remove the foam from the mic so it wouldn't be rubbing against my lips.  The ear spaces in the helmet required a little padding to bring the speakers up against my ears.  This was easily accomplished by cutting up one of those thin foam 'Koozies' that one would use to keep their favorite beverage cold on a hot summer day.  Two layers worked for me, and I used STRONG double sided tape to attach the layers together, and to the inside of the helmet.  The velcro with tape (suppled with the G4) was stuck to the koozie-foam, and the speakers 'velcroed' to the koozie-foam.

Performance

Pairing was a breeze.  A tone announces power on, followed by a feminine british voice telling me the phone was paired.  Long press on the MP3 button, and my shuffled music played clearly.  Sound quality is VERY good, but is a little lacking in Bass.  This is MUCH less noticeable when actually riding.  Automatic volume control works as advertised and dropped the volume when slowing down and stopping.  There is plenty of clear volume available for un-plugged ears up to triple digits (if you know what I mean).  Turned off at a stop, and when turned back on, pairing resumed and that british lady again told me the connection was there.  Long press on MP3 button and tunes resumed.

I am recommending to my friends that they purchase these units, and will report on intercom functions if and when they do.  I will also report back on phone use when I get a chance to try that out.

One thing to note.  When using the phone for MP3s, voice answer of the phone is not possible, and a button must be pushed on the unit to answer (according to the manual).

So far, I give it a 'highly recommended'.

That's all for now.

PS, summer gloves suck big time when it's cold

[pcrdude]

WebBikeWorld Review

[tnttroy]

Stepping in a little late - but better late than never

I have the Powerset and love it with my iPhone for music and GPS.  The one problem is that talking on intercom still isn't the greatest

I had the blueant interphone and talking on it was actually better quality though it was muffled by noise and the single headphone, especially over 60-80km/hour....

I should've gone with the G4 Interphone ---- but price was the issue at the time lol....

The other good thing about the Powerset is it's software upgradable so hopefully they'll figure out some better software for the intercom....

[cognosticator]

The other good thing about the Powerset is it's software upgradable so hopefully they'll figure out some better software for the intercom....

There is a software upgrade, it doesn't tell what the upgrade does, but it is available.

[tnttroy]

I actually got the update and it fixed a couple of my problems (iphone not working for talking on phone was one of them....)

The software is great for presetting your radio stations, if you know them by heart

The main features found in this initial release include the ability to pre-set radio stations; activate or deactivate the RDS* and VOX functions; and change the Status Announcement language settings.  Some other "fixes" and enhancements have also been made, as noted in the Part 2 evaluation.

You can see the changes if you compare the old manual to the new one (version 1.2 I think)

[Noddy]

Two riding buddies, my wife and I pulled the pin and bought two sets.  We've managed to synch 4 riders, even though the guide has two riders with pillions as the example.  I think range was compromised a bit.  

Personally, I have ridden with earplugs and without, and I prefer the system with plugs in, as the plugs cut out a lot of the white noise that interferes with the sound quality.  

One of the girls was having audio quality issues above 90kph, but then realized it was because her helmet was lifting at speed, and the speakers were too far back.  We re-positioned the speakers during coffe and she was gtg.  Personally, my helmet fits live a glove (or vice), and the speakers are perfect, if a little too snug after 6 hrs.  That said, I was cruising at 120-140kph and had clear audio with everyone, ripped up to 190 and had slight distortion.

Bikes are: monster 1000, rc51, cbr 600 and BMW 650.  I none (except the BMW) have big windscreens, so I was impressed with the sound quality.  Honestly, the plugs helped. No way I would hear anything but wind at those speeds otherwise.  The auto adjust volume works.

One thing I don't want to test is the waterproofing.  Had a 10 min ride in the rain last night (city speeds) with no issues, but I don't feel like field testing that attribute.  Anyone want to chime in?

My previous Coms experience was with gmrs, and LOTs of wiring.  The sound was crap at speed, and the wires annoying.  I binned those after 2 rides.  I was really reticent to buy these as the buy in was so steep.  I am now happy with my purchase.

[tthompsr]

I have the G4 units and love them! As far as waterproofing goes,I was able to test them last weekend,Rode thru torential rain for three hours and started losing the right channel,I took it apart and found moisture inside, I suspect it got thru at the volume buttons on top as it has a good o ring gasket around the overlapping halves. I was able to dry it out and had no problems with the unit!
Three days after, my helmet fell from the seat and popped off the G4, it promptly fell into a storm drain that held 1.5 ft of water! After rescuing the G4 I had to take it apart and dry it out again.
If I remember correctly the instructions state that the unit is only water resistant so be careful with these in the rain, I plan on taking mine off in the rain in the future!

[John_Atkinson]

Can anyone tell me if the Scala G4 / PowerSet is full duplex? (i.e. where both parties can talk normally and there is no cut off of voices?)

[cognosticator]

Can anyone tell me if the Scala G4 / PowerSet is full duplex? (i.e. where both parties can talk normally and there is no cut off of voices?)

Yes they are

[bluesurf]

Stepping in a little late - but better late than never

I have the Powerset and love it with my iPhone for music and GPS.  The one problem is that talking on intercom still isn't the greatest

We've found that microphone placement is critical to good intercom communication.  An inch one way or the other makes a very large difference, enough that my SO can tell when my microphone isn't in the optimal location.

Other than that slight idiosyncrasy, we love the units...recently used them on a 9-day trip to Utah, and yesterday to and from the track.