Cardo's Scala G4 Powerset ~ Review

Hola GirlRiders :)

Here goes my 1st review so please be patient with me. I LOVE gadgets, and I LOVE riding so i just needed to marry the two. I may not be the smartest when it comes to working said gadgets, but i can at least give an "intermediate" review of Cardo's Scala G4 Powerset (bluetooth helmet communicator in a set of two). Before i get into the actual review, i wanted to cover a few things first, but feel free to get to the 'guts' by skipping ahead.

Why I bought (features): I didn't like having an earbud connected from my cell/MP3 player into my helmet while riding, then having the cord looped around inside my jacket, not to mention that I could not safetly change music if the player was tucked in my jacket. Many times maybe because how i turned my head or layed on the tank at higher speeds, the earbud would move so i couldnt hear the music as well anymore... and on group rides, you can't just pull over to adjust. Also, the Powerset allows the 2 communicators to function up to 1/2 a mile from one another, so not necessary to pull over to ask a question to the other rider, ride that close if you wanted to ride a little more spiritedly, or simply make a phone call while riding :) If those reasons weren't convenient enough, it also can connect to any bluetooth capable GPS so you can get audible instructions right to your ears (and tho i havent tried that part out yet, its a very cool feature to have when exploring a new route, or can help with leading a group ride so as not to miss a turn). Did i mention you can pre-program several local radio stations too? Cardo is one of the "top shelf" manufacter's of headset communicators, quality & reputation speak alot ot me in addition to hearing so many talk well about them.

BOOM MIC MOTORCYCLE VERSION OR SNOWMOBILE VERSION?... surprise surprise

I bought the Scala G4 Powerset on the internet at a good deal for $299 (good to go halfsies with a friend since cheaper than bying the Solo one, I'll add a little to this part later). First off, there are 2 different sets available in the Powerset (2 helmet headsets); the Motorcycle Boom Mic and the "Snowmobile" version. So you understand why i purchased the Snowmobile version, the main difference between the two is the cord, not the actual mic. The Snowmobile version has a lose cord connected to the mic (versus the boom mic with a hard yet flexible cord). For those of us who use a full face helmet (and this is the clincher) with chin guard, this is the best option since you can tuck the mic up under the chin guard and never have the discomfort of it (or the cord) getting in the way (not sure about you ladies, but that mesh chin guard is a must on my helmet to keep all the bugs out when riding). The 'boom mic' version would be difficult to use with this scenario and according to Cardo's customer service support, would severely limit the capabilities of the mic. Although older versions of the Snowmobile Scala G4 couldnt compensate for the louder motorcycle noice, the latest software updates allow you the same louder motorcycle modes that the Boom mic version has.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

I wanted to know the caliber of support I was going to have before buying. So in addition to the aforementioned, i kept talking to customer service & they were extremely helpful/knowledgeable/and even sounded excited about their own product, nice touch! One of my concerns was "what it" the friend I split the set with needed support & i was vacationing in Figi (haha, I wish). They explained that each headset has its own seperate serial number. According to Cardo, they "expect" for riders to buy & split these off... and should there ever be a need for any rider to seperately call in for warrenty etc, they only need to have a copy of the receipt and have registered the serial numbers online (even if under the primary purchaser's name) and they would have no problem what so ever. That personally won points with me!

THE PACKAGE

I absolutly loved the carbon fiber'ish looking box it came in... (I immediately said I'M keeping the box! lol). But what was a really nice touch is that there were two of EVERYTHING, and i mean everthing... down to two little wipes, two mini allen wrenches, 2 each paddings each, etc. They weren't kidding when they said they expect these to be split off. That said, the 2 riders can take their individual pieces & not need to share anything to do their own installation. Only thing that did not come in 2 was the manual/warrenty information (which is available online for free on their website, problem solved!).

INSTALLATION:

Two methods are available: Adhereing/Glue or Clamp on (without penetration or compromising helmet integrity). I had read online that the installation was fairly easy on just about every model of helmet, except mine of course (Shoei RF-1100). So altho it wasn't "so" easy, honestly it really wasn't hard. I chose what appears to me the more secure bolting clamp method (sorry but i wasnt going to put glue on my helmet no way!). Basically you are going to "shove" the communicator holder between your liner & the outter shell of your helmet. This is where the "hard" part came in when they talked abowith my Shoei... I'll admit at first i didnt think it would fit, but after reading it could be done, i put some more muscle into it and gave it a few hard shoves, and it worked. I will say that before you do this, have set aside a small piece of tape & put your helmet on. Position your hand on the side of the helmet to where it would be convenient for you to reach the unit once installed. I found that right under where my ear would be was convenient. You also want to make sure you dont install over your helmet strap or you'll be bumping it everytime you strap up. Once you find the spot, mark the center with the piece of tape. Take off the helmet & access placement to make sure everything lines up correctly/conveniently before you shove in... i mean.. install :) Once in, you'll simply tighten up the little clamp screws for a secure clamp grip & it results in a very solid & secure hold. Figures below are close up of the install (your cords will be loose still but this shows placement). As you can see in pic w/helmet where i'm pulling on the helmet strap, i made sure that the unit wasn't right over the strap (up against it is ok though). Technically it would probably be ok right over it, but for me personally, if I'm in an emergency situation to get my helmet off fast, i really wouldnt want anything right over my strapping that i could possibly fumble around with.

The unit holder already comes with 2 cords attached that each have a small super slim speaker on each end. Positioning it inside the helmet was fairly simply by lifting or removing the helmet's inner liner & tucking the cords in & around the edges to have a speaker on each side. On my installation, as you can see above & below, there are 2 small portions of the cord exposed around part the liner with the rest tucked under (figures below). Yea i was a little sloppy, but i've been using it like this for about 3weeks now. Even with my long curly hair, its never been a problem. Once you have the cords tucked in place, do not adhere the speakers to the inside just yet. First make sure you put back in your helmet liner & once done that everything fits well. Its at that point you'll see if you need to tuck or pull a little on the cords. Make sure all is in place before you decide to adhere the speakers (that stuff sticks hard & cannot be reposition). You can slightly reposition the speakers afterwards though since they do have velcro. Figures below show right side installation below liner (i put a cloth in there so cord would be more visible in pic), and 2nd is with liner back on.

Though I didn't take pics of the Mic cord installation on the front inside of helmet, it was basically the same process to tucking the cord & adhering & velco. I will say that the instrucitons specify to put the mic off the the left... don't do that (other communicator couldnt hear me as well). Instead, position right where your mouth/lips are or just slightly under (when i repositioned, other rider was able to hear me much better).

There will be a very small portion of cord coming from front part of unit holder before it comes under the liner. If you look at pic below, its barely visible & not endanger of really getting caught on anything... so, voila' the finished look!

The above shows the communicator in the unit holder. Its a nice clean look, and doesn't take away from the helmet like i thought it might. By the way, it has a mini antenna to boost reception.

USAGE: I was happy with the level of sound coming out of the slim speakers. Even booking 80mph, i was able to hear my music just fine. However the communicator capabilites did go down the higher the mph (became harder to hear other rider and vice versa).... HOWEVER, it just occured to me I didnt select the motorcycle mode so I'm sure that will improve greatly once I do that    I'm also guilty of singing while riding. So sometimes the Mic would auto turn on at my loud singing. Btw, i cannot sing... which any rider that was connected to might have unfortuantely heard. Additional benefit i forgot to mention earlier, the Scala G4 can connect to 3 other riders, including a "spontaneous" connection option if you rind someone riding nearby with a G4 as well.

The controls take a little getting use to with gloves on. There are 6 buttons on the unit which allow you to adjust volume up/down, power on/off, and select different preprogrammed FM stations or skip to next song on your playlist, etc. The hands-free voice command that the Mic pics up is in conjuction with your GPS / MP3 or cell phone's software. Takes a little playing with to get use.

The software installation is super easy, almost too simple but it does the job.

So with 13hours talk time w/7day standby (and only 3hrs to fully charge), i dont have to worry about charging it every night. I can be listening to music and accept (or reject) an incoming call, while in the rain or a dust storm (yes waterproof and dustproof). While i haven used (or listed) every feature available (though i think i hit mostly all of them), i'm overall pretty happy with my Scala G4. And as soon as I switch to motorcycle mode, i'm sure i'll be VERY happy

This product gets my 2(thumbs)up approval  Hope you enjoyed & found my review helpful.

Thanks & ride safe ladies

~ Evelyn "MotoQT"