Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

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Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Firebird » Mon Apr 05, 2010 1:53 pm

I just got the new Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset. It retailed for $299.95 at Bob's. It's got a built in FM radio with RDS, a flip-up antenna and you can listen to your MP3 player or iPod Touch 3rd generation wirelessly or connected to the cable. It all works, but a couple drawbacks is that if you listen to your MP3 or iPod touch wirelessly, and you go to use your GPS, it will knock out the connection and you will have to restart your headset to reconnect to either the GPS or MP3. The way to get around that is to connect your music player with the wire cable that comes in the box. Your MP3 or iPod Touch must be A2DP / AVRCP configured for wireless to work if you want to listen that way with the headset. No more crappy sounding music. It's Stereo Baby! If you use the cable to listen to your music, you still will be able to control the volume through the headset.

Apparently, with this new device, you can backwards pair with older Scala Rider models and have up to 4 units connected at the same time. You can also ride up to a mile between 3 bikes with bike-to-bike intercom. You can also select different languages status to your headset.

You can update the firmwire software, but the only drawback to that for those of us with Macs, the updates require Windows XP or Vista based PCs. There is no word yet if they will include the ability to use Macs for updates. So, if you have access to a Windows XP or Vista based PC, you will be OK with the updates, but if not, time to make friends with someone who does. :wink:

You have up to 10 hours of talk time and 1 week stand-by with recharging through the USB computer connection or wall charger.

I would list all the other things that this thing says it can do, but it will be better if you read it from the companies website. WWW.cardosystems.com

I'm most excited about this product because I didn't have to get a receiver for my Zumo in order to listen to FM radio. It's got 6 channels, so you aren't stuck with one station.

So, would I recommend this item with the software, MP3 wireless/GPS bluetooth connection issue, I would say yes because you can get around those things with slight modification and still have fun. :D
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Yellowjacket » Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:17 pm

Thanks for the info. Finally motorcyclists can listen in true stereo via Bluetooth/A2DP.
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby ChaseH » Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:21 pm

I'm considering this. Have another unit now. Problem there is that while it keeps playing, while wired, it doesn't pause during a call or prompt from the GPS. This is annoying when listening to a audiobook. I think a Scala rep may be at the Morton's openhouse.
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby BMWGirl » Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:12 pm

ChaseH wrote:I'm considering this. Have another unit now. Problem there is that while it keeps playing, while wired, it doesn't pause during a call or prompt from the GPS. This is annoying when listening to a audiobook. I think a Scala rep may be at the Morton's openhouse.



Hey Chase - when you're at Mortons, also check out the Auto Coms. Those are also nice units and Mortons is a dealer for them as well. I like that my auto com interrupts the music for either a phone call or the gps.
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Yellowjacket » Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:24 pm

Just got this email from Cardo's Customer Service:


-------------------------------
Thank you for contacting the Cardo Systems Support Center.

The Scala Rider G4 will allow 3 separate bikers to communicate all at
the same time. You can also talk between 4 people on two separate bikes
in a full duplex conversation.

Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you with any other
questions.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
http://www.cardosystems.com
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Firebird » Wed Apr 07, 2010 6:17 pm

Did a test ride of the G4 up to PA and back. I had my iPod Touch connected through the cable and it worked beautifully. When I turned off Doofus 2 (Zumo), the bluetooth connection of my iPod switched over seamlessly. The volume of the music is slightly louder then the volume of the Zumo even though the volume is at 100%. I'm going to be working on that issue, but I am loving this new headset. I can't wait to really put it through it's paces when I do some of my long distance rides. :D
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby radon222 » Thu Apr 08, 2010 5:22 am

Dawn,

Hopefully I'll run in to you at a meeting or a tech day soon. If you'd be willing, I'd like to test pair my phone with a unit. HTC used a new Widcomm Bluetooth stack in the AT&T Tilt2 and it doesn't always play nice some BT devices and/or MS Voice Command through Bluetooth.

It would sure be nice to test BEFORE I plunk down the change on a Team set for my wife and I.

:D
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Firebird » Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:32 am

It might be easier to catch me before then. Give me a call to set something up. :)
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby radon222 » Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:42 am

Dawn,

That would be too kind of you!! :D
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby After12yrs » Fri Jun 18, 2010 8:53 am

I sent an email to them and asked the question on MAC OS support and here is there reply:

From: support <support@cardosystems.com>
Date: June 14, 2010 4:37:51 PM EDT
To: yatespljr@mac.com
Subject: RE: Support / Customer Service - scala rider G4 PowerSet

Thank you for contacting the Cardo Systems Support Center.

We do not have plans to allow the G4 Update Software to be used with MAC
computers.

Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you with any other
questions.

Best Regards,

Robert Wargo

Customer Service
www.cardosystems.com
1-800-488-0363

That is about as close to a "Probie Slap" as you can get for asking a question from a potential customer. :Blaster: :oops:
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby JimVonBaden » Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:11 am

Software development is expensive, and only about 10% of people have a Mac. Of those 10% most run a PC type emulator, so I can see why they do not. Many compnaies feel the same way.

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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Firebird » Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:31 am

I already knew they weren't going to make a Mac software version after talking to them before buying it. My mom still has a old windows xp computer and I'm using that to do my updates. I think that if the demand keeps growing and how xp and vista are being phased out for a new windows OS, they may change their minds. It could happen. [-o<
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Dan » Fri Jun 18, 2010 10:36 pm

Firmware updates probably won't happen very often (for any device, not just the G4), so I wouldn't let the level of difficulty for updating the firmware deter you from getting whatever new gizmo or gadget. And it's very likely that your device will continue to work, even if you don't have the latest version of the firmware.

One thing you could try on the mac, depending on how comfortable you are tinkering with stuff, is http://wiki.winehq.org/MacOSX. If you get that working correctly, it should allow you to run programs for windows on MacOS X
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Hodge Podge » Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:55 am

Thanks for the review and suggestion re: connecting a music player by wire. I just picked one of these up on Monday for a long trip I'm taking next week, so appreciate your sharing your experience. Seems like a well-designed unit, and am curious to try it in action.

Firebird wrote:When I turned off Doofus 2 (Zumo)

Neil Peart fan?
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Re: Scala Rider G4 motorcycle headset by Cardo Systems

Postby Firebird » Thu Jul 01, 2010 11:34 am

Hodge Podge wrote:Thanks for the review and suggestion re: connecting a music player by wire. I just picked one of these up on Monday for a long trip I'm taking next week, so appreciate your sharing your experience. Seems like a well-designed unit, and am curious to try it in action.

Firebird wrote:When I turned off Doofus 2 (Zumo)

Neil Peart fan?


Actually Rocketman named my previous Zumo due to the interesting detours it took us on when we were going to the 4 Winds Rally a two year ago. I just carried on the name to my replacement Zumo. :lol: Have a great trip.
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