Bike to Bike Communciation Cardo Scala G9 Review

Energy One

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
I do not know how many of you use or have thought of using some type of communication system when out riding with other or even alone to connect to Bluetooth, MP3, etc. Anyway I ride with my wife when I have a chance and she has been bugging me to get some type of radio so we can talk to each other while out riding together.

So I did some researched, talk to some touring folks that use such more often and even one buddy who does adventure type riding (i.e long multi week stuff all over the world). Was many good suggestion, but the one that many seem to mention was the Scala made.

So did some research on them and check out their various models and decide to get a set of the Cardo Scala G9. They come individual and paired. I got the paired set for around $450.

The set up was easy, the functions are many and the comms were better than I expected. Was able to easily communication with the wife at a split distance of over .5 mile with no issues. These are pretty adapatable and after getting used to location of the buttons, easy to work.

The Bluetooth was nice and no issues sitting up with my LG Nitro smart phone. Hook my old style iPod into the including aux cable (if you have Bluetooth type, even better), and the sounds were pretty good-especially with a full face on. They come with a boom mike that can be used on any type helmet as well as a corded one if you prefer to set them inside a full face more custom. In addition to being able to communicate over distance (the advertise 1.5km in the right conditions, you can use the intercom is you have a rider behind. You can also match and do some pretty cool things for groups if they have similar up to 9 riders, including programming in each name as well as group wide alerts.

Not too many will use that unless more have the same type or one of the earlier G4 models which is compatible, but good to know. I think one of my buds said he may get a set for him and his wife (she also rides) so if all four of us go out for the ride, better comms when needed.

One of the nice features that I liked is that it has FM radio built in with scan capability. So you can actually have it set up with some local radio station or seek out some and lock them in. Another nice feature is with the right type of phones, you can use the phones voice commands to give even more hands free. In addition, you can program one number to be dialed by just hitting the buttons, like say home or mistress or 911 if wife finds out you are calling mistress (lol).

The device is easy to install, seem well built, comes with good instructions and nice set up to meet most people’s needs. Also battery life is supposed to be very good with upto a week on stand-by and 13 hours or so on talk.

Anyway, for those of you that may consider such or looking for possibly an upgrade to an older style, have to say the Cardo Scala G9 is pretty damn nice. Look forward to even greater testing and use when I get back home.

Here is a link for some info. Also check out some of the reviews that are on the web.

Motorcycle Bluetooth Helmet Intercom Communication Systems ? Cardo Systems, Inc
 

francoblay1

The Spaniard
I have been thinking to buy one of these systems for quite awhile... thanks for posting this. Keep us updated on how it performs over the time.

:2thumbs:
 

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
I have been thinking to buy one of these systems for quite awhile... thanks for posting this. Keep us updated on how it performs over the time.

:2thumbs:
Will do!

Will say it is a hell of a lighter than carrying around throat mics and ear peices with strap-on encrypt radios to the gear!!!
 

Moespeeds

Well-Known Member
I use a chatterbox setup in the race car. With the windows open it is way louder than the bike, but it works really well. They are wired mic's that slip under your helmet. The whole setup was fairly cheap, under $200 for 2 headsets, the chatterbox, and the kit to wire it direct to 12v (The system is rechargeable but you know how that goes).
 

pknowles

RETIRED
I just bought the Cardo Scala Q2 yesterday and hooked them up last night. The wife and I are heading out on a 2500 mile road trip and hopefully we will have it figured out by the time we get back. It has a bunch of features but I was only interested in the bike to bike. Bought from the local Harley shop and paid just over 350.
 

2010 bulldog

Active Member
I have the cardo Scala Q2 system. My former girlfriend rode her own bike. We would always use them. I think that they're great. Having the Bulldog Bagger I have no need for them as a plug in to a MP3 player.
 

seavee

Active Member
I was using the Cardo system at first but sold them to go with the Sena units. Having way more luck with Sena than i did with the cardo. I don't use them on the chopper just the Harleyfor long trips.
 

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
I was using the Cardo system at first but sold them to go with the Sena units. Having way more luck with Sena than i did with the cardo. I don't use them on the chopper just the Harleyfor long trips.
What model of the Cardo where you using and what kind of issues?
 

seavee

Active Member
I had the G4 and had problems with the bluetooth to a Droid X connection. The sound was way more tinny and would make you tired of having it in you helmet. The Sena has a little deeper sound and less tireing when listening to music. They may have adressed these issues with the G9. I also like the jog dial on the side of the sena its alot eaiser to turn the volume up and down with gloves on. Sometimes you just want it don real fast and the dial works great.
 

Fibersnake

Banjo Playing PsychoBilly
seavee

Thanks for the info. The G9 does sound pretty good on sound, but I think the speaker placment has allot of effect. I know I had to move mine around a little to get the perfect spot.

The Jog button does sound very good though. The ones on the G9 took a little getting use too and being bigger would have been nice, that said though, once I got the sense of how it all worked, did not have to mess with them too much and used the VOX pretty (note there is a sensativity setting for the VOX that helps greatly and for anyone that may try the G9, there is a little arrow on the boom mic that should point up-make a great deal of difference).

I will see once I get back home and get some long term use to see how well it holds up. Hopefully good.

I was seriously considering the Sena SMH10, is that the one you use? But went with the Cardo in the end mainly based on a friend suggestions that does a great deal or riding on adventure type rides, so we will see.

No matter what though these are all new to me and does make the ride a little more interesting when out with others, especially the wife, in case she needs to pass something on or if I or her see something interesting or to be cautious about on the raod to give the other heads up before they get to it.
 

PaulHart

Well-Known Member
When I officially become an old fart and buy my BMW touring bike I'll look into that. Keep experimenting with it and let me know what you find out. :lol:
 

chacha

Chaff Your EHC!!
Calendar Participant
Nice write up Fiber -- and thanks for the warning on the Mistress :up:
 

Tattooedirish1

The Wicked Irishman
"I do not know how many of you use or have thought of using some type of communication system when out riding with other or even alone to connect to Bluetooth, MP3, etc. Anyway I ride with my wife when I have a chance and she has been bugging me to get some type of radio so we can talk to each other while out riding together.""

Hell When the GF and I are out on our bikes I enjoy the time a ton, mainly because we DONT TALK!!!!! lol
 

seavee

Active Member
I use the Smh10 and it has been good for me. What got me started on the bluetooth headsets was a 3500 mile trip with my brother. He had and still has the Cardo set up, Its been durable and works great for him. I would have kept the cardo unit if it had worked with my Droid X. It kind of defeated the purpose not having the music streaming into the helmet. I am sure the compatability issues have been adressed since the G4. Sena also has some new units for half helmets that might be good for music but would be useless for a phone call on a chopper.
 

Th3InfamousI

Administrator
Staff member
"I do not know how many of you use or have thought of using some type of communication system when out riding with other or even alone to connect to Bluetooth, MP3, etc. Anyway I ride with my wife when I have a chance and she has been bugging me to get some type of radio so we can talk to each other while out riding together.""

Hell When the GF and I are out on our bikes I enjoy the time a ton, mainly because we DONT TALK!!!!! lol
Agreed! Shut up and ride!:lol:
 

pknowles

RETIRED
Update on the cardo scala q2 multiset. It works great with the blue tooth, but the bike to bike was only good up to about 40 mph. After that it just picked up to much outside noise. The wife has a heritage with full windshield and 3/4 helmet/face shield. I was riding the streetglide with fairing and windshield and same type helmet. I wouldn't reccommend this to anyone for highway use from what we experienced.. I took it back to the shop where I bought it and they are going to ge me the g9 and hopefully it is a better unit.
 

Knuckles

Active Member
"I do not know how many of you use or have thought of using some type of communication system when out riding with other or even alone to connect to Bluetooth, MP3, etc. Anyway I ride with my wife when I have a chance and she has been bugging me to get some type of radio so we can talk to each other while out riding together.""

Hell When the GF and I are out on our bikes I enjoy the time a ton, mainly because we DONT TALK!!!!! lol
EXACTLY. Why in the HELL would I want to talk to her while riding. She never stops talking....only to sleep. Riding is best with NO talking, NO radio, NOTHING but the sounds of the wind and road.
 

SKOGDOG

One of the old ones.
Blacktopper and I just finished a run to Denver a week or so back tried out the Scala system (g4?)..we both wear molded earplugs, but were able to communicate ok., Which surprised me. We tour a lot and are not 'tech guys'..by that I mean we don't naturally wanna listen to Megadeth, Mr. Garmin, Howard Stern and Social media (phones, wives, etc) while touring on the 'Dogs, so it's doubtful that we'll ever use full capabilities, but....it was sure handy to point out an directions, stupid drivers, an upcoming turn or missed sign, decide on breaks, etc.
We tend to run about 80 or so, and with helmets, earplugs ,wind, engine, etc. it made phone usage out of the question, but discovered if we slowed down to 60 or 65 it was definitely workable. I had synced my phone and actually got a call but could not hear...(I'm kinda deaf anyhow).
After reading this thread, it seems playing with placement of the speakers is worth experimenting with. On the Denver trip. We just kinda slapped everything together and made sure it connected, and away we went.
I haven't tried them as an intercom on the Harley with wifey yet. I'm pretty sure that next trip will result in her highly endorsing them for conversational entertainment as well:spank:
 

pknowles

RETIRED
We took the Q2 system back and bought the G9 and it is 100% better.it's not perfect but you can make do with to communicate. I guess for under500 it's probably as good as it gets.
 

mastiffdave

Well-Known Member
We tend to run about 80 or so, and with helmets, earplugs ,wind, engine, etc. it made phone usage out of the question, but discovered if we slowed down to 60 or 65 it was definitely workable.

Guys I think you ought to look at your speedometers alittle bit closer.I was doing that speed in DeadWood canyon this year trying to catch you two and never did see you till we got to Deadwood for the group ride. :lol::lol::lol::D
 
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