motorcycle led indicator_Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercom Review

Scala Rider G4 Motorcycle Bluetooth Intercom Review

Summary:  Loaded with features, the new Scala Rider G4 intercom is leagues ahead of previous Scala Rider intercoms in performance and sound quality.

Introduction
motorcycle led indicator news,Continuing our foray into "3rd Generation" motorcycle intercom systems, we finally acquired a pair of the new Scala Rider G4 intercom, in the "Powerset" guise.  The Powerset version is simply a paired pair; i.e., two G4 intercoms already paired at the factory.

But pairing is a cinch, so even if you buy one now and another later, it will be no problem to turn them into a high-performance motorcycle intercom set. 

Pairing and controlling Bluetooth intercoms used to be a hit-or-miss proposition, with much frustration in the "Gen 1" intercoms we reviewed only a couple of years ago.  And just because the early Bluetooth intercoms were paired didn't mean they were going to stay that way -- dropped calls, signals and pairing was commonplace.

Well, that was then and this is now.  As we mentioned in the Sena SMH10 review, this is a new dawn for motorcycle intercom systems and we couldn't be more pleased.  With systems like the Interphone F4 (review), the Sena SMH10 (review) and now the Scala Rider G4 "Gen 3" systems having all been announced in rapid succession, it's comm heaven for motorcyclists...and their pillions...and their riding buddies!

We're going to follow the same format here as we did with the Sena intercoms -- the Scala Rider G4 intercom will be described first and our initial impressions and evaluation, then off they go to HBC, who is currently on an extended motorcycle tour with his wife and two motorcycles and friends, for an extended follow-up evaluation which will be reported back in a Part II.

Cardo Systems Scala Rider Intercoms
The G4 is aptly named, as it is the fourth Scala Rider intercom we reviewed on webBikeWorld.  I'd like to think that the G4 means "Generation 4" for Cardo Systems, but perhaps not.

Nevertheless, the new G4 is so far evolved from the original Cardo offerings that the only thing they have in common is that they are called intercoms.  It's like comparing a 1909 Royal Pioneer to a 2010 BMW S1000RR -- they both have two wheels, but are otherwise live in a different universe.

Well, maybe that's overstating it a bit, but the G4 is packed with features and does represent the latest in intercom technology and thinking.

The G4 uses Bluetooth 2.1 Class 1 and the lithium polymer battery has a recharge time of about 3 hours.  The claimed talk time is up to 10 hours and standby time is 7 days.  Also, the system uses Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for advanced audio capabilities.

Using the Scala Rider G4
The G4 is surely the most advanced motorcycle intercom system ever developed, no doubt.  However, with all these features, it's going to take some roll-up-the-sleeves time with the owner's manual. 

Pardon me while I go into rant mode here for a minute, with a suggestion for all motorcycle intercom manufacturers regarding the operating manual for these devices. 

The owner's manual or operating manual should, of course, start with a description of the basic parts of the intercom and an explanation on how to give the units their initial charge.  But then the very first thing that should be described is the most commonly used feature: the intercom. 

For some reason, every intercom owner's manual we've read starts by describing cell phone connectivity, GPS connectivity and every other type of connectivity before getting to the most important topic -- how to use the intercom.

The G4 manual is an example; it seems to have been printed almost completely in reverse from the order in which the features will be used by the new owner.  It starts by describing the spoken status announcements (that are not turned on by default); then how to mount the device to the helmet; then how to connect to a cell phone; then how to connect to a GPS device; then an MP3 player; then how to use the FM radio; then how to connect the cable for non-Bluetooth devices.

Finally, in Section 9, it describes how to use the intercom.  Surely the first thing any new owner does when the intercom box arrives is to turn on the units and start talking to see if/how it works?

Nobody is going to mount an intercom before first turning it on and trying it out.  So the helmet mounting section can come last, along with optional or advanced features like how to turn on the spoken announcements. 

Start with how to use the intercom, then run exactly backwards from the G4 manual and you'll have a much better manual, in our opinion.

All of the relevant information is in the G4 owner's manual, but it will definitely take some back-and-forth between pages and probably several read-throughs to rearrange the correct order of operations before it all starts to sink in.

The Scala Rider G4 Intercom Module
The G4 intercom module slides and snaps into the headset mount -- almost a bit too easily.  So far, it has remained in place, but we do have some concern that the module could come loose from the headset if the helmet is banged or even during an unconscious move by the rider's gloves.

The module weighs 49 grams and the headset with the module installed weighs 126 grams.  Although the G4 is narrower and sleeker than the Sena SMH10 recently reviewed, both of these are big intercom units compared to intercoms of the past. 

The size of these newer systems is probably a correlation to the capabilities of the new systems though, and since the mounting brackets on these newer systems are much sturdier than anything used in the past, the size doesn't seem to make much of a difference and in fact makes them easier to use when wearing gloves.