Biker Info Site Reviews, Industry News & Other Useful Info

Cardo Scala- G4 & Q2 Audo Wired Mic Kits

for Full Face & Modular Flip-up Helmets

Ok, you have a modular flip-up or a full face helmet and you want a Scala G4 or Q2 Multiset bike to bike intercom. However, the prospect of tolerating a mic boom that hinders the putting- on and removal of your helmet is less than appealing. Standard boom mics must be placed  directly in front and almost touching your mouth in order to work. With full face or modular helmets, the boom must be worked under the helmet between your mouth and the inside of the helmet - demanding constant adjustment. Now, there is a solution. Scala’s Wired Mic Kits.

Fixed full face helmets are easy installs. Using the Velcro pad, you simply Velcro the mic to the front inside of your helmet directly in front of your mouth hiding the wires under your lining. But with modular flip-ups, how do you manage the flip-up? How do you run the wire so the hinged part of your helmet still works without the wire getting pinched or hanging out?

On a long shot, I tested the wired mic with my G4 Powerset and hoped for a more omnidirectional mic pattern over the standard boom mics. To my welcomed surprise, the wired mic was much more flexible in its placement when inside a full face helmet. Looking at the pics, notice the left cheek pad on my Shoei Multitec and you will see how I handled the mic on a modular flip-up. The “long shot” was it working in this location.

Ok, it looks good but how does it work? Well, with the front of the helmet down, it worked great! Shield up or down, it worked great! The front of the helmet dispersed my voice enough to compensate for the location not being directly in front of mouth. However, with the front part of the helmet flipped up, sound pick-up was marginal at best to non-existent for others to hear me. Usable in the flipped-up position? Not really in my opinion, but who rides with your modular helmet in the up position?

One minor comfort modification was made. Scala’s mic, winscreen and Velcro pad behind it are round. Not the ideal shape for a cheek pad install. It was a tad too wide for my comfort. After pressing the mic to the front of my cheek pad, using scissors and undercutting more Velcro than foam, I trimmed a little off the left and right sides of the mic’s Velcro giving it the shape you see in the pics. This was done to allow the Velcro pad to rub less on the helmet as I lowered or raised it and more importantly - less on my cheek as I grinned going down the road!

Bottom line, it is a good looking install that works great! Problem solved!

The Scoop on the New Scala G4

Upon arrival of the new G4 Scala Units, I could not help myself – had to see what the fuss as all about. First thing I noticed was the headset is different than on previous units. In the past, all Scala units used the same headset. It had its advantages. Extra headsets for the G4 are not yet available so you cannot buy an extra mic/speaker combo for your extra helmet just yet. Bummer- hopefully this will soon be remedied.

New to the Scala line, the G4 also has an antenna which is easily raised for extended range. Nice! The mounting system, while different, is in principle the same. The control unit’s USB port allows you to keep the G4’s software updated to the latest version with the USB port also doubling as a charging port.

The G4 is a quality unit and is backwards compatible with all previous units. Three G4’s can talk together the same as a three-way phone call. You can even use two G4s and have each pair with a Q2 and get three-way conferencing. More options are available.

While the old Q2’s enjoyed good sound, the G4 is better. The sound quality is a noticeable improvement, though the Q2 sound was not bad. Additionally, the Q2 laid claim to being waterproof while the G4 only says “water resistant.” If the truth be known, I doubt the Q2 was totally waterproof either. But, I digress.

So how’s the range? Impressive! While the numbers claimed are somewhat optimistic, the range was impressive none-the-less… easily twice the range of the Q2.

Is the G4 right for you? Might the less expensive Q2 fill your every need or perhaps even the Teamset? The G4 is available as a single headset or as a PowerSet (2). For comparisons between these units you may want to read this article.

A Few Tips for New Scala Intercom Users

Let me offer up a few pointers from my experience with my personal Scala units. First, let me say they work great, but don’t expect them to work as expected while quietly testing them at the kitchen table. These units are made to work in noisy environments.

The automatic voice control is set to activate at a raised audio level as you would actually communicate on a bike. These characteristics sometimes make it appear the units are not working properly if trying to operate them in a quiet house. Again, it takes your “Outside Motorcycle Voice” overcoming the blowing wind and noise to activate the units. Try it on your bike or just go out in your front yard. You’ll love it. Once activated, the units will stay on for a period of time even after dropping your voice level. You stop talking; it cuts off to save your battery. A loud voice will re-trigger the initial voice activation and you start your conversation all over again. The Multisets appear to be a little more refined than the Teamsets but both units work well.

Mic position is important. It needs to touch or almost touch your lips. It will appear to activate easier when installed in an open-face verses a full-face helmet, but it is just an illusion. I surmise this is because you talk louder when wearing an open-face than in a closed helmet. In a full-face helmet your voice just “seems” louder so you talk in lower decibels. Additionally, I first thought my passenger unit was defective, but after switching units it was determined to be operating fine. Once my wife was on the bike or outside the house, her normal voice in those environments worked well to activate the unit. Special note: If your full-face is too close for proper mic fitment, wired mics are available that can be Velcroed into place.

You may experience similar anomalies when learning to use your new intercom; hence the reason for these notes. Don’t worry, you will not be disappointed. They work great!

Cardo Scala Intercoms – Which model is right for me?

Cardo Scala Teamset, Q2 Multiset, G4, or the Cell Phone Headset – how do you choose between so many selections? It’s easy if you know their intended function. In simple form, this is what you need to know.

Teamset

Only concerned with talking to your passenger? Than the Teamset is your intercom.

Designed for Rider to Passenger communication only, it also includes Bluetooth functions for Rider’s headset and MP3 jacks on both headsets so you can independently enjoy separate MP3 files. Teamsets only sold as a pair .

Q2 Multiset

Interested in talking to your riding buddy, but also want it to double as a Rider/passenger intercom?

The Q2 is for you. Designed for Bike to Bike communications as well as Rider to Passenger. On the Q2, both headsets have FM radios, Bluetooth features that operate independently of each other, and MP3 jacks. The Bluetooth feature links to your cell phone and GPS. Each headset’s Bluetooth cell phone function operates independently. The nice part about the Bluetooth? If you get out of intercom range of your riding buddy, just call him on your phone!

The big difference in communications is this unit will work with up to 3 users at one time. However, only two can talk at once. When you sync three units together, it operates as one master and two slaves. The master can talk to both, but the slaves can only communicate with the primary unit. Hence, A is connected to B and C. A can talk to B. A can talk to C, but B and C can not talk to each other. Range? Realistically about 1000 ft. This unit is also backward compatible with a Teamset if within 15-20ft. The Q2 Multiset is a set of two units while the Q2 headset is a single in the event you want an extra for a friend.

G4

Want to gain one additional user over the Q2 with twice the intercom range? G4 is your choice.

This is the "big daddy" of Scala’s units this year. It has all the features of the Q2, plus more. Twice the range, up to 4 users can argue at one time, and full duplex talking mode. It has backwards compatibility with both the Teamset and the Q2 within those units’ limitations. Range? Realistically about 2000-2500 ft.

Now before you get all excited about 4 users having headsets that function like 4 master units, they don’t. The G4 can provide intercom talk between two riders (bike to bike or rider to passenger), three separate riders (all masters), or two couples (two riders and two passengers) on two bikes - which is four riders in total (not all masters). So, their advertising can be somewhat misleading. The G4 is available in sets of two or in singles.

Cell Phone Headset/Bluetooth/FM

Just want to listen to the radio, MP3, hear your GPS, and accept phone calls? Try the Cell Phone Headset. It gives you Bluetooth capability for cell phone or GPS, has MP3 jacks, and has an integrated FM radio. However, no intercom capabilities with this unit.

Any of these units work great as stand-alone units... if you want to listen to an FM radio, your MP3 files, hear your GPS, and/or accept phone calls. Buy the correct headset and you can talk to others with other similar Scala units. Additionally, have an extra helmet? Mic/Earphone only headsets are sold separately. The Scala "brain" snaps off headsets so you can easily interchange between "skid lids." No room for mic in your full face helmet? Boomless headsets available - cheap. Is Scala the only ones on the market? No, much more expensive units are available, but none cheaper with these features. You can't go wrong Scala.