CNET editors' review
-
CNET editors' rating:
stars
Very good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 10/27/2005
Though it shares part of its name with Cardo's Scala 500 Bluetooth headset, the Cardo Scala Rider looks nothing like its sibling. In fact, it resembles no other Bluetooth headset we've seen before. Its most prominent feature is a compact (1.18 ounces), wedge-shaped battery pack that fastens to the outside of our helmet. To attach it, we had only to slide a strong clamp between the helmet's inner padding and exterior shell, then secure it with the included Allen wrench. The whole process took just a few minutes, and though the fit was extremely secure, the clamp left no marks on the helmet and did not damage it in any way. The battery pack is also weather resistant for rain and snow.
Extending out from the battery pack are a speaker that wraps up to the right ear and a short boom mic that extends out toward the mouth. Both the mic and the speaker fit comfortably inside the helmet but only after we tinkered with the placement for some time. While it's best to have the speaker as close to your ear as possible, there is such a thing as too close. After long periods, it began to rub against our ear until it was quite painful. The same was true for the microphone. If we didn't put it close enough to our mouth, no one could hear us, but if we put it too close, it was uncomfortable as well.
Continue readingMost helpful user reviews
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 11 reviews
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
-
Showing 3 of 11 user reviews
-
5 out of 7 people found this helpful
-
2 out of 2 people found this helpful
-
2 out of 2 people found this helpful
"Amazing device. Safe, easy installation & really handfree operation."
- See all 11 user reviews Write review

Cardo Scala Rider:

