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"Cardo not upto par with Motorola HS830" on by techwizo
Pros: Thin earpeice design
Cons: NO intercom, No alternative wearing style for BT headset, bad ergonomic and style
Summary: I have purchased and used both the Cardo and Motorola Bluetooth headsets (HS830)for motorcycle helmets. The HS830 is a superior solution, for all the reasons that the review above says about the Cardo and more. Key features missing from the Cardo and available with the HS830 include Intercom (driver passenger two-way communication), modular construction which allows for charging off helmet & alternative wearing style for non-motorolcycle use of the headset, and great ergonmic and tactile design that allows for easy use with gloves, etc.
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"The best headset solution for motorcycles I can think of" on by A.Mark
Pros: Easy to use, I use it also when it's wet out side, excellent quality of sound and the volume increases automatically! (according to my speed).
Cons: With open helmet and high speed (more then 100kph) the voice dial feature doesn’t work perfect (no such problem with closed helmet).
Summary: I have been using the Cardo scala-500 headset (not for motorcycles) with my Nokia 6230 for the past few months and I am very happy with it. When I heard about the scala-rider coming out I immediately perched one.
Before I got it, I did try my friend's Motorola HS830 for couple of minutes and realized he was correct with his complaint regarding the size of the speaker and its effect on the ear, after 10 minutes it was unbearable. .
I can use the scala-rider for many hours with out any problems or discomfort because of the speaker being very thin.
The sound quality is amazing and the volume changes according to the speed (I can also change the volume manually if I want).
I use two helmets (open and close) and I can easily move the scala-rider between both of them.
The Motorola headset is glued to the helmet so you can't change helmets when you want to. -
"Amazing device. Safe, easy installation & really handfree operation." on by pogrix
Pros: Truly handsfree, fits all helmets, water-proof, voice control and automatic volume adjustment.
Cons: Still too expensive for average users and relatively unknown brand.
Summary: This is an amazing product, which I warmly recommend. For my biker buddies who are undecided whether to buy the Motorola HS 830, here is my take: The scala-rider doesn’t have an intercom (which is regrettable) but it beats the HS 830 in every aspect that really counts. Unlike the Motorola piece, this one doesn't need to be glued to the helmet (which is also unsafe and illegal in many states), and its speaker is so flat that it even fits into my very tight Arai helmet without causing irritation. Unlike the Motorola HS 830, you can operate this headset in a safe way: For the HS 830 you need to manually adjust the speaker volume and the same goes for making and taking a call. Goes without saying that leaving your handle-bar while riding isn’t the smartest thing to do. When using the scala-rider I can leave my hands on the handle bar for all these tasks. It has built-in volume auto-adjustment and I initiate, receive or even reject incoming calls by voice control. That is a real killer-app because it puts safety first.
I am a motorcycle enthusiast and have tested all available alternatives: Dainese, BMW (both of which cost a fortune and come preinstalled in their own helmet), the Motorola piece and now the scala-rider from an unknown US company (Cardo Systems). Conclusion: The scala-rider beats them all hands down. Most bang for the buck, safe operation and superb functionality. -
"Excellent motorcycle headset" on by Bozhed
Pros: Loud, clear and wind resistant
Cons: The boom mic can be a little too close to chin
Summary: I ride a Honda ST1300 and while it does have very good wind protection, the Napa, CA area does have high winds due to being right near the ocean. I have gone through many different bluetooth headsets. I even tried the Jabra BT500 inside my helmet but with no success. So when I decided to try the Scala Rider, I was a little skeptical that it would actually work.
Wow, was I surprised. Mounting the unit on my helmet (full face Arai) was extremely easy. I did have a concern that I would be constantly hitting or rubbing against the mic boom and bending, when putting the helmet on. Not so.
For testing the headset I called my wife and drove with my windshield down, wind fully in my face up to about 50 miles an hour. My wife indicated that while she could hear some wind noise, it was just in the background and she could hear me very clearly. From my end I had no problem hearing her. The speaker volume goes to levels that can be deafening and downright painful. I then called a friend who always complains about the quality of my headsets. That person also said that this was extremely clear and that there was no problems hearing me.
One note: For me, the helmet piece that goes around the mouth area is fairly close to my mouth, so with the boom mic I do end up with the foam wind guard resting against my chin. It isn't bad, just something to be aware of.
Bottom line....I am extremely pleased with the headset. Highly recommended. -
"Works good but there are issues that need to be fixed" on by Bazerkly
Pros: The cell phone works quite well. The intercom works well when you are in "line of site", probably 1 mile. Audio and sound are quite good. Battery holds a charge and recharges quickly.
Cons: 1 A lot of interference in mountainous areas. 2 If you are not in line of site you loose the signal FAST 3 There are issues when using a Smart phone. 4They need a "monitor" or "side tone". You cannot hear yourself talk at road speeds on a Harley.
Summary: The Q4 works great for communications in a group. It also work excellent in getting cell phone calls. The main issue is I get a lot of interference when in the mountains. Around the city it seems fine. A second issue is that I ride a Harley and at highway speeds I cannot hear myself talk. There is no side-tone or monitor. I wish Scala would add a "tone-squelch" to eliminate the interference. The Q4 is LINE OF SIGHT! You turn the corner and you loose the signal. The Q4 is a good system but there are some bugs that need to be fixed.
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