After doing our usual month or so of product research, Tina and I opted for a pair of Cardo's recently released Scala Rider Q2 head sets.



http://cardowireless.com/Q2
The art of making a great product even better
The scala-rider Q2 is the latest and greatest among the scala-rider™ line of Bluetooth® helmet mounted headsets. This technological gem allows bikers to receive GPS voice instructions, communicate with the passenger on the back seat, to conduct calls on their mobile phone and listen to the embedded FM radio. Last but not least, the Q2 offers biker-to-biker communication
Designed and Engineered for Heavy-Duty Performance
[ul][*]Bike-to-Bike intercom communications among up to three bikers within a range* of up to 500 m / 1,640 ft.[*]Rider-to-Passenger communications:Passenger may also conduct mobile phone calls or listen to the FM radio independently.[*]Full Duplex: No longer the walkie-talkie syndrome where one party can only speak when the other is silent. The scala-rider Q2 allows simultaneous speaking and listening between bikers and passengers. [/ul]
MULTIPLE CONNECTIONS
[ul][*]To a Mobile Phone – receive incoming calls by voice command and initiate calls by one-button push and voice command[*]To a GPS unit – receive audio instructions via headset[*]To other scala-rider Q2 Headsets – Communicate in parallel with up to two other scala-rider Q2 headsets within a range of up to -
500 m / 1,640 ft.*[*]Communicate with a scala-rider headset within range of 10 m / 33 ft. [/ul]



OK, so that's the info from Cardo's website, now here's what we found....

Cost = $358 for 2 sets from PowerSports.com (no tax, free shipping)
Shipping = free on orders over $75 and it arrived in two days (packed securely in a sturdy box)
Customer service = (PowerSports) very friendly, not very knowledgeable and a bit difficult to contact by phone (note- I would do business with them in the future, however know what you want)
Product = the packaging is about the highest qualtiy we've seen for any product of this type, the manual is clearly written and has multiple languages.
Installation = The installation took less than 5 minutes for both helmets (3/4 Shoei RJ Air Platinum and 3/4 Harley Davidson Dazzle)
Configuration = This stage DOES require reading the manual (about 4 - 5 pages, at least) and works as instructed.
Operation = Easy with bare fingers, moderately easy with regular gloves, difficult with heavy gloves, impossible with feet

Now the results you've been waiting for.... <drum roll, please>

Bike to Bike Com Test #1 (off bike)
Wife, sitting on couch in living room helmet on. Me, helmet on, walking out though garage, closing garage door (metal) and accross street to neighbors garage. Distance about 175' and between the helmets was an entertainment center with a 46" LCD TV (on), a 6" wall, a toolbox / workbench (metal), both our Harleys, a metal garage door (closed), the Jeep and the Buick, the neighbor's Jeep and Taurus. Sound was clear and volume was excellent.

Bluetooth/ Cell phone to Bluetooth / Cell phone Com Test #1 (off bike)
Same configuration as above, same results. My phone is a Nokia 6103 and hers is a Nokia 5300, both with voice commands. For the test, we used voice commands, which worked perfectly.

Bluetooth/ Cell phone to Bluetooth / Cell phone Com Test #2 (on bike)
Ahh... now a REAL test! She remained in the house,and called me. I answered asI went out and started my bike (95 FLHTCU). She reported that should could not hear the bike through the headset, but of course she could certainly it through the walls. As I rode off on about a 10 mile

Thanks for the very complete review. I look forward to the results of todays test.



[IMG]local://upfiles/49905/D4D12C743A4446349C4E557D4676030A.jpg[/IMG]

__________________
'04 Honda Goldwing ABS
'05 Yamaha FJR 1300 ABS
'06 Suzuki V-Strom 1000
'08 H-D Road Glide ABS

“Life is too short for worry or sorrow, so enjoy today and worry tomorrow�

Thanks for the review. I've been struggling, trying to figure out what type of head set to get. This certainly looks interesting. I am looking forward to the Bike to Bike review also.

__________________
2008 FLHTCU
Crimson Red Sunglo Candy Red Sunglo
SE AC, SE Pipes and Stage 1 Download
U. S. Navy 1971 - 1974

Great writeup. They definitely sound promising and I'm looking forward to any additional feedback that you have. Do you have any thoughts on how easy/difficult it would be to set them up on a half hemet?

__________________
05 Classic
Lava Red

I work to support my riding habit.

Thanks for the report. It's going on my list.

Thanks for the comments. Tina does have a half helmet as well and I think I may set it up and test it out if I get some time. This week is going to be REAL busy.

I've got to:
[ol][*]Perform the 1,000 mile service on her Sportster[*]Service the Jeep Grand Cherokee[*]Service the Buick Regal[*]Take the new Accord in to get a leather interior put in[*]Pickup a storage shed and start getting it put up[*]Do some more modifications to the Ultra (turning it into a Street Glide)[*]Have company from out of town in for the weekend[/ol]
So bear with me, I'll be back as time permits.

Great review!

The gf and I have been talking about these for a while, but always had a fear that we wouldn't be able to hear each other going down the road at 70 mph with the wind whipping and both of us wearing 3/4 helmets. Your review seems to prove otherwise.

We don't necessarily want to talk to each other all the time. But would like the freedom to occasionally go off on tangents. By that I mean that we both like to stop at times and take photos or view the scenery, but not necessarily at the same time. And being able to take a quick cell phone call rather than pull off the road and shut down the bike appeals to me. I'm not a big cell phone user on the bike or in a cage, but it is nice in the cage to be able to take a call and let someone know I am on the way or that I got their message or etc. Usually something quick and simple.

Now I guess we can start saving up the ~$360 and go from there.