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Scala Q2 Multiset
Biker Dick and Dynamike test the Scala Rider Q2 Multiset by Cardo.
US Nationwide - If you’re like me, you can find yourself attached to your cell phone. Coordinating models, stylists, bikes, and a location can be quite a daunting task and playing phone tag can mean the difference in mediocre and stunning photos. Having to be available by phone normally wouldn’t stand in my way, except for when riding. Nothing sucks worse than having a critical player back out on a shoot because you couldn’t answer your phone while you were out getting some much needed R&R in the saddle.
There have been solutions to my quandary on the market for some time now. However, they’ve been bulky, cumbersome, and expensive. Technological advances have made them easier to use, smaller, sleeker, and less expensive. The Scala Rider Q2 Multiset from Cardo, the leader in motorcycle communications equipment, epitomizes all of those features and more.
The Scala Rider Q2 Multiset promises to deliver superior Bluetooth connectivity and sound quality as well as a built-in FM radio receiver, bike to bike communications up to 1600 feet, and MP3 connectivity all in a small, easily attachable/removable, waterproof unit.
Cardo under-promises and over-delivers in the Q2.
First, it solves the problem of not being able to take calls when you’re riding. Just pair the unit with your Bluetooth enabled phone and you’re off! You can also set up voice command dialing and make calls when you’re riding as well. This is great if you’re on your way to some place new and need some voice help to guide you to your final destination.
Speaking of getting help to your destination, you can also pair the Q2 with your Bluetooth enabled GPS device to hear the directions as you see them or when you can’t take your eyes off the road.
The bike to bike (and to bike as you can set up three-way communications) work well. The range is a maximum of 1640 feet. This can diminish quickly in the city with large buildings and the mountains surrounded by trees. However, for making that long trip it fills the need to communicate when you and your buddies are separated in some traffic or hand signals won’t do the trick.
The headset are fully duplex capable. This is awesome as it does away with the walkie talkie syndrome. You can listen and talk at the same time. No more need to say, “Mike OUT!” when you’ve finished speaking.
The boom microphone fits neatly under your fullface helmet or in front of your mouth extended from your ¾ style helmet. The foam cover shields wind from the microphone delivering excellent sound quality while cutting down on activation from wind noise. When we made calls, the recipients could hear us plain as day.
You will need the help of a windshield or fullface helmet, though. Communication was at times difficult when riding at highway speeds without one of those two items in place. But once I put on a fullface or got onto a bike with an appropriately sized windshield, one that directs wind over your head, wind noise was not an issue.
Not talking with your buds or taking directions from Suzy GPS? You can make use of the FM radio receiver or connect the Q2 to your MP3 player with the supplied stereo to stereo cable. When a phone call comes in you can choose to accept or reject it with a simple voice command and keep right on enjoying your tunes. If one of your connected buddies needs to relay some info to you, you’ll hear him over the speakers instead of the music. Of course you decide which task takes priority in case you’re listening to music while receiving a call and some chatter from your buddy. It’s all right there on the unit mounted on the outside of your helmet.
Cardo makes no mention of satellite radio capabilities. But if you have a satellite radio receiver, you can connect it instead of your MP3 player. All you need is the included stereo to stereo cable.
The earpieces deliver adequate sound for communication. Music sound quality is less than desirable. The earpieces are little speakers that mount inside your helmet or to the straps covering your ears, so the loss in sound quality is to be expected. The only real way to improve this is to utilize earbuds. Maybe this is an improvement Cardo will incorporate into its next generation of motorcycle headsets.
The Q2 is easy to install and remove. Everything you need to mount the unit and speakers is included in the box, so there’s no guesswork. Even my most technically challenged of friends found the task simple and were able to securely mount the unit to their helmets.
The Q2’s rated battery life is 10 days in standby and up to 8 hours of talk time. The radio on time is also 8-10 hours. We’re just gonna hafta take their word on those ratings.
Charging the battery is easy as well. Just plug the unit into the charger and then into any household outlet. A little LED lights up letting you know it’s charging and when the battery is fully charged by the usual red to green color change. The chargers are small and easy to pack in a saddlebag or even your jacket pocket.
Overall, we were very pleased with the Q2. Bike to bike and Bluetooth communications were excellent and the unit is easy to use. We would like to see some better speakers or even earbuds which would enhance our music listening.
With units available at motorcycle retailers and online starting under $300, the Q2 makes a great Christmas gift for your favorite rider!
This article contributed by dynamike on Monday, November 02, 2009 (12:00:00)
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