ScalaRider Pro Q2 Have you used them?

[jcrawford]

I just picked up a set of these and have used it with my phone for music, gps, phone, etc.

I can barely hear what is coming through the speakers when listening to navigation, music. Calls seem to have a higher volume than music does as I was talking to my fiance while doing about 70 on the way to work this morning without an issue.

However I have tried everything such as.

1.) positioning the speakers to be inline with my ear canal
2.) turned the volume on my phone all the way up
3.) turn the volume on the scala rider pro all the way up.
4.) Tried the built-in FM radio had the same volume results.

If I am at a stand still I can hear everything just fine but add some engine noise, wind noise and you have to completely focus on what is coming out of the speakers to comprehend anything and I don't like the idea of focusing more on my music/navigation than the bike itself.

What kills me is when I push a button the device sure does beep damn loud when all the way up, so what gives?

Have you used this product? Did you notice any issues with the volume?

I am going to give the second pair a try tonight when I get home to see if it behaves the same way or if I might have a defective unit.

[gadget]

I would suggest you post your question on a Scala message board.
You'll probably find that you have to switch modes on the scala to change your bluetooth music since it is on a different blue tooth profile.

Music is A2DP
Phones use HSP or HFP
etc
There are alot of Bluetooth profiles that include mice, keyboards, cordless phones etc

it really depends on the manufacture on how to implement Bluetooth and the UI that controls each profile.

A good helmet set like the Chatterbox X1BT requires you to shift into BT mode to change the music volume and to shift back to adjust the radio volume.

[Chippertheripper]

Try turning the gps volume up?

[jcrawford]

Try turning the gps volume up?

yea I figured I would hit those forums up as well, just thought I would try here first to see if anyone else had the same issue

As for the GPS Volume I am using my phone (android) for my navigation and as stated in the original post the volume is all the way up on the phone.

[nhbubba]

I have the G4. I use it with my iphone 4 in ipod and pandora modes daily.

Volume is kind of poor with ear plugs in; it is just barely adequate. Without ear plugs I can get it 'too' loud even on the 'slab. But at all times the volume of the beeps is in-line with the volume of the source. I would guess that something is wrong with yours...

[jcrawford]

I have the G4. I use it with my iphone 4 in ipod and pandora modes daily.

Volume is kind of poor with ear plugs in; it is just barely adequate. Without ear plugs I can get it 'too' loud even on the 'slab. But at all times the volume of the beeps is in-line with the volume of the source. I would guess that something is wrong with yours...

Thanks for that information, I have reached out to Cardo Systems just wanted to make sure there "seemed" to be an issue before I contacted them, being this is my first set I had nothing to compare it to

[jcrawford]

OMFG seriously

I just found this when googling how to improve mp3 audio

For best MP3 sound quality
To achieve best sound quality from your MP3 player, position both speakers in such a way that they actually touch your ears.
If the internal padding of your helmet has cavities where you position the speakers, you should proceed as follows:
1. Cut a piece of foam rubber sponge into the right size for each cavity of your helmet (foam rubber sponge is not included)
2. Insert the foam rubber sponge into both cavities
3. Attach the Velcro® pads to the foam rubber sponge (Velcro® pads included).
Fasten Speakers to the Velcro® pads.

Will give this a shot tonight, will have to go buy new Velcro patches and a sponge.

[Kazinator]

For whats its worth.....haven't used a Scala but I did own a chatterbox x1 bluetooth for about week before returning it.

My experience was that unless you are using it for bike to bike communication, using it for anything else is flawed in some way.
I found listening to music was kind of pointless because the quality wasn't there. Also talking on the phone was fine for me, but the person on the other end got frustrated with the quality. GPS was ok, but I decided it would be better off to just put some headphones on if voice GPS navigation was needed ( and a lot cheaper).

[nhbubba]

The phone quality on the Scalas actually isn't that bad. I've been able to fool the missus more than once.

"Oh, you're on the bike?!"

[Sheppo]

I would suggest you post your question on a Scala message board.
You'll probably find that you have to switch modes on the scala to change your bluetooth music since it is on a different blue tooth profile.

Music is A2DP
Phones use HSP or HFP
etc
There are alot of Bluetooth profiles that include mice, keyboards, cordless phones etc

it really depends on the manufacture on how to implement Bluetooth and the UI that controls each profile.

A good helmet set like the Chatterbox X1BT requires you to shift into BT mode to change the music volume and to shift back to adjust the radio volume.

want to give me a tutorial tomorrow night?

[gadget]

want to give me a tutorial tomorrow night?

Sure, see you then.

[jcrawford]

The phone quality on the Scalas actually isn't that bad. I've been able to fool the missus more than once.

"Oh, you're on the bike?!"

I would agree my fiance could not hear my bike (unless I revved the shit out of it) or traffic noise so the background noise cancellation is really good when in a call.

[gadget]

Having trained a lot of watchstanders in the Coast Guard to operate Radio/Telephone equipment, I can say that there is a lot more to using a radio properly than just yelling into the microphone.

There are about 5 or 6 people on our rides that use the Chatterbox X1BT. Most of us bought them last winter and we have used them most of the summer. It has only been recently that we have started to become proficient. We still have miscommunications but that is getting better.

Here are a few ideas to improve your radio use.

Microphone placement; the mike should be one finger width away and directly in front of your mouth. If you hold your finger in front of your mouth (i.e. like hushing someone) it should just barely touch your lips and the mike.

Voice modulation; Use expressive tones (i.e. not talking like a robot) will make it easier to understand you at the other end. This is why women can be more easily understood on the radio. A higher tone voice and using a wider range of tones when you talk will make it easier for the listener to understand. Also, do not mumble, speak clearly.

For VOX (voice activated); use "uh" or some other vocal cue to activate the Vox so it does not clip the beginning of your message (i.e. "uh, yes, I see you"). If you just turn up the sensitivity you will be constantly triggering your mike when you don't want to and it will piss people off. If this is to difficult, stop using Vox and use push to talk.

These are just a couple suggestions to improve general radio comms.
Understand, radios are not simply dumb phones. It takes skill and practice to use them properly. They are not cellphones and treating them like that is going to get you frustrated when people either do not understand you or you do not understand them.

[nhbubba]

The scala units are actually full duplex. They aren't radios.
I have been advised to not use VOX with the intercom. Not because it kicks in an annoys the other party, but because it kicks in and cuts out the music/GPS source. The intercom is setup at a higher priority. The phone is the highest priority though, so that isn't VOX, it's live for the duration of the phone. At least I think it is.

Good tips though.