Scala-rider by Cardo Systems

RATING: FOUR STARS

This is a clever little package that allows you to take phone calls and listen to y This is a clever little package that allows you to take phone calls and listen to your MP3 player while riding your motorcycle. It fits to both open and full face helmets with either a screw fastened clip or stick on plastic mounting.

Fitting the Scala-rider is a bit fiddly, especially positioning the two small velcro ear speakers inside the helmet and aligning the boom microphone. The instructions could be clearer, although it only took about 20 minutes to figure out the best position with trial and error. Mounting on the open face helmet was much simpler.

Bluetooth connects Scala-rider to the phone. A separate cable is provided for connection to MP3 players. Both phone and MP3 can be connected at the same time with the MP3 player muting when making or receiving calls.

Wealth Creator tested Scala-rider with a Nokia 6300 and an iPhone. Impressively it connected first time with both phones and performed without a hitch. Sound quality using the phone was excellent even in an open face helmet with wind and road noise. MP3’s sounded a little tinny, but a bit tough to expect 5.1 sound in your helmet.

But what about the voice dialling, doing 100 clicks on a noisy freeway… we had our doubts. However, to be fair it performed remarkably well, including voice recognition access to contacts lists, only coming unstuck with similar or multiple names. Then again, making random calls is also a nice way to pass the time while Sunday cruising!

Answering calls by pressing buttons on the unit mounted to the helmet was a bit tricky, especially with gloves, as was changing the volume.  The buttons needed a very firm press to activate.

The Scala-rider is well built with the kit coming with everything you need. It is a premium product at around $220 - $250 but looks like it will last. We were surprised it didn’t also offer wireless connection to the other riders or a pillion passenger, however, Cardo have other products in the range that do.our MP3 player while riding your motorcycle. It fits to both open and full face helmets with either a screw fastened clip or stick on plastic mounting.

Fitting the Scala-rider is a bit fiddly, especially positioning the two small velcro ear speakers inside the helmet and aligning the boom microphone. The instructions could be clearer, although it only took about 20 minutes to figure out the best position with trial and error. Mounting on the open face helmet was much simpler.

Bluetooth connects Scala-rider to the phone. A separate cable is provided for connection to MP3 players. Both phone and MP3 can be connected at the same time with the MP3 player muting when making or receiving calls.

Wealth Creator tested Scala-rider with a Nokia 6300 and an iPhone. Impressively it connected first time with both phones and performed without a hitch. Sound quality using the phone was excellent even in an open face helmet with wind and road noise. MP3’s sounded a little tinny, but a bit tough to expect 5.1 sound in your helmet.

But what about the voice dialling, doing 100 clicks on a noisy freeway… we had our doubts. However, to be fair it performed remarkably well, including voice recognition access to contacts lists, only coming unstuck with similar or multiple names. Then again, making random calls is also a nice way to pass the time while Sunday cruising!

Answering calls by pressing buttons on the unit mounted to the helmet was a bit tricky, especially with gloves, as was changing the volume.  The buttons needed a very firm press to activate.

The Scala-rider is well built with the kit coming with everything you need. It is a premium product at around $220 - $250 but looks like it will last. We were surprised it didn’t also offer wireless connection to the other riders or a pillion passenger, however, Cardo have other products in the range that do.