Review and Install: Scala Rider G9 Communication system.

[2Huskies]

This is a joint review and installation with "Christopher". As he mentioned before he had ordered a pair and I happened to install them for him and over the past three days we have ridden with them twice and here's how it worked!




Here is the general overview of what this device can do.

General

Talk time: up to 13 hours
Standby time: 7 days
Charging time: 3 hours
Certificates: FCC, IC,CE, Bluetooth®
Bluetooth® version 2.1 class 1
Chip manufacturer: Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR)
Battery type: Rechargeable Li-Polymer
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) for advanced audio

Snowmobile Intercom

4-Way (2 riders and 2 passengers)
3-Way (3 separate snowmobiles)
2-Way (rider-to-rider or rider-to-passenger)
Mobile Phone Conference Mode (rider, passenger, outside caller)

GPS (requires headset profile)

Compatible with most major Bluetooth GPS devices
GPS voice instructions override music, FM Radio and Intercom calls

Supported Mobile Phone Profiles and Functions

Headset and Handsfree profiles
A2DP/AVRCP profile for wireless streaming stereo from MP3 player or other A2DP device
Voice Dial
Redial
Call Reject
Conference mode between outside caller, Driver and Passenger

Built-in FM Radio

87.5 MHz to 108 MHz FM receiver
RDS functionality (adjusts to best frequencies according to zones)
6-station memory with Search and Store functions
Automatic radio muting for incoming calls

Software Update

Software update-ready directly from PC (requires Windows® XP™, Vista™ or Windows 7 based PC)

MP3 / Music

Wireless MP3 music (A2DP) or through cable connected MP3 player

Mechanical / Functional Features

Fits virtually all snowmobile helmets
Quick-Release mechanism to detach Snowmobile Bluetooth headset from clamp
Glue-On Option included (in lieu of clamp attachment)
Corded microphone and two slim speakers fit even the tightest full-faced helmets
Multiple control buttons

Mobile phone
Channel to Rider A
Channel to Rider B
Volume Up
Volume Down
FM Radio
MP3 Player

Audio Features

Multi-Lingual Spoken Status Announcements
Specially Calibrated Noise Cancellation Microphone
AGC technology: automatic volume adjustment of audio signals according to riding speed and ambient noise (AGC covers audio from MP3 Player, Mobile Phone, Intercoms, GPS)
VOX technology: accept or reject calls by voice commands

Design

Flip-Up Antenna for intercom extended range of up to 1 mile
Fully rain and snow resistant
Rugged and streamlined design

Charger

110/240V 50/60Hz Universal Travel Charger
Charger unit uses USB cable that also serves as software download cable.

Compatible with entire scala rider product line**

[2Huskies]

So you open up the box and its going to contain two of everything. Since each is a set of two units that are already paired to each other. (that was a pleasant surprise)

Now this is what the one set of everything looks like


It comes with every little device you could think of. Along with two mics, a wired and a boom one. The mounting devices are either a stick on or a clamp.

Here we see all of the parts laid out for us


Now the first difficulty for us was figuring out how to actually mount it to the helmet. We are using the KLIM F4 for our helmets.

[2Huskies]

Mounting

First and foremost, we decided to mount this device on the left side of the helmet so that it can be used without having to take ones hand off the throttle. We thought it was the best decision.

Alright attempt number 1 was pulling the cheek pad out and attaching it right to that and putting the cheek pad back into the helmet.

That was a NO go due to the fact you cant get the antenna out because the device is to far back into the helmet.




Attempt number 2

Was to attach it to the plastic inside liner of the helmet.
That was a NO go as well because it forced the device to angle inside the helmet and once again the antenna was trapped.

[2Huskies]

Solution!

The solution to the mounting was to just clamp it almost all the way through. From the outside shell to underneath the cheek pad as seen below!



Here you are able to see that the antenna for the first time is able to stand up all the way free and clear. It also mounts very securely using the included allen key. The mounts where very secure and never once did i worry about loosing the device.

Another view

[2Huskies]

Alright now to install the speakers and the mic.

Now what we found worked the best was to place each speaker right above where the helmet strap connects to the helmet. When the liner is placed inside the helmet it forms a hole there and each speaker fits in there perfectly and most importantly comfortably.






Each speaker is attached to the helmet via an included piece of sticky side Velcro and the Velcro that the speaker is enveloped in. Very stable once attached, no worry about these speakers coming un velcro'd.

[2Huskies]

Wiring,

Now we decided to run all of the wiring from the device underneath the cheek pad. Now I know its hard to see black on black but you can see all three cables, both speakers and the mic run together underneath the cheek pad.



Mic,

Now the mic really was the easiest part, if you ride with the winter insert in the front of your helmet like we do. The mic just velcros right onto the helmet and you bend the mic to form right into the space at the front of it. I never even noticed that the mic was there.



Here again with all the wires coming up the middle of the cheek pad, underneath it.

[2Huskies]

Alright well with that all put together, the cords needed a little electrical tape and then putting the liner and cheek pads back in the helmet was ready.

So i went and got Mr. "Christopher" to come model his new helmet comm for all of you to see!

[2Huskies]

To be continued tomorrow!

[mountainhorse]

You're going to really dig this setup!!






.

[christopher]

Originally Posted by mountainhorse

You're going to really dig this setup!!
.

Not soo much.
We have had two full days of riding with this system now, and at best I would say we enjoyed VERY MIXED RESULTS.

In concept, this thing is FABULOUS.
When it works, it works GREAT and significantly ads to the overall enjoyment of riding.

I will let CBP go into all the details on the review.

But the core issue I encountered was transmission power over the BlueTooth Connection.