Here’s the latest installment of TheScooterScoop.TV. I feel like it’s quite an improvement over the original gorilla pilot we did with the MadAss even if it took just as long to edit. For the best possible video quality I suggest downloading the video using Google Video player. Just go here and look for the DOWNLOAD button on the right-hand side of the screen. Then when you play it, select the “Double Size” option.
Oh, and not to spoil the review for ya, but I really did like the Scala Rider. Too bad I didn’t have one when my wife was preggers with baby Max. Much more affordable than the Momo. If you’re in the market for a helmet headset solution I’d say that’s the thing to spend yer well earned holiday loot on.
We welcome feedback on this episode. If you have suggestions or comments leave them here or shoot me an email at thescooterscoop@gmail.com .
Thanks for tuning in!
Oh, and I found this little bit of info at TechDigest:
The Scala Rider can pair with a GPS device! I’ve got it communicating with a Garmin Zumo 550 without any difficulty, and Cardo Systems have tested it with a Garmin 2820.Posted by: bodge | December 21, 2006 11:07 AM
I didn’t have a GPS to test that for myself but if it works, Cool!
***UPDATE*** The video has been changed. I originally said the headset could be found on the street for around $100, but after digging around I found that the Scala Rider FM actually goes for a bit more than that. My bad… but I wouldn’t want you waisting your time hunting around for a $100 deal that doesn’t exist, right?
And if your too cheap for a BT Headset, you could always go THIS route. Thanks to
benandangie for sharing.
25. December 2006 at 2:27 pm
Great video and great review of the
Scala system. If there was any disadvantage at all it would be the possible ability (depending on the range) for people with a scanner to easily pick up the conversation for a moment while you rode by. For someone who wants or needs to use the phone while riding this seems to be the affordable answer.
For me, the Scala would be a negative. I love, absolutely love not answering the phone. I’ve almost got it down even when not riding!
Have a great holiday!
25. December 2006 at 2:47 pm
I have a Scala and it works great works great with 3/4 and full face helmets . However if you have a flip up beware of where the Mic is as I crunched the mic stem closing the helmet.
26. December 2006 at 5:30 am
Holy Cow dude! That was a good damn episode. You seem totally at ease and with-it. Fun to watch and informative.
Good work Steve!
26. December 2006 at 3:47 pm
I had been wavering on buying one of these things, but from what I saw in the video it sounds really clear! I got one for me and the wife. Thanks for the fantastic review Steve!
[Rob_Z - Arizona]
26. December 2006 at 4:37 pm
Excellent review, I was looking for an option and I was given this link. My wife and I ride 2-up a lot and would be interested in the Rider TeamSet so we can talk to one another while riding. I am also interested in how it would work in relation to the Zumo 550 GPS. Thanks again for a great review!
27. December 2006 at 5:01 am
Awesome review!
Congrats on the new season, and looking forward to the next episode. I liked your field test of the Scala-Rider most. I always wondered what it would sound while driving. Great job!
Thanks for the shout-out; it was a nice suprise. :D
27. December 2006 at 6:14 am
The pilot episode was good, but this is a very nice upgrade. It flows well, and I like the editing. You seem extremely confident, like you do this for a living. Looking forward to seeing more.
27. December 2006 at 12:29 pm
Great report Steve! I see that TSS TV has improved! I am not a phone person – so this wouldn’t be something that I’d use, but if I were, I’d be all over it.
28. December 2006 at 12:08 am
Great episode! Very refined from your first. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to more episodes.
28. December 2006 at 11:54 pm
I liked it. Give you some specific comments when we talk. I’m in Vegas and pretty unavailable via phone at the moment.
NO LOVE for DJ CHEESE??? What’s up?
Nice job though.
-Martin
11. February 2007 at 1:43 am
The Scala Teamset works good with the cell phone up to 70mph and the 3-way was fine.
The audio for the cell phone is adequate on both ends at high speeds.
The intercom, however, is very difficult to hear at any speed above 25mph or so. Even when it is turned all the way up, it is difficult to hear. I am trying different placements of the speakers to see if it helps.
11. February 2007 at 7:16 am
Your review was simply smashing!
7. March 2007 at 4:06 am
Well thank ya. Thank ya very much.
15. March 2007 at 4:58 pm
test
23. March 2007 at 2:19 am
Great review! Couple questions: Looking at the Scala site, seems one has to choose between FM or intercom. Do you know if there is a way the Scala teamrider units can be set up to receive FM?
Also, I have a Zune, Microsoft’s Ipod competitor, with the FM transmitter adapter, that I’d like to play through the Scala FM helmet set. Can the Scala be set to particular stations so that I can match it to my Zune, or does it merely scan for stations?
28. March 2007 at 4:19 pm
Thanks Larry. Lemme see if I can answer your questions.
1) Can the Team Rider be set up to receive FM? -I don’t believe so. You can check out this review of the Team Rider, but I didn’t see any mention (http://wapurl.co.uk/?VG29UTQ)
2) Can the Cardo Scala Rider FM allow you to tune in specific numbers on the dial or does it only support a station search. -I believe it only searches, though it seems like if you are transmitting FM from your Zune the signal would be strong enough to be found in a station scan. Once you’ve locked it in you can save it as a preset.
You can get more info from the Owners manual found at Benchmarkhelmets.com
(http://wapurl.co.uk/?2YMKQHK)
11. May 2007 at 3:52 am
i bought the Teamset version in conjunction with the Zumo 550
the good – i was not unhappy with the performance while on the phone at speed, 30-70 MPH. installation was fairly simple with my Shoei RF-1000′s
the bad – the Headset constantly disconnected from the Zumoduring music playback and between phone calls, and when i tried to make or take a call, the headset was unavailable to do so. after fumbling with the thing on my helmet to try and get it to turn on, i moved my attention to trying to reconnect it via the Zumo. but, why should i have to reconnect the thing EVERY time i make a call? truly dangerous, truly worthless as i do not take calls every second of the day.
more bad – the intercom… i was screaming at the top of my lungs while riding at 70MPH to try and get this thing to work. i thought the thing might’ve been “Not Synched” so i tried resynching it. i also tried riding at slower speeds and i couldn’t hear my passenger and she couldn’t hear me. i was able to get it to work for a bit, but the audio sounded like someone was scraping their nails on a chalkboard… and then once again, the units shut off. i tried screaming at the top of my lungs and even speaking normally and nothing would get the unit to function properly.
even more bad – Music. i am no audiophile, but i do believe the days of AM nasty radio are over – but not for the Scala. my passenger could not hear the music
11. May 2007 at 4:01 am
while the Scala truly leaves something to be desired, there is hope for those of us who need something more substantial to work:
J&M will have their BT headset for helmets available within the next 6 weeks and it will retail for $329.99, it will have BT capability to latch onto a Zumo or a Phone or a number of BT devices, it will have Stereo BT for music, and the speakers will be of the quality one has come to expect from J&M. additionally, your passenger helmet will be able to be hardwired to the driver so they can listen to music, communicate, and even talk on the phone.
J&M will have my business. Scala is going back tomorrow.
19. June 2007 at 10:44 pm
I live in that neighborhood man! Crazy! I got a TNG that I stroll around on every once in a while. Anyways great video and awesome blog by the way. I’m a regular subscriber and first time commenter.
20. July 2007 at 7:06 pm
Try this out, Supertooth Moto. http://www.mgctech.com.sg/motofeat.html