Gear Review: Cardo Scala Rider G4 PowerSet

A greatly improved iteration of Cardo's already solid G2 system.

Cardo's Scala G2 is a capable Bluetooth system that seems to do it all; it's capable of rider-to-rider communication, audio streaming from an iPod, and even voice activated cell phone answering. Though its music functionality was somewhat flawed, I found it hard to part with my test unit when I eventually sent it back to the manufacturer.

With an MSRP of $489.95, the next-gen G4 Powerset (which includes a paired set of units) is nearly $100 pricier than a comparable G2, but its features include an intercom range of up to a mile, digital sound processing, a redesigned arrangement that makes the five-button setup easier to use, and automatic volume settings that compensate for wind noise and other factors.

The Scala Rider G4 PowerSet charges using a USB connector, and a three hour charge yield up to 10 hours of talk time, and 7 days of standby time; I never attempted to reach those levels of continuous usage, but never ran out of juice during numerous long rides, including one rally that spanned 500 miles over the course of two days.

The units mount easily, just like their predecessors: they can either be clamped to the side of a helmet via a latch that tightens with an Allen wrench, or adhere using a sticker-like surface that's included with the kit. A microphone attached to a flexible arm reaches inside the helmet, and two thin speakers are wired above or below your helmet's interior padding, attaching with Velcro. Software updates can be downloaded from Scala's website, though Mac users should note that the downloads are only available for Windows operating systems.

The G4 trumps the G2 right off the bat: its five-button setup is easy to navigate with your gloved left hand. Buttons feel distinct, and there's enough feedback-- both thanks to their tactile reactions and the audible prompts-- to let you know that button pressure has been recognized. I streamed stereo audio from my iPod and found the sound quality to be improved over the G2's (though wearing earplugs actually helps further smooth out the sound.) The automatic volume adjustment system worked well, and though it sometimes took repeated attempts to connect to my iPod, that might have been symptomatic of my aftermarket Bluetooth transponder. The FM radio's reception is also markedly better than its predecessor's, though scanning for stations requires more time spent depressing the "Up" or "Down" buttons than you might like. Phone functionality is relatively straightforward, and folks on the other end sometimes didn't even know I was on a motorcycle, due to the system's active noise cancellation.

Much has been improved on Cardo's Rider G4 PowerSet-- enough to make its price increase justifiable. In fact, one of its few faults centers around the fact that its powerful abilities demand some serious time reading the owner's manual. Write out a cheat sheet and exploit this bad boy's abilities: between its communication and audio features, the G4 will add another dimension to your riding.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.