Scala G9

[morty]

Hi all,
looking to buy new comms & fancy a change from wired.How do these wireless comms compare in the real world?????
Fancy the scala G9 for me & my fair lady.what have their previous incarnations been like?you thoughts, good or bad are appreciated.

 

[ianm00]

I have recently bought G9.
Previously I had autocom superpro avi wired system.

I use the G9 connected via bluetooth to zumo 550 and phone connected to zumo. Phone and navigator work really well. The mp3 from zumo via bluetooth is only mono but I find sound quality on bike very adequate.

Advantages over autocom: obviously wireless, contains FM radio which I find works really well, audio volume is much better than autocom, phone/zumo works correctly and phone calls can be taken on bike at 70+mph without the other caller knowing you are on bike.

I like the web interface for changing all the settings as its easy to use and setup. Manual seems complicated but actually its easy to use. Voice commands can also be used for radio on/off etc.

Ive not tried the intercom yet but have now reason to doubt that it will work perfectly.

Ian

 

[morty]

cheers for that ian, you had the exact same set up i've got. superpro avi,zumo 550 etc.just don't understand why autocom make such stupid shaped speakers & i've had enough of connecting and riding with cable hanging out of helmet.

 

[araspitfire]

I've just upgraded from an older Autocom to a G9 too.

Things I don't like:
The (wired) music drops out for 5 seconds when anything above it on the priority list sounds off (even my GPS speed camera dings) I'd like to be able to adjust the 5 seconds to something much shorter)

If you listen to music via bluetooth, it pauses the music during the drop-out.

Thinks I like:
The AGC works great, so music is the right volume at all riding speeds

I can make or receive phone calls on the motorway and the person on the other end has no idea I'm on the bike even.

I've also not used bike to bike other than a parking lot test yet. not tried the "say a name and link to that person" function, but if the phone quality is any indicator, I suspect it'll work great.

Al...

 

[ianm00]

I've just upgraded from an older Autocom to a G9 too.

Things I don't like:
The (wired) music drops out for 5 seconds when anything above it on the priority list sounds off (even my GPS speed camera dings) I'd like to be able to adjust the 5 seconds to something much shorter)

If you listen to music via bluetooth, it pauses the music during the drop-out.

Thinks I like:
The AGC works great, so music is the right volume at all riding speeds

I can make or receive phone calls on the motorway and the person on the other end has no idea I'm on the bike even.

I've also not used bike to bike other than a parking lot test yet. not tried the "say a name and link to that person" function, but if the phone quality is any indicator, I suspect it'll work great.

Al...

Why do you used "wired" music? The advantage of G9 to me is being wireless? I found quality of mp3 from zumo bluetooth (mono) is acceptable on bike. However I do prefer listening to radio and having 6 presets is good when the signal gets weak.

Ian

 

[newboy]

friend of mine uses this G9

He also uses wired mp3 to an older mp3 player he had lying around... he says it is easier for him than the zumo mp3... YMMV

I think if he had an iPhone\iPod he would use the Bluetooth option though - he just says after buying the Scala kit he ain't shelling out any more

I am very tempted myself after chatting to him

I use a wired Autocom Kit 300 Duo (I think it was) myself and get cheesed with wires... one day.....

 

[Beemerman59]

When I had a Zumo550 and G4 combo, I still used the wired audio input as the MP3 quality was lousy - because the 550 only outputed dual mono. The cable gave me a reasonable quality of music in stereo. I switched to the Zumo 660/G4 recently primarily to go wireless with stereo. Apart from some issues I have with the 660 and mp3 playback I find this works really well. The only real pain is that the G4, being battery powered, requires regular charging and I end up doing it for every trip just to make sure it doesn't lose power. On an away trip I take a charging cable with me and have modified the onboard power socket to be live when the ignition is off so I can leave it charging overnight under the seat.

 

[araspitfire]

The reason I am going with wired music is because I use a Streetpilot 2820.

It also has mono mp3 player, but no SD card.. so I have no room for music.

I tried to make my iPad work as the blue-tooth music channel, but the scala didn't want to know about it.. (my iPhone is connected to my 2820)

Also, when I enquired about this with the shop, the dude mentioned that I would suffer from early drained batteries in the G9 if I listened to music via bluetooth through it all day.. but using wired was much easier on the battery.. (I've not tested this)

Having the iPod wired to the helmet and in my jacket pocket is no bother.. the only time I notice it is when I pull the helmet off, and as it's a stretchy cord.. it's no bother to unplug it with the helmet on or off.

Al...

 

[ianm00]

I've just upgraded from an older Autocom to a G9 too.

Things I don't like:
The (wired) music drops out for 5 seconds when anything above it on the priority list sounds off (even my GPS speed camera dings) I'd like to be able to adjust the 5 seconds to something much shorter)
Al...

Did you send this to Scala technical support? I suspect this is only software controlled so they might include a shorter delay in a software upgrade?

I did suggest to them that they added voice prompts to let you change radio preset channel up or down.

Ian