Scala Cardo Rider G4 - how waterproof?
 

I like the Scala bluetooth intercoms. However, the electronics unit clips to the outside of the helmet. Scala claim it is water resistant. But i'm unsure if it would survive the kind of downpour that we often get when riding in Europe.

Any one got experience of Scala in the rain?

Hi, I had scala rider and I´m not convinced at all that they are waterproof. I decide to use chatter box instead of scala, and it works perfect except for the wire for passanger and pilot.

tks DARIO

Mine's always been OK in a quick shower but it stopped working for a day or so once following rain of biblical proportions. If it's wet enough to warrant waterproofs and a change of gloves I take it off now, no problems since.

Thanks. I always seem to get caught in heavy rain, even in the desert. So i think that rules out the kind of Bluetooth system that clips to the outside of the helmet. It's a shame, because they are much simpler and lighter than other systems. I'm guessing that there isn't a perfect system right now, and that perhaps some time soon someone will release a Bluetooth system that is simple, wire free, multi-functional, waterproof, with a long battery life and good connectivity. That should be simple. But the manufacturers don't seem to have got there yet.

Don't get me wrong, the Scala headsets are really very good and the need to occasionally remove them before truly heavy rain is more than made up for by their practicality. I've used other solutions in the past like Autocom and basic wired headsets and the Scala is leagues ahead as long as all you want is spoken directions.

The problem is, it's probably most useful when riding in difficult conditions, not wanting to stop and have a discussion or look at a map.

I've looked at the Acumen Acucom system, which is supposed to be waterproof. Drawbacks are that it isn't voice activated, and is only mono, so no good for music and intercom and GPS together.

Acumen Electronics/Interphone AcuCom x 2 - 01135

I have the Cardo Q2 headsets and these units are not designed for daily use for RTW travel, instead for your Sunday afternoon cruise to Starbucks. Don't get me wrong, when they work, they are flawless. We have been using our headsets daily for the last 4 months and on unit has packed up and needs to be replaced. The battery pack will not take a charge and it is a known problem that after time, they will fail. I have the option of returning it to the manufacturer to be tested and possibly a new unit sent out; however not that easy when you are on the road. These units were not designed for daily charging.
Daryll

I have used the scala rider G4s as communications between crew members in torrential rain without any problems.

I discovered the scala g4 headset has a IP67 rating. I didn´t know what that meant so I checked it out. It means:


Ingress of water in harmful quantity shall not be possible when the enclosure is immersed in water under defined conditions of pressure and time (up to 1 m of submersion). Test duration: 30 minutes
Immersion at depth of 1m


So I would say it is pretty damn waterproof! I just wrote a pretty extensive Scala Rider G4 review here.

I thought they were excellent devices, but mine failed when wet, and when cold (UK winter), so I went back to autocom.

Iain

I drove my scale true 10 hours of rain during a 30 hour ride home, only stopping for gaz and coffee... it didnt skip a beat! (battery lasts 12 hours playing music, i sort of played some songs, and turned it off for half an hour, so the battery lasted 25hours in that trip)

We had 2 pack up on us after a day and a half of riding in the rain.

It's only five months old and mine died a few days ago in moderate rain.