Hey guys, Graham here with a quick tutorial update on the Scala Rider Q2 Multi Set Pro.
One of the features that sets this Scala apart from other helmet headsets that it has a built in FM radio in addition to all the other Bluetooth functions.
To put the Scala in radio mode, just hold the “MC” button (the farther toward the back of the two) for three seconds. Once the radio is switched on, the volume is still controlled as usual via the two buttons on the back of the headset.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.
If you like this post then please consider subscribing to our full feed RSS or receive new posts by Email. These two buttons also double as the tuner for the radio—just hold either button for three seconds to change the radio station up or down.
The Scala can also store six favorite stations. Tap the MC button to cycle between the preset stations. After finding a radio station you like, press the MC button within 20 seconds of tuning in to set it as a favorite.
But of course, the radio’s musical selection is pretty weak these days, but luckily the Scala can also wirelessly stream music from any Bluetooth-enabled mp3 player (or phone).
Stay tuned for more, as we finally get out on the road and test the Scala between two motorcycles, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.
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As our regular readers may have noticed, we’ve been on a bit of a Bluetooth headset kick here at Inline Performance Magazine, and today is no different.
But this time, we have a new toy to play with: The Scala Rider Q2 Multi Set Pro wireless motorcycle headset. The Multi Set Pro can be used as a hands-free headset for any Bluetooth enabled device as well as an intercom between riders.
Of course, before we could do anything else, we had to open up the box and check out our new toy. The Multi Set Pro is sold in sets of two headsets, and also comes with two wall chargers and two trick little pouches that fit on your belt to carry the headsets in when you’re away from your motorcycle. Also included are a couple of 3.5mm headphone-style cables to connect non-Bluetooth music players to the headsets, as well as hardware for mounting the headsets using either clamps (the recommended method we prefer) or double-sided adhesive tape. All this will set you back about 250 dollars.
Conveniently, the two headsets are already synced with each other, so if you only want to use the Multi Set Pro as a rider-to-rider intercom, all you need is buddy to wear the second headset and you’re good to go.
When using the Multi Set Pro as a hands-free headset, though, you’ll have to sync it to your phone—or other Bluetooth-enabled device like a GPS or MP3 player—first. Put the headset into “discoverable” mode by pressing and holding the control button until the light alternately flashes red and blue. With the headset now ready to sync, go back to your phone and access the Bluetooth menu. The exact process varies from phone to phone, but it’s no different than syncing any other Bluetooth device—if your phone asks for a security code, enter 0000.
Once synced, the Scala Rider Q2 Multi Set Pro not only allows you to take phone calls while riding, it also allows you to wirelessly stream music from your phone or MP3 player. One some devices, like an iPod or iPhone, for example, you can even pause or skip tracks, all from the headset and while on the fly.
That’s all for this installment, but stay tuned for next time when we explore the Multi Set Pro’s FM radio features.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price until supplies last.
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Hey guys, Graham here again, and today I will be showing you how to sync the SENA SMH-10 headset to your cellphone. Since I have an Apple iPhone 3GS, I will be using that. I will also be using Alex’s iPhone 4 in this demonstration.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price while supplies last.
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Last week for our essential stuff section, we gave you an overview of the Sena SMH-10 Bluetooth headset.
The SMH-10 is really a multi-use device: It can be paired with other headsets to work as an intercom between riders, it can be used as a headset for hands-free calling with pretty much any cell phone, and finally, it can simply be used as in-helmet headphones, either wirelessly using Bluetooth or using the included 3.5mm headphone cable and jack.
For this first segment of our test, I stuck to using the SMH-10 as headphones—allowing me to wirelessly play music and stream turn-by-turn GPS directions directly inside my helmet.
The first step was to sync the SMH-10 to my cell phone, an Apple iPhone 3gs. Sena provides step-by-step instructions, and once I’d put the SMH-10 into “sync” mode it was a snap. Once synced, the SMH-10 (and presumably your phone) “remember” each other so that you don’t need to sync up every time you want to use the headset.
Syncing with my bike-mounted GPS unit—an older Garmin Nuvi 660—was just as easy.
Prior to getting the SMH-10, I’d gotten in the habit of riding with headphones so that I could play music or listen to radio station streaming to my phone (hooray for unlimited data plans!). So stepping up to the SMH-10 felt like a huge upgrade. No wires to connect or tangle, all I had to do was switch the headset on and press play and voila—instant music in my helmet!
Once underway, the SMH-10’s wheel controller makes it easy to adjust volume while on the fly—turn the wheel backwards to increase the volume and forwards to decrease it. The headset makes a beep to let you know when you’ve reached the maximum volume. My daily rider is our project XT-600 Yamaha, which is neither especially loud nor especially quiet, and the SMH-10’s highest volume setting was loud enough, but only just. If I’d been riding a big American bike with open pipes or even an uncorked sportbike, I definitely would have needed the volume to increase further.
My favorite feature of the SMH-10—at least so far—is that it allows you to skip tracks while listening to music. All it takes is pushing and then twisting the control wheel to skip forward or back. This might not seem like much, but trust me, it’s a big improvement over just using an iPod and headphones. Unless you have a death wish, digging around in your jacket pocket to find your iPod and then skip a track while en route is a horrible idea.
Using the SMH-10 to receive turn-by-turn instructions from the GPS unit also worked just as promised, although personally I found it more obnoxious than helpful—no fault of the SMH-10, but I simply don’t need to hear where to go when the map in front of me already makes it clear. While glancing down at the map does indeed take your eyes off the road, in the case of my Garmin, the turn-by-turn voice guidance isn’t really enough to rely on, so either way you’ll be looking down at the map.
So all in all, a good first report for the SMH-10, but keep it tuned till next week for the next section of the test—using the SMH-10 not just as a passive listening device, but also making phone calls and talking with other riders.
Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.
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Hey guys, Graham here with more great gear for our Essential Stuff section.
Anyone who has regularly commuted on a motorcycle will be quick to tell you the highlights—easy parking, less time stuck in traffic, and the freedom to use California’s carpool lanes, just to name a few. But for someone who is used to the cushy luxuries of commuting in a car, making the daily journey to work or school on a motorcycle can feel like quite a Spartan experience: No radio, no phone, no music, just you and the machine.
Fortunately, Sena addresses all those concerns and more with their SMH10, a Bluetooth-enabled stereo headset and intercom designed specifically for motorcycles. The SMH10 retails for around $220, which might seem a bit steep, but you do get a lot of extras in the box. Your two bills get you two headset and speaker units, two wall chargers, two car/cigarette lighter chargers, all the necessary cords and plugs, and hardware for several mounting options.
When used as an intercom, the SMH10 allows for 2-way communication between up to four other headset-equipped riders or passengers. Additionally, the device can be used as a hands free headset for any Bluetooth-enabled mobile device, including nearly any modern cell phone and many GPS navigation units. How cool would it be to have turn-by-turn directions right inside your helmet? Finally, for older devices that aren’t Bluetooth-ready, the SMH10 can connect to any device with a standard 3.5mm stereo headphone jack. If you can listen to it using headphones, you can listen to it right in your helmet with the SMH10.
The SMH10 is designed to mount on the left side of most motorcycle helmets. The standard mounting option, which we used, works by clamping onto the hard external shell of the helmet. By clamping on instead of using an adhesive pad, the SMH10 can be removed or easily remounted on another helmet. The downside of this mounting method is that it requires you to pull the foam padding away from the hard shell of the helmet in order to slide the clamp between the two, and it takes a surprising amount of force. I had no reservations about doing this to my old and battered test helmet, but I might think twice if my helmet was top-of-the-line and brand-new. Fortunately, for those that don’t want to mess around with clamping, Sena includes a stick-on mount as well.
Whichever mounting option you chose for the headset, the speakers mount inside the helmet using their Velcro backings, which makes it easy to get the speakers in just the right spot—close to your ears, but not interfering with the fit of the helmet. Less easy, however, was figuring out a space for the microphone pick-up. The pick-up is on a long and flexible wire, which should make placement easy, but on my relatively tight-fitting test helmet, there wasn’t enough room between my mouth and the front of the helmet to squeeze the microphone in without it literally being pressed against my lips. We’ll have to wait for our full road test to see if this is a problem or not when using the headset.
You’ll have to tune in next week for more as we put the SMH10 through its paces and try out all of its features, but an quick run-through gave us something to look forward to: The SMH10 was easy to sync, intuitive to use, and comfortable in the helmet.
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Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to order your copy of the 2011 print edition of Inline Performance Magazine HERE at the pre-order price for a limited time.
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