Customer Reviews

Cardo Systems SCALA700LX Bluetooth Headset

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I've owned a Scala 500, a 700, and now the 700LX (in addition to a few models of Motorola headsets). The Scalas absolutely have the best sound clarity, and handle wind noise far better than any Motorola I've used. I only recently replaced my 500 (battery gave out after a couple years hard usage and it wouldn't hold a charge) with a 700, which I loved--until it made an unscheduled trip through the washing machine. The 700LX is nearly identical to the 700, with one added improvement. The earpiece on the 700LX, unlike the base 700, has a much stiffer wire for custom fit. This way when you get it to fit, it is more likely to fit AFTER you mash it around in your pocket. Another great feature is turning off the blue blinky LED, so you can be a bit more disreet when calling. It has a bunch of other features, too many to list but most are useful. I'm surprised this brand isn't more commonly availabe in stores--it works outside in the wind, it has great sound, and is tiny. What more can you ask for?

My first bluetooth was a Motorola. I have not been happy with the Motorola fit as it feels like it is going to fall off...and on occasions it has. I am also replacing the motorola because I now have 2 cell phones I need to carry and want to use both simaltaneously. To replace it, I found a great deal on a Jabra BT5010. Great headset, so good, my wife stole it. Went to buy another and the price had gone back up. I tend to lose or damage things, so I have set a budget of no more than $30-$40. I then found a deal on a Jabra BT5020. I had received a bad unit and the exchange from another buy.ing website went bad and finally received my money back. Again, went to buy another and the price had gone up. This led me to the Cardo 700lx.

First off, the fit is by far the best of the 3 I have had. I can honestly say, I have forgotten it was on and it can startle you when a call comes in. After 5-10 minutes, you dont even notice it on at all. Extremely light weight. A 5 star in my book. Where as, the motorola is a 1 star, the BT5010 is a 3 star, and the BT5020 is a 3.5 star.

Next is ease of use. I like the placement of buttons. The main button on front has a definate click to it so you know you have pressed it and doesn't leave you guessing. The rocker volume dial on back is great for adjusting volume and can be reversed if placing on your left ear so rocking up is always louder and rocking down is quieter. Pressing the dial in also has function as well. Neat, simple design and easy to access with larger fingers. Again, 5 star.

Finally is funtionality. This is where I have to question my rating. I know this is not a $50 headset, $75 headset, or even a $100+ headset and wont rate it/compare it to such. I understand you get what you pay for. With that said, here is my humble opinion. The headset has great volume and sounds as good as using the phone itself. However, the range is not as good at the others I have used. The Headset operates best with the phone in sight. Static is noticed by the caller (not me) if the phone is on my body the opposite of each other. In the car, it is best to place in the right ear and the phone in the center console or passenger seat. If you want to use it in the left ear, the phone should be on that side. Same side line of sight distance is approximately 10-12 feet before static comes in for the caller. Call quality is always good on my end, however again, the caller definately knows you are on a headset as it does have a slight echo. Again, I know this is not an expensive headset and is not perfect. But, no caller has complained when asked. Some didn't even know I was on a headset. Background noise is an issue for the caller though. One does need to close the windows, turn down/off the radio, lower the HVAC fan for a quality business conversation.

Final note comes to the multiple bluetooth pairing function. The main feature I was looing for was having a headset that would work with 2 phones. Since I carry a personal phone and a work phone, I want to answer and use both without changing phones or settings. The Jabra's were good, but voice recognition, redialing, and funcions only worked with the last phone paired up. That means, if you wanted to use the 1st phone you connected, you had to find the phone and manually use it. Not bad if it is seldom used. As for me, I use each phone equally. This headset allows you to double tap the volume rocker to switch between each phone. Great feature that allows full function use of each phone. The only drawback is that only one phone is 'active' at a time on the headset. Meaning, if you are talking on phone 'A' and then hang up...minutes later phone 'B' rings, you do not hear it in your headset and must listen for the phones ringer/vibrate. Then, once you hear the other phone ring, you double tap the volume rocker to switch over to the phone 'B'. A drawback to be able to use full function of 2 phones. In the Jabra's, the headset would ring for each phone without doing anything (great), but voice dialing was only for the last phone paired.

Added benefits include not having to by accessories. It come in the box with a wall charger, car charger, usb charger, and a belt/carry pouch.

In conclusion, great headset for $30. In that price range (under $50??) it is a 5 star. Is there better out there. Certainly. But you have to double, if not, triple the price. For $30.00, I am extremely happy and would recommend it to others.

I had the Cardo 500 and gave it to my girlfriend and decided to upgrade to the Cardo 700LX. I loved the 500: the battery would last forever, the connection time was instant, and the sound quality was great. Before I purchased the 700, I called Scala and they said go with the 700LX for added advantage. I like the 700LX for several reasons, the headset is very light and charges very quickly, it has awesome features and the sound is very clear. The one draw back with the 700LX is the connection time. It takes longer for the headset to answer phone calls. I hear the person answering in the speaker of my Motorola Q and then 10-15 second later I hear the person in the 700LX! Other than it is a very good unit.

Exactly what I expected when I ordered -- fast service and a great product! Thanks! I will order from this retailer again!

I have to tell you that since I first purchased a Scala Bluetooth, I have been impressed. The first one was a 500, this one is the 700 and the quality, sound, performance are all still there. I hadn't heard of Scala before I purchased one but, when the dog ate my 500, and I am serious, she really did chew it to bits, well then, I looked online, found the 700 and bought not one but two, one for me and one for my partner. I am totally satisfied. I like the features, the way it holds a charge, the time it takes to recharge all of it is top quality.

This is my first bluetooth headset. I did some research on Amazon to see which one I should chose. This unit, even with its mixed reviews, was most liked by customers who had purchased it over the others I was researching. They mentioned most often that Hearing/being heard was its strong suit. They were right! From day 1 I love how CLEARLY I HEAR MY CALLS AND CALLERS HEAR EVERYTHING I AM SAYING even in my car. People tell me there is little difference in the sound from when I am speaking directly into the phone. So CHEERS that is fabulous and my main concern. It is easy to connect with your phone, (I had a RazorV3 and am about to connect it to a LG Shine) it has a great battery life and is easy to charge. Its very user friendly. I would say if there is any down side it is that the earpiece could be a little more secure feeling. It took me a few uses to find that perfect setting for my ear and I still feel that if I swung my head around really fast, it might fly off. The earpiece itself is kind of wimpy and a man might not like it as well? Although it might actually fit a man better and feel light and secure. The device is very light and you dont notice it too much on your ear. The back side just rests inside the edge of your ear, not intrusive at all. I am really satisfied, and when my husband tried it on he seemed to think it wasnt so bad either, and he totally hates bluetooth headsets. I think this is a great product especially for the price.

I have my Cardo Scala paired with a Sanyo Katana II cell phone. People say they can hear me fine, but on my end, voices sound a bit hollow. Also, when I hear my cell phone ring, it takes about five rings before the Scala picks up the signal. Those are my issues with it. For the price, I can live with it because I only use it for a few minutes a day during my short commute to work. But if you're someone uses a bluetooth all day, I would look at a different one.

After evaluating many bluetooth headsets in this price range I choose this one based on features and reviews. Unfortunately the first one recieved was defective and would not hold a charge. Amazaon quickly replaced it and the second unit works well. It has an automatic answer feature so you do not have to take your hands off the wheel to anawer incoming calls. You can turn this feature on or off. Overall it appears to be a very good unit.

Original unit was defective. Asked for replacement which works perfectly. Returning original unit for credit.

I bought this headset mainly because it was ranked as having really good loud incoming volume. It does. I can hear people in the car now. It's great from that point.

The only slight problem I have is the microphone volume - people I speak to often hear echoes and I cannot adjust anything to get rid of them.

Still, it was a worthwhile purchase.