Convert a Scala Rider Snowmobile unit into a Motorcycle unit

[Guest klinquist]

I wanted a more permanent installation than the regular Scala Rider G4 provides: You get an ugly mic on a "flexible boom" that you have to route up near your mouth.

While this is more useful for riders that switch helmets often, I don't - I prefer having a corded mic stuck to the inside of my full face helmet.

The regular Scala Rider G4 Powerset (2 units) is $359 (amazon.com/cyclebots). A single corded mic kit (1 unit) is $44, bringing the the total cost to $450 for a pair of motorcycle units and a pair of corded mic kits.

The Scala Rider G4 Snowmobile kit, which has identical specs and comes with the corded mic kit, is $379. I'd save $70 by buying the box that seems to have exactly the same specs.

I received the snowmobile kit last night and mounted it in my helmet. Charged up the units, paired one to my phone, and was playing music. Awesome. Now, time to see if it's got the latest 3.0 software update. You see, 3.0 added a lot of new features. See a list of them here: http://www.cardosystems.com/download/release-notes/g4

I was a bit concerned when the words "snowmobile version" were printed on the back of the G4 unit... and as it turns out, rightfully so. I installed the update software, plugged it in... and received this error when I attempted to update to 3.0:

Damn. So I call Cardo Systems, maker of the Scala. I explained my situation and asked if I could "convert" this to the motorcycle version. They said that software may be out in a few weeks allowing me to do this. Hm... I asked if I could send these units in to trade. Guy checked with his manager.... No. The tech did confirm that the hardware was the same, the only difference was the snowmobile software was tuned to a snowmobile's noise (for the noise canceling/vox). Well, the fact that the hardware is the same gave me hope. Hope that I could somehow bypass the "if current software version = x, don't allow upgrade to y" check.

Googling the name of the USB driver that is loaded [CSRBlueCoreUSB] revealed that the Scala uses a CSR bluetooth chipset. It also reveals that this bluetooth chipset is used in dozens of other bluetooth products (you can even buy the module to play with here [this may not be the exact 'heart' of the Scala, but I'm sure it's similar]).

A bit more research revealed that the app I was looking for is called DFUWizard. It's a CSR app that is designed to do firmware updates. DFU stands for 'Device Firmware Update', a USB firmware update standard: http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/USB_DFU

I also noticed that the Cardo update software did download the latest firmware, it just didn't install it. I found it in:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Cardo Systems\Cardo Upgrades\Downloads\current.dfu

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Cardo Systems\Cardo Upgrades\Temp\versions.txt" revealed that's definitely the right version - it contained web links to all previous versions:

[G4 Versions]

Default=http://www.cardosystems.com/user_files/firmware/HSW00011_A02.dfu

2.0.0=http://www.cardosystems.com/user_files/firmware/SW000011_A01.dfu

2.1.0=http://www.cardosystems.com/user_files/firmware/HSW00011_A02.dfu

2.2.18=http://www.cardosystems.com/user_files/firmware/HSW00011_A03.dfu

2.3.8=http://www.cardosystems.com/user_files/firmware/HSW00011_A05.dfu

3.0.32=http://www.cardosystems.com/user_files/firmware/current.dfu

The .dfu filename extension definitely made me think I was on the right track. I finally found a version of DFUWizard for download on a third party's site that used CSR's bluecore modules. Since it could go down anytime, I've put it on my web site:

http://www.linquist.net/files/DFUWizard.zip

I ran DFUWizard, pointed it to the current.dfu file, waited about 20 minutes.. and success! Motorcycle software version 3.0 was installed on my Scala!

So... here are the instructions that will save you $70 if you like a corded mic (follow these instructions at your own risk!)

* Run the Cardo Update software and make sure it can communicate with your Scala G4. You'll want to turn on your Scala G4 by pressing the power [phone] button only for 3 seconds (not phone+volume up like the software says).

* Click on the button to update the firmware, click on the download link. That'll download the .dfu file.

* Close the Cardo Update software.

* Download DFUWizard above, extract it to a directory of your choice. Run DFUWizard.exe.

* Hit next, choose USB:

* Choose the top option, "download a new version of the software":

* Browse to and select C:\Program Files (x86)\Cardo Systems\Cardo Upgrades\Downloads\current.dfu (or just C:\Program Files... if Program Files (x86) does not exist)

* Hit next until you get to the page with the firmware flash progress bars.

* Now in order to flash the firmware, the G4 must be in DFU mode. If the unit is still on (blue light blinking occasionally), turn it off by holding down the power [phone icon] button for 3 seconds. Now, power it up in DFU mode by holding down phone+volume up. You should see the flash beginning (byte count going up). It will take about 20 minutes. Leave it alone, don't touch the abort button :).

* When it's done, it'll power off your G4 and it'll want you to power it on in normal runtime mode (phone button only) in order to verify. If you don't power the unit back on for verification within a certain time limit, it'll report that it FAILED. Don't worry, without verification it will still work fine.

* Now, with the unit powered back on, go back into the Cardo Update software and you should now see your unit running v3.0! You can now set all the great 3.0 options:

The DFUWizard, after an update, will even let you roll back to the previous firmware if for some reason you need to (warranty?)

Hope this helps someone!

[Baileyrock]

Great job and thanks for sharing!

BR

[Veefer800Canuck]

Wow, kinda convoluted, but great detective work!!!