I know what you mean about their promises!
They told me the same thing when I bought my G9powerset.
Buddies of mine were sending their brand new sets out to an individual to have an earbud jack installed.
Other brands began to offer music sharing from one source to both coms... I called Cardo and asked if they planned an upgrade for the G9 that would do that... They said no.
Not long after, they introduced the Q3 that did, and has a jack for earbuds.
The G9X also allows you to download an app to your android phone, and change settings there, instead of having to go online in the Cardo Community. Told no plans to allow a G9 to upgrade to do that. And can't if you have an IPhone... Seriously? Not that it matters much...
Before my G9's, I had the teamset.
Just like you, I got sick of not being able to keep the intercom awake, and having to yell in the mic to get them to reopen. I was told the reason they do that is to conserve battery life.
I guess battery technology improved enough they don't have to do that anymore...?
Good news is, the G9's aren't like that. They link up easily, have great audio levels, the range is amazing (best on the market at one mile) and are impressive, stay open all the time, and will last 10 hrs. on a charge. Love the intercom. A voice also tells you about every 10 minutes when the battery is getting low. That usually goes on for about an hour before it finally dies...but at least you know it's about to happen.
Now, the G9's voice command features are frustrating to me.
While it is the only one I know that allows you to turn music or radio on/off by command and also allows you to go to next track/previous track or next station/last station by voice...it's not as smart and high tech as you might think.
I have found that it changes more by loop than by artificial intelligence, and understanding the words you say and executing the command...
I've also had to reset mine a few times back to factory default settings.
It seems to get confused easily, then stops obeying voice commands.
After using them for a year, I have to say they have their good and bad points.
Intercoms- good.
VOX commands- fair
Price- way too much.
But, compared to the way I was before I bought them...
Tethered to my cell phone by earbuds... nothing wireless... that was a pain!
No radio...
No VOX... At all...
And an intercom system that only worked within 350'.
So, while the science still isn't perfected yet, it has come a long way.
One trick, most miss at first, is to properly place the speakers in your helmet...and that includes distance spacing to your ears, as well. I used layers of velcro to space them out so they're comfortable, but as close as possible to my ears. Important for volume, bass response, etc.
Also, their competitors are coming on strong!
Uclear (CycleGear) just announced theirs will pair up with everybody else's brand! That's cool.
The market seems to finally be offering up some good choices now.
But I hear what you're saying about Cardo and their failure to keep promises.
Totally agree with ya about that!
Bob