Cardo Packtalk Edge Motorcycle Bluetooth Communication System Review
Yasir Memon
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The Cardo Packtalk Edge is the brand’s latest motorcycle communication system. Read all about Mike’s first impressions here, and his detailed experience with the device.
Cardo sent me two of these, so I put one in my helmet and one in my riding buddy’s helmet, and rode from New Hampshire to New York to Ohio to test them out. As should you. Overall, if you’re looking to add Bluetooth to your helmet, the Cardo Packtalk Edge is the best option.
Cardo Packtalk Edge Review
The first thing most riders will notice is how the Packtalk Edge attaches to their helmets. Instead of being secured with a wedge or clip like previous devices, the Edge is magnetic, meaning it actually pops out of your hand into an attachment point.
To remove, simply press down on the front lever and the Edge slides right out. The magnets are also handy for storing the Edge around when you’re not using it. I often find myself sticking it on my kitchen fridge while it’s charging.
The Edge’s battery life is excellent, with Cardo claiming 13 hours of normal use. The new fast-charging tech is also very useful. Cardo claims that if you forget to charge your device, a 20-minute charge with a USB-C charger will give you about 2 hours of talk time.
During a 14-hour long-distance trip using the intercom with a passenger and a companion bike, the battery lasted the entire day, even with the device turned off during mealtimes and when not in use.
When riding solo, I only use the Bluetooth feature for music and the occasional phone call. Using the Edge every day for commuting and everyday riding, it easily lasted a week or more on a single charge.
Whether listening to music, making phone calls, or using the intercom, the audio is loud, clear, and high-quality. The 40mm speakers have been specifically developed by JBL Audio for use in motorcycle helmets and have been tuned with an improved processor and three pre-programmed audio profiles.
But it’s not just the JBL speakers and tuned audio that contribute to high-quality audio. Bluetooth 5.2 increases the amount of data that can be transmitted over lower bandwidths, which translates into a better audio signal being sent to the speakers.
You can independently adjust the volume levels for phone calls, music, FM radio, intercoms, and Cardo system guidance. Users can also set automatic volume adjustments based on environmental noise picked up by the microphone, adjust voice recognition sensitivity, or turn voice control off completely.
All audio tuning and adjustments are done via the Cardo Connect app, which is absolutely essential to getting the most out of your Edge device. All software updates are now done wirelessly via the app. This is a huge upgrade over the requirement to tether the device to a computer, which was seen with previous models.
My biggest appreciation for the Packtalk Edge came when I was out on a two-up with my girlfriend Justine and my brother Garrett, along with his wife Mia. Justine and I wore Packtalk Edge units, while Garrett and Mia wore Packtalk Bolds, which made it quick and easy to pair up.
We found it easy to switch between group mode with the four of us together and private chat with Justine throughout the trip. Of course, riders can also mute the intercom completely and listen to music until someone calls.
The Edge units use 2nd generation Dynamic Mesh technology to simplify the pairing process and improve intercom audio quality. The Packtalk Bold units still have 1st generation DMC, meaning that when these units talk to each other, the Edge is only as good as the Bold.
Even with the mixed technology, we found that as long as there were no major obstacles between the riders, riders could clearly talk to each other from about a mile away.
The Packtalk Edge units are waterproof and are covered by a 3-year extended warranty. If you spend all your time riding solo, you may not be able to take advantage of the Packtalk Edge’s full range.
In that case, something cheaper like the Freecom 4x with Bluetooth 5.2 and JBL speakers would be a good choice. However, for those who spend their time riding in groups, there’s no substitute for the range and ease of use of the Packtalk Edge.
Conclusion
While many people hide in their motorcycle helmets because it’s the only place they can’t have a conversation, I admit that there are times when I need a line of communication with the outside world that doesn’t rely on hand signals or semaphores.
In those cases, I want a device that’s completely unobtrusive. I don’t want to have to remember to put my headphones on before I set off, I don’t want to pull over because the connection drops, and I don’t want to yell or damage my hearing.
In that regard, the Cardo Packtalk Edge is a very easy recommendation. For best results (and indeed any Bluetooth communication) I recommend investing in the quietest helmet possible and being prepared to experiment with different earplugs until you find the best combination.
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