We appreciate the lone-wolf motorcycle persona, rolling down the road solo without any distractions. But life doesn’t always serve up solitary time, and we have friends we need to talk to and places to go. I was one of those skeptics, but after using Bluetooth communicators for a few years, I now think of them as nearly indispensable – especially when traveling. Here are some scenarios in which a comms device like the Cardo Packtalk Pro can be helpful:
- Your riding buddy’s luggage is flopping around dangerously on his bike
- You’re in an unfamiliar location and need some in-helmet directions
- You want to enjoy quality audio/music without needing to lug an extra 50 lb of speakers and amps
- You need to warn the group of riders you’re leading about road hazards like oil or gravel
- Your spouse calls to inform you about a family emergency
- You need to tell your riding buddies you need fuel or food or rest and want to discuss when and where to stop
- You want to discuss existentialism with your friends while you ride
I could go on about the many benefits of using comms systems, but the point is they are probably better and more useful than you might realize.
Cardo Announces New Mesh Boost Feature For 2025
The new Cardo Packtalk Pro is the most advanced system yet, and its sleek design incorporates a new trick: An IMU with a built-in crash detection sensor that automatically sends an emergency notice in the event of a crash. Oh, and it also automatically turns the unit on and off without having to press any buttons.
All of Cardo’s high-end systems utilize its second-generation DMC (Dynamic Mesh Communication) technology, which supports connections for up to 15 riders over a self-healing network. If one rider drops out of the network, communication continues without interruption for the rest of the group, and the disconnected rider automatically rejoins when back within range.
Ah, range – a topic that requires a few caveats. Communicators using Bluetooth are said to have a range approaching 3 miles in open terrain, which is fantastic. But throw in some canyon walls or some large buildings, and range is reduced geometrically. This applies to every Bluetooth communicator, including this one.
In the Cardo Packtalk Pro, the voices of your buddies are delivered loud and clear through larger 45mm JBL speakers, previously only on the Packtalk Bold model. The voice-activated microphone keeps the open channel quiet unless it detects someone talking. In my experience, the Pro’s comm link quickly heals itself when a paired rider is back in range.
Nearly all of us use a map app to learn how to get places, so it makes sense to use the same app for on-the-road navigation, eliminating the need for a separate nav unit. The app simply sends audio directions to your ears so you know where to go.
Cardo’s updated Natural Voice software allows riders to speak instructions rather than prodding at buttons. It’s ultra-convenient to say, “Hey, Cardo, call Carolyn,” and within seconds I’m telling my wife I’ll be home in about an hour.
When it’s time to cue up “Bad Motor Scooter” on your playlist, the Cardo Packtalk Pro delivers audio quality that shames a typical bagger’s stereo, firing sounds directly into your ears rather than being diluted by wind noise. It’s clearly superior, especially when the speakers are correctly placed in the helmet, a critical step to delivering optimal audio performance in any comms device.
I’m a function-over-form guy, but I gotta appreciate the Packtalk Pro’s black-matte appearance. It’s stealthy yet nicely finished, as befits a gizmo that retails for $459. There are three buttons on the unit, with a readily reachable roller wheel to quickly adjust audio volume. The roller glides over its detents with a high-quality tactility that wouldn’t feel out of place in an Audi.
Now, back to the unique crash-detection system in this new Pro. The key element is the addition of an IMU, an inertial measurement unit, which uses sensors to monitor data like speed and g-forces. IMUs are found on most every current Harley and Indian to inform traction control and cornering ABS.
The IMU in the Packtalk Pro senses when its rider has suffered an accident and will communicate to the Cardo cloud, which will then inform your emergency contact of the crash and its location. This automatic reporting could save minutes or hours in response time from emergency crews and potentially save a life. If you suffer only a mild tip-over type of accident, you can simply speak “ignore” into the unit’s mic to reject the automatic response.
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Installation of the Pro is fairly straightforward but can be finicky depending on the helmet and how its internal padding is fastened. The microphone can be fastened to a chinbar or employed on a flexible boom that makes it workable with open-face helmets. The Cardo Connect app offers further customization, allowing users to adjust settings, update firmware, and manage connections via their smartphone.
If you’ve been curious to try a comms device, there’s nothing else on the market with the features in the Packtalk Pro. Its crash-detection technology gives it a leg up on its competitors, and its voice controls make it simple to operate.
It’s the top choice for anyone seeking a premium communication solution to enhance their riding experience. And if you don’t want to hear your buddy’s thoughts on Nietzsche and Sarte, just turn down the volume to become the lone wolf of your dreams.
