CARDO PACKTALK BLOG

Anyone who knows me will know I love riding in the rain, it provides a level of relaxed focus that is hard to describe. My perfect day was here aboard a brand new MT09 in the pouring rain with Josh Homme aka Ginger Elvis whaling in the ears of my JBL Speakers from Cardo. As I ride further over Mount Glorious, Queens of the Stone Age were assisting me in finding a rhythm and getting lost in the twists and turns on this incredible bike, their beats are like a train coming along a track. Suddenly, through my Cardo device, I hear my riding mate Peter say, “Must be time for a cigarette.” This made me immediately laugh and is one the pure joys of riding with friends, enhanced by seamless communication.

As someone that is involved in digital media production, technology is an integral part of my business and I am a total geek when it comes to tech and data. However, I had always been resistant to helmet communication tech, cherishing the cone of silence during my rides as it was a place that I could escape all the noise of normal life. 

Introducing the Cardo Packtalk to a middle-aged rider like me, set in my ways, was a challenge. Initially, I was hesitant to attach the device to my helmet, but it was necessary for work and group communication on tours.

From the moment I felt the packaging and unboxed the Cardo Packtalk, I sensed its premium quality—reminiscent of other premium products. Mounting this quality product on my helmet was straightforward, thanks to the easy-to-follow manual that’s included in the packaging.

Next, I downloaded the Cardo app and synced it to my phone. Despite my initial reluctance about installing yet another app, the setup was efficient and completed in no time. The real test came during a group ride when I needed to connect with another rider. The other rider also had a Cardo product, so I expected a simple push of a button to establish the connection. However, we encountered a hiccup due to outdated firmware on the other rider’s device. Once updated, the connection was seamless, and both communication and music were crystal clear.

Over the following days, riding with the comms on provided a fantastic opportunity to share the riding experience with my new mate. While I primarily use the comms for work—organising riders to approach at the correct time for filming—being able to share a joke or engage in banter with fellow riders is one of the many benefits of the Packtalk device. Reflecting on my years of hesitation, I now find it almost silly, as the comms unit has become one of my favourite riding accessories.

If you are looking for a comms device that has incredible sound quality through the speakers and is feature heavy but easy to use, you can't go past the Cardo Packtalk.