You're three hours away from your house, and the sun is beginning to set. As you continue down the highway (and there's some distance between you and your riding partner), your riding partner wants to know if you'll stop for fuel. Your older Bluetooth headset lost contact about two miles earlier. That's the exact moment that the Cardo PACKTALK Slim was designed for.
Most of us have found ourselves shopping for a real intercom versus another cheap earbud. If you regularly ride with a set group, then you likely understand what I'm referring to: static, loss of signal, that awful robotic-sounding voice when someone speaks quickly. The PACKTALK series is Cardo's solution to these issues, and the Slim is the current "everyday" version of the PACKTALK series.
Specs and Build Quality
The main advantage of the Cardo PACKTALK series is the Dynamic Mesh Communication technology used by Cardo. Forget the old way of having each rider link via Bluetooth to the next, and so forth. The Dynamic Mesh Communication uses each unit to communicate directly with the units surrounding it. Therefore, even if a particular rider loses communication due to being out of range, the rest of the network continues to operate and simply routes around the missing unit. There is no single point of failure.
Cardo claims that its PACKTALK series allows for up to fifteen riders within a Mesh network. In reality, most of us ride with a relatively small number of fellow riders. Most riders report excellent performance with a Mesh network of six or fewer riders. Additionally, once a rider returns to range after losing connectivity during a brief interruption, such as refueling, the rider is immediately reconnected to the group conversation.
Audio is provided by JBL. Although Cardo has utilized JBL speakers across multiple models in its lineup for years, the JBL speakers used in the Slim model have been tailored specifically for use in helmets. Thus, users can expect to experience superior audio fidelity compared to traditional earbud-based systems. Specifically, the audio produced by the JBL speakers in the Slim model is optimized for clear reproduction of music, cell phone calls, conversations via intercom, and GPS prompts while minimizing background noise generated by wind resistance.
Although physically smaller than prior versions of the PACKTALK series, the Slim model utilizes the same mounting method as previous models. The Slim model attaches to the outside of your helmet and includes controls located near your thumb tip when wearing gloves. Many riders utilize physical buttons to adjust tracks or settings on their motorcycles or smartphones. The controls allow you to easily make adjustments when wearing winter gloves. Each unit has received an IP67 rating and thus resists water and dust damage. The Slim model provides approximately thirteen hours of operation per recharge and should be sufficient for a complete day of touring.
Audio and Microphone Performance
All intercom systems suffer from the effects of wind noise. However, wind noise kills all inexpensive intercoms. Cardo states that the Slim offers the industry's highest level of wind-noise reduction. The Slim's microphone accomplishes this task by significantly reducing wind noise associated with your voice prior to sending it to your riding companion. Obviously, you still hear your motorcycle and the road. However, your riding companion hears your voice, not the wind rushing past your helmet visor.
In addition to providing improved voice transmission characteristics, the JBL speakers deliver improved audio quality during music playback. When listening to music on your smartphone via Bluetooth, it's preferable to listen to your actual music playlist rather than attempting to guess what songs are playing based upon distorted vocalizations. This intercom delivers crisp and warm voice transmissions as well as rich music sound.
What Amazon Reviewers Are Saying
Amazon customer ratings have placed the Cardo PACKTALK Slim Dual Pack at 4.3 stars based upon nearly 1800 customer reviews. Customers repeatedly praise the reliability of the Mesh network. Customers often comment on how reliable the Mesh network performs during group rides. They mention that it rarely breaks down regardless of how far apart individual riders may travel, and that members can join and leave the Mesh network without disrupting communication among remaining group members.
As mentioned previously, customers praise JBL sound quality. Multiple customers note that they prefer music delivered via this intercom as opposed to prior units. Clear, loud and crisp. All comments regarding music delivery via this intercom are positive. Several reviewers stated that the speakers in this intercom represent the largest improvement over their previous units.
Reviewers provide varying opinions on Cardo Connect App. While many reviewers praise ease-of-use on both iOS and Android devices for performing tasks including setting up devices, selecting preset modes and remotely controlling various functions via the app, a few reviewers encountered difficulties establishing connections between devices or experienced minor quirkiness during initial setup processes. These issues are commonly reported with virtually all brands utilizing similar wireless technologies.
While several reviewers expressed satisfaction with the Slim's performance, some did express frustration with limited battery life during extended tours requiring multiple charging sessions daily. Other reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with mounting options for certain helmet shapes. Finally, since this is an expensive unit, some reviewers questioned whether they could obtain comparable performance from less costly alternatives.
Who Is This Intercom For?
This unit is intended primarily for group riders. If you typically ride alone, then you will pay for functionality that you do not need. However, if you ride frequently with fellow riders (either with passengers or partners riding behind you), this unit will rapidly justify its cost. This unit is also ideal for touring riders who wish to stay connected with their riding companions during extended periods of time, particularly in areas where inclement weather may be prevalent.
For comparison purposes only: Check our Intercom Comparison Chart for comparisons of this unit vs. other reviewed products. Also, refer to our Blog section for information related to additional worthwhile investments for motorcyclists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sixteen riders be paired on the same Mesh network with my Cardo PACKTALK Slim?
No. According to Cardo Systems' specifications, their PACKTALK series may support a maximum of fifteen riders on a single Mesh network. Should any rider lose contact due to fading beyond effective range (i.e., dropping out of range), the remainder of the Mesh network automatically adjusts routing and communication accordingly.
What does Dynamic Mesh Communication mean?
Dynamic Mesh Communication refers to Cardo System's proprietary Mesh networking technology where all units communicate simultaneously with neighboring units rather than linking sequentially via Bluetooth as had been done previously. Since communications between units occur continuously throughout the entire network (as opposed to relying upon sequential connections between each unit), if a rider loses contact due to exceeding effective range (dropping out), the remainder of the network remains active and simply routes communications around the missing unit(s).
How good is the JBL sound quality in my new Cardo PACKTALK Slim?
The sound quality produced by JBL speakers in your Cardo PACKTALK Slim is very good considering that they are mounted in a helmet. The JBL speakers are optimized for operation in helmets and therefore produce richer and warmer audio compared to typical earbud designs. Users report improved audio quality of music, telephone calls, GPS prompts and intercom conversations compared to their previous intercom systems.
How long will my Cardo PACKTALK Slim battery last?
Approximately thirteen hours under normal operating conditions. Based on user reports, this amount of battery life is generally sufficient for an entire day of touring while running communications intermittently throughout your tour.
Will my Cardo Connect App work on my iPhone?
Yes! The Cardo Connect App is compatible with both Apple iPhones and Android smartphones and facilitates configuration, selection of preset modes and remote control capabilities for adjusting various features within your Cardo PACKTALK Slim.
Do I need to purchase a dual pack or would purchasing a single pack suffice?
Probably not. Unless you plan to ride almost exclusively alone or have specific reasons for doing so (e.g., traveling abroad where language barriers prevent using an intercom), you likely will benefit from purchasing a dual-pack version of this product.
If you're the rider trying to retire that "drop your partner on the highway" scenario, the Cardo PACKTALK Slim Dual Pack is a strong way to do it. The Mesh just works, the JBL sound is a real upgrade, and you get a pair ready for your group. Learn more about Cardo's lineup over at cardosystems.com.