BEFORE You Buy: Cardo Packtalk BLACK Special Edition REVIEW

The Special Edition Cardo Packtalk Black, boasts to be the best motorcycle Bluetooth intercom system on the market. We put it through it's paces, test the mesh networking, wind noise canceling, waterproof rating, range and find out what it's all about.
Cardo Affiliate: cardosystems.rfrl.co/4vr67
Amazon Affliate:
Cardo Packtalk Black Edition: geni.us/PacktalkBlack
Cardo Packtalk Bold: geni.us/PacktalkBold
Cardo Freecom 4+: geni.us/CardoFreecom4
My gear (affliliate links - Dave will thank you):
Cardo Packtalk Bold: geni.us/PacktalkBold
GoProHero 9: geni.us/GoproHero9
Insta360 One R: geni.us/Insta360ONER
BMW Rallye Jacket: geni.us/BMWRallyeJacket
HydraPak Bladder: geni.us/HydraPak
Panasonic GH5 Camera: geni.us/PanasonicGH5DSLR
Rode VideoMicro Microphone: geni.us/RodeVideoMicr0
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#cardo #packtalk #intercom
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[@LongWayHome]

What comm system do you use?

[@MRGS48]

None... I yell...!!!! Hahahah

[@redeyedfreaks]

Cardo slim and bold black. Gotta have the JBL speakers

[@SamVBikes]

Bought a Sena 30K a year or so ago... Worst mistake I've made. Cuts out in the lightest of rain, connection to base plate is awful meaning it often cuts off moving head around, and range is poor. Sena won't do anything about it because it's not waterproof. Waste of £300 odd! Tempted with the packtalk bold and just paint the plastic black!

[@AbdulAllahAbuDaoud]

Never used one. Too expensive!

[@TheTripleDubya]

None because of all the things you said in the “cons” part of the video and the fact that the Cardo is still Bluetooth 4.1. It would be Cardo just for the noise cancellation alone but the Cardo needs an update and the Sena needs actual noise cancellation, I wonder which one will happen first, Sena might end up being the one to get, even without JBL speakers. For Sena it’s just some programming, the Cardo needs some physical changes.

[@Bigtexbbq]

One of the best reviews I have ever seen. Top notch delivery and presentation. Good job sir.

[@BananaFromMars]

Thanks for recording the audio quality of this set, very helpful!

[@Hogdriver88]

‘Where getting your motorcycle news is easier than figuring out the helmet communicator market, but not by much’... I bought a PackTalk Black about a week ago to connect to my phone and bike for radio and music, and eventually to a second Pack Talk for my wife’s helmet. I have yet to even open the box, but I’ll get to it. Good review, and great channel.

[@a9503128]

Right on brother, it’s crazy to think I’m going to buy either brand just for a mesh, I reckon if the mesh tech was open or shared both brands would sell a million units more

[@samhooper7177]

I ride with small groups and have both a Sena and a Cardo. I have mounted them on different helmets and use the comm system that the group has. Having a Cardo that would mesh with a Sena would be brilliant!🇺🇲💙

[@bbehse1]

Well stated my moto friend. I agree with everything you said about the Cardo (good and bad) and appreciate that you used far fewer words than I would have to say the same thing!! I'm going with the Black because my charging cable ripped the connector clip out of my Bold and I'm six months out of warranty. Keep pushing for the MagSafe - forgetting to unhook just cost me $400.

[@actstuntcam]

I have no real interest in a coms system... AND I still watched the whole thing. You really are that good :) Dave must have been riveted.

[@Mr_Bean]

thanks for this, all info I need for Cardo packtalk black is here.

[@markpatrick7072]

Great review . Thanks for the info .

[@LeoStarrenburg]

N-Com B601R that came with my Nolan 100-5. Pairs up nicely to my Tomtom Rider and my Anytone two-way VHF/UHF radio for PMR nets and 2m/70cm amateur radio. Am working on a flight-case set-up with a Yaesu FT-7800, an SR10 Bluetooth module and full size dipole antenna.

[@johnmorris5809]

Excellent review 👍

[@curtchaffee]

Helpful and entertaining!!

[@mplus1338]

You should have put a roof rack on the car and strapped Dave to it with an open face helmet and the boom mic. Great test though. I’m on the original Packtalk Bold with the JBL Speakers. I have never actually used the Mesh as the guy’s I ride with generally pump music from phones into their ears.

[@redeyedfreaks]

I would like to see you review some of the units from UClear. They offer more features for less money and I've heard good things about them even though they are not as mainstream as cardo/sena

[@SomeInfoSecDude]

Thanks, very informative. How about closing with something like... Dave gives it a X over 5 star rating? This way we can tell your level of appreciation of just about any product you review.

[@wassimshalabi]

Yup, that's everything I need to know! Thank you

[@NoMurrcyProducedit]

great video thankkkkkkkkks

[@chickenNoodleSuper]

I just got the new packtalk black for the sound quality and it’s really quite good. The volume auto adjusts as you go faster and slower which is great. The controls are reasonably well thought out and all work well enough once you learn how they want you to use it. I’m blown away with the quality after having uclear for a bunch of years. I don’t think I would have bought it at full retail, but very very happy with it for on sale prices

[@SpeedyCrz]

Reallykke your videos very informative. Question did you have trouble with your voice controls at first? I have the freecomm 4+ and I have a hard time with the voice controls.

[@richardsalyer2076]

Ur awesome! Enjoyed your video. Thanks

[@kervinlancevillar7177]

Thank you for this! 👍

[@khpjackson1]

Great critique I really hope they take your advice. Unfortunately if they do I'll have to buy ANOTHER Cardo. I would also like to say I bought a sena before purchasing a Pack talk bold because it was designed to fit seamlessly in my helmet but due to the ability to link easily with most of my friends that is now on the shelf and my Shoei gt air is now rocking a bold.

[@stuartlyons8638]

Great impartial video 👍

[@zavlov]

great job!

[@brents1643]

Just got mine. I like it allot

[@donalddavis7160]

Great vid!!! Speaking of that charging port, mine just broke. The micro usb just came out when I unplugged it. I have never dropped the helmet nor have i ever unplugged the charging cable that would cause any damage. I reached out to Cardo but I will have to see how they handle this one

[@cokecruzb]

I couldn’t care less about these communicators ... they don’t even ship them to my country... but for some weird reason I can’t stop watching your videos! Say hi to Dave for me.

[@MrFerisko]

I have the packtalk slim. Generally happy with it, but the FM radio reception is very very poor unfortunately. So much so that when I want to listen to the radio I open it in a live streaming app on my cell phone rather than try to use the FM tuner in Cardo... Got reminded of that instantly when you tried the voice command to turn on radio and got the static noise from the speaker right away :D //edit: and really, any device sold today that claims to have radio should come with DAB. In addition to that USB-C port.

[@bagherhabibi9596]

Your comments about an open source mesh protocol are right on. These two leading companies in this space just don’t get it. By the way I use both brands as they were the built ins for my Schubert and Shoei helmets. Another area for collaboration and standardizing in helmet fit. Now you have the helmet manufacturers involved...forget it!

[@TacticalHamsterDance]

Interphone and Sena have agreed on a common protocol recently, making Cardo the odd ones out among the big 3. It isn't open source though.

[@1700beny]

@@TacticalHamsterDance What is interphone? xD never heard of it

[@TacticalHamsterDance]

@@1700beny one of the three major intercom manufacturing companies, I'd say here they probably sell the most units (not counting the cheap usually chinese ones). I think they're from italy but not sure.

[@robb8773]

Yes, would love to have firmware updates through the App. I have an Olympus camera that I can update both camera body and lens firmware thru the their APP. Come on Cardo!

[@5280Roadrunner]

Still rocking Sean 10s. It’s not he latest and graters but it does what I need it to do.

[@snikyeu]

I still have a q3 which does the job just right . For group chat you can always have a conference call as a workaround :)

[@robertgriggs6205]

The problem is if you use multiple helmets (modular on my gs and mx on dirt and quads) Cardo doesn't have and audio kit for the black. you have to buy the standard audio kit then buy the 45mm speakers.

[@christosdiakos1995]

Hey mate, great video! Could you please explain how is possible to record the intercom chat with packtalk black? What audio recorder did you use in video and ho was your setup?

[@uleiosu4582]

very good test, one of the best on YT congrats!

[@ricinphx]

“ Because of reasons “ That is the most brilliant statement I have ever heard uttered on the internet. I will be stealing your phrase and using it often. And by the way, another great video. Rick, Phoenix Arizona.

[@LongWayHome]

:)))) go crazy

[@spatha2456]

Not sure if someone has mentioned this to ya. I have magnetic USB-C and Micro cables, it just leaves the connector end in the device. That may be useful to ya.

[@MRGS48]

I have tried the Sena brand along with a Scorpion AT150 helmetI think for like 20 miles... Got rid of them both... I would love to have one but after the initial issues I am very sceptical... I would like to use such thing just for blogging but there are more cheaper alternatives... Nice video very well presented besides the slippery finger from Dave's pizza🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@LongWayHome]

You saw that? :)))) only saw it after filming.

[@GlobalWalkabout]

Do you happen to know what two beeps means on the cardo? It's the packtalk black and it'll beep twice every few minutes, but sometimes even several times a minute.. It's quite annoying hearing it through my music.. I can't seem to find anything about it online.

[@jamessuttie1261]

Great video and suggestions for Cardo. I have a SENA, and another whose name escapes me right now, as I haven’t yet ridden this year with my buddy yet. Would love to know if you get any response from Cardo.

[@onemillionmile]

Do Cardo Packtalk units work together with Cardo Freecom units? Or they do not communicate?

[@HuzairiHalim]

Hi. Does it pair normally with a group of bold user ? Eg:bold-bold-black Because the latest Edge when pairing with Bold, the Edge has to be the leader.

[@mchevownr]

Excellent review! Is there an option to listen to music in the background and communicate with another rider at the same time? For example, the music would dim down and I would hear the other rider and be able to respond to their questions.

[@salsamancer]

Cardo DMC works like that

[@Firestorm637]

Love my slim. Responds well to hey Cardo and hey Siri

[@norsmanadventures]

I used Sena and recently switched to Cardo... better sound, easier setup, more reliable voice control, plus BLACK is the shiz lately. Lol. Bummer it won’t connect to the Mesh from Sena. Thanks for the video.

[@SweDownhill]

Which Sena system did you go from? I've got the 30k and was thinking about switching to Cardo Bold. Mainly because my friends have Cardos, but also because they get a lot of positive feedback on audio quality which is what I think Sena is lacking.

[@norsmanadventures]

@@SweDownhill switched from the 30K, I still have it on an older helmet and use It often.

[@SweDownhill]

@@norsmanadventures Awesome, thanks! I'm really tempted to make the switch 😃👍

[@dshevack1]

Does the free com4+ connect to the bold the same way? Bluetooth?

[@PanRider939]

Why is the description “motorcycle BLUETOOTH intercom”, Bluetooth is secondary. Is the distance test 3:23 done in DMC or Bluetooth mode.

[@HairyMTB]

If one uses a earplugs such as "No Noise", can you still use a system such as the Cardo Packtalk?

[@ponytrishpip]

Bought the Cardo Freecom 4+. I only talk to my partner and we normally ride within 200M of each other and the Comms are intermittent and crackly.

[@espero7757]

With which Bluetooth mode? Not the mesh mode I suppose.

[@veljkovic92]

Just a friendly advise to Dave... Please, activate 60fps mode on that camera! As always, nice video. :)

[@LongWayHome]

When it’s not just a garage episode and I actually go out, 24fps all the way :)))

[@espero7757]

Non compatibility between Sena and Cardo is a shame 😐 I do also favor an open source protocol where we riders can pack together with no regret having bought the wrong brand. Maybe the Chinese come up with a third brand using open-source for that.

[@steveh545]

i know this is an "old" video, but i just watched another that said you can join a Sena to a Cardo mesh network, but telling 1 cardo to connect to the sena as a "phone"...or something like that. Can't remember the details, but it's doable.

[@RichDunn]

Could you ask Dave whether the stick-up antennae is for FM radio or to improve mesh signal reception?

[@LongWayHome]

I asked him but he mumbled something about food. But I can tell you it’s for the intercom. The FM antenna is the speaker cable so make sure you run it across the top and not the back.

[@RichDunn]

@@LongWayHome Good to know, thanks. The place where getting your motorcycle news is easier than getting Dave to change his socks, but not by much.

[@ERidesOn2]

Thanks, great video. Apparently it's kind of dumb if mesh really doesn't. F... um both. I hope a new com company goes open source and give the big two a good $$ spanking. Sweeeet

[@mherbert3646]

Would you or Dave happen to know if Interphone is still making units? I have been trying to find a duo pack of their tour model in Canada, but it's as if they no longer exist "because of reasons".

[@pucins]

Judging by their website, they've launched new models in cooperation with Sena and are compatible with Sena's Mesh 2.0. I've been using the old Interphone F4XT and later upgraded to F5MC after I broke the first one and seeing comments about problems with Cardo and Sena apps not working, something crashing, it seems that I'd better stick to the old stable Interphone comms

[@vidster7]

What would i want to connect to people than people i know??

[@alexfaylona4007]

I always use earbuds rather than speakers. Can i easily connect my earbuds to cardo and how?

[@LongWayHome]

Yup. It’s a standard 3.5mm audio jack for the speakers.

[@amunbinning8333]

thx

[@robb8773]

I have the standard PakTalk Bold buy bought the 45mm speakers for $80 USD, as you say an improvement but not by much.

[@Drain09]

Would be better off just getting the bold or slim then?

[@robb8773]

@@Drain09 Functionally they are the same, just that the slim has the battery separate from the main unit. The disadvantage with the slim is that the battery stays with the helmet, the Bold just un-clips from the helmet making it easier to charge. However, considering that Cardo now has the new Edge, which is much slimmer than the Bold, I would buy that one

[@Drain09]

So get the edge when it comes out. Originally I was asking if the black was worth it or not over the bold/slim. I just found a good deal on the slim duo for $320 so gonna try them out.

[@bradleyalexander5821]

Can you upgrade the newer JBL speakers to a pack talk bold?

[@LongWayHome]

Yup

[@philmorrow2446]

Ooooooohhh!!! Sorry to hear you've got a floppy mic, bro! Unlucky! Dave must be chortling to himself!😳😂😂😂 Looks like this would be great for solo use as well.

[@tsubadaikhan6332]

The Good News is Pfizer have a little blue solution for that too... They're not just good in a Pandemic...

[@vancemarin8022]

Soooo I always ride alone !! My question is can you talk to yourself or is it like you and Dave ?? 😁😇👍🇨🇦

[@LongWayHome]

What are you insinuating Vance?!? :D:D

[@edenconnell4322]

Wow great review. I ride with lots of other riders that have Sena headsets. Would love to buy this and connect with them. Can I do this and what will it be like? I ride on the road and would usually only want to connect to one or two other riders with a Sena headsets. Can this unit do this? If not what else do you suggest. My Sena microphone has stopped working and its time for the bin :( Won't buy Sena again.

[@LongWayHome]

They can definitely cross connect, but it's not a fun experience. You will be basically putting the cardo in bluetooth mode instead of Mesh and will connect to a sena device as if it was a phone. So, it can be done, but .... :D

[@DrDiff952]

But you can get those 45mm speakers for your packtalk bold

[@LongWayHome]

Yup.

[@AlexManMichael]

would you buy a cardo packtalk bold black edition or the new cardo edge if the gap between these 2 are 40 euros ?

[@LongWayHome]

For 40 euros, Edge definitely. Been testing it for about a week now and it's great

[@cpuuk]

Packtalk is special... Dave is special.Don't tape the mic in front of your mouth, do slightly to the side, otherwise every breathe you make will be picked up by the mic.

[@bernhtp]

I see nothing significantly new in the black. I have the Packtalk Slim JBL. Cardo is still the best Bluetooth/intercom, but they need to revise their tech to stay ahead. Obvious improvements include Bluetooth 5.1 for better range and USB-C (or your mag-connect recommendation). Their app should provide saving audio for integration with video, both local and from intercom riders. Easier integration with earphones (I have the PlugUp custom-molded earphones) would be nice.

[@coolcarbon4709]

Does it have a 3.5mm socket for in ear monitors?

[@LongWayHome]

Yup.

[@ZiggyW999]

Freecom 4+ user - my "Hey Google" doesnt work at all, tried multiple options and still nothing. Problem is when you test this at home, the phone mic is picking up my voice, but when I move my phone to another room this doesnt work at all...

[@Max.527]

Same here. Only Cardo commands work

[@billreitz5909]

What happened to the single light bulb in the back that always got my attention ? Now the whole wall of belts is lit up and I feel I have to count them. Dave did not improve things. Oh, I use the Nolan B4 bluetooth since I wear an N-100. I cant talk to anyone.

[@LongWayHome]

You actually made me laugh out loud!! 🤣🤣🤣 I’ll get Dave on it.

[@luckylarrikin1439]

Thought Bluetooth 5.0 would have been part of the "special".

[@Greggspies]

Had a BT setup for years now cost £35

[@goldie6579]

I still use hand signals

[@BillyWardPhotography]

My friend has a Spanish accent and voice command doesn’t recognize it

[@samsara3694]

Have they updated to firmware 5.7 and then set the language settings in the app? This helps Cardo deal with non-US accents.

[@sorin.n]

YT: how many ads do you want to include in your video? LWH: Yes!

[@LongWayHome]

I don’t control anything ad related. :)))

[@sorin.n]

@@LongWayHome hey, just kidding. I love your videos just the way you make them. ❤👍

[@bdimon]

The ads are Dave's idea.

[@sorin.n]

@@bdimon 😅

[@blackrama5643]

I just put a powerbank in my jacket when i have to charge the cardo. No worries with getting off only if you turn you head like dave seeing tuna

[@Marius-Gvr]

This is a nice review. I was looking to buy an intercom, but I can't decide between the bold and the slim. Does anyone have any experience with the slim? Is the range shorter?

[@dhpmc5295]

Started up with Slim, but the connection was pretty bad between riders, so swapped to Bold, and it works perfect.

[@gavinfraser7784]

You can get a magnetic micro usb so it would disconnect if forgotten on EBay and Amazon Prime 🤷‍♂️

[@LongWayHome]

Unusable since the rubber flap making the unit waterproof would always be open. Need a magnetic systen from Cardo.

[@gavinfraser7784]

@@LongWayHome that would make more sense and it wouldn’t cost cardo much more to implement I wonder who’ll do it first

[@redeyedfreaks]

The issue you would run across is that the connector would be proprietary. If I break my micro usb I can run to any gas station and pick one up and a charging brick too. I don't want to have to wait to buy a power cable from sena/cardio if mine gets damaged.

[@rubenflores7206]

Cardo. Sena app isn't compatible with my old Android phone. Sena would make me buy a new phone. F that.

[@wine_country_moto]

My buddy and I just bought a couple of these. The DCM and Bluetooth sound horrible even when riding next to each other. What are we doing wrong?

[@briananderson2219]

Who the fuck is Cardo ? He listens about as well as Dave!

[@Firestorm637]

Those cars are very close to you

[@ccooper8785]

"What comm system do you use?" - NONE. If I wanted to talk to people I would force someone to be my friend.... (impressive tech though, I have to admit) My HJC helmets are so ridiculously noisy that it would be pointless to buy an intercom anyway. Unfortunately, these HJCs are the only helmets that fit my comically large (and empty) head.

[@radulescuandrei6178]

buna aia cu ''flappy mic syndrome''...

[@yveskervarec2648]

Talking to someone while riding ?? LOL And what more ? Listenning to someone? 😄 Nope.

[@Seektruth-59]

The whole mess is useless, no one I ride with has the same comm unit. It should be standard code or don’t even bother hence why I just don’t even bother with comms.

[@zefautino]

Mate, you can buy either a cable with a detachable tip, or a portable battery. Both for cheap. The battery you can carry in your pocket, and although the same will happen when you remove your helmet, it won't be as violent. If cardo is to implement a magnetic solution of their own... Why are you complaining about the mesh system again? Oh, it's proprietary. Guess the dozens of cables you already have for your camera, phone, Dave's dildo, Nintendo switch, wouldn't work for cardo and you would be complaining about that. Wouldn't you?

[@LongWayHome]

No, no. I was very specific. A magnetic USB cable. Not magnetic propriatary cable. The aftermarket magnetic usb cables wouldn’t work because the rubber flap would alwaya be open and then it wouldn’t be waterproof anymore.

[@zefautino]

@@LongWayHome Want an idea for a future video? Chain lube. I know, I know, you use transmission fluid that the BMW stealer flushes for you, but would be interesting. Tip, WD40 is great at doing "WD40", WD40 chain lube is terrible.

[@LongWayHome]

Wd40 “water displacement 40” doesn’t lubricate :) still a good idea for a video.

[@zefautino]

@@LongWayHome Yeah, but I'm talking about their motorcycle line of products. Their chain lube is... I'll share a video with you later.

[@peterconnell3162]

I have the Bold. It was fine until the speech function decided not to work, ever again!. All too common a problem. You picked up that updates require an Account, but you did not mention that you have to sign your personal data away under their Terms & Conditions. Is that even legal in the EU?. Cardo’s response is that the are working on an alternative. Really?. What about updates through your app Cardo!. Senna is more primitive, but functionally more reliable, for me at least.

[@robb8773]

Or a hot guy, LOL!

[@LongWayHome]

We don’t judge around here 🤣😂

[@zacharyfett2491]

“If” we’re stupid........... I mean.......we ride motorcycles, sooooooooooo................

[@HypnoticAbyss]

This thing is the biggest peice of shit I've ever owned, great if you ride alone terrible with the intercom onless you ride with another dmc capable device.

[@loren.cretzu]

Wtf, this is near to my home guys🥹