Cardo Natural Voice-Command Demo. Best By FAR!!! PACKTALK BOLD/SLIM, FREECOM 4x, FREECOM 4+

[@twowheelpilot]

Had issues until I changed to UK English then all is well. Make sure you set your regional dialect. ITS EXTREMELY important.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Good point and very true! Thanks for posting

[@venomoussvt]

I picked up a Packtalk Slim about month ago and its taken me a little to get used to the voice commands as I have a very strong southern draw.. however, they do work and they are extremely functional and convenient.

[@f2f.photography]

You have great taste in music. Great review too.

[@Planet2A]

When i set it up, it worked great but now the 'hey cardo'[ commands wont work, but 'ok google' , and answering phone will, anyone know how to fix it? BTW arrow pointed towards my mouth.

[@mbirth]

I've got the opposite problem. All voice commands work BUT "ok, google". Tried UK English and US English settings. Firmware is 5.2 which is the latest.

[@FredericFontaine]

@@mbirth Same here. Still couldn't find a solution anywhere. Did you work it out?

[@mbirth]

@@FredericFontaine I've reset my PACKTALK BOLD (hold all 3 buttons for 5 seconds), tried it, nothing. Reset it again, and finally managed to trigger "OK, Google" by pronouncing it like /ˈɡuːɡl/ where the "l" is the sound of you swallowing your tongue. I previously pronounced it /ˈɡuːɡəl/, but Cardo doesn't like that ə.

[@FredericFontaine]

@@mbirth Haha I'll try pronouncing it differently when I get home. Thanks for your reply!

[@iSkayer]

​@@mbirth dude, pardon me for this late response, but you saved my life. After reading this now i can, sometimes, activate the assistant with the ok google command. Thank you!

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

It appears it's recognition is at least as good as Google's. I'm excited to get mine. Coming tomorrow.

[@bootz0409]

Pactalk craps all over the competition, especially Sena. Pactalk have really taken their product to the next level and ironed out all the gremlins. Once you go Pactalk Black, you'll never go back! 😆👍

[@FranksBmwAdv]

but I find it does weird things when I'm singing along with a song. not sure if its a siri thing still playing around. The audio is much better than the SENA!

[@ilyasmertyilmaz5036]

Realy good video man !

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Right on thanks!

[@melchisedecsolomon9537]

Don’t understand, Cardo picks up voice commands from the laptop but my voice is right in the mike and i get no response. 😢

[@obiejean]

Hey MotoGeek Freak. Great video. I have an issue with my Packtalk bold that no one seems to be able to figure out. I purchased my cardo packtalk bold and noticed that I cannot answer an incoming call if my music is playing. If I stop the music and receive a call, there's no issues at all. I currently use an iPhone 10s Max. When I test this on an iPhone 6s plus, I don't have this issue at all... I was wondering if you may be able to help? I replaced the unit however the I'm having the same issues with the new packtalk bold unit. Thank you

[@JK-qj9qp]

Thank you for the video! Is the speaker volume output for music louder than a SENA 10S?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Tommy Gun Not sure (haven’t tested the 10s) but it’s louder than the 30K so I’d bet it’s a “yes”...

[@Planet2A]

@@MotoGeekFreak The speakers are where it shines in my opinion, only reason I have'nt returned the unit. Much better than my smh10- which is think was the previous version of 10s

[@drjones694]

Thank you

[@TheZakkmylde]

I have iPhone. But I have Apple Music and also amazon music and Sirius xm…. I find it confusing and not sure how to get each one to work as it seems To conflict…. I think Apple Music takes default but how can I utilize the other apps ? Am I using cardo or Siri or Alexa on my iPhone lol 🥴🥴🥴🥴

[@MotoGeekFreak]

I think the Cardo app defaults to Apple Music. Personally, if I know I'm going to use Spotify of Sirius xm I just use THAT app, and not the Cardo one. Works great. Now say your listening to Sirius xm but want to switch to Spotify, or Apple Music, or whatever, that's where Siri comes in. "Hey Siri, open Spotify" for example. Hope that helps!

[@antisnafu]

Ok, I guess my question is, what’s the difference between vox and natural voice? They are both selections under the same drop down. My freecom 4+ will do either but there is no mention of natural voice at all in the instructions...

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Solid question. So, consider VOX as just a "switch" that's activated by a certain level of volume. You say or do something loud enough, it crosses that "VOX switch" threshold, and something happens. Natural Voice is an entirely different beast...it's basically scrubbing any and everything you say into the mic but is only triggered by specific commands (not a specific volume level like VOX). If you have a freecom 4+ it has the Natural Voice tech, so you should be able to just say "Hey Cardo" followed immediately by the specific command and it does it. i.e. "Hey Cardo volume up", or "Hey Cardo music on", etc... Only tip- the command DOES have to be exact... if you were to say "Hey Cardo start my music" nothing is going to happen. Hope that helps!

[@krisbarger]

I can't get Siri to work when I'm moving on my Harley. I just updated to 3.6 firmware maybe that will help? She works when I am at red lights but when I am cruising "het siri" just will not work. I am using the mic that sticks not the boom mic on the bend thing.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Give this a shot next time your out... try your best to talk at a "normal" volume. Sounds crazy but I ran into the same thing; if i talked loud I got nothing, but just saying Hey Siri at a normal volume works really well for me and SHOULD do the trick. Hope that helps!

[@Boy.of.wonder]

Interesting to see if it works with Scottish accents, bet like everything else it doesn’t lol

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Hoffnungslos Yikes I’m not sure! Might depend on how thick you lay it on!!! Lol

[@c138599]

I played soccer, centre midfield, for a couple of years with a bunch of Scots at Garden Island (Australia). I NEVER understood a SINGLE WORD any of them ever said during the game. Before and after perfectly OK; during the game no chance. An iota of exitement and it all turns to celtic spit and phlegm. Good luck Cardo.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

PT hahaha, I like the “good luck Cardo” part lol! @Hoffnungslos any feedback? How did it do!!???’!

[@Boy.of.wonder]

PT good chance they didn’t understand your funky accent either, shrimp baarby maaaate struuuuth. Bought the Cardo slim last week, should be waiting for me when I get home from holiday tomorrow 👍🏻

[@c138599]

Yes Aussie accent is not pretty. But voice activated gadgets seem to cope mostly. (My cousins in Yorkshire think I speak posh - ha!) I read a response from a New Zealander who is returning his Cardo Bold because it is unresponsive to his accent. Suspect he's from South Island - NZ-ers pronounce vowels very strangely (chips = chups) and the further south the stronger the accent. In my car the computer learns how I pronounce English via set-up exercise. Looks like the Cardos may not be so flexible. I'm too am interested in the Slim, just choking over the price.

[@tmaciejs]

What is the maximum range of communication in built-up areas (I mean when motorcyclists can not see each other ??)

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Matt T It cuts it back for sure. If it’s just me and you downtown, we’re probably going to lose each other here and there with the buildings and such. The positive side is that it just reconnects SO fast. The moment they “see” each other, we’re live again. Open terrain is when the range really starts to be impressive. Kinda bland but I hope it helps!

[@LTVoyager]

If you are in intercom mode, does your passenger hear every “Hey Cardo” command and vice versa? That would get annoying hearing each other’s every command to change stations, volume, etc.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

@LTVoyager the answer to this is Yes (and yes it does get annoying if there's all kinds of commands being spoken! lol). BUT, that's when we just resort to using the buttons for small changes. When the commands are here and there, it's not bothersome for us. If there's a bunch of us, we will mainly use the buttons ( Natural Voice is spoiling but certainly an extra that's not normal to have lol) and when I'm alone, it's completely awesome to just talk to the thing. Hope that helps!

[@michaellakaydee]

How does it do with multitasking? Like GPS and music? What about sharing music between riders? Like if I wouldn’t mind listening to music but my husband doesn’t want to, is there a way to not share that?

[@asadflip971]

Music does not share, only voice is shared when paired together. And you can run google maps or Apple Maps in the background with voice commands directing you while riding the bike. You can also and listen to music and the same time.

[@bootz0409]

I share my music with my pillion as we have a pactalk black headset each. It works brilliantly. If one party doesn't want to listen to music, simply don't hit the share icon

[@Martin_Cole]

Hi. My voice commands just stopped working. Like I am saying nothing. Intercom is all good etc. Just voice commands. Any idea. PackTalk Bold

[@paulotex19]

Consider updating the firmware. It seems to fix the issue.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Martin Cole Hey there, so it was working and now it’s not? Just curious, and perhaps a power-cycle will resolve if so? Also, make sure that you have not accidentally turned off Voice Commands within the Cardo Connect app. BIG TIP - I’ve learned that if I talk loudly/yell (due to being on the highway or something) it will not work well. Speaking at a “normal volume” is the key, big time. Then it works exceptionally well....could this have been the case? Hope that helps a bit!!

[@Martin_Cole]

​@@MotoGeekFreak Really weird. So we have two units wife and me for pillion use. She has voice control I don't. I swap over the units, she has voice control on both units. So we know both units work correctly. Ok is it my Mic. no because we have great comms between helmets. Could it be my mount on the helmet? Why would it be it I have great comms to her.? I am completely stumped. There is no logical explanation for this. The only thing I can think is that in some way my MOUNT is not allowing Voice Control. Like I say it cant be the units because they work fine on my wife's helmet. Any ideas?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

@@Martin_Cole Okay so yes, that rules out the unit (since it works when you put yours on HER helmet) and the mic (since you have comms and that confirms it works). The only other things I think is: 1.) The mount. Perhaps there is indeed a board in the mount that has failed?? 2.) Your voice (not to be rude lol), could it be that you are delivering the commands wrong by chance? One tip I have learned on this is not to shout. When I yell/talk loudly at it, it doesn't work. When I talk at a "normal" volume, it's spot-on. Could this be the case? If you think you're doing the commands correctly, then it just HAS to be that mount itself. It's the only thing left in this equation!! Best of luck man and hope that helps!

[@sonnym9954]

@@Martin_Cole So here is the deal, not to be rude to MotoGeek, when I speak in my normal voice Cardo ignores half my commands. So I was "mocking" Cardo and this video (since Cardo recommends using this video to troubleshoot) and I used a higher pitch Michael Jackson voice and I'll be damned if Cardo didn't do jumping jacks when ordered. That may explain why your spouse is successful and you are not. Use a higher pitch. Of course I just noticed the comment is two years old so you may have ditched it by now if you couldn't get it to work. Joke is on me.

[@tsak8]

Wow! Now i have to have this!!

[@jetlag6252]

When I get to a stop, the Cardo Packtalk Slim Says Hey Siri and it triggers Siri without me saying anything… Very annoying. Any idea how to stop that?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Jet lag Whoa...haven’t experienced or heard of this before. It just does it out of nowhere??! Hmmmmm, yeah that’s weird. If you’re not saying anything and it’s just doing that on its own, I’d hit up Cardo. Shouldn’t be doing that. Hope that helps best of luck getting it dialed in!

[@iSean1]

I don't suppose there is any way in the Cardo App to specify it start Spotify or some other music app when you say "Hey Cardo Music On?" It seems to always start Apple Music unless I go through "Hey Siri" first.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

@Sean Donnelly yes, that's correct. Seems to alway pick the native music player by default. If I know that I'm going to want Spotify, I'll open the app, tap play then pause real quick, then shove it into my pocket. That way, when I say "Hey Cardo, Music On" it will start where I left off.... in this case.... Spotify. Hope that helps!

[@iSean1]

@@MotoGeekFreak It does. I was able to get Spotify to open when it wasn't started as the default player by first doing a "Hey Siri launch Spotify" and then telling it "Hey Cardo Music On" But my wife seemed to have hers working briefly by saying "Hey Cardo Spotify On." I am not sure how or why. I suspect Cardo just heard Hey Cardo and On for her and launched music even if it didn't really understand Spotify. If it heard "Hey Cardo followed by On, she must have wanted music right? That said, I was hoping that there was actually a way to specify :)

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Sean Donnelly totally agree, that would actually be pretty awesome for sure! Maybe eventually!?!?

[@iSean1]

@@MotoGeekFreak Yeah, maybe something in settings to set default music app. Looks like from their release schedule may be a firmware update in June?

[@OceanicOpps]

What if I use an iPhone with google music,,, are music commands only for “Apple Music” crap? What command is used for pack talk and do I have to “hey Cardo” for every message to my pack?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

@Oceanic Opps You can use the "Hey Cardo" commands for any music player on your phone. I use it for Spotify mostly....BUT... I have to make sure to open Spotify first. For instance, if I have nothing open and just say "Hey Cardo Music On"....it will start the native Apple Music which I agree...no bueno. That's the phone's default player, so that's what starts. So, I just open the player that I want to use, that way, when I give the command it starts from the player I want.

[@OceanicOpps]

MotoGeek Freak thank you!

[@freemanvain]

Has anyone had problems with the natural voice just not working? I have tried in on three different helmets with three different audio kits and it simply does not work at all.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Vain Freeman Are you using Packtalk Bold or the original Packtalk? Just curios...because the original Packtalk won’t operate like this video is showing, just the Bold/Slim models...

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

In addition to what he said make sure your connections are secure & that you say the exact voice command. AFAIK Cardo doesn't have any variations of the commands set up.

[@tomd4068]

Can you charge it while using on your helmet. I run a uclear. It’s great but When battery dies. No tunes!!!!! You have to remove from helmet. It uses the same port for speakers to charge it

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Yes, it can be charged while using it. When you plug it in it’ll shutdown (to charge), then just power it back on and your good to go. Hope that helps!

[@SaskSneeze]

so you can say hey cardo or hey siri? (or google) that's kind of nice, I just ordered the slim one... I can't wait until it gets here. My motorcycle is still in storage for the winter so I might just sit around the house with my motorcycle helmet on

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Correct! Their Natural Voice Operation is truly awesome. Depending on what phone you have, you just say "hey Siri" or "ok, Google" to pull those up, then the phones takes it from there. Separately, the "Hey, Cardo" commands (there's like 20 of them) control the operation of the headset itself; like changing the volume, skipping a song, FM radio control, all kinds of stuff. As a tip, just don't yell at it! lol. She won't listen as well when you shout haha

[@damnkilluminati]

I received the cardo packtalk slim and for some reason doesn't let me use cardo voice command I always have to say hey Google to do a command.How do I fix this where I can use cardo for voice command instead

[@MotoGeekFreak]

@Ric G the "Ok, Google" command will trigger your phone's voice command (which is super capable), but are you saying the other commands don't work? The internal Cardo commands should help with controlling the unit itself... like "Hey Cardo, Volume up", or "Hey Cardo, Music On", and "Hey Cardo, Next Track".....are those working for you?

[@mbirth]

@@MotoGeekFreak Wait, what? It's "Hey Google"? My manual says it's "O K, Google" and that's what I'm trying for weeks and never got it to recognise me.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Markus Birth Crap! No- it’s def “Ok, Google” for Android phones (made the edit in my previous comment, sorry ‘bout that!). Have you tried it with the phone in your hand? It may require an extra step on the phone’s end to get it setup properly. Once set, you should be able to just say “OK, Google” on your Packtalk and it will (should) pull-up the voice assistant in your phone. Just as a tip: when trying it at home, make sure your phone is far enough away that’s it’s not hearing your Actual voice...you want it to be triggered by the Packtalk. That make sense? Hope that helps!

[@mbirth]

@@MotoGeekFreak I can trigger "Ok Google" using the phone button on the Packtalk. So it _should_ work via voice command as well. But the Packtalk Bold doesn't even read back "Ok Google" to me like it did with "Hey Siri" for you. I'm also not sure if it maybe just doesn't like my German accent or my intonation. But then, all other voice commands work fine.

[@offmychest6563]

it doesn't work for me at all

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Not sure what's going on but just some helpful tips: Make sure that little yellow arrow on the boom mic is facing your mouth, and if you're using the wired mic, make sure that thing is close to your mouth. Bets are off otherwise. Also, whatever you do don't shout. If i yell at it because im on the freeway, it doesn't work. When I talk "normal" volume, it's ALMOST perfect. And of course, make sure you're saying the exact commands... if I say "Hey Cardo start my music", that's not going to work, because the command for that is "Hey Card, Music On". Hope that helps and I'd give them a call if not!!

[@stewmcminn8241]

Does it work with Spotify? Can you get it to control your phones gps? iPhone? Google maps or Apple Maps?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

You can do all those things but they wouldn't be baked-in Cardo commands; you would say "Hey SirI" or "Ok Google" to do the things you mention above

[@thomasstorbugt6829]

my mic is super low. People cant hear me and I did a recording test and its low there too.. I have packtalk slim jbl. Using the wired mic not the one for flip helmets.. Anyone can help?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Hey Thomas, is the wired mic DIRECTLY over your mouth? Sorry if that's a stupid question but it's mega important. If not, try that first for sure. If it's still low sounding, try testing with the other mic (the boom one) and see if it's any better? Good luck man and hope it works!

[@thomasstorbugt6829]

MotoGeek Freak its directly infront of my mouth. The foamy thing touch my lips haha. The boom is low too tho

[@unknown1creature]

You live in Georgia!

[@aldymarhaendra2278]

Does the Voice command works on the full face? Because ive tried several times itu doesnt work

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Yeah it should be working regardless of helmet for sure. The biggest tips without knowing much of what you've tried already are this: -If using the boom mic inside your full face, make sure that little yellow arrow is facing your mouth. -If using the button mic make sure it's close to your mouth and not above/below your mouth. -DON'T YELL :) It works a ton better when just talking at a "normal volume level", even on the highway. -The command has to be exact. If you say "Hey Cardo, play music"...nothing is going to happen. You have to say "Hey Cardo, music on" (which is the correct command for that) Hope this helps and if not I'd give them a call to make sure you can get this working!!

[@aldymarhaendra2278]

@@MotoGeekFreak Thanks man, ive tried several times it doesnt work because i kept saying hey cardo, play music haha. And also yeah no need to yell, just talking normal. Love this device! much better than 30k sena in my opinion

[@MotoGeekFreak]

aldy marhaendra Nice! Sounds like you got it all figured out.😁

[@Baza765]

Any advice please,,,, Hey Cardo Radio on,,,Perfect Hey Cardo Radio Off,,,,its gone deaf,so has most of the other voice commands, i've moved the mic,i tried shouting then wispering,still no use,i'm from the UK so Help Reqd,,,Loving your vids btw and subbed ;-)

[@krisbarger]

me too....

[@gmangco]

I'll try this it's like I'm speaking Chinese atm, totally unresponsive

[@dardobartoli]

I have the Slim and it works perfectly ..... for you and your American accent. But for me and my British accent (which of course is the proper way to speak :-) ) it's less consistent.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Bob Dunn 😂😂 true👆. I believe there was a new “language” added in one of the more recent firmware updates, have you tried it yet? I think it’s called “Queens English” (or something like that) in the app. I’m super curious to know if actually improved the Natural Voice Commands when selected. If you haven’t already, give it a look and please let me know!! Of course, i would do it myself it’s near impossible for me to test accurately 🤣😋

[@derrybullock8823]

Will this be available in PackTak as a s/w update?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

No idea...but it would be awesome if so. I have a (bad) feeling that it's hardware and software making this happen, not just a software update, unfortunately. Let's hope I'm wrong.

[@derrybullock8823]

MotoGeek Freak ... thx for the reply... appreciate the videos, REALLY makes using the PT a lot easier;)

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Derry Bullock Thanks!

[@jodyzung6455]

@@MotoGeekFreak I think I read that its a hardware processor that helps this along. I bought the regular Packtalk since they seem to be on sale since the BOLD came out (300 bucks for a duo pack!). My thoughts were that added voice wasn't worth the extra 100 bucks for the BOLD because everyone seems to gloss over the fact that that Packtalk also has voice commands! However, do you know if the new Packtalk 4.2 firmware has removed some of the Packtalk voice commands? It seems that it has less commands and is more flaky now that the BOLD is out. Almost seems like they crippled the Packtalk's voice commands in order to steer people to the BOLD. And thanks again for the videos, very helpful.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Jody Zung Fist off dang that’s a GREAT price for a dual pack! Nice. But yes the voice command ability is THE difference between the original (which still faaaaar out-ways any alternatives) and the Bold...and anything else for that matter. With the original, it has voice command, but it’s in the “back-and-forth” structure that was the norm prior to Bold. Basically, you activate the voice command function, it beeps, you tell it what to do, then it does it. With Bold, it’s a single-step operation. You just say “hey Cardo do this”, or “hey Cardo do that”. With v4.2 they changed the button to activate voice commands, but it’s still there. It’s just something that most will end up not using because if you have to touch the unit you might as well just perform the function via the buttons. Hope that makes sense!

[@SH-ni8sh]

Mine is brand new. Doesn’t work.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Sherrod Hagan Voice Commands don’t work? Is it a Bold or an original Packtalk? If it’s a Bold, you should be able to do what I’m doing in the video, just have to make sure you’re saying the exact command.

[@melchisedecsolomon9537]

Brought yesterday am the voice command is not working. Siri works for some odd reason. But i brought a Cardo so Cardo should work.

[@ColtonBlumhagen]

How well does it work at speed?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Colton Blumhagen It actually works!!!! Lol. One thing I had to remember though was to not yell. If I yell (because of the wind) it works 50% of the time. But if I just speak “natural” volume lol, it works really/surprisingly well.

[@iSean1]

@@MotoGeekFreak Is that the secret to getting it to work consistently? It seems to be hit or miss for me. I came here looking for some tips/settings to get it to work better :)

[@MotoGeekFreak]

@@iSean1 lol, yes it's one of the tips, not to yell at it. The only other big one would be mic placement...make sure that thing is very close to your mouth, and if using the directional boom mic, double-check that the little yellow triangle is facing your mouth. Hmmm what else... I guess just a bit of practice! I always imagine a small comma after saying the "Hey Cardo" and before saying the command. I've got it working really well for me, perhaps I just have 'er trained well!!!!

[@iSean1]

MotoGeek Freak thanks! I am using the stick on mic with the Aria XD4. That helmet makes it a little hard to put the mic dead center due to the large open vent in the center, so I have it off to the side a little. My wife says she can hear me just fine, but “hey Cardo” sometimes cannot. I may have to try the boom mic. Also short of “Hey Cardo mute audio” I don’t suppose there is any means to not hear each other’s frequent “hey Cardo” requests? Probably wouldn’t be as annoying if my wife didn’t have to hear me say “Hey Cardo” over and over for the same command. I need to try to fix that :)

[@CplBill_USMC]

It's cool but not working on mine worth a crap.

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Without knowing much as to why, some tips that might help: Make sure the mic is placed close to your mouth and yellow arrow facing you (if using the boom mic), definitely don't shout the commands (say them at a "normal" volume regardless how loud it is in your helmet), and make sure you're saying the commands exactly as written (i.e. "Hey Cardo, Music On" should work but "Hey Cardo turn on music" will certainly not). Best of luck man and I hope that helps!

[@z-collector7518]

"Best By FAR!!! " Still a pile of shit. In real world conditions it works with at best 3 commands 10% of the time. It is ancient technology advertised like cutting edge and they ask premium prices for it. Most of the motorcycle gear sold today is a complete rip off and real innovation is dead. By the way, anybody had an expensive motorcycle jacket destroyed by the Velcro used extensively on gloves? How imbecile is that?!?!?

[@MotoGeekFreak]

Man I have to disagree - it completely smokes the tech used by traditional "back-and-forth" voice command procedures. Working 90%+ of the time for me. Only tips I can offer: Don't shoult (even at highway speed), make sure the mic is facing your mouth, say the commands EXACTLY AS THEY ARE WRITTEN, and if you have an English accent switch the headset language to "English (United Kingdom)" within the Cardo app.