REVIEW
MY GO-TO The Cardo Packtalk Bold has become my goto for riding . I used to say if you are looking at an intercom / bluetooth music device , then check to see what brand your mates have and get that . But these days , Cardo can be connected to other non-Cardo intercoms . So , if you ’ re in the market , kit yourself out with the best gear available , and at the time of writing this , I say get a Cardo . They ’ re on the premium side at around $ 600 each or a double pack for $ 1100-ish , but we reckon they ’ re worth the asking price . Mine is now 18 months old and still functions as it did when it came out of the box . Cardo have also just released two more offerings to the NZ market that sit below the Packtalk Bold in the price scale ; the Freecom X and Spirit . I ’ m in the process of testing these as I type this , so keep an eye out for those reviews . RAY HERON
SECOND OPINION
Like Ray , I ’ ve been using a Packtalk Bold for the last 18-months . I ’ d never considered an intercom before , always just wanting my helmet space to myself , no distractions . Then I tried riding with music . Game changer . Music made those tedious straight sections less ... umm ... tedious . And talking with my frequent riding buddies while we ride has been a joy . Especially on gravel roads where we can warn of oncoming traffic or warn of a piss stop . I can get a full day of talking with other riders when I don ’ t listen to music , but if you ’ re talking as well as listening to music , the unit will need a charge part way through the day - something that we normally do during lunch . I ’ ve found the connection between devices in a group to sometimes be a little difficult , but the app helps with that - and if it just seems to not want to play , turning it off and on again seems to make the connection work . Fitting the speakers in the helmet and making all the wires takes a bit of work . It ’ s worth spending some time to get the speakers directly opposite your ears , I ’ ve found that just a centimetre here or there makes a huge difference to the volume and clarity . The same goes for the microphone placement - getting that just right makes a huge difference . In January I spent 10 days touring the South Island with two riding buddies . We did over 3500km , mostly on gravel roads and 4WD tracks , and being able to talk actually made the trip better than it would have been without the Cardo ; something I ’ d never have believed a couple of years ago . BEN WILKINS
Model : Cardo Packtalk Bold Price : Single $ 599 ; Duo pack $ 1059 Buy here : www . motogear . co . nz
Installation and charging are simple .
56 KIWI RIDER