Back in 2015 Cardo began marketing the PackTalk, the first MESH intercom for motorcycles, over the years we have seen continuous evolution, with increasingly important updates and implementations of new functions, but the most important thing is that the hardware has never changed . This makes us understand that when a Cardo product is born it has a very long life and is ready for the near future.
After 7 years the natural life of the PackTalk Bold has come to an end, it is now a perfect device that has given so much to millions of motorcyclists during its commercial life. But precisely for this reason today it remains one of the most popular devices in terms of price-performance ratio. This is because the new products do not differ much in performance from the old Packtalk Bold.
The new PackTalk range
The new PackTalk range is divided into three models, Packtalk edge, Packtalk Neo, Packtalk Custom.
-
PackTalk EDGE, top of the range product
The EDGE model is the most complete product in the range, all software functions are enabled, the innovative magnetic system for fixing the control unit to the base makes it unique in its kind, and it is also possible to recharge the device while using it USA.
-
PackTalk NEO, intermediate product
The NEO model differs from the EDGE model only in the fixing system which is not magnetic, but mechanical, all the software functions are enabled, but recharging while in use is not allowed.
-
Packtalk Custom. configurable
Packtalk Custom the novelty of 2023 mechanically similar to the NEO model, is marketed with limited software (thirty-day free trial with all functions enabled), after this period the user will choose whether to leave it with the basic settings, or to buy one of two packages available.
After a brief presentation of the products, let's analyze the different characteristics of the PackTalk series
For the whole Packtalk series the MESH function remains unchanged, everyone can enter the Cardo MESH network.
Packtalk Bold has an external antenna
Packtalk EDGE, NEO, CUSTOM have an integrated antenna
Packtalk Bold has Bluetooth 4.1
Packtalk Edge , Neo , Custom have Bluetooth 5.2
What does this mean? the new Bluetooth 5.2 Chip enables better performance and lower power consumption, ready for the near future. Packtalk Bold 's Bluetooth 4.1 is fully compatible with all current technologies, but will no longer be updatable.
Packtalk Bold 2 years
Packtalk Edge 3 years
Packtalk Neo and Custom 2 years
Packtalk Bold has a mechanical ECU mount, with the wiring harness integrated into the mount.
Packtalk Edge has a magnetic ECU mount, with the wiring harness integrated into the mount
Packtalk Neo and Custom they have mechanical control unit support and separate wiring. What does this mean? the Neo and Custom series comes with a bare mounting support and a separate harness to connect speakers and microphone, this harness is inserted into the Type-C slot of the charger, thus preventing it from charging during use.
The first image is the mechanical support of the Packtalk BOLD model, the second image is the magnetic support of the PackTalk EDGE model, the third and fourth images are the mechanical support with the separate wiring of the Packtalk NEO and CUSTOM .
The other functions between the four models are equivalent but we must not forget that a more updated Bluetooth version is always the best condition, especially if we have to integrate the intercom with the instruments integrated in the new bikes.
But: if we are not interested in or don't have a bike with a TFT, the Packtalk BOLD is certainly the best purchase option with the best price/performance ratio.
