Welcome to this year’s complete Cardo product line overview!
I’m Mike Tole with Cardo and we are going to highlight the many things that are new as of this year, but also take a deeper look into three different product lines: the Spirit line, the Freecom X line and the Packtalk line.
But before we do, lets cover some blanket facts that apply to all Cardo’s.
Every unit we make comes with tool-free Installation. We’ve said goodbye to the Allen-wrench approach in favor of a clean, flush mount that stays above the helmet line. It’s super easy to install and takes up minimal space.
Every Cardo is going to be 100% waterproof, which means if you find yourself in crazy weather, either by choice or by accident, your Cardo is going to hold up.
Every Cardo has access to the Cardo connect app. Now, this app is amazing, and it applies to all our products. It allows for full configuration of the unit. It acts as a full-fledged remote control of the unit, even the entry-level one. It’s user friendly and is available on iOS and Android alike.
Every Cardo unit comes with a standardized 3.5-millimeter plug for the speaker plug-in. Now, the speakers that come with these are phenomenal. But if you wanted to use your own earbuds, custom in-ear molds, or you happen to find your own helmet speaker that you prefer, then go for it. You can use literally any of those with these systems.
Every Cardo unit has the universal connectivity, meaning you can pair your headset with that of any other brand for intercom.
They can all utilize self-adjusting volume. – this means that the system will automatically raise and lower the volume of the headset for you based on your ambient noise.
Each Cardo unit can be used while taking a charge.
Finally, each unit includes at least a two-year warranty.
Let’s talk about the products that just came out for this year. They really bring things to another level.
For starters, each of them is powered by the latest Bluetooth chip 5.2 which is the most advanced on the Market.
They all support over-the-air software updates, done via the cardo connect app we talked about a second ago without the need for a cable, dongle, or a docking station.
We’ve adopted USB type-C for these new units, and all of them support fast charging. Which basically means just 20 minutes of juice yields two hours of additional riding time.
So, the big question is what makes them different from each other?
What we will do is break it down between our Bluetooth headsets and our DMC Mesh headsets and we’ll go from there.
Bluetooth Headsets
Okay so let’s start with our Bluetooth-based intercom systems, starting with the Spirit line. Spirit represents a rare combination of incredible capability and not a lot of sting on the wallet. What I mean by that is the things we talked about a second ago.
Bluetooth 5.2
Over-the-air firmware updates
Rapid charging
Waterproof
A lot of these things that you only ever find in the mid-level and the high-level you are finding in the Spirit line, and the Spirit line represents our entry level.
So, if you’re looking for the absolute most for the absolute least, you’ve got to put Spirit on your consideration plate.
There’s Spirit and Spirit HD and here’s the difference between the two.
Out of the gate, with Spirit HD you’re going to find the inclusion of an FM Radio and bigger speakers. Spirit HD has 40-millimeter speakers, whereas the Spirit comes with 32-millimeter speakers.
You also have a range difference. 400 meters on the Spirit bike-to-bike unit; 600 meters on the Spirit HD bike-to-bike. With HD you also find a wideband intercom, which means a higher quality intercom relationship.
Lastly the Spirit has a 10-hour battery life while the Spirit HD has a 13-hour battery life.
That’s how you find your way through those two units.
Now, if you are looking for better and bigger range, bigger and better sound, or just a bigger and better overall next level experience…
That’s when we start talking about the Freecom X line.
With the Freecom X line, there’s a few attributes you pick-up immediately.
First is the design and ergonomics. There’s a little roller wheel on the bottom that makes life very easy to change volume and a few other operations.
Next, there’s the inclusion of Sound by JBL. Both of these models come with the 40-millimeter JBL HD speakers, 3 distinct sound profiles, and offer a considerable bump in music quality and music sound experience over the Spirit line.
Additionally, the Freecom X line introduces live intercom. Now this is an all-new Bluetooth intercom connection with exceptional audio quality and a unique reconnect capability. This means when rider intercom disruptions happen – which they do – the system automatically work to fix that connection without the need to touch a bunch of buttons.
Now your Core difference between a 2X and a 4X is its intercom capability. The 2X is designed for up to two people bike-to-bike or rider-passenger, it doesn’t matter with an 800-meter bike to bike range.
Whereas the 4X can handle up to four riders, whether that’s four different bikes or two up and two up, whatever the arrangement is at a 1.2-kilometer range between unit and unit.
So, as an intercom up to two people max on the Freecom 2X, and up to 4 people max on the Freecom 4X. Of course, both include:
Waterproof
Universal connectivity
Cardo Connect App
All the stuff we talked about earlier
One last thing on the Freecom 4X is the inclusion of natural voice. 4X has natural voice operation the 2X does not. That feature alone opens up a whole world of hands-free operation. In fact, you’re not really touching the unit at all at that point, because just say, “Hey Cardo” and then the command and it performs that function.
For example, “Hey Cardo music on,” “Hey Cardo mute audio,” or “Hey Cardo volume down.”
Premium Packtalk Line (DMC based)
This brings us to our premium products, the Packtalk line.
All Packtalk units come with Cardo’s DMC (Dynamic Mesh Communication). Cardo is the company that conceived, built, and released the world’s first mesh headset back in 2015 and we’ve been refining and improving it ever since then.
When it comes to crystal clear, always-on flexible networking of reliable stable intercom connections, DMC stands in a league of its own. You should, however, fight any urge to reserve it for only large groups. DMC offers inherent benefits even with just two or three riders involved, and outperforms any Bluetooth headset, Cardo’s included.
Those who are familiar with Cardo likely recognize a few familiar names – first off, Packtalk Bold as it’s been the one that has led the mesh charge since 2015.
Packtalk Slim shares the same feature set as Bold, but it’s packaged in a 6.5-millimeter thin unit that basically becomes part of the helmet. We call it semi-integration.
Both of these two units have played a revolutionary role in the communication landscape. To be able to build upon that and create something like Packtalk Edge has resulted in something that’s truly remarkable.
Packtalk Edge is a fresh design with an internal antenna instead of the pop-up. It features an all-new magnetic air mount. Once you put the unit close to the helmet, the cradle grabs on tight – it’s NOT letting go.
Packtalk Edge is our first unit to come with the second generation of Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC). Pairing has never been so simple or so fast. In addition, you’ll notice an even higher quality when it comes to Voice Intercom Transmission.
The unit comes equipped with a redesigned sound by JBL. It’s better, stronger, and louder and includes three new sound profiles. Natural Voice Operation has been improved by adding a completely new Voice Reception Technology and an improved Noise Cancelling Microphone. Just say “Hi Cardo” and say the command, and let it take it from there.
The Edge includes our Three-Year Warranty, and of course comes packed with all the features we mentioned at the very beginning of this article. To put it very simply, if you are looking for the best intercom that exists, it’s this one right there.
Okay, that’s it. You can always check out our website for more information.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please comment below.
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