Summary

• Cardo PackTalk NEO gives resilient and fixed connectivity in all climate circumstances, making it a dependable alternative for riders.
• The system options cutting-edge JBL audio system, improved voice controls, and hands-free operation for a seamless driving expertise.
• With its IP67 ranking, the NEO is waterproof and sturdy, whereas its Dynamic Mesh Communication system permits for group connectivity of as much as 15 riders.

Cardo was one of many first know-how companies to deliver us helmet-mounted Bluetooth communication techniques, a market that has seen quite a few rising producers launch a spread of recent merchandise. Consolidating its place as an business chief, the American-Israeli outfit has developed a brand new line of feature-rich communications techniques to switch the discontinued PackTalk BOLD, my headset of alternative for the final three years.

The PackTalk NEO is Cardo’s newest top-of-the-line system. It shares the identical platform as the brand new “Air Mount” PackTalk EDGE and an similar listing of options. Whereas the NEO’s clickable shoe mounting is just like the previous BOLD, the EDGE makes use of a strong magnet to maintain the management unit in place and can set you again an extra $70.

To provide the most real and unbiased evaluate doable, each product we evaluate is examined every day all through the traditional course of day-to-day life for a interval of a minimum of one week.

Cardo PackTalk NEO

Expert Opinion: In the face of any problem, the waterproof PackTalk NEO stands resilient, guaranteeing fixed connectivity regardless of the weather. Whether it is rain, shine, mud, mud, or snow, it endures and retains them linked. The system is provided with cutting-edge 40mm high-definition audio system meticulously crafted by JBL consultants. It options an enhanced music processor and three newly designed audio profiles. Thanks to the improved Natural Voice Operation engine, they’re free of the need of urgent buttons, providing a seamless and hands-free expertise.

Brand

Cardo

Model

PackTalk NEO

Model Number

PTN00001

Mounting Hardware

Clickable mount

Microphone Format

Built-in

Headphone Type

On Ear

Battery Type

Lithium Polymer

Connection sort

Bluetooth

Weight

5 ounces

Pros

• JBL Speakers
• Voice Controls
• Easy To Use
• Waterproof

Cardo PackTalk NEO First Impressions

The NEO’s newly designed management unit will get a classy matte graphite end and is smaller and extra streamlined than the BOLD. Although it shares the acquainted soft-touch wheel and three-button interface, the buttons are extra pronounced, making it simpler to find them whereas sporting gloves. New 40mm, high-definition JBL audio system present wonderful sound high quality, and group communications work flawlessly, though sensible vary varies significantly relying upon your environment.

Mounting the NEO

Cardo offers a alternative of boom-mounted or wired microphones for open- and full-face helmets, and its shoe-mount system offers the choice of completely affixing it to your helmet, utilizing an adhesive backing plate, or by utilizing a clip mount, which slides between your helmet’s shell and its padding. Thanks to the velcro-mounted audio system and microphone, the clip possibility makes NEO simpler to make use of with a number of helmets, although the clip is barely appropriate for lids with slim rims. In both case, Cardo can promote you a second shoe, audio system, and microphone to make use of with an extra helmet.

The ease with which you mount the PackTalk NEO (or any helmet comms system) will depend on your helmet design. Today, most helmets supply detachable cheek and crown padding, and becoming the audio system and microphone ought to require not more than a little bit of logic and persistence. In the case of my Quantum-X Arai lid, getting every part put in was decidedly fiddly. Although Arai makes it simple to determine the perfect location for the adhesive velcro tabs mounting the audio system, getting all of the wires settled into place took some effort and an abundance of cursing.

Smartphone Connectivity and Pairing

Once in place, pairing the NEO with a smartphone utilizing the Cardo Connect app was completely painless. However, if connecting to an iPhone, we advise that you simply ignore the pocket information supplied and choose the NEO straight from the cellphone’s Bluetooth menu. Once linked, your NEO has entry to your phone contacts and music libraries for listening to tunes and making calls on the fly.

Hands-Free Operation

Cardo claims the NEO’s improved Natural Voice operation means you’ll by no means must carry your hand from the bar once more. During our check, the assorted voice instructions labored properly. There are over 20, however intuitively named and simple to recollect, for instance, “Hey Cardo, music on.” In principle, answering an incoming name requires solely to say “Answer,” however this didn’t at all times work in observe.

All-Weather Rated

Rated IP67 by the International Electrotechnical Commission, the PackTalk NEO will face up to full water immersion at low pressures. Accordingly, moist climate will finish your experience lengthy earlier than it ends your NEO. Although the California climate didn’t oblige with a downpour appropriate for testing its new ranking, in principle, you possibly can drop the NEO in a puddle and it wouldn’t be any the more severe for it.

Crystal Clear Sound

Cardo says the 40mm JBL audio system equipping the NEO profit from an improved music processor and redesigned audio profiles. From the settings menu within the Cardo Connect app, enabling the Audio Profiles permits customers to select from three choices. Bass Boost gives a richer music expertise. Vocal, which optimizes sound for phone and intercom communications, and High Volume, which we didn’t attempt as a result of the amount was at all times greater than sufficient.

If you want listening to music or the radio whereas driving, the depth and high quality of the sound are wonderful and on par with high-end headphones, providing a giant step up from the BOLD. The NEO can be outfitted with an FM receiver and offers wonderful radio sound high quality in areas with a powerful radio sign.

Dynamic Mesh

The NEO’s next-generation Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) system can maintain as much as 15 riders linked at a spread of as much as one mile. Although usually greater than sufficient for group driving, in observe, efficient vary relies upon upon the geography you’re touring by means of. While meandering up California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the well-known rocky headlands tended to chop connections shortly after dropping sight.

However, because of DMC, briefly dropping group comms is much much less irritating than when the system relied on a easy daisy chain of connections. The DMC structure connects riders independently of each other. A rider who loses group connectivity because of distance or a headland, for instance, routinely rejoins the group when again in vary and can keep linked to any group members that stay inside their techniques vary.

Functional Value For Money

The NEO additionally permits for a number of Bluetooth system connections, permitting customers to connect with appropriate TFT shows, GPS items and non-Cardo intercom techniques along with a smartphone. However, it’s price checking the compatibility of any gadgets you propose to connect with your NEO forward of time, as some Bluetooth knowledge gadgets is not going to connect with audio gadgets.

The Cardo PackTalk NEO encompasses a smooth design, easier-to-use controls, and improved intercom connectivity. JBL audio system supply superior sound, and dependable voice controls enable for (largely) hands-free driving. While mounting varies by helmet, smartphone pairing is generally easy.

Boasting an IP67 climate resistance ranking and a Dynamic Mesh Communication system that may join as much as 15 riders, the NEO stands out for its strong connectivity and worth for cash. The NEO represents a major enchancment over its predecessor, the BOLD.

Cardo PackTalk NEO Features

• Bluetooth 5.2 with two channels
• FM Radio with six presets and RDS
• Groups of as much as 15 riders
• Range between riders, as much as one mile
• Simultaneously connect with a smartphone and GPS unit
• Dynamic Mesh Communication
• Sound by JBL
• Over-the-air software program updates
• IP67 Waterproof ranking
• USB type-C
• Multilingual standing bulletins
• Universal Bluetooth connectivity with non-Cardo comms techniques
• Full battery speak time: 13 hours
• Charging Time: as much as 2 hours
• Charge whereas driving through USB-C
• Fast charging: 2 hours speak time after 20 min cost
• Standby Time: 10 days
• 2 Year guarantee

See the Cardo PackTalk NEO on Amazon