The Cardo Packtalk Edge: The Most Boring (and Best) Motorcycle Gadget I Own
Evan Rally
Date Updated: January 26, 2025
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In a world of motorcycle gadgets that demand your constant attention—pairing issues, troubleshooting, and updates—the Cardo Packtalk Edge stands out for one simple reason: it works. All the time. Every time. It’s the most boring piece of technology I own, and that’s precisely why I love it.
Unlike other devices that overpromise and underdeliver, the Packtalk Edge delivers on its claims flawlessly. Whether it’s streaming music, providing GPS directions, or keeping a group of riders connected through its Mesh intercom, the Edge is a silent workhorse that simply gets the job done without drama.
Let me explain why this little communicator has become a non-negotiable part of my riding gear, and why I can’t imagine hitting the road without it.
We will get in to:
- Using GPS, music, through the device
- Durability and weatherproofing
- Managing connections with a group of riders
- Voice commands (like mute/unmute)
- Battery life (and charging while using)
My Journey with Cardo
My relationship with Cardo began in 2022, when I embarked on a cross-country tour on a Harley-Davidson with a Cardo Spirit strapped to my helmet. I cruised through mountain passes, across wide open plains and up the Pacific Coast Highway with the V-twin rumbling between my legs and my music coming through the speakers of that Cardo Spirit. That little device weathered everything I threw at it: searing heat, bone-chilling cold, and torrential downpours.
Fast forward a year, and I made the leap to the Packtalk Edge. Not just for myself, but for my entire tour company. I purchased two Packtalk Edge units and six of the similar Packtalk Customs with my own money. This review is not a paid sponsorship, not even a discounted deal. In fact, Cardo wouldn’t match a better offer I found on Amazon! But here we are, and I don’t regret a single penny spent.
These devices have been through the wringer: jungle rides with eight riders connected via Mesh, day-long tours in unpredictable weather, and countless solo trips where the Edge has been my connection to music, navigation, and more. I won’t ride without it now.
Let me take you through everything that makes the Cardo Packtalk Edge a must-have for me, and we’ll see if it’s a must have for you (or if the Cardo Spirit makes more sense!)
Cardo Packtalk Edge Motorcycle Intercom
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Revzilla
$359.96
The Gold Standard in motorcycle communication units. Simple to use, rugged and reliable, with premium sound and long battery life.
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01/30/2025 03:25 pm GMT
Why I Love the Cardo Packtalk Edge
It Just Works
Let’s start with the simplest and most compelling reason I love the Cardo Packtalk Edge: it just works. From the moment you turn it on, everything happens seamlessly. The unit powers up, connects to your phone, and as soon as you switch your music on it starts playing through the included 40mm JBL speakers..
Creating a Mesh group for a ride takes no more than 30 seconds. You hold a button on each device, and just like that, you’re connected – whether you’re a pair or a pack of 10. Better yet, if a fellow rider in your group powers their unit on mid-ride, they join the Mesh network automatically, with zero interruptions to the rest of the group.
Like I said, it just works. Down to the little things.
Every detail has been designed with the rider in mind. When you turn the unit off, it announces the remaining battery life—a thoughtful feature that saves you from guessing. During a ride, it automatically adjusts the volume based on exterior noise, raising it during acceleration and lowering it at stoplights. No need to frantically lower your volume when your death metal seems to be reaching out into your eardrum with a sword.
Need to hear GPS directions or the voice of a fellow rider? The Edge smoothly lowers your music volume so you never miss critical directions or jabs, then raises it right back up when the other audio ends.
And with a 3-year warranty to back it up, it’s clear that Cardo has absolute confidence in their product. That said, in my experience, if it works the first time you power it up, you’ll probably never need to use the warranty.
The Cardo Packtalk Edge is a companion I rely on, ride after ride.
Clear Audio and Mics
Music sings directly to the soul the same way a good ride does. That said, a bad set of helmet speakers can turn a symphony into a screeching pack of hyenas.
The Cardo Packtalk Edge stays on the right side of that divide with its 40mm speakers, developed in partnership with JBL. These provide a rich, full soundscape (from treble to bass) that stands up to the challenges of riding. Whether you’re streaming music, listening to GPS directions, or chatting on the intercom, the audio quality is crystal clear. From the thumping bass of your favorite rock anthem to the crisp highs of a podcast narrator’s voice, the sound remains impressive at all ranges and volumes.
The microphones are equally remarkable. Designed to handle the roar of wind and engine noise, they provide exceptional clarity for calls and intercom chats. One memorable example: I was on a busy highway when I took a call from my wife – when I started randomly complaining about someone coming in my lane without a turn signal, she asked me why I was watching cars from the coffee shop. She had no idea I was out riding! The noise-canceling technology is that good.
I can hear you now: But the WIND NOISE! I hear this complaint so often about using communicators. If you’re not hearing your music because of the wind noise, with a high end set of JBL 40mm drivers by your ears, this is NOT a problem with the Bluetooth unit. It’s a problem with the fit and/or quality of your helmet.
Tip: Check out our helmet fit guide to make sure your next helmet fits just right! .
A few quick fixes for wind noise:
- Earplugs: a good set of earplugs will cut down a lot of the wind noise and allow your speakers to pipe the audio you want more clearly into your ears.
- Wired Earbuds: The Packtalk Edge (and all Cardo units!) feature a standard 3.5mm audio jack to connect the speakers to the unit. This means you can plug in a cheap set of in-ear earbuds that will seal out a lot of external noise. I ride regularly with a $10 pair from 7-11~
When it comes to sound, the Cardo Packtalk Edge leaves no room for compromise. It ensures every ride is accompanied by the soundtrack or conversation of your choosing, delivered in stunning clarity (as long as your helmet fits right!
Intercom Range [Safety Issue]
One of the standout features of the Cardo Packtalk Edge is its intercom range – I challenge you to test it as I have.
On my tours we often have 8-10 riders spread across several miles, snaking through mountainous jungle roads. Often we are not in visual contact with even the rider in front or behind, let alone across the entire group, for hours at a time. Tight switchbacks, dense foliage, and solid earth often separated us entirely. It’s common to be completely out of cell tower range.
But, each rider is equipped with a Cardo Packtalk Custom or Edge.
Without the Cardos, this would be a safety hazard. If someone went down, the lead rider would have no way of knowing until they arrived at the next stop and realized some didn’t make it.
However, with the Mesh intercom on the Packtalk Edge and its ludicrous 1.6 km / 1 mile range between each rider, we were never out of touch. This reliability isn’t just impressive—it’s invaluable, especially when riding in challenging terrain where communication can make or break the experience.
Another huge win for the Packtalk Edge is its cross-brand compatibility. Thanks to Cardo’s newly introduced universal pairing feature, you can connect the Edge to devices from other brands, like Sena.
Whether you’re syncing a single non-Cardo unit or integrating a full Sena Mesh group into a Cardo Mesh network, the process is smooth and intuitive. For riders in mixed-brand groups, this feature removes a major pain point, ensuring everyone stays connected regardless of the communicator they use. Here’s a great video from Cardo demonstrating how to set up cross-brand pairing.
Cardo “just works.”
Helmet Fit (and Switching)
In the box with the Cardo Packtalk Edge come two mounts (clamp and sticky) and two microphones (boom and “button” style). This allows you to install the Edge in just about any helmet, whether it’s full-face, modular, or open face. And for half helmets, you can buy a special kit with a long boom mic.
I personally prefer using the clamp mount that comes with the Edge, as it feels more secure and durable. However, the sticky mount is an excellent option for helmets that don’t accommodate a clamp. I use the sticky mount on my Nexx helmet, and it’s held up perfectly through countless rides.
I’ve also tried the half helmet kit for a rider on one of my tours; it fit easily on his half helmet with the clamp mount.
Switching the Edge between helmets is remarkably easy thanks to its magnetic “air mount” system. And, pro tip, you don’t even need to buy Cardo’s second helmet kit for $130 to set up a second lid.
All you need is an extra cradle for $30 and a second set of speakers ($80) or a cheap pair of standard in-ear wired earbuds. Just use the mic and clamp from your original purchase that you aren’t using in your first helmet. You can also get extra mounts, mics, and more directly from Cardo.
Survivability (Battery and Water!)
When it comes to durability, the Cardo Packtalk Edge is built like a tank. With an IP67 waterproof rating, this communicator has weathered everything I’ve thrown at it—heavy rains and muddy trails—without missing a beat.
One caveat: on a past tour, we encountered a hiccup with a Packtalk Custom, where water managed to infiltrate the USB-C connector. Fortunately, the Packtalk Edge’s design minimizes such vulnerabilities. Its magnetic charging contacts are cleverly concealed beneath the unit, leaving no USB-C port exposed to the elements. This design reduces the “attack surface” for water to get in and screw things up.
Beyond its rugged weather resistance, the Edge’s battery performance is equally impressive. Cardo advertises 13 hours of usage on a single charge, and I’ve found that claim to be spot-on. On tours where I ride 3-4 hours a day with music, GPS, and intercom active, I typically go three days without needing a recharge. When you do need to top it up, the fast-charging feature is a lifesaver—just 20 minutes of charge gives you several hours of runtime.
And if you’re really pressed for time, the Packtalk Edge allows you to charge while in use. Just plug in any battery to its USB-C port and you’re set.
Voice Commands [that Work]
I am not a fan of voice commands in general; maybe it’s PTSD from Siri being so absolute garbage for so long, but I usually never mess with voice commands for anything.
Until I tried them on the Edge.
The unit responds to them quickly, hears me in varying environments, and when I’m riding they really do save a lot of hassle from messing with the unit itself.
Here are my favorite voice commands to use when riding:
- Volume up / Volume down
- Next track
- Mute/Unmute microphone **
- Hey Siri / Hey Google… [take me to XYZ] [call my wife] etc ****
** This is an absolute LIFESAVER on group rides. There is always that one guy with a mic that keeps going hot, throwing wind noise into everyone’s ears. That rider can easily mute and unmute themselves with a voice command.
**** I was shocked how seamless this is in 2025. Make sure you allow “Use Siri when locked” in Siri’s settings if you’re using an iPhone.
Here’s a quick demo of me using “Hey Siri” to call a friend.
And all the commands available on the Edge.
What Sucks about the Cardo Packtalk Edge
Honestly, sometimes I wish it broke down more so I could learn all the settings and buttons.
KIDDING. Thank you Cardo for making such a reliable device that just works.
My only very slight complaint is with the magnetic “air mount”. I love how easy it is to attach the unit to the helmet – you literally just drop it in the mount.
But getting it back out again… that’s a bit tougher. You have to muscle this very stiff piece of plastic down just far enough so that you can slide the unit forward, where it runs in to the finger you’ve used to hold the plastic piece down.
That said, it’s a minor gripe.
Comparisons
How does the Cardo Packtalk Edge stack up vs competitors, and more importantly: which unit is better for who?
VS Cardo Spirit
The Cardo Spirit is far less functional than the Edge. It only connects to one other rider, over Bluetooth, with much worse range. Basically if you’re out of line of sight (like around a bend), the intercom will cut out. Annoying.
The regular Cardo Spirit is also packaged with 32mm speakers which are awful – trust me, I put some miles in with them. Get the Cardo Spirit HD for bigger 40mm speakers (though not the JBL ones).
Where the Cardo Spirit wins is on price, with the HD unit at about a third of the price of the Edge.
If you’re only planning to ride solo and just want music and GPS directions, the Spirit will do the trick. But if you ever see yourself talking to another rider, just get the Edge.
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Description: Great for rider-passenger or going out with a buddy - as long as you're always near each other. Excellent, high-value comms unit. | Description: The Gold Standard in motorcycle communication units. Simple to use, rugged and reliable, with premium sound and long battery life. |
Pros:
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Cons:
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Description:
Great for rider-passenger or going out with a buddy - as long as you're always near each other. Excellent, high-value comms unit.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Waterproof
- Music, Intercom, GPS work flawlessly
Cons:
- Max 2 Intercom Participants
- Short range (600m)
Description:
The Gold Standard in motorcycle communication units. Simple to use, rugged and reliable, with premium sound and long battery life.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Music, Intercom, GPS work flawlessly
- Large group intercom with long range
Cons:
- Pricey
VS Cardo Packtalk Custom
I’m a big fan of the Cardo Packtalk Custom, and I use it in my tour company as the standard device for communication. It’s basically a Packtalk Edge, but with subscription packages to unlock some features like Bluetooth connectivity to Bluetooth-only communicators and non-Cardo communicators like Sena units. You get similar sounding 40mm “HD” speakers, mics, and mounts in the box – however the base plate where the unit snaps in is not the same “air mount” as the Edge.
If you’re only ever riding with people using Cardos, this is a decent option.
Cardo Packtalk Custom Upgradable Mesh Motorcycle Communication System
$269.95
$199.99
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Revzilla
Pros:
- 15+ rider intercom over Mesh
- 10+ hour battery life
- Half the price of similar units
- Connects to phone for music, GPS
Cons:
- Upgrade required for Bluetooth intercom (only when connecting to old units or Senas)
We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/30/2025 05:05 pm GMT
Cardo Packtalk Edge Motorcycle Intercom
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Revzilla
$359.96
The Gold Standard in motorcycle communication units. Simple to use, rugged and reliable, with premium sound and long battery life.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/30/2025 03:25 pm GMT
VS Sena 60S
To be perfectly honest, I haven’t had a chance to get my hands on a 60S and don’t know anyone who has one yet. I recommend Cardo to too many people!
Sena has stepped up their game in recent years with their Harman Kardon partnership for speakers and mics and mesh intercom tech that matches what Cardo has. It does seem their single unit pack is also packed with speakers and mics for two helmets, which is pretty awesome.
Aside from that, you basically get the same specs as a Cardo Packtalk Edge (even a magnetic mount) with a gimmicky flashlight and customizable “RideGlow” LED on the side of the unit.
If you have any experiences with the Sena 60S, please let us know in the comments!
Best Deal on the Cardo Packtalk Edge
Whether you’re riding on-road or off, solo or in a pack, I highly recommend the Cardo Packtalk Edge. Or really any unit from Cardo. I use the Edge on my solo rides and both the Packtalk Edge and Packtalk Custom on my tours.
So where can you find the best deal? Check out buying direct from Cardo – they will give you 10% by signing up to their newsletter – or below from Amazon or Revzilla.
Cardo Packtalk Edge Motorcycle Intercom
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Revzilla
$359.96
The Gold Standard in motorcycle communication units. Simple to use, rugged and reliable, with premium sound and long battery life.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
01/30/2025 03:25 pm GMT