Cardo Packtalk Pro Review: Crash Detection & Auto On/Off Tested

Updated: May 15, 2025

Forget everything you thought you knew about motorcycle comms because this thing might just have rewritten the rulebook.

In this review, we’re going to break down if the Packtalk Pro is truly a game-changer or just another hyped-up gadget. Stick around, because we’re not just talking features; we’re putting Cardo’s groundbreaking crash detection to the ultimate test – an actual crash.

Here are three things that might surprise you about the Packtalk Pro:

Effortless Power: Imagine your headset knowing when you’re ready to ride. The auto on/off feature isn’t just convenient; it’s a game-changer for battery life and rider experience. No more dead batteries because you forgot to switch it off!
Safety Net: Crash detection isn’t just a bullet point on a spec sheet. It’s a potentially life-saving feature that could automatically alert your emergency contacts if the unthinkable happens. We put this to the test, and the results were eye-opening.
Subtle, Yet Significant Upgrade: While it might look like a Packtalk Edge in disguise, the Pro packs some serious enhancements, particularly in audio and user-friendliness, that elevate the riding experience in ways you might not expect.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what makes this headset tick.

Packtalk Pro: Specs and Features – Edge on Steroids?

At first glance, the Packtalk Pro might seem like a cosmetic refresh of the Packtalk Edge, but under the hood, there are some significant upgrades. You still get all the top-tier features that made the Edge a favorite:

Solid 13 hours of talk time
Robust Mesh communication for large groups
IP67 waterproof rating that can handle pretty much anything Mother Nature throws at it
Super convenient magnetic mount
Voice command operation
Hassle-free over-the-air software updates.

Aesthetically, it’s rocking a cool, all-blacked-out design that looks sleek and understated on any helmet.

But what makes it new and noteworthy?

Cardo Packtalk Pro

The King of motorcycle intercoms and Bluetooth headsets, the Pro comes with every top of the line feature Cardo offers and their stellar 45mm JBL speakers, the best helmet speakers money can buy.

Pros:

15+ rider intercom over Mesh (even Senas)
Magnetic air mount
Auto on-off
Crash detection and emergency call
45mm JBL speakers in the box (the best)

Cons:

Costs as much as a mid-range helmet

Check Price on Cardo Check Price on Revzilla

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Upgraded JBL Speakers: Bigger Sound?

The first key difference you’ll notice on paper is the speaker size. The Packtalk Edge boasts fantastic 40mm JBL speakers, but the Pro cranks it up a notch with beefier 45mm JBL speakers. Holding them side-by-side, the size difference is definitely visible.

After riding with the Packtalk Pro for a couple of months, I can say the audio upgrade is noticeable, though not earth-shattering. You do get a bit more volume, which is great for battling wind noise at higher speeds, and there’s a touch more bass response, giving your music a richer feel.

However, if you’re already rocking a Packtalk Edge, the speaker upgrade alone probably isn’t enough to justify an upgrade. It’s an improvement, for sure, but it’s more of a refinement than a revolution in audio quality. But, hold tight, because the next two features are where the Packtalk Pro truly starts to shine and might seriously tempt you to make the switch.

Auto On/Off: Pure Convenience

This feature right here is pure genius: auto on and off. Seriously, how many times have you hopped off your bike, walked away, and then realized hours later you left your headset on? Dead battery. It’s happened to all of us, and it’s incredibly frustrating when you’re ready to ride and your comm system is flat. Cardo has solved this problem elegantly with the Packtalk Pro.

Let me show you how slick this is. Right now, the headset is on and connected. I take my helmet off, set it down… and that’s it. There’s a sensor, I believe a microphone near the speaker, that detects when the helmet is off your head. After about 60 seconds, it automatically powers down.

Pick up the helmet, and it automatically turns back on.

The tech behind this is smart. It’s not fully off, but in a super low-power standby mode. Cardo claims it sips battery so slowly you can leave it in standby for ages without draining it. This auto on/off is hands down one of my favorite features. It works flawlessly, and the sheer convenience is incredible.

Now, I have noticed a tiny quirk. Sometimes, when I pick up the helmet, it might play the startup sound two, three, maybe even four times in a row. It seems like a minor software glitch, and it doesn’t happen often enough to be a real annoyance. It’s a small price to pay for such a fantastic feature.

Crash Detection: A Potential Lifesaver

Alright, let’s talk about the feature that could genuinely be a game-changer, potentially setting a new standard for motorcycle headsets and, more importantly, maybe even saving your life. Cardo has integrated crash detection into the Packtalk Pro.

Here’s how it works: The headset itself is designed to detect if you’ve been in a crash. If it senses an impact, it triggers a notification on your connected smartphone. If you don’t cancel that notification within a set timeframe, the system automatically sends a text message to your pre-selected emergency contact. This message includes your location information, pulled directly from your phone’s GPS.

For this to work, obviously, your Packtalk Pro needs to be paired with your smartphone. You can also disable the crash detection feature in the app if you choose, but honestly, why would you? This is a potentially life-saving safety net.

Crash Test Time: Does It Actually Work?

The big question is, does this crash detection actually work in the real world? Time to find out. I devised two tests to put the Packtalk Pro through its paces.

Test 1: The Low-Speed Fall

For the first test, I’m going to wear the helmet with the Packtalk Pro, do a slow speed U-turn, and intentionally drop the bike. Basically, simulate a low-speed tip-over to see if the crash detection triggers.

In the tip over, I didn’t get any notification. My phone didn’t register anything. So, a slow speed drop doesn’t seem to trigger it. Let’s move on to the more… “dynamic” test.

Test 2: The Helmet Toss

For the second, more extreme test, we’re going to mount the Packtalk Pro on my wife’s helmet (thanks, honey, for your sacrifice to science!). I’m going to get up to around 25-30 mph on the bike and… well… toss the helmet off to simulate a higher speed impact. Don’t try this at home, folks.

Now we’ve got “Crash Detected” on the Cardo app! It took 10 seconds or so, a little bit longer than I expected.

It says it sent the text message… Boom! There it is. “Joe may be involved in an accident and requires your location.” And there’s the geo-location link to my exact location on the map.

Final Verdict: Game Changer?

I’m genuinely impressed: the crash detection is not a gimmick; it actually works. And I’m also seriously impressed that the Packtalk Pro stayed mounted to the helmet throughout those… rigorous tests. That magnetic mount is no joke; it’s seriously secure. My wife’s helmet has seen better days, sporting a few new scrapes. She needs a new one anyway!

In my opinion, the Packtalk Pro is worth the extra money, especially for that peace of mind. If you ride alone a lot, knowing that this crash detection feature is there as a backup, potentially alerting your emergency contacts if you’re in an accident, is invaluable. It could genuinely save your life.

Now, I’ve got a helmet to go buy…