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Update on Cardo Packtalk Bold. If my wife likes it it must be GREAT! We just completed 1205 miles to Daytona and back. She had her phone streaming her music, me the same and I was listening to Waze as needed. We never ran out of battery. It was very close one day at almost 9 hours but they made it. Communication between us was excellent and she loves the voice commands. Ask me how I know? Yeah you hear them when she speaks. I would just grin because she has always hated the SENA stuff we've had before. Just turn them on and they instantly connect. No hassle and no pushing buttons, etc.
I did have to modifiy both of our helmets a little to make them work / fit but that was easy. However I had originally installed and tested the unit with the standard JBL speakers in my Schubreth C3 Pro. Worked great. Decided to order the upgraded 45mm JBL speakers. Put them in the night before we were to leave and they felt okay and sounded GREAT (worth the money)!! Well about two hours into the ride my ears were killing me. Stopped and disconnected the speakers and pulled them out. When we arrived at the hotel I got out the pocket knife and went to work creating a larger speaker pocket for each side. Zero issues from then on and really enjoyed the improved sound.
I just got Sena 20S and 30K both used but like in new shape for 250$ total. I would consider this good deal. Still really new to the whole thing and wondering if JBL speakers could be connected to Senas as I understand they are designed for Cardo?
So far still learning new devices and also bought it to communicate with my wife as we plan to ride a bit more this year.
Do we really have to push buttons before we can talk to each other? I didnt do much research as I heard Sena is leader but looks like Cardo is new leader now 🤣
For my use I think I will be happy with option for music on long rides.
I just got Sena 20S and 30K both used but like in new shape for 250$ total. I would consider this good deal. Still really new to the whole thing and wondering if JBL speakers could be connected to Senas as I understand they are designed for Cardo?
So far still learning new devices and also bought it to communicate with my wife as we plan to ride a bit more this year.
Do we really have to push buttons before we can talk to each other? I didnt do much research as I heard Sena is leader but looks like Cardo is new leader now 🤣
For my use I think I will be happy with option for music on long rides.
On the Sean units we have we have to connect them by pushing buttons each time we power them on. Those are the 10 series. On our two Calvery helmets we have to push a button to talk, and then push it again to go back to music. On your newer more powerful units that may not be the case. I really don’t know as a I have not had experience with the 20 or 30.
As for the speakers they are plug and play. On the Sena units we have the speakers are solid wired and cannot be changed. I suggest you go to Revzilla website and research the JBL speakers. It will show what head set they work with. Worth the investment if they will fit yours.
I just got Sena 20S and 30K both used but like in new shape for 250$ total. I would consider this good deal. Still really new to the whole thing and wondering if JBL speakers could be connected to Senas as I understand they are designed for Cardo?
So far still learning new devices and also bought it to communicate with my wife as we plan to ride a bit more this year.
Do we really have to push buttons before we can talk to each other? I didnt do much research as I heard Sena is leader but looks like Cardo is new leader now 🤣
For my use I think I will be happy with option for music on long rides.
There are a number of threads on the Adventure riders forum in the equipment section about Cardo and Sena. There are some folks wiring in different speakers to Sena units but it is not plug and play. There is some pretty detailed info with pictures and different plugs etc. needed. There are also folks adding a plug to use separate ear buds on the Sena units w/o a 3.5 plug.in., too. I think that there is an outfit in Fl that will do i that but you send the unit to them. it might be worth your time to head to that site and check it out.
I just bought a new Neotec II and am thinking of the Sena that is made for it. This would be just for me though, for simple Bluetooth for music and to take calls if I travel by myself...
I just bought a new Neotec II and am thinking of the Sena that is made for it. This would be just for me though, for simple Bluetooth for music and to take calls if I travel by myself...
Yeah that is a great option especially if just riding solo. I have that in my Shoei J-Cruise and it works good. But I'm going to pull it out and add the Cardo mount and the larger JBL speakers since we are going to standardize on Cardo moving forward.
I just bought a new Neotec II and am thinking of the Sena that is made for it. This would be just for me though, for simple Bluetooth for music and to take calls if I travel by myself...
This really is a sweet setup. A buddy and I used it on a recent ride from Miami to Key West. He had an earlier model Sena but the devices communicated near flawless (there was once or twice where they disconnected for no apparent reason [not distance], but a push of the button and they re-connected]. I like the streamlined look of the SRL [?], but more importantly, I like the quiet. I have the Harley hardwired intercom on several of my other helmets. The unit which attaches to the side of the helmet "whistles" at highway speed. I assume similar units do the same. The Sena integrated unit matches the contour of the helmet and maintains the characteristics as designed [including quiet].
ETA: BTW, if you buy the unit thru Cycle Gear, they will install it for you [at least my local store offered to do so]. I declined and did not regret doing so. I believe it gives me a better feel for how the unit is routed and operates. Also pretty simple - the hardest part is getting the helmet padding re-installed.
Last edited by sailmotion; Mar 18, 2020 at 10:59 AM.
This really is a sweet setup. A buddy and I used it on a recent ride from Miami to Key West. He had an earlier model Sena but the devices communicated near flawless (there was once or twice where they disconnected for no apparent reason [not distance], but a push of the button and they re-connected]. I like the streamlined look of the SRL [?], but more importantly, I like the quiet. I have the Harley hardwired intercom on several of my other helmets. The unit which attaches to the side of the helmet "whistles" at highway speed. I assume similar units do the same. The Sena integrated unit matches the contour of the helmet and maintains the characteristics as designed [including quiet].
ETA: BTW, if you buy the unit thru Cycle Gear, they will install it for you [at least my local store offered to do so]. I declined and did not regret doing so. I believe it gives me a better feel for how the unit is routed and operates. Also pretty simple - the hardest part is getting the helmet padding re-installed.
I think the whistling comes from the cable. I have not experienced that with the wireless units from Sena or Cardo. I know they say to never use corded ear plugs on a motorcycle because the cords vibrates from the wind. Kind of like passing a flat bed on the highway and the tie down straps are singing.
I'm with you on installing them yourself. I see these guys on YouTube pull out everything inside the helmet. In most cases that is NOT necessary. On my Schubreth I only had to unsnap four snaps to get all the access I needed. The less you pull out the better.
Last edited by Cosmic Razorback; Mar 18, 2020 at 01:47 PM.
I’ve installed All my hardwire sets up to now, I even cut out the speaker well so the speaker wouldn’t touch my ears, that **** hurts after a while...since it’s warming up now I’ll still use my 3/4 RJ Platinum. The phone calls on the bike is not a deal breaker. I use a simple plug in MP3 with about 2500 songs in it so i have variety.
Okay my Cardo Packtalk Duo Bold arrived on schedule. I purchased from a vendor on eBay for $415.00 with the JBL speakers.
First impressions are excellent. I do hate these huge fold out instruction manuals in four languages. Please put things in simpe English. Thanks YouTube for walking me through the basics.
I charged them up and installed the first system in my wifes HD 3/4 helmet. Then I installed the second system in my new Schubreth C3 Pro modular. I elected to go with the adhesive mount on the side of each helmet. Installation was very easy for each one. I did have to cut a knotch in the bottom plastic trim for clearence of the wires so I could get the neck roll back on.
I downloaded the Cardo app on both my phone and the wifes phone. That was very easy and it is an easy to sue intuitive app. So I powered up the wife's with her wearing it and ran her through the app and how to use the phone, music and radio. The voice commands are AWESOME! You just say "Hey Cardo" followed by the appropriate command. The key is to use a natural NORMAL voice. It is amazing how it understands you perfectly if you speak normally. But if you yell it does not!
So I did the same and it came time to pair the two units. I found that to be a little more difficult than I expected. Finally got it done and really don't now how or what I was doing wrong? But the good thing is they know and seem to like each other now!
The one thing I'm still struggling with is sharing my music over both headsets. I hear it fine but cannot seem to get it playing / shared on my wife's. Any ideas? I'll probably search YouTube again when I get time.
Pros:
Quality Product
Buttons easy to use
Voice commands work very well
Built in radio is super nice
Sound quality is the best of any headset I've owned to date
App is easy to see and use
You can access Siri and Google with voice commands
Speakers are plug in and can be easliy replaced or updated
IP67 Rating
Cons:
I don't care for the written instructions
It is a large unit (both good and bad)
I will say that compared to the HD wired system through the boom 6.5 and the three Sena units I own this seems to be a far better choice. I know many have been telling me a long while how much better Cardo is over Sena and I'm quickly becoming a believer.
Hello! I have been researching this and also decided to go with the Packtalk Bold and I have a question... . on your wifes 3/4 helmet were you able to use the mic that is included? I figured I would have to buy a different one for it to work?? thx
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