I recently returned a set of the PackTalk Bold's due to multiple issues and saw the new PackTack Edge had come out. Upon reading the manual and limited reviews online I decided to give them a try.
- Volume boost is fantastic. This allows for clear sound when wearing earplugs. I would say a good 30% boost in volume.
- They claim updated Mic and Speakers from the Bold's I could not find any difference at all. However there are new audio profiles in the app.
- Intercom calls in DMC remain muffled and not quite clear (I am comparing this to the Sena 50S) The intercom part of this system sound just like my old Sena SMH10's where I had to repeatedly ask "whats was that".
- Music sounds fantastic, the new audio profiles work great and have great sound at volumes that can overcome earplugs.
- The Bad:
Sharing music still does not work . The Bold's I returned would skip and stutter, these do not do that. Music is clear and can be heard very well however the intercom function does not work while sharing music. Music also cannot not be started while intercom is open unless one of the Mics is muted. Page 28 of the manual clearly states that this is the case if in Bluetooth mode but sharing and conversing at the same time should work in DMC mode. It does not, regardless of settings, I tried all sensitivities noise cancelling, volumes, resetting and updating. I assume Cardo will fix this once more people complain.
I would have kept these and waited for Cardo to come out with an update (I did send in a support ticket but have not heard back as of yet) however the intercom is just not clear enough to justify the high cost. If riding alone these are great, nice for music and GPS instructions but if using to communicate they are just not clear enough to support the high price.
The magnetic mount is a nice gimmick but adds weight and thickness that is just ridiculous, this unit would stick out 1/2 as much without the silly magnet. I am not too lazy to snap the intercom in place.
I wanted to try these over the Sena because of the nice form factor, being able to pair with fellow riders that use Pack Talk Freecom's and being waterproof however the reason I am in the market for new intercoms is I want to be able to have an open mic with passenger and listen to music at the same time which these do not accomplish. Although the Sena 50S (cant get the 50R right now) does this pretty well they are not water proof and for some odd reason if I speak while GPS is active my voice volume is doubled for the passenger. There is a long connection time for the GPS, even when its done speaking there is still several seconds where it is still connected and volume is doubled before it disconnects and everything returns to normal. Because of that I cannot have the GPS connected to the Sena while riding with a passenger, ridiculous they cannot get these things right before releasing products. Sena also does not return support tickets. Its been two weeks and three contacts without a response. Cardo at least responds even if they don't help. Looks like I will be returning the Sena's as well and go back to my old units that although limited did what they advertised they could do.
- Volume boost is fantastic. This allows for clear sound when wearing earplugs. I would say a good 30% boost in volume.
- They claim updated Mic and Speakers from the Bold's I could not find any difference at all. However there are new audio profiles in the app.
- Intercom calls in DMC remain muffled and not quite clear (I am comparing this to the Sena 50S) The intercom part of this system sound just like my old Sena SMH10's where I had to repeatedly ask "whats was that".
- Music sounds fantastic, the new audio profiles work great and have great sound at volumes that can overcome earplugs.
- The Bad:
Sharing music still does not work . The Bold's I returned would skip and stutter, these do not do that. Music is clear and can be heard very well however the intercom function does not work while sharing music. Music also cannot not be started while intercom is open unless one of the Mics is muted. Page 28 of the manual clearly states that this is the case if in Bluetooth mode but sharing and conversing at the same time should work in DMC mode. It does not, regardless of settings, I tried all sensitivities noise cancelling, volumes, resetting and updating. I assume Cardo will fix this once more people complain.
I would have kept these and waited for Cardo to come out with an update (I did send in a support ticket but have not heard back as of yet) however the intercom is just not clear enough to justify the high cost. If riding alone these are great, nice for music and GPS instructions but if using to communicate they are just not clear enough to support the high price.
The magnetic mount is a nice gimmick but adds weight and thickness that is just ridiculous, this unit would stick out 1/2 as much without the silly magnet. I am not too lazy to snap the intercom in place.
I wanted to try these over the Sena because of the nice form factor, being able to pair with fellow riders that use Pack Talk Freecom's and being waterproof however the reason I am in the market for new intercoms is I want to be able to have an open mic with passenger and listen to music at the same time which these do not accomplish. Although the Sena 50S (cant get the 50R right now) does this pretty well they are not water proof and for some odd reason if I speak while GPS is active my voice volume is doubled for the passenger. There is a long connection time for the GPS, even when its done speaking there is still several seconds where it is still connected and volume is doubled before it disconnects and everything returns to normal. Because of that I cannot have the GPS connected to the Sena while riding with a passenger, ridiculous they cannot get these things right before releasing products. Sena also does not return support tickets. Its been two weeks and three contacts without a response. Cardo at least responds even if they don't help. Looks like I will be returning the Sena's as well and go back to my old units that although limited did what they advertised they could do.