“The Cardo PackTalk Outdoor communication system simply works. No need for mobile signals or even an app when in use, being based on proven motorbike communication systems this latest ski gadget delivers easy communication in a hands-free way, with quick set up and a decent battery life too…”
Ski helmet audio communication systems have been around for a few years now, and the technology has evolved into a stable system that can really make a difference to your ski or snowboard holiday, saving you time, money and adding an element of safety.
There are so many ski gadgets and ski toys that offer to improve your skiing experience, give you a better holiday or even make you a better skier. When we first saw the Cardo PackTalk Outdoor system, we were not sure ourselves if this product would offer what it promised – effortless communications on the mountain. But after a week of intensive testing, we have to say we fell that PackTalk Outdoor really does help make your days on the mountain a little bit safer and more enjoyable.
Installation
Installation is straightforward if you have a ski/snowboard helmet with audio compatible ear pads. Simply open the earpad and remove the foam spacer and replace with the supplied JML earphone speaker drivers. Cardo supplies some little Velcro wire tidies to carefully run round the back of the helmet. If your helmet does NOT offer any pockets for your speakers to go into, all is not lost. Cardo includes a 3.5mm adapter for wired ear buds, so if you have ever owned an iPhone, go to the magic drawer of things in your kitchen or sideboard, and grab those old free earphones that Apple used to give away in the good old days, as those will serve you in a pinch. And after a recent update you can direct connect your Apple AirPods to your Cardo system.
The App and Creating your “network” to connect with your skiing group
Cardo has a decent smartphone App. You don’t need to use this to use the system, but it is handy for updating your system with the latest software, which is regularly updated and improved, and to allow you to select some optional settings and sound controls. Once you have set everything up though, you do not need to open the app on the mountain to use or connect your Cardo units between family and friends.
To connect with others, there is a simple process of holding down the left (red LED) and right (Green LED) buttons, on each unit, and the units announce they have connected and the LED turns purple for a few seconds. You are then ready to go, and from then on can use the buttons on the unit to control volume, pausing of comms, and music too.
I personally preferred the voice control. Its not as intelligent as say your smartphone so you need to know the correct phrases but saying “Hey Cardo Mute Microphone!” and you will find you are muted, ideal for the trips up the lift where you are often sat next to each other anyway.
Sound Performance
We were thoroughly impressed with the audio quality. On one day, we encountered 50KPH+ gusts off the top of Zermatt coming back over into Cervinia. We had to pole downhill and people were being blow over. Through all of this we were able to speak to each other – we couldn’t see each other thanks to the blizzard conditions – and it was incredibly reassuring. How the microphone worked in those conditions, buried under a jacket collar and buff I don’t know, but Cardo have years of experience fitting these systems to motorbike helmets, and this knowledge is clearly being used to give very high-quality audio even in challenging conditions
Practical Use and Benefits
Normally when testing products, we will try them for a day or two at most, discuss and share notes plus feedback, then put a product away and try something else. Not only did the Cardo PackTalk Outdoor systems stay on our helmets all week, but we also spent time learning how to use them even smarter, as they became indispensable as the week went on.
When skiing as a pair and approaching a junction, it was easy to communicate in plenty of time and decide whether to go blue run or red run, whether to stop for a breather or crack on, and make decisions in real time allowing you to just get on with your skiing. Over the course of a day, we were easily picking up time not having to stop or slow down and talk, and just crack on with putting the downhill miles in.
As mentioned earlier, on a very challenging day where there was a sudden drop in visibility and very high winds, we were able to safely communicate to each other and reassure each other, as we – and everyone around us – became very disoriented. This allowed us to work together to get out of challenging weather safely and with confidence. Also on the safety front, on one day I took a very nasty tumble resulting in a bruised rib pus ego, but I was able to reassure my skiing partner that I was OK right away and focus on brushing myself off and checking myself over without any panic.
Conclusions
We were testing the PackTalk outdoor against other communication products we sell, which are very effective. But the PackTalk offered an ease of use we haven’t experienced before. Not having to rely on GPRS mobile signals is a HUGE thing on the mountains where signals can be challenging. Bad signal rarely happened, and when we were getting some audio feedback, we realised that we had simply mounted the microphones too close to the units so moved them a little.
We did find installing the system in one of our ski helmets a little trickier. The Smith Vantage I use has a neck roll with the earpieces built in and a single way zip. Frustratingly the zip runs the opposite way to what would be best for the cardo system to mount, and wires be tucked away. But after a little adjustment moving the microphone to the clip side of my chin strap rather than the long strap side, that was solved.
The price of these units is higher than some competitors, and that is why we wanted to test them and be convinced that price was justified. Not having to rely on mobile signals is game-changing, we were able to use these to communicate the whole day across the whole mountain, on and off lifts, in restaurant queues when discovering sausage and chips was £30 (yes, we were of course Zermatt side!) to allow swift changes to food orders. The Cardo PackTalk Outdoor became indispensable and by the end of the week we were agreeing to buy a set each even though these test units were due to be returned to Cardo.
And I haven’t even mentioned the audio/music accessibility from your mobile phone, or the ability to take or make phone calls – if you REALLY need to from the slopes. All of this was effortless and under voice control if and as required.
We will be continuing to use these in our ski helmets going forwards and will also be using them on our e-bike mountain bike rides on the South Downs in the future.
Scott - Buyer and Owner