Mobile communication has evolved to the point where you can now express your feelings with just a stamp. However, keeping in touch with friends at the ski resort is a different story. The process of "removing gloves → taking out your smartphone → searching for a signal → making a call → waiting for a response" remains a hassle. It's hard to notice an incoming call while skiing, and the inconveniences of not being able to find your friends even though you want to get down the slopes, or worrying about running out of battery, remain. Some people may have tried to make their own "hands-free" phone by wedging their smartphone in the gap of their helmet, only to end up dropping it.
Many skiers and snowboarders still face problems unique to snowy mountains, such as earphones slipping out of place when listening to music, having to take out their smartphones every time they want to operate something, and being blocked out from surrounding sounds, which increases danger.
Cardo , a pioneer in motorcycle communication devices with a presence in 85 countries, is trying to change this "challenge of communication in snowy mountains" in one fell swoop.Their revolutionary technology, honed in the world of motorcycle touring, has finally arrived on the snow scene.
What is Cardo?？
With over 200,000 followers on Instagram, they are a household name in the motorcycle industry. Once users experience their product, they become fans, and this Israeli brand has produced a string of excellent products.
The company has applied the advanced technology it has cultivated in motorcycle intercoms to the outdoor field and developed the PACKTALK OUTDOOR . It has the world's largest market share as an intercom for motorcycle touring, boasting sales of over 1 million units per year, and enabling hands-free calling without the need for a smartphone. But that's not all that's amazing about this product.
What's great about Cardo?
"DMC" where 15 people can talk for 10 hours
Its greatest feature is its Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC), which goes beyond conventional Bluetooth communication standards.
This allows up to 15 people to connect clearly even up to 1000m apart, and if a conversation is interrupted, it automatically reconnects when you return to range. There's no need for tedious pairing procedures; it's always on. There's no need to press buttons or wait, and you can enjoy natural conversations as if you were right next to someone.
Its versatility makes it suitable for a variety of situations, including family skiing, group lessons, and guided tours. It's great for conversations, but also for avoiding danger and sharing information in emergencies.
Its talk time is up to 10 hours. And in case of an emergency, a 20-minute charge provides an additional 2 hours of use.
Overwhelming noise canceling performance
To ensure clear audio that's just like normal conversation, even at speeds exceeding 100 km/h, the headphones are equipped with advanced noise-canceling hardware and software, enabling high-quality calls unaffected by strong winds, wind noise, or other ambient noise.
The video shows the extreme performance group "Soul Flyers" flying in wingsuits above the summit of Mont Blanc while wearing Cardo's intercom "PACKTALK BOLD" (older generation series) attached to their helmets.
The industry's strongest dustproof and waterproof specifications
There's no longer any need to hold your smartphone to protect it from getting wet while making calls in the rain or snow.
The device is resistant to temperatures down to -20°C and has IP67 certification,
making it a precision electronic device that is tough enough to withstand harsh outdoor environments such as rain, snow, and mud.
Suitable for all activities
Not only is it great for winter, but it can also be used in all seasons, including in the mountains, rivers, lakes, and oceans, and is suitable for a variety of outdoor activities such as mountain biking, running, and surfing.
Available in two easy-to-match colors, black and white,
the streamlined design reduces air resistance, and its compact size fits in the palm of your hand, making it easy to operate even with gloves on.
There is a high degree of freedom in where it can be attached, and it can be worn freely according to your preferred style, such as on a helmet, goggles, a backpack, or a waist belt.
For a superior sound experience
The sound system, developed in collaboration with the world-renowned audio brand JBL, delivers powerful and clear sound that is hard to imagine from a 40mm diameter speaker. Enjoy high-resolution sound quality that further enhances the silence of the snowy mountains and the exhilaration of riding.
Simply say "Hey Caldo Music" to play music, and you can also turn the power on/off, adjust the volume, and activate Siri or OK Google. It's completely hands-free, so you can operate it without stress while skiing.
By pairing it with your smartphone, you can make intercom calls while enjoying Apple Music or Spotify.
In addition, Cardo's own playlist is also available on Spotify, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out here
The dedicated app allows you to always update to the latest version
The Cardo Connect app is so simple that it can be operated intuitively without the need for an instruction manual.
Even first-time users can start using it without any hesitation, and new features can be added and updated via the app, so once you purchase it, you can always update to the latest version.
You can also listen to the audio of the navigation app at the same time, so it's convenient for discussing plans with friends and sharing stopover spots while driving to the ski resort. Even if you lose sight of the car in front of you in the snow, you won't have to worry about getting lost.
I actually tried it
The test was conducted in December with a group of 6-7 people. Below are some comments from our editorial staff:
"The first thing that surprised me was that the sound was much clearer than I had imagined. The weather was bad on the day and visibility was poor, but being able to clearly hear my teammates' voices and check the situation was very reassuring. Even when everyone was connected at the same time, the communication was stable and never cut out while we were skiing. The operation was simple, so we were able to start using it right away.
Coordination as a team is crucial when filming, but it was easy to coordinate things like the timing of the start and line selection, and there was almost no wind noise, so you didn't feel the distance. I felt that this was a device that was very well suited to situations that required real-time communication.
The only thing to be careful of is that the microphone is so sensitive that it can even pick up people talking to themselves. Lol."
How to use voice support on snowy mountains
In the unusual environment of a snowy mountain, not only are there inconveniences, but everyone feels some anxiety.
Even if you say, "Let's ski together," once you start skiing, not everyone can move at the same pace, and there are many situations where you can't communicate and feel lonely. However, Cardo eliminates these common problems on snowy mountains, making your ski resort experience more free, fun, and efficient.
In the lesson scene
Until now, if a student fell at the top of the course and couldn't move, the instructor had no choice but to run back up the slope or wait for someone to help. With Cardo, they can calm the student down and provide appropriate support even from a distance.
Also, during basic training, the coach's voice often fades away along with their back view, making it difficult to understand what they're saying. However, by receiving real-time feedback and understanding the intention of the movements, the speed of improvement is dramatically increased.
In the backcountry
If you're at the back of a tour group, it's often hard to hear what the guide is saying, and by the time you meet up, the interesting story has already ended. You might also worry about getting stuck in deep snow and being left behind without anyone noticing. Cardo gives you peace of mind knowing you're always connected, which is a major safety benefit.
Various models to suit your needs
PACKTALK OUTDOOR
▼Specifications
Maximum communication distance (between units): 1000m
Maximum communication distance (group): 5000m (for 5 or more people)
Maximum talk time: 10 hours
Continuous standby time: 10 days
Size: Approx. 44mm x 88mm x 25mm
Weight: 49.5g
While skating under a clear blue sky and listening to your favorite music, you might feel more open and reveal your true feelings. In such cases, don't forget to mute your microphone.
Information
Archisite Co., Ltd. (Cardo domestic distributor)
5-9 Akihabara, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0006
Official website: https://archisite.co.jp/products/cardo/outdoor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cardo_outdoor/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cardooutdoor/videos
X: https://x.com/CardoJapan