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.
, a pioneer in motorcycle communication equipment operating in 85 countries worldwide, is poised to dramatically change these challenges in snow mountain communication. TheirCardoinnovative technology, honed in the world of motorcycle touring, has finally arrived in 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 applied the advanced technology it had cultivated in motorcycle intercoms to the outdoor field to develop "PACKTALK OUTDOOR." It boasts the world's No. 1 market share as a motorcycle touring intercom, selling over 1 million units annually, and enables 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
The most distinctive feature is DMC (Dynamic Mesh Communication), which goes beyond the conventional limitations of Bluetooth communication.
This allows up to 15 people to connect clearly even when they are up to 1000m apart, and if the conversation is interrupted, it automatically reconnects when the person returns to the range. There is no need for troublesome pairing operations, and it is always on. You don't need to press any buttons or wait, and you can enjoy a natural conversation as if you were sitting right next to each other.
Its versatility is a major draw, making it useful in a variety of situations, from family skiing to group lessons and guided tours. It's great for enjoying conversations, and also provides reliable information sharing for avoiding danger and in emergencies. It
offers up to 10 hours of continuous talk time, and 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 rated for temperatures down to -20°C and meets the IP67 standard.
Despite being a precision electronic device, it boasts the toughness 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.
It features a streamlined shape that minimizes air resistance, a compact size that fits in the palm of your hand, and is easy to operate even while wearing gloves.
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.
Furthermore, Cardo's own playlists are available on Spotify, so if you're interested, be surethereto check them out
The dedicatedappallows you to always update to the latest version.
The "Cardo Connect" app is so simple that you can operate it intuitively even without an instruction manual.
Even first-time users can start using it without any trouble, and new features and updates can be added via the app, meaning that once purchased, you can always keep it updated to the latest version, which is a great advantage.
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 how clear the audio was, much clearer than I expected. The weather was bad that day and visibility was poor, but being able to hear my teammates' voices clearly and confirm the situation gave me a great sense of security. Even with everyone connected at the same time, the communication was stable and never cut out while we were skiing. The operation is simple and you can start using it right away.
Team coordination is crucial when filming, and it was easy to coordinate things like the timing of starting a run and choosing lines, and there was almost no wind noise, so it didn't feel like we were far apart. I felt that it was a very suitable device for scenes where real-time communication is required.
The only thing to be careful about is that the microphone is so sensitive that it picks up even when you're talking to yourself. (laughs)"
How to use voice support on snowy mountains
In the extraordinary setting of a snow-covered mountain, not only are there inconveniences, but everyone also harbors some degree of 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 communication breaks down or people feel lonely. However, with Cardo, you can eliminate these common problems in the snowy mountains and make your ski resort experience freer, more fun, and more efficient.
In the lesson scene
Previously, if a student fell and became immobile at the top of the course, the instructor had no choice but to run up the slope or wait for someone to help. With Cardo, instructors can calm the student down with their voice and provide precise support even from a distance.
Also, in basic training, it's common for the coach's voice and their back to the student to become distant, making it difficult to understand what they're referring to. However, with real-time feedback on the intent of the movements, the speed of improvement increases dramatically.
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 range (between units): 1000m
Maximum communication range (group): 5000m *When there are 5 or more people
Maximum talk time: 10 hours
Continuous standby time: 10 days
Size: Approx. 44mm × 88mm × 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, Japan
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