January 2026. Kiroro Snow World, located in Akaigawa Village, Hokkaido.
Our editorial staff accompanied us on a video shoot for the Bluetooth intercom "Cardo," which took place at this field, which boasts some of the best powder snow in Japan.
Cardo boasts a top market share as a motorcycle intercom, but in recent years it has also expanded its reach into the ski and snowboard industries.
We will share our editorial staff's feedback after actually using the product.
Who is Cardo?
Cardo is an Israeli brand that has built a global reputation for its motorcycle intercoms.
In the motorcycle intercom category, it is widely recognized as a brand that offers high-performance, high-quality products.
For this shoot, we used the PACKTALK OUTDOOR, which incorporates the advanced technology we have cultivated through the development of motorcycle intercoms and was developed for outdoor activities such as skiing and snowboarding
The conditions on the day of the shoot were sometimes strong winds and sometimes heavy snow, making filming difficult, but the test conditions were ideal
Talk while skating. Natural real-time conversations
The first thing I noticed was how natural the communication was.
Real-time exchanges like "Next on the right" or "There's someone coming from behind" were completed smoothly during filming.
In normal filming, you often have to rely on advance planning, radio communication, and gestures, but with Cardo you can "talk while skating," which makes filming go more smoothly.
Peace of mind knowing you can stay connected even when you're far away
The long communication distance was also impressive.
The official website states a "maximum communication distance of 1,000m," but on open runs with no obstructions, the connection was so stable that it felt like it could be connected even at distances greater than the official figure. The audio also remained stable even on roundabouts, in drop-offs, and in slightly complicated terrain, which was particularly useful when selecting a course in tree runs.
Simultaneous calls feel like you're right in front of them
One of Cardo's great features is that it supports simultaneous calls for up to 15 people.
Because the director, rider, and cameraman are all connected, they can have simultaneous conversations, such as "That cut is OK" or "Next is from further back." This reduces the "wait time" required to join up and communicate, and allows the session to continue uninterrupted, which I felt was a major benefit.
Clear audio without wind noise
In terms of sound quality, I felt that this was the kind of attention to detail you'd expect from a brand that started out with motorcycle intercoms.
Because it's designed for high-speed riding, it has excellent wind noise suppression capabilities, so even when you increase your speed, your voice won't get drowned out and you can be sure it will be transmitted clearly.
The sound system is also jointly developed with JBL, a company famous for its speakers and earphones, so the sound quality is guaranteed
Cardo's weaknesses revealed through actual use
On the other hand, I'd like to share some of my thoughts after using it.
Setting up the initial group connection took some time, and it was a bit of a pain when there were a lot of people, as you had to time your connections accordingly. It would be best to set up the connection in advance indoors.
Although the unit is compact and weighs only 49.5g, it does have a noticeable presence.
While it doesn't interfere with or cause discomfort while skating, it may be bothersome for those who are concerned about the silhouette.
Possibility of changing future "slippage"
Tommy Herman, marketing manager for the outdoor division at Cardo Systems, who we spoke to during a break in filming, said about the future, "Currently, it is being used a lot on the slopes by families and school users, but in the future we would like BC enthusiasts and guides to try it out as well."
What I felt while using Cardo during this interview was that it is not simply a tool that makes conversations smoother
Speed of decision-making, safety, and session density. The value of being able to maintain communication that is directly related to all of these things while skiing was greater than I had imagined.
The day when Cardo will permeate the field as an "essential tool for safe and enjoyable skiing" may not be far off.
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_japan/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cardooutdoor/videos
X: https://x.com/CardoJapan