Cardo Systems Packtalk EDGE: The Ultimate Comms Kit? 

By a Bloke Who's Been in the Saddle Longer Than Most Bikes Stay on the Road

Single: £356

Duo: £635

I’ve been riding motorcycles for the last 35 years. Just me, the bike, and the open road—no interruptions, no conversations, just that sweet mechanical symphony in my ears. Bliss. Or so I thought...

About a decade ago, someone handed me a motorcycle communication system and said, “Give this a go.” I scoffed. Talk to people while I ride? Isn’t the whole point of riding to escape the noise? But I gave it a fair crack, clipped it on, paired it up with a couple of mates, and off we went.

By the end of that ride, I was a convert. 

Gone were the frantic coffee stop catch-ups where we’d all shout over each other trying to recap the ride, the weather, the potholes, that mad sheep that ran into the road. Now we could talk in real time—laughing, warning, singing (badly), and generally having a blast from the moment the helmets went on.

Since then, I’ve tested most of the communication systems on the market. Some were brilliant in theory but fell apart in practice—too clunky, battery life that wouldn’t last a Sunday run, and setups that required a PhD to operate. But one name has consistently stood out: Cardo. And their latest model, the Packtalk EDGE, is a peach.

Let’s start with the basics: it’s sleek, light, and doesn’t make your helmet look like it’s sprouted a satellite dish. It’s absolutely rammed with features, but still somehow dead simple to use. One click and you’re off—music, podcasts, audiobooks, or just chatting nonsense with your riding crew. It even makes phone calls… though let’s be honest, I’m out on the bike to avoid those. 

The EDGE comes with JBL speakers—and yes, they sound as good as that makes you think. Crystal-clear audio, solid bass, and a microphone that genuinely cancels out the wind (and your mate's dodgy singing). The voice control is intuitive too, so you can shout commands like you’re in Knight Rider, or just hit a button if you’re more old-school.

One of my favourite features is the automatic volume adjustment. As the wind picks up or dies down, your music adjusts accordingly, like a tiny audio technician lives inside your helmet. It’s so smooth you forget it’s even happening.

And let’s not overlook the safety perks. Riding in a group while connected is like having a team of guardian angels on your shoulders. Someone sees a speed camera, a deer, or a dodgy white van man? Boom—instant heads-up. I’m pretty sure this feature alone has saved our bacon more than once.

Now, the EDGE gives you two ways to connect: Bluetooth or Cardo’s clever Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC). The mesh system is where it gets seriously clever—everyone in the group links up like a web, so if someone drops out or changes position, the connection doesn’t break. No faffing around, no shouting “CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?” into the wind. Even better, once connected, it remembers your gang. Next day? Just switch it on and ride. Magic.

Our road test was a proper 10-day jaunt across France with three riders and zero mercy for our gear. We rode through glorious sunshine, torrential Normandy rain (the sort that laughs at Gore-Tex), twisty roads, and straight blasts. The Packtalk EDGE never missed a beat.

Battery life? Outstanding. They say 13 hours and I believe it. Even after a long day’s ride, I’d power down and be told I still had 25% left. Charging is easy too, with a USB-C port tucked safely behind a water-resistant rubber flap. No fiddly nonsense.

Oh, and no aerial. That’s right—no flimsy little stick poking out the side of your head. The EDGE doesn’t need one to hit its impressive 1.6km range, which means less chance of snapping it off while loading your lid into the panniers.

One of the smartest design touches is the Air Mount system. You don’t clip or screw the unit onto your helmet—it literally snaps on with a magnet. Just wave it near the mount and thunk, it’s on. It even locks in place automatically, so it won’t fly off mid-wheelie.

So, is the Cardo Packtalk EDGE the best motorcycle comms system on the market?

In a word: yes.

It’s not cheap—£356 for the single unit or £635 for the duo—but this is premium gear that delivers. Think of it as an investment in better rides, safer trips, and a lot less shouting over exhaust pipes at service stations. And let’s face it, motorcycling ain’t a budget hobby.

We gave the EDGE the full test: long days, heat, torrential rain, dodgy Euroservice coffee, and not a single hiccup. If you're the kind of rider who loves big trips, scenic routes, or just a chinwag between bends, this is the kit for you.

THE VERDICT

Pros:

• Near-instant pairing with Bluetooth 5.2
• Outstanding battery life (13 hours!) with handy voice updates
• Automatic volume adjustment – no more deafening tunes at traffic lights
• JBL 40mm speakers serve up top-tier sound
• Mesh mode connects up to 15 riders with no signal dropouts
• USB-C charging, magnetic mount, and IP67 waterproofing

Cons:

• Pricey—but worth every penny if you're a serious rider

 

Bottom line?
The Cardo Packtalk EDGE isn’t just a comms unit—it’s a riding companion. And once you’ve used it, you’ll never go back.