Cardo Packtalk Edge 2 Review: Finally, Seamless Communication

Motorcycle communication systems have evolved considerably since the early Bluetooth intercoms that required stopping to pair, frequently disconnected at range, and offered audio quality kindly described as "intelligible." The Cardo Packtalk Edge 2, released this autumn at €429, represents the current state of the art—a unit that handles group communication, phone integration, and music playback with a level of refinement that makes previous generations feel distinctly agricultural. Having used it for 3,000 kilometres across varied conditions, I'm prepared to call it the first intercom I'd recommend without extensive caveats.

The headline feature is Cardo's second-generation mesh network, which maintains communication between up to 15 riders at distances exceeding a kilometre in favourable terrain. Unlike Bluetooth pairing, mesh networking handles riders joining and leaving the group dynamically—there's no need to stop and re-establish connections when someone pulls in for fuel or falls behind temporarily. In practice, during a group ride through the Scottish Highlands with six bikes, the system maintained connection consistently even when the lead and tail riders were separated by several corners. Audio quality degraded gradually at extreme range rather than cutting abruptly, allowing riders to know when they were approaching disconnection without losing communication suddenly.

Audio quality from the JBL speakers impresses, particularly the noise cancellation that makes conversation possible at speeds previous units couldn't manage. Motorway riding at 130 km/h remains usable, which was never true of my previous Sena 50S. Wind noise intrusion depends heavily on helmet choice—my Shoei Hornet ADV works well with the Edge 2, while a friend's noisier modular helmet struggled in the same conditions. The speakers fit most helmet ear pockets without modification, and the included adhesive mounts have survived winter conditions without detaching.

Battery life claims of 13 hours prove realistic in real-world use, unlike some competitors whose advertised figures require disabling features nobody would actually disable. A full weekend of riding is comfortable on a single charge, and the magnetic quick-charge cable allows topping up during meal stops if needed. The unit is IPX6 water-resistant, which means it survives proper rain rather than just light drizzle—essential for anyone riding in Britain with any regularity.

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Voice control via "Hey Cardo" works reasonably well for basic functions: calling contacts, playing music, adjusting volume. Complex operations still require the physical dial, and the voice recognition struggles with names in languages other than English. These are minor frustrations in an otherwise excellent product. At €429, the Packtalk Edge 2 is expensive—roughly double what entry-level intercoms cost—but the experience gap justifies the price for riders who regularly communicate while riding. For solo riders who occasionally want music, cheaper options exist. For group riders or couples touring together, this is the unit to buy.