Passenger comms suggestions

[Betchaboy]

Hi all,

I have a Cardo Packtalk Bold on my helmet which, aside from being a bit chunky, is a good unit that works well. I use it mainly for phone calls and listening to GPS instructions, and listening to music sometimes. Of course, I also use it as an intercom on some group rides, but I only do this occasionally. I have it connected to both my phone and my TomTom Rider GPS. Overall, I'm happy with the setup.

My new girlfriend is keen to come with me as a pillion, so I'd like to put an intercom in her helmet just for rider/pillion communication. She doesn't need a fancy unit as she only wants to have comms with me as we ride. 

Looking for suggestions for the best, most cost effective options. Would a Cardo Freetalk 1 do the trick? Or should I get something more advanced? I'm assuming that her unit would only need to have a Bluetooth connection, without needing DMC?  Is there a better option I should consider? 

Any or all suggestions welcome.

[OZVFR]

The Packtalk Bold will connect to any bluetooth unit, I have the same one and find it the best comms unit I've ever had.

So you can shop for any cheaper unit and still connect no problem

Even though I try to buy here even when things are dearer, I couldn't justify the nearly 100% markup on the Cardo comms.

I buy many things from Chromeburner, and over the years have nothing but good things to say about them

The Packtalk Bold set me back $330 landed from them, and took a week to arrive.

Edited February 6, 2023 by OZVFR

[Heli ATP]

The cheapest option is free, if she wears ear buds connected to her phone you can call her from yours.

[Betchaboy]

I considered that briefly but then thought that it might not work well... Hard to get the helmet on and off with the buds in the ears, and the microphone might not work well (I'm imagining wireless earbuds, not wired). Plus it means leaving a phone call open for extended periods of time, experiencing dropouts, etc. 

Interesting idea but I don't think it's what I'm looking for.

[MightBeSasquatch]

I set my girlfriends helmet up with the Cardo Spirit. Economical option (~$100) for the rare times she decides she wants to ride with me. If later she want to upgrade, we'll do that, but it has worked well thus far. 

[piotrek]

I have the Cardo Packtalk on my helmet, and the Freecom 1+ on my daughter's. I use mesh comms on a group ride/tour, and BT with my kid riding pillion. Both units support FM, which was important to me.

[knyte]

I'm a big fan of Lexin - they perform well enough, and won't break the bank

https://www.amazon.ca/LEXIN-Motorcycle-Communication-Waterproof-Snowmobile/dp/B07XXTMHLC/ref=sr_1_4?crid=GHJLXIRWZDIK&keywords=lexin

[Denideul]

I use this without any problem.  https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005004239984446.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.37.21ef5e5bSiAIqQ&gatewayAdapt=glo2fra

You can obviously order only one.

It connects easily with all bluetooth devices I tried, so I think it could connect with Cardo.

[Betchaboy]

Thanks for the advice folks.  I ended up ordering a Cardo Spirit, and it arrived today. Haven''t installed in the helmet yet, but did get the BT intercom connected to my Cardo Bold.  Easy to do and works great.

One thing I wasn't sure about...  I connected the Spirit to the Bold using Bluetooth channel A. I'm assuming that I can EITHER connect to her pillion helmet using the Bluetooth OR connect to other riders using DMC, but not both?  Or does it bridge the BT into the DMC?  Do I have to do anything to make that work or is that the default behaviour?

Also, I'm assuming that the BT connection to my phone and GPS are independent of the BT channels for the intercom?  I haven't connected it all together yet, but hoping it all works

[piotrek]

19 hours ago, Betchaboy said:

I'm assuming that I can EITHER connect to her pillion helmet using the Bluetooth OR connect to other riders using DMC, but not both?

This is how it works with my Packtalk.