I'm looking at the Cardo Kit - and although I have years of experience with Autocom Intercoms, I haven't got a clue what I am looking for with BT kit
- except, that is, I know that some earlier kit did not have the ability to provide me with what the Autocom gives me - but maybe the newer stuff will - some are described as having 3 bluetooth channels.
My current set-up is
Autocom SuperPro Avi - wired connections to both rider and pillion
Android Phone
Zumo XT - with a BTM-03 Bluetooth module plugs into the intercom (stereo, voice and phone)
This enables me to do everything that I want
ie Listen to music from the XT - with volume turned way down for pillion
Hear stanav instructions - again with volume turned down for pillion
Speak to each other
Both take part in the same phone conversation
All phone activity - calls, caller display, texts, with clear option to accept and reject on the XT screen
I can play music from phone to this system, but the sound is jerky coming from (say) spotify when on the move so I use the XT's MP3 facility instead.
I've just bought two brand new helmets and was going to buy new headsets from autocom
But the opportunity to buy completely different gear presents itself.
So I need some advice please, if anyone can help.
What should I be looking for in the vast array of Cardo kit ?
Has anybody done all fo the above? If I can't do any one of those things, I'll stick with Autocom.
Cardo & Zumo XT Recommendations Please
-
- Posts: 2642
- Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2019 4:17 pm
- Location: West Yorkshire, Uk
- Has liked: 341 times
- Been liked: 727 times
Cardo & Zumo XT Recommendations Please
Have owned Zumo 550, 660 == Now have Zumo XT2, XT, 595, 590, Headache
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !
Links: Zumo 590/5 & BC . . . Zumo XT & BC
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !
Links: Zumo 590/5 & BC . . . Zumo XT & BC
-
- Subscriber
- Posts: 929
- Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2018 10:14 am
- Location: North Carolina USA
- Has liked: 101 times
- Been liked: 220 times
Re: Cardo & Zumo XT Recommendations Please
Maybe I'm just too old but if what you have does everything you want and works fine then why change? Given the years of difficulty of Garmin's finicky Bluetooth.....
Russ B. Zumo 595 & XT
2007 & 2013 USA Yamaha FJR1300A
2007 & 2013 USA Yamaha FJR1300A
-
- Posts: 2642
- Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2019 4:17 pm
- Location: West Yorkshire, Uk
- Has liked: 341 times
- Been liked: 727 times
Re: Cardo & Zumo XT Recommendations Please
I have new helmets, so I need to fit mics and earphones. These things don't last forever, and I always carry a spare set - as I have found that they only ever fail when I am using them. So I was about to order two complete headsets. That is quite an outlay - so I thought that I would take a look at the alternatives especially since fitting the autocom stuff requires getting into the inside of the helmet.
Just getting information so that I can weigh up my options.
Just getting information so that I can weigh up my options.
Have owned Zumo 550, 660 == Now have Zumo XT2, XT, 595, 590, Headache
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !
Links: Zumo 590/5 & BC . . . Zumo XT & BC
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !
Links: Zumo 590/5 & BC . . . Zumo XT & BC
- Peobody
- Subscriber
- Posts: 1523
- Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2021 1:33 pm
- Location: North Carolina USA
- Has liked: 113 times
- Been liked: 330 times
Re: Cardo & Zumo XT Recommendations Please
I am a little late but will contribute my two cents in the hopes it will be of value. First let me say that the Zumo XT is my first foray into GPS land. I use it with a Cardo Palktalk Bold headset which happens to be my first foray into a mesh/bluetooth headset. Prior to that I used J&M corded headsets connected the the built-in intercom capability of a Goldwing. I am pretty pleased with the Packtalk Bold. The absolute only complaint I have is that that spoken navigation instructions from the XT override intercom communications. There is no way to prevent that. I wouldn't be bad if the XT wasn't so verbose and so slow to release the headset. When riding two-up my workaround is to selectively enable spoken navigation and letting my wife know it is on. It also has worked well communicating with a fellow rider who has a Cardo Smartpack. I have not tried pairing it to a Sena or any other brand.
2008 Honda GL1800 Goldwing
1995 Kawasaki ZG1000 Concours
zūmo XT linked to Cardo Packtalk Bold and iPhone SE.
1995 Kawasaki ZG1000 Concours
zūmo XT linked to Cardo Packtalk Bold and iPhone SE.
-
- Posts: 2642
- Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2019 4:17 pm
- Location: West Yorkshire, Uk
- Has liked: 341 times
- Been liked: 727 times
Re: Cardo & Zumo XT Recommendations Please
Thanks for that reply @Peobody - sorry I am late coming back to it. I've been busy doing other stuff.
I note that Autocom have either gone out of business, or are winding down. There are very few parts available. Since Mics give up fairly frequently - 18months-2 years. I have a couple of spares - but I'm busy dealing with BT from the XT to the autocom anyway, and it is not good if I start the engine after te link has been established. It just breaks the connection and wont restart unless I turnt he ignition off an reboot the bike and intercom.
The autocom nicely dims the volume of the XT when we are talking on the intercom. Is the Packtalk Bold a dual channel device ?
I note that Autocom have either gone out of business, or are winding down. There are very few parts available. Since Mics give up fairly frequently - 18months-2 years. I have a couple of spares - but I'm busy dealing with BT from the XT to the autocom anyway, and it is not good if I start the engine after te link has been established. It just breaks the connection and wont restart unless I turnt he ignition off an reboot the bike and intercom.
The autocom nicely dims the volume of the XT when we are talking on the intercom. Is the Packtalk Bold a dual channel device ?
Have owned Zumo 550, 660 == Now have Zumo XT2, XT, 595, 590, Headache
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !
Links: Zumo 590/5 & BC . . . Zumo XT & BC
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !
Links: Zumo 590/5 & BC . . . Zumo XT & BC
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 9:38 pm
- Location: Hull, UK
- Has liked: 409 times
- Been liked: 229 times
Re: Cardo & Zumo XT Recommendations Please
I have a packtalk and have only just seen this post!
The packtalk is a dual channel but for the purpose you want you will find a lot of annoyances!
The sharing music is a pain in the rear and the intercom dims it but to a low volume far too often even when not speaking and the intercom will cut it completely not sure for pillion though
Sharing phone calls I have never tried that
I very very rarely have any audio on from the zumo and if I have music I am out on my own and usually its just the radio
Voice activation with google works well though but I prefer to see whats going on with the phone if I use that
The packtalk is a dual channel but for the purpose you want you will find a lot of annoyances!
The sharing music is a pain in the rear and the intercom dims it but to a low volume far too often even when not speaking and the intercom will cut it completely not sure for pillion though
Sharing phone calls I have never tried that
I very very rarely have any audio on from the zumo and if I have music I am out on my own and usually its just the radio
Voice activation with google works well though but I prefer to see whats going on with the phone if I use that
-
- Posts: 2642
- Joined: Sat Oct 19, 2019 4:17 pm
- Location: West Yorkshire, Uk
- Has liked: 341 times
- Been liked: 727 times
Re: Cardo & Zumo XT Recommendations Please
I've taken the plunge.
Details of how this works for my requirements are posted here:
viewtopic.php?t=2257
Details of how this works for my requirements are posted here:
viewtopic.php?t=2257
Have owned Zumo 550, 660 == Now have Zumo XT2, XT, 595, 590, Headache
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !
Links: Zumo 590/5 & BC . . . Zumo XT & BC
Use Basecamp (mainly), MyRouteApp (sometimes), Competent with Tread for XT2, Can use Explore for XT - but it offers nothing that I want !
Links: Zumo 590/5 & BC . . . Zumo XT & BC