Cardo Packtalk Slim

Author
Discussion

8IKERDAVE

Original Poster:

2,403 posts

219 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
I wondered if anyone else is using this unit and experienced any problems? Me and my mate bought these last year and to date we have had issues with the following:

Range - pathetic! Their claim of 0.8 miles is pie in the sky. One of us only has to get ahead by 100m or so and it cuts out
Radio switching on - Randomly the radio switches itself on giving an awful White noise through the speakers. Easily switched off but annoying when it happens numerous times on a ride.
Automatically calling last number - This one is the most annoying. Especially as it keeps calling my wife who automatically thinks something is wrong when I don't talk back (the call doesn't come through my headset so I've no idea it's happening).

We ran the older models for years and they were faultless but these are a pain in the arse. One unit has been replaced already but the replacement is equally as annoying.

Krikkit

26,922 posts

187 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
No specific experience, but are you all running the most up-to-date firmware?

https://www.cardosystems.com/support/packtalk-slim...

8IKERDAVE

Original Poster:

2,403 posts

219 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
Krikkit said:
No specific experience, but are you all running the most up-to-date firmware?

https://www.cardosystems.com/support/packtalk-slim...
Yes, I thought this straight away and plugged it in to check. Have the latest installed already.

black-k1

12,134 posts

235 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
Again - not specific to the Slim (we use the Bold) but ...

Range issues sounds like the aerial is not up. While we've only ever go near to the quoted range where there is a true line of sight, not having the aerial up significantly reduces the range.

The operation of the radio is pretty common as a result of a sneeze, cough, singing along, swearing at other road user or anything else. We have lots of "Hey Cardo - Radio Off" conversation's.

Make sure you have the setting on UK. It defaults to US but doesn't really work with a UK accent.

anonymous-user

60 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
Yeah, the slim's range suuuucks compared to the bold. If you have a bold in the group, it significantly improves the range on all the mesh network.

I think the radio turning is one of the buttons getting a light press. Kept happening to a mate and it turns out his jacket lightly touched the buttons when he tilted his head to the left.

I still think its the best comm system on the market, but if you are thinking about getting one, only go for the BOLD.

8IKERDAVE

Original Poster:

2,403 posts

219 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
black-k1 said:
Range issues sounds like the aerial is not up. While we've only ever go near to the quoted range where there is a true line of sight, not having the aerial up significantly reduces the range.

Unfortunately the slim doesn't come with an aerial which could explain the poor range!

StreetDragster

1,533 posts

224 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
Also, make sure you are in dmc mode (green flashing) and not Bluetooth mode (blue flashing) which has a much poorer range.
I used to have a bold black and the radio coming on was a common problem.

As a side note, i now have an edge, and i think the bold was better and might go back. It's features are nice, but the range is poor imo, and that's the main feature that i need when in a group

Krikkit

26,922 posts

187 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
8IKERDAVE said:
Krikkit said:
No specific experience, but are you all running the most up-to-date firmware?

https://www.cardosystems.com/support/packtalk-slim...
Yes, I thought this straight away and plugged it in to check. Have the latest installed already.
Bugger, sounds like poor design then, honestly I'd sell them and replace for better ones

hiccy18

2,937 posts

73 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
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I just told the missus I quite fancy a Pardo Cacktalk, quite appropriate!

Bob_Defly

3,964 posts

237 months

Tuesday 4th April 2023
quotequote all
I was looking for a comms device, but am boycotting Cardo due to their new subscription based model. They can f*ck right off.