Cardo PACKTALK BOLD Manual

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Cardo PACKTALK BOLD communication and entertainment system for motorcycle helmets.

For questions, suggestions, or comments, please visit www.cardosystems.com/support/packtalk-bold-support/.

If you have not yet installed the PACKTALK BOLD unit on your helmet, please install it as described in the Installation Guide provided in the package.

Don't forget to register your PACKTALK BOLD at www.cardosystems.com/update.

Getting Started

2.1 Getting to Know Your PACKTALK BOLD

The PACKTALK BOLD unit features:

• Antenna
• Media LED Indicator
• Intercom Control Wheel
• Phone

2.2 Charging the PACKTALK BOLD

Ensure your PACKTALK BOLD battery is charged for at least 4 hours before initial use.

To charge the unit:

1. Using the supplied USB cable, connect your computer or wall charger to the USB port on your PACKTALK BOLD.

Charging with a wall charger is faster than via a computer USB port.

Charging the unit automatically switches it off. To use your unit while it is being charged, switch it on.

Charging Status LED Indicators:

• Red LED on: Charging
• Red LED off: Charging complete

Tip: You can check the battery charge at any time by saying "Hey Cardo, battery status."

2.3 Switching Your Unit On/Off

To switch your PACKTALK BOLD on:

• Press both ? and ▶️ for 1 second.

The speaker plays an ascending tone and a voice message greets you. The LED confirms your PACKTALK BOLD is on:

• Normal and low battery: LED flashes blue three times, then green.
• Charging: LED flashes red and purple three times.

To switch your PACKTALK BOLD off:

• Press both ? and ▶️.

The LED flashes red three times, confirming that your unit is switching off. The speaker plays a descending tone and a voice message, "Goodbye".

2.4 Using Your PACKTALK BOLD

You can operate the features of your PACKTALK BOLD in the following ways:

• Press a button or combination of buttons on the unit.
• Use the Cardo Mobile App on your mobile device (once paired).
• Use automatic voice recognition (e.g., "Hey Cardo, Radio On").

You can also configure your unit by connecting it to a computer with the supplied USB cable and running the Cardo Updater software.

2.5 Pairing Your Unit to Bluetooth Devices

Your PACKTALK BOLD has two Bluetooth channels for connecting to devices like mobile phones, GPS devices, and Bluetooth music players with A2DP.

To connect to a Bluetooth device, you must first pair them. Once paired, they automatically recognize each other within range.

Cardo recommends pairing the mobile phone to channel 1 and any additional device (e.g., GPS, music player, or another mobile phone) to channel 2.

If you pair more than one mobile phone, the phone paired with channel 1 is the default for outgoing calls.

To pair Bluetooth channel 1 to a mobile phone:

1. Enable Bluetooth on the mobile phone.
2. On the unit in standby mode, press ? for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red and blue.
3. On your mobile phone, search for Bluetooth devices.
4. When your PACKTALK BOLD appears, select it. If prompted for a PIN or Passkey, enter 0000 (four zeros).

The phone confirms pairing success, and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.

To pair Bluetooth channel 2 to another Bluetooth device:

1. Enable Bluetooth on the device (e.g., mobile phone, GPS device, or music player).
2. On the unit in standby mode, press ? for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red and blue.
3. Tap ▶️ twice. The LED flashes red and green.
4. If pairing a GPS device, roll the control wheel inward. The LED flashes slower.
5. On the device, search for Bluetooth devices.
6. When your PACKTALK BOLD appears, select it. If prompted for a PIN or Passkey, enter 0000 (four zeros).

The device confirms pairing success, and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.

Note: If pairing is not completed within 2 minutes, the unit returns to Standby.

• If you paired two mobile phones, set one as default for outgoing calls (see "Setting the Default Mobile Phone" on page 25).
• Not all Bluetooth mobile phones broadcast Bluetooth Stereo music (A2DP). Consult your phone's user manual.
• Not all Bluetooth GPS devices allow connection to Bluetooth audio devices. Consult your GPS User Manual.

To cancel the pairing process:

• Press ? for 2 seconds. The LED stops flashing red and blue/green.

To reset all Bluetooth device pairing:

1. Press ? for 5 seconds.
2. Press ? and ▶️ for 2 seconds.

The LED flashes purple 5 times, confirming pairing reset.

On the Road

PACKTALK BOLD makes it easy to receive phone calls and listen to music conveniently and safely.

3.1 Basic AUDIO FUNCTIONS

These functions are the same for music, intercom, or phone conversations.

To turn the volume up:

• Roll the Control Wheel inward ⬆️. An ascending tone indicates maximum volume.

To turn the volume down:

• Roll the Control Wheel outward ⬇️. An increasingly quieter tone indicates minimum volume.

To mute the microphone and lower speaker volume:

• Roll the Control Wheel outward, then inward.

To unmute the microphone and raise speaker volume:

• Roll the Control Wheel in any direction. An ascending tone is played.

3.2 Making and Receiving Phone Calls

You can make and receive calls using your paired PACKTALK BOLD.

Use your mobile phone's voice dial, Cardo speed dial, or redial last call options.

To make a phone call:

• Use your mobile phone's voice dial option, tap ? or say "Hey Siri" (iOS) or "OK Google" (Android), then follow your mobile device's instructions.
• To redial the last number, tap ▶️ twice or say "Hey Cardo, redial number."
• To dial a preset speed dial number, press and hold ? for 2 seconds or say "Hey Cardo, speed dial." (The speed dial number must be set in the Cardo Mobile App.)

If you connected two mobile phones, you cannot make an additional call from the other phone while a call is active.

During 3 or 4-way intercom calls, riders connected on both channels A and B cannot receive phone calls.

To answer a call:

• Tap ? or ▶️, or tap the Control Wheel, or say "Answer".

To reject a call:

• Press ? or ▶️ for 2 seconds.

To ignore a call:

• Roll the Control Wheel outward, then inward, or say "Ignore".

To end a call:

• Tap ? or ▶️, or tap the Control Wheel.

3.2.1 Switching Between Two Calls on Two Mobile Phones

Your PACKTALK BOLD can toggle between calls from two paired mobile phones.

To toggle between calls (without disconnecting):

• Tap ▶️ twice.

To disconnect the current call and switch to the other:

• Tap ?.

3.3 Streaming Music

You can stream music from your paired device to your PACKTALK BOLD.

To start music streaming:

• Tap ▶️ or say "Hey Cardo, music on."

To stop music streaming:

• Tap the Control Wheel or say "Hey Cardo, music off."

To skip to the next track:

• Tap ▶️ or say "Hey Cardo, next track."

To skip back to the previous track:

• Tap ▶️ twice or say "Hey Cardo, previous track."

To toggle between FM and ATDP music:

• Press ? for 2 seconds.

3.4 Listening to FM Radio

The PACKTALK BOLD has a built-in FM radio.

To turn on the FM radio:

• Tap ▶️ twice or say "Hey Cardo, radio on."

When you switch on your FM radio, the last played station resumes.

To turn the FM radio off:

• Tap the Control Wheel or say "Hey Cardo, radio off."

To skip to the next station:

• Tap ▶️ or say "Hey Cardo, next station."

To skip back to the previous station:

• Tap ▶️ twice or say "Hey Cardo, previous station."

To scan for and select a station:

1. Press down the Control Wheel and roll it inward ?. The FM radio plays each found station briefly.
2. When you hear a desired station, tap ?.

To store a scanned station in the active preset:

• Tap ? within 20 seconds of stopping the scan.

To toggle between FM and ATDP music:

• Press ? for 2 seconds.

3.5 Switching Music Sources

If two music (A2DP) sources are paired, PACKTALK BOLD uses the source from which you last played music.

To switch to the other audio source:

1. Stop music (A2DP) playback from the current device (see "Streaming Music" on page 9).
2. Play music (A2DP) from the other device.

PACKTALK BOLD remembers your last played device.

3.6 Voice Commands

Use voice commands for hands-free operation. Voice commands use voice recognition. You loudly say a command, and PACKTALK BOLD performs the action. Voice commands are available in various languages; English is the default. You can change the language.

PACKTALK BOLD uses the following predefined voice commands:

Riding with Others

Your PACKTALK BOLD features two intercom modes: traditional Bluetooth and Cardo's Dynamic Mesh Communications (DMC).

DMC is ideal for group communication, allowing dynamic networks of up to 15 riders. Unlike Bluetooth, DMC allows riders to roam freely, overtake, or leave the group without disrupting conversations.

You can also use Bluetooth to connect to smartphones or GPS devices, or communicate with riders using non-DMC headsets. See "Bluetooth Intercom" on page 16 for details.

How Does DMC Work?

Anyone can start a new DMC group. Riders can join, leave, and rejoin existing groups without affecting ongoing conversations. If a group member goes out of range, remaining riders automatically reconnect within seconds to a closer member.

4.1 DMC Intercom

Use DMC intercom to speak with other riders in your DMC group. See "Setting Up and Using DMC intercom Groups" on page 12.

In DMC intercom, all riders speak hands-free. No additional operation is needed to speak or hear others.

With DMC intercom, you can also:

• Chat privately with another rider (see "Chatting Privately" on page 14).
• Bridge a non-DMC passenger or rider (see "Using DMC intercom" on page 14).
• Mute/unmute DMC intercom groups (see "Muting/Unmuting DMC Intercom Groups" on page 15).
• Delete DMC intercom groups (see "Deleting DMC intercom Groups" on page 14).
• Listen to music while in DMC intercom groups (see "Background Audio Level and Audio Source Priorities" on page 15).
• Switch between DMC intercom and Bluetooth intercom (see "Switching between Intercom modes" on page 20).

4.1.1 Setting Up and Using DMC Intercom Groups

Manage DMC intercom groups by creating, joining, leaving, and rejoining groups, or changing your active group.

DMC intercom groups are created and deleted by a group creator. Each group can have up to 15 riders: one creator/admin and 14 members.

When creating a group, all members should be within 3 meters (10 feet) of the creator. The group continues functioning even if the creator is unavailable.

If a rider's connection is lost, they remain part of the group and reconnect automatically when in range.

The PACKTALK BOLD DUO package includes two units for the same DMC intercom group.

4.1.1.1 Creating DMC Intercom Groups

Coordinate with other riders to designate a group creator.

To create a DMC group:

1. Confirm your PACKTALK BOLD is in DMC intercom mode (LED flashes green slowly). If not, press ? and ▶️.
2. The group creator and all members: Press ? for 5 seconds. The LED flashes green quickly.
3. Only the group creator: Tap ▶️. The LED flashes red and green quickly.
4. Other members can join within 2 minutes.
5. After each member joins, the LEDs of the joined unit and the creator's unit flash purple. The DMC intercom conference starts automatically after grouping.

4.1.1.2 Joining DMC Intercom Groups

You can join or rejoin a DMC intercom group created by another rider.

If your DMC group connection is lost, you remain part of the group and reconnect automatically when in range.

If your DMC group splits, members in range of each other can continue speaking. You automatically reconnect when in range of any other group member.

Joining a new DMC group automatically leaves your existing group.

To join an existing DMC group:

1. Confirm your PACKTALK BOLD is in DMC intercom mode (LED flashes green slowly). If not, press ? and ▶️.
2. Both you and the group creator: Press ? for 5 seconds. The LED flashes green quickly.
3. Only the group creator: Tap ▶️. The LED flashes red and green quickly.

The flashing LED color indicates group addition status:

• Purple: Successfully joined.
• Yellow: Group is full.
• Red: Failed to join.

4.1.1.3 Deleting DMC Intercom Groups

If you delete a DMC intercom group, you must rejoin it to connect again.

To delete a DMC group:

1. Confirm your PACKTALK BOLD is in DMC intercom mode (LED flashes green slowly). If not, press ? and ▶️.
2. Press ? for 5 seconds. The LED flashes green quickly.
3. Press ? and ▶️ for 2 seconds.

4.1.2 Using DMC Intercom

4.1.2.1 Adding a Non-DMC Passenger

Use the DMC bridging feature to add a non-DMC rider or passenger.

To bridge a non-DMC passenger/rider:

1. Verify the passenger/rider is paired via Bluetooth to Channel A (see "Setting Up non-DMC Intercom Groups" on page 16).
2. On your unit, press ▶️.

To disconnect the bridge:

• Press ▶️.

4.1.2.2 Chatting Privately

You can chat privately with a specific member of your DMC group. This is also available via the Cardo mobile app.

To chat privately:

1. In the Mobile app, select the rider to speak with privately or pair with the rider's device on Bluetooth channel B (see "Bluetooth Intercom" on page 16).
2. To start or stop a private chat, tap ▶️ 2 times.

4.1.2.3 Muting/Unmuting DMC Intercom Groups

Muting the DMC intercom mutes your microphone and speaker. Unmuting restores sound.

To mute/unmute the DMC group:

1. Confirm your PACKTALK BOLD is in DMC intercom mode (LED flashes green slowly). If not, press ? and ▶️.
2. On your unit, press the control wheel ? for 2 seconds.

4.1.2.4 Background Audio Level and Audio Source Priorities

The PACKTALK BOLD can stream audio from two sources simultaneously, allowing you to listen to music or FM radio during a DMC intercom conversation. It automatically manages music and FM radio volume during intercom use, as well as phone calls and GPS.

For more information on background audio levels and priorities, see "Using Parallel Audio Streaming" on page 25.

Bluetooth Intercom

Connect your unit to another Bluetooth intercom unit (Cardo or other brands) by pairing their channels. Once paired, units recognize each other within range (up to 1.6 km / 5,200 ft, terrain dependent).

Pairing a channel replaces any existing paired unit on that channel.

The PACKTALK BOLD DUO package includes two pre-paired units in DMC mode.

Intercom range with other models is limited by the unit with the shorter range.

4.2.1 Setting Up Non-DMC Intercom Groups

DMC is the preferred method for group communication. If riding with a group using non-DMC devices (e.g., other Cardo brands), switch to Bluetooth mode to create or join a non-DMC group. Riders connect in a chain, up to four riders maximum.

To set up a Cardo non-DMC group:

1. Confirm your unit is in Standby Bluetooth intercom mode (LED flashes blue slowly). If not, tap ? and ▶️. See "Switching between Intercom modes" on page 20.
2. To initiate 2-way pairing: On your unit, press ? for 5 seconds to enter pairing mode. The LED flashes red. Tap ▶️ to activate the Cardo gateway. The LED flashes red and blue. Bluetooth intercom pairing needs to be initiated on the other device. The unit confirms pairing success.
3. To add a 3rd rider: Press ? for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red. Tap ▶️ 2 times. The LED flashes blue. Bluetooth intercom pairing needs to be initiated on the other device.
4. To add a 4th rider: Rider 1 or Rider 2 connects to the additional rider. Bluetooth intercom pairing needs to be initiated on the other device.

To cancel the pairing process:

• Press ? for 2 seconds. The LED stops flashing.

Note: If pairing is not completed within 2 minutes, the unit automatically returns to Standby.

To pair a non-Cardo Bluetooth intercom group unit:

1. Confirm your unit is in Standby Bluetooth intercom mode (LED flashes blue slowly). If not, tap ? and ▶️. See "Switching between Intercom modes" on page 20.
2. To initiate 2-way pairing: On your unit, press ? for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red. Tap ▶️ to activate the Cardo gateway. The LED flashes red and blue. Bluetooth intercom pairing needs to be initiated on the other device. The unit confirms pairing success.
3. To add a 3rd rider: Press ? for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red. Tap ▶️ 2 times. The LED flashes blue. Bluetooth intercom pairing needs to be initiated on the other device.
4. To add a 4th rider: Rider 1 or Rider 2 connects to the additional rider. Bluetooth intercom pairing needs to be initiated on the other device.

To cancel the pairing process:

• Press ? for 2 seconds. The LED stops flashing.

Note: If pairing is not completed within 2 minutes, the unit automatically returns to Standby.

4.2.2 Using the Bluetooth Intercom

4.2.2.1 Starting/Ending Bluetooth Intercom Calls

To start or end communication with Rider 1:

• Press ?.

To start or end communication with Rider 2:

• Press ? twice.

To initiate a 4-way Bluetooth Conference:

A diagram shows Rider 1, You, Rider 2, Rider 3. Rider 1 connects to You (x1). You connect to Rider 2 (x1) and Rider 3 (x2).

You can also start Bluetooth intercom by making a loud noise, e.g., saying "Hey." If channels A and B are paired, the conversation starts for both.

4.2.2.2 Receiving Bluetooth Intercom Calls

If another paired unit calls you via Bluetooth intercom, the call begins instantly.

4.2.3 Resetting Bluetooth Intercom Pairing

Resetting Bluetooth intercom pairing also resets all Bluetooth device pairing.

To reset Bluetooth intercom pairing:

1. Press ? for 5 seconds.
2. When the LED flashes red, press ? and ▶️ for 2 seconds.

The LED flashes purple 5 times slowly, confirming pairing reset.

Sharing Music and Radio

Share music and FM radio with a passenger or rider. Music sharing is best for rider/passenger combinations; FM radio is for rider/rider combinations.

• Music sharing is only available in Bluetooth intercom mode.
• Music and radio can be shared with only one passenger/rider.
• Bluetooth intercom calls are disabled during music sharing.
• FM radio sharing automatically opens a Bluetooth intercom call.
• If paired to two mobile phones, music is shared from the phone used last for music playback.
• When sharing FM radio, the passenger/rider can change the station while the intercom call remains open.
• When stopping FM radio sharing, the intercom call remains open, and the FM radio continues playing independently.
• When stopping music sharing, music continues playing only on your unit.

To start/stop sharing:

1. Confirm your PACKTALK BOLD is in Bluetooth intercom mode (blue LED flashes slowly). If not, press ? and ▶️.
2. Start playing music or the FM radio.
3. Press ▶️ for 2 seconds to start sharing on Channel A (default).

To manually select the channel for music or radio sharing:

1. Start playing music or the FM radio.
2. Start a Bluetooth intercom call on either channel (A or B).
3. Press ▶️ for 2 seconds.

To stop sharing:

• Press ▶️ for 2 seconds.

4.4 Switching Between Intercom Modes

Your PACKTALK BOLD unit operates in only one intercom mode at a time. The current mode is indicated by the LED color:

• DMC intercom mode: LED flashes green at approximately 4-second intervals.
• Bluetooth intercom mode: LED flashes blue at approximately 4-second intervals.

To switch between intercom modes:

• On your unit, press ? and ▶️. The LED color changes, and a voice message indicates the current intercom mode.

Troubleshooting

5.1 Soft Reset

If your PACKTALK BOLD stops responding, try one of these methods:

• Turn it off and then on again (see "Getting Started" on page 5).
• Connect your unit to a computer or wall charger using the supplied USB cable for 30 seconds.

5.2 Reset Pairing

This option deletes all paired units and devices.

To reset mobile device pairing:

1. Confirm your unit is in Standby Bluetooth intercom mode (LED flashes blue slowly). If not, tap ? and ▶️. See "Switching between Intercom modes" on page 20.
2. While in standby mode, press ? for 5 seconds.
3. Press ? and ▶️ for 2 seconds.

The LED flashes purple 5 times slowly, confirming pairing reset.

To reset intercom pairing:

1. Confirm your unit is in Standby Bluetooth intercom mode (LED flashes blue slowly). If not, tap ? and ▶️. See "Switching between Intercom modes" on page 20.
2. While in standby mode, press ? for 5 seconds.
3. Press ? and ▶️ for 2 seconds.

The LED flashes purple 5 times slowly, confirming pairing reset.

To reset DMC group pairing:

1. Confirm your PACKTALK BOLD is in DMC intercom mode (LED flashes green slowly). If not, press ? and ▶️.
2. While in standby mode, press ? for 5 seconds.
3. Press ? and ▶️ for 2 seconds.

The LED flashes purple 5 times slowly, confirming pairing reset.

5.3 Reset to Factory Settings

This option deletes all paired units, devices, and configuration settings.

To perform a factory reset through the unit:

1. Check that your PACKTALK BOLD is in Standby mode (see "PACKTALK BOLD LED Indications" on page 28).
2. Simultaneously press ? + ▶️ + ? for 5 seconds.

The LED flashes purple 5 times slowly, confirming pairing reset.

5.4 FAQ

Additional answers to common problems can be found at https://www.cardosystems.com/support/packtalk-bold-support/.

Personalizing Your Device

Customize your PACKTALK BOLD settings using the Cardo Mobile App (iOS/Android) or Cardo Update software (Windows/Mac). Unit buttons can also be used for some settings.

Cardo recommends customizing settings before riding.

AGC and voice control performance vary based on environmental conditions. For improved performance, minimize wind impact on the microphone by closing the visor and using the large microphone sponge.

6.1 Setting the Default Mobile Phone

If you paired two mobile phones, set one as the default for outgoing calls. If not set, the first paired phone becomes the default.

To set the default phone:

• During a mobile call, press ? for 5 seconds.

6.2 Using Parallel Audio Streaming

With parallel audio streaming, you can hear GPS instructions during a mobile or Bluetooth intercom call, or while listening to other audio sources like music or FM radio.

Parallel audio streaming may not work properly with some iOS devices (e.g., music player or GPS navigator) due to connected device limitations.

Your PACKTALK BOLD sets audio sources to foreground (volume remains the same) or background (volume reduced) as described in the table below:

¹ If an intercom call is added to a mobile phone call, creating a conference call, the volume for both audio sources is the same.

² If two intercom calls are made simultaneously, creating an intercom conference call, the volume for both audio sources is the same.

³ If two intercom calls are made simultaneously, you cannot hear the mobile phone or GPS.

⁴ If playing music only, music volume is not reduced.

⁵ If playing FM radio only, FM radio volume is not reduced.

In some cases, parallel audio streaming may not work properly due to connected device limitations (music player or GPS navigator). For more information, see FAQ on page 23.

Cardo recommends that during a 3-way or 4-way Bluetooth intercom conference call, the rider connected to only one intercom call listens for mobile phone and GPS announcements.

Music sharing for voice audio with riders is not available during parallel audio streaming.

Music can be streamed in the background during an active DMC intercom call.

Configure parallel audio streaming via the Cardo app.

6.3 Audio Source Priorities

If Parallel Audio Streaming is disabled, PACKTALK BOLD manages audio sources according to the following priorities:

¹ Phone calls and GPS temporarily mute DMC intercom, but group members remain part of the DMC intercom group.

² When audio priority is set to Intercom, navigation app or SMS messages from your phone are not heard during an intercom call.

³ When audio priority is set to A2DP (music), intercom is disabled while listening to music. A rider calling by intercom hears that you are not available.

Intercom modes have the same priority; ongoing intercom calls are not interrupted by other intercom calls.

If you paired your unit to two mobile phones (see "Setting the Default Mobile Phone" on page 25), music is shared from the phone through which you last played music.

Appendix A. PACKTALK BOLD LED Indications

Your PACKTALK BOLD operates in various modes, each with a set of available features. For example, music playing mode enables features for skipping tracks.

Events occur when you operate a feature and PACKTALK BOLD responds. Turning on music is an event.

The unit LEDs indicate the current mode. Voice announcements also provide information on mode changes and events.

The following table shows LED indications for modes and events based on battery state:

Glossary