VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P107
HELMET
STANDOUT FEATURE
Cardo integrated its PackTalk Edge
technology into a Leatt 8.5 helmet
for an all-in-one helmet communica-
tion system.
RIDER ANALYSIS
At its core, the Venture helmet is
a Leatt 8.5 with Cardo technology
packed inside. The 8.5 is one step
below the full-carbon 9.5 model,
which means you'll get a more
budget-friendly composite shell,
but it still features multi-density
impact foam and Leatt's 360-degree
turbines to help mitigate concussion
forces—all while meeting ECE 22.06
and DOT certification standards. This
The external
control has been
slimmed down,
with speakers
and a microphone
already routed
inside the helmet.
the comms. Simply saying, "Cardo,
volume up," or "Cardo, volume down,"
is all that's required while riding. The
system, which is slimmed down and
mounted on the side of the helmet,
still has up, down, and side-to-side
buttons for navigating the system
when stopped.
Communicating with a group is
a vastly different experience from
riding alone. It allows users to talk
about obstacles on the trail, provide
directions, or simply poke fun at
each other during the ride. Helmet-
to-helmet communication is much
easier than having to stop and wait
at each trail crossing to make sure
your group is still intact.
Another benefit is the ability to
make or take phone calls. This is a
longtime plus for street commuters
using the Cardo system, and now
off-road riders get to enjoy it, too.
The Cardo connects to your phone
via Bluetooth for hands-free calling
or getting directions. Thanks to JBL
speakers near your ears, the sound
helmet fits and feels the same as
any of the other Leatt 8.5 helmets
I've worn, and the added weight of
the Cardo system is hardly notice-
able, especially while riding.
The helmet offers several major
advantages over a standard lid,
the main one being communica-
tion. With the Cardo system already
mounted inside, you can easily
connect to other riders in your group
who have the same helmet or riders
with Cardo products. The comms
use a mesh-style system that is
different from traditional Bluetooth
connections and allows up to 15
people to be on the same channel
at once. This means if one rider's
connection drops off, the rest of the
group will continue to stay together,
not dropping the connection entirely.
Connecting the devices is easy, and
they can be controlled via voice
commands once out on the trail.
This system is not like an old-school
walkie-talkie, and there's no need to
press buttons in order to activate
The system
allows you
to easily
take or make
phone calls
and listen to
music.
