Audio Cardo Scala Packtalk Bold 4.0.4 (215)

[Nick Carthew]

The Cardo Packtalk family of intercoms use Dynamic Mesh Communication (DMC) protocol for intercom connectivity. They can also be switched to use standard Bluetooth.
When my riding buddy (Hannah) and I go for a ride we have a permanently open intercom channel, we prefer this to switching on and off.
The only issue that I have ever had with the audio from the app is that the app does not override the intercom, telephone calls and music is overridden ok but not the intercom. I’ve had this problem from the beginning so it is not just this version of the app.

I thought that this might be because our intercoms use a DMC connection rather than Bluetooth connection and maybe the app does not recognise the DMC to be able to interrupt it.
When connected with DMC to my riding buddy the turn by turn instructions from the app can be heard but they are very very quiet. If I close the intercom channel the instructions are loud and clear. In the settings for my Cardo I have the priority set for navigation instructions to override everything.

Today, I thought that I would test the Cardo Bluetooth protocol to see if there was any difference so I switched both of our units over to Bluetooth and connected them.
Unfortunately it was no better, in fact it was worse, I couldn’t even hear quiet instructions while the Bluetooth intercom channel was open. When I close the intercom channel I then hear instructions clearly.

I intend to do further testing using the Bluetooth intercom but that is not my preferred connection method. I would rather have the app mute the intercom while instructions are read while in DMC mode.

[Nick Carthew]

I should add that I like the automatic tracking option I didn’t test the auto start after pausing but I will.

The spoken route point title and notes (when I could hear them) were good and are a very valuable addition

I also need to test the the re-focus for the camera but I’m sure that’ll work as intended.

[RetiredWingMan]

@Nick-Carthew one thing I've noticed with the Cardo is that you have to adjust the volume while MRA is speaking. Same goes for adjusting the volume of the DMC intercom. The Cardo connect app has some settings to set priorities for which channel overrides other channels. Have you looked at your settings?

[Nick Carthew]

Yes, thanks @Doug-Robinson I said in the first post that I have the Cardo settings adjusted for priority for navigation instructions. No issues with the volume, the app does not interrupt the intercom is where the problem lies.

[Nick Carthew]

I have been researching the intercom not being interrupted by the GPS instructions and I read on a forum a recommendation to turn down the sensitivity of the microphone using the Cardo Connect app. I did have the sensitivity on my unit set at high and it is thought that this could prevent the GPS instructions from interrupting the intercom. I have changed the setting to low now but I cannot test this until the weekend. Asking Hannah to put her helmet on for test purposes while walking up and down the street is a no no!

[RetiredWingMan]

@Nick-Carthew has anyone with a GPS unit (eg. TT or Garmin) used it with Cardo? What port was the GPS unit connected to? I still think that as long as the phone is connected to one of the two phone ports then the intercom will always override. The Cardo would not be able to tell the difference between the phone GPS voice prompts or music. If the phone overrode the intercom then the intercom would be useless when playing music. Somehow my Cardo Packtalk Bold does know when I'm on a phone call and it overrides the intercom.

[Nick Carthew]

@Doug-Robinson said in Audio Cardo Scala Packtalk Bold 4.0.4 (215):

@Nick-Carthew has anyone with a GPS unit (eg. TT or Garmin) used it with Cardo? What port was the GPS unit connected to? I still think that as long as the phone is connected to one of the two phone ports then the intercom will always override. The Cardo would not be able to tell the difference between the phone GPS voice prompts or music. If the phone overrode the intercom then the intercom would be useless when playing music. Somehow my Cardo Packtalk Bold does know when I'm on a phone call and it overrides the intercom.

I used to use my TomTom Rider 500 with a Cardo but for most of the time I didn't have the spoken instructions on. I don't recall there being a problem with the TomTom not interrupting the intercom but that may have been with one of my previous Cardo units either a Q1 or Freecom 2!

My Packtalk interrupts the intercom for phone calls too, that isn't the problem. The problem is that the intercom is not interrupted for the GPS instructions from the app. I haven't tried listening to music whilst having an intercom connection because my wife and I are always connected and chatting away. However when I'm on my own and no intercom connection, as with phone calls music is interrupted for the GPS instructions.

I did try to connect the phone to the GPS port of the Packtalk but it is only possible to connect the phone to 1 of the 2 phone ports, if I attempt to connect my phone to the GPS port of the Packtalk the Bluetooth is not recognised by my phone.

I just have a feeling that whatever trigger is sent by the app when an instruction is announced is not being recognised by Cardo to interrupt the intercom. I'm looking forward to testing the new microphone sensitivity setting to see if that has an affect.

[Vince Hyde]

@Nick-Carthew I have used the TomTom Go on my phone, Waze, and the MRA Navigation with my Cardo Packtalk, and all worked well and the instructions were fine it is definitely the MRA Next and recently when my battery was getting low I switched to Waze to get home the instructions were fine without changing any settings in the Cardo app

[Nick Carthew]

@Vince-Hyde Interesting comparison - thanks.

[Nick Carthew]

Update:
The microphone sensitivity test made no difference.

I have now tested with TomTom Go Ride, Google maps and Apple maps. Sat in the living room with the wife and both wearing our helmets - isn’t life exciting

First I tested the 3 apps on their own without connecting to my Cardo Packtalk and all 3 announced the first instructions through my phone speaker.
I then connected my phone and Cardo and I could hear the instructions in my helmet. I then asked wifey to turn her helmet on and start talking - never a problem for my darling beloved
With wifey chattering away I started each app and I could barely hear the instructions, the intercom was not interrupted for the GPS instructions.
So I’m happy that it doesn’t appear to be an MRA issue.
I have been in touch with Cardo Support and I am awaiting their next instruction which I’m guessing will ask me to do a factory re-set.

[RetiredWingMan]

@Nick-Carthew that has been my experience as well. Since the phone can't be connected to the GPS port I don't see a solution. Fortunately my intercom mates don't keep up a constant dialogue so most MRA voice prompts are heard.

[G.Grote Ganseij]

@Nick-Carthew Ik heb de Cardo Freecom 4+ met de zelfde problemen ik heb het de laatste 2 weekenden getest met deze instelling audio sources, en ik ben er nog niet kapot van, opzich lijkt het goed het gesprek wordt gedempt dit alleen als je in gesprek bent, maar als je een gesprek wil starten of probeert een gesprek over de intercom te starten krijg je een keer of 10 te horen in gesprek, in gesprek, in gesprek en dat is wel vervelend, dit is niet elke keer maar als je wat wil zeggen moet je je aanmelden om de intercom in te schakelen, heb geprobeerd te achterhalen hoe ik dit kan oplossen en daar is maar 1 oplossing voor de instelling terug zetten, en tussen door goed op je scherm letten. Vind het wel jammer maar als het niet gaat dan is het niet anders.

Ik heb de telefoon 1 poort geprobeerd en de GPS-poort, ik gebruik geen telefoon maar rijd met de Samsung Tab3.

[Nick Carthew]

@G-Grote-Ganseij I have answered in this thread:
https://forum.myrouteapp.com/post/36600