Ski & Snowboard · Head-to-head
Cardo Packtalk Outdoor vs Aleck Snow Series Core
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Ski Helmet Audio Systems: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Packtalk Outdoor is the only system here with mesh group intercom, an IP67 main unit and a battery rating stated at -20°C. The Snow Series Core gives up intercom entirely but lists IP54, Bluetooth 5.2 and a -20°C operating rating at a budget price.
Cardo Packtalk Outdoor
Buy itA mesh intercom with JBL speakers that Cardo says connects up to 15 people on the mountain without a phone signal.
- Cardo's Dynamic Mesh Communication links up to 15 users, with a stated range of up to 1 km between two users and up to 5 km across the group.
- Cardo states up to 10 hours of use at temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F), and a 20-minute fast charge gives about 2 hours of talk time.
- The main unit is rated IP67, and the box includes 40 mm JBL speakers with a wired microphone plus a strap clamp and a glue plate for mounting.
- The IP67 rating does not cover the supplied JBL speakers, according to Cardo.
- It is the most expensive option here, and everyone in your group needs a compatible unit to use the mesh intercom.
- Cardo does not list the Bluetooth version or the unit's weight on the product page.
Aleck Snow Series Core
Buy itA slim 14 mm drop-in speaker set with a stated 12 hours of playtime, IP54 and a -20°C operating rating.
- Aleck lists up to 12 hours of playtime, Bluetooth 5.2 and USB-C charging.
- The stated operating range of -20°C to 50°C and an IP54 water and dust rating are both printed on the spec list.
- The 40 mm drivers sit in a 54 x 54 x 14 mm housing that Aleck says slides into any audio-ready snow helmet, and an EVA case is included.
- No intercom of any kind, and Aleck says the Core is not compatible with its Off Grid radio.
- No Siri or Google Assistant support, according to Aleck's own comparison table.
- The warranty is 1 year, shorter than Cardo's stated 2 years.
Side by side
The 9 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Cardo Packtalk Outdoor Our pick | Aleck Snow Series Core | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Families and groups who want to talk hands-free across a resort all day, with music and calls in between. | Riders who want music and phone calls for a full resort day at the lowest price tier, and do not need to talk to a group. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $ · budget |
| Type | Mesh intercom with speakers | Drop-in speakers |
| Stated battery life | Up to 10 hours (at down to -20°C) | Up to 12 hours playtime |
| Bluetooth version | Not stated | 5.2 |
| Group intercom | Up to 15 users (mesh) | None |
| Intercom range | Up to 1 km between two, up to 5 km group | No intercom |
| Water resistance | IP67 main unit (speakers excluded) | IP54 |
| Stated operating temperature | Down to -20°C (battery rating) | -20°C to 50°C |
| Speaker size | 40 mm JBL | 40 mm |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Cardo Packtalk Outdoor if
families and groups who want to talk hands-free across a resort all day, with music and calls in between.
Know before buying: the IP67 rating does not cover the supplied JBL speakers, according to Cardo.
Pick the Aleck Snow Series Core if
riders who want music and phone calls for a full resort day at the lowest price tier, and do not need to talk to a group.
Know before buying: no intercom of any kind, and Aleck says the Core is not compatible with its Off Grid radio.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Cardo Packtalk Outdoor - A mesh intercom with JBL speakers that Cardo says connects up to 15 people on the mountain without a phone signal. Choose the Aleck Snow Series Core instead if riders who want music and phone calls for a full resort day at the lowest price tier, and do not need to talk to a group.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Ski Helmet Audio Systems: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).