Cardo set to intro first BT communicator for bicyclists
updated 12:30 pm EDT, Mon April 16, 2012
Cardo BK-1 communicator with 1,600 foot range
Cardo, known for its helmet-mounted intercom systems for motorcyclists such as the Scala Rider G4 we sampled, has now introduced the first such system for bicyclists. The BK-1 will make its official debut at the Sea Otter Classic cycling festival in California that kicks off on April 19. The BK-1 can link two or three riders at distances of up to 1,600 feet and lets users pair up with MP3 players, GPS devices, and smartphones.
The BK-1 has hovering speakers that don't touch the ears and a noise-cancelling microphone. It's suitable for all kinds of riding thanks to its IP67-compatible standards for water and dust resistance. The built-in battery is said to provide up to seven hours of talk time.
Like many of its motorcycle systems, the BK-1 has a Click-to-Link button that pairs the system up with any other nearby BK-1 users. Voice commands let users make, reject or answer calls using only their voice.
A travel charger is included, as is a USB jack for updating the software.
While the BK-1 isn't yet available in North America, it is priced at 230 euros (about $300) for the single device in Europe, or 400 euros (nearly $520) for the Duo with two complete units. The US prices may be lower than these equivalents, however.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 1999
Sweet
This looks really nice, and I was considering picking one up at Sea Otter this weekend, but after seeing that price tag, I'm going to have to pass. That's about 3-6 times too expensive for me to consider for something I'll probably wind up smashing in a fall in any case.