There’s a new intercom choice for Shoei GT-Air II, Neotec II, and J-Cruise II helmet owners—the Cardo Adapter For Shoei Helmets. The three Shoei helmets are delivered ready to mount a Sena-derived SRL or SRL 2 Bluetooth (BT) helmet-to-helmet intercom, and the attendant speakers, microphone, and BT module/battery. The helmets have an accommodation on the left side to snap in the SRL 2 control panel/speaker—one on the right for speaker/mic, and a spot in the back of the helmet for the BT module/battery. This makes mounting easy and streamlined.
However, the SRL and SRL 2 units are now old technology, running on outdated BT 4.1, lacking mech intercom software, and without Cardo’s higher-end JBL speakers. Sure, I’ve seen riders mount other units on these helmets, but the location is designed for the SRL devices. It is the logical mounting point for any unit, but it bulges a bit and is not ideally suitable for this type of mounting. Thus, the non-SRL Cardo units hang out in the wind.
Enter the $20 Cardo Adapter for Shoei Helmets. It facilitates mounting a Cardo Packtalk Edge, Neo, or Custom intercom device in the three spots previously reserved for the SRLs. In doing this, one gains all the latest top-end features, such as mesh and Bluetooth intercoms, JBL 40mm speakers, BT 5.2 for longer battery life, and more. Associate Editor Neil Wyenn tested the Cardo Packtalk Edge not too long ago.
To install, remove the blank left cover delivered with the helmet. Then, instead of mounting an SRL, glue in this Cardo Adapter for Shoei Helmets, which is not unlike the helmet mounts that are included with the Cardo units.
This new purpose-built adapter differs in how it is cut to fit into the helmet’s mounting point. The two-sided adhesive strip arrives mounted to the adapter. Peel off the protective film, position carefully, and you’re in business. You might want to do a dry run before you remove the protective film to ensure you know exactly where the mount will sit. The adhesive will fully cure in a few hours, so allow some time for this process.
After the helmet adapter is mounted, the rest of the installation follows as on any other helmet. Read the instructions if you are unfamiliar with the procedure. Basically, run the wiring, mount the speakers and microphone, and you’re good to go.
While the Packtalk Edge I mounted with the helmet adapter sticks out a bit farther into the wind than the SRL, it’s not a deal breaker for me.
I used a Shoei Neotec II to test the Cardo Adapter for Shoei Helmets. I removed the long-term SRL and replaced it with a Cardo Packtalk Edge. Naturally, a much newer and higher-end unit outperforms the older and less expensive, so I need not dwell on that. Suffice it to say, the better sound and, more importantly, mesh intercom, now with cross-brand mesh compatibility, is a sweet upgrade.
