After years of testing intercoms like the Freedconn FX Pro, EJEAS Q8, and my primary Cardo system, I’d almost given up on finding another true hands-free operation. The constant struggle with complicated pairing and voice commands that rarely worked made me wonder if reliable hands-free control was even possible. What I needed was a system I could operate without taking my hands off the bars.
What caught my attention about the RESO PILOT PRO was its promise of genuinely smart voice control and effortless pairing. It offers crystal-clear audio, voice commands that actually work the first time, and built-in GPS tracking. Unlike the Freedconn, EJEAS, and even my Cardo, this one promised true hands-free operation.
I decided to put this system through testing on my XJR 400, an inline-four with an exhaust note wild enough to drown out most intercoms. If the RESO could deliver on easy pairing and reliable voice commands where others had failed, it would prove whether it’s the upgrade I’d been searching for.
The Real Test: Communication Where It Matters Most
When you fire up an inline-four with an aftermarket exhaust, you’re unleashing a wall of sound that makes conversation nearly impossible. Most intercoms either pick up everything and turn your voice into a garbled mess, or filter so aggressively that you sound like you’re talking through a tunnel. The RESO PILOT PRO surprised me when my riding partner’s voice came through with remarkable clarity.
What really stood out was how the system handled one-word responses that would fail on my Cardo. Simple yes or no answers would force us to repeat ourselves. The RESO captured these perfectly every time.
I’ve used intercoms with acceptable audio, intercoms with tinny speakers, and intercoms that turn music into background noise. The RESO PILOT PRO delivered a sound profile that reminded me of my JBL speaker on my Cardo. This crosses the threshold where music becomes enjoyable rather than tolerable.
Unboxing: Premium From the First Moment
Opening the RESO PILOT PRO package immediately signals this is a different class of product. The packaging feels premium with organized compartments. The main intercom unit sits securely with the magnetic cradle mount positioned on a new box with it.
The unit feels substantial, not heavy but solid in a way that suggests durability. Compared to the Cardo Packtalk Edge, the weight difference is minimal. The extra mass houses an 18-hour battery and built-in GPS.
The magnetic cradle mount deserves special mention because most intercom mounts gradually loosen over time. The RESO’s magnetic system clicks into place with satisfying precision. After days of riding it hasn’t loosened or shifted.
Voice Control: Finally, Commands That Actually Work
The most frustrating part of my Cardo experience was voice control that technically worked but practically didn’t. I’d have to repeat “Hey Cardo” multiple times and commands clearly. The RESO PILOT PRO changes that equation entirely.
After you activate voice control with “Hey RESO,” the system stays in listening mode. Want to skip a song, say “next track.” The response time is fast with barely a pause between command and action.
The RESO shines by handing off complex requests to your phone’s native assistant. Say “Hey RESO, play any album by Drake on Spotify,” and it processes through Siri or Google Assistant. This approach is smarter than building everything into the intercom itself.
Answering Calls: Multiple Options That Actually Work
One feature that solved a major frustration for me is how the RESO handles incoming calls, especially Messenger calls. My previous intercoms struggled with Facebook Messenger calls, often missing them or requiring me to reach for my phone. The RESO PILOT PRO handles these perfectly with its built-in gyro sensor.
The gyro gives you multiple ways to answer calls without touching your phone. You can use voice commands, tap the unit, or simply tap your intercom twice. This gesture detection was surprisingly reliable and became my preferred method while riding.
For someone who relies heavily on Messenger for group ride coordination, this feature is game-changing. No more missing calls, no more fumbling with gloves trying to tap a button. Just tap and you’re connected.
Pairing: Finally Simple and Reliable
Pairing the RESO PILOT PRO to my phone was refreshingly straightforward compared to the Freedconn and EJEAS systems I’d struggled with. Turn on Bluetooth, select RESO from your phone’s device list, and you’re connected. The entire process takes less than 30 seconds.
What impressed me more was how the connection stays stable once paired. My Cardo would occasionally drop connection. The RESO reconnects automatically when you turn it on and maintains that connection throughout the ride.
Pairing with other RESO units for mesh communication is equally simple. Press the pairing mode, wait for the units to find each other, and you’re connected. Or say the “Hey, Reso start mesh grouping” This is the easy pairing experience I’d been searching for across all those other systems.
Built-In GPS: Track Every Ride Automatically
Most motorcycle intercoms focus purely on communication, but the RESO PILOT PRO includes built-in GPS tracking. The GPS starts tracking as soon as it gets satellite lock with no buttons to press. Just start riding and your route is being recorded.
After the ride, you can export GPS data and import it into platforms like Relive or Google Earth. For riders who document adventures or want a record of where they’ve been, this feature is invaluable. The data shows exactly where you stopped, which roads you took, and segment timing.
Before the RESO, I considered buying a standalone GPS tracker. The built-in tracking eliminates that expense and hassle. The data stores on the unit and syncs to your phone when connected.
Battery Life: Truly All-Day Performance
The RESO PILOT PRO advertises 18 hours of battery life, and I was skeptical. But after extensive use I can confirm this claim is genuine. Since receiving the RESO PILOT PRO from RESO PH, I haven’t needed to charge it during a ride.
This reliability changes how you think about the device. With my Cardo, I’d always have a mental countdown about battery life. With the RESO that anxiety disappears completely.
True all-day power–RESO Pilot Pro delivers 18 hours of battery, fast charging, and no more mid-ride anxiety.
When you do need to recharge, the RESO supports fast charging. A quick top-up during a meal stop adds hours of use. The charging port is well-protected and easy to access without removing the unit.
Microphone Performance: Clarity Above Everything
A motorcycle intercom’s most important job is letting you communicate clearly. My XJR 400’s inline-four exhaust is loud, attention-getting, exhaust-note-dominant loud. The RESO’s microphone uses advanced noise filtering that separates my voice from the exhaust symphony.
My riding partner confirmed she could hear me clearly at highway speeds. The system doesn’t eliminate background entirely, but it prioritizes voice perfectly. This performance extends to wind noise and road sounds in urban environments.
An unexpected bonus is the microphone quality works well for video. We tested connecting it to a camera for riding footage and narration. For content creators, this eliminates needing separate microphone setups.
Mesh Communication: Understanding the Options
The RESO PILOT PRO offers two mesh modes: soft mesh and hard mesh. Soft mesh connects your intercom to your phone’s hotspot then uses internet to link with other riders. This offers essentially unlimited range as long as riders have cellular data.
Hard mesh operates as a traditional mesh network connecting intercoms directly without cellular data. This is reliable, low-power, and completely independent of phone networks. The limitation is range, especially in urban environments with interference.
For most group rides on the same route, hard mesh works perfectly. But for rides where groups separate or need guaranteed long-distance communication, soft mesh is better. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right mode.
Range Limitations: Managing Expectations
The RESO PILOT PRO performs excellently in most scenarios, but urban range limitations exist. In city riding with vehicles, buildings, and electronic devices, maintaining communication can be challenging. Staying within visual range was necessary for consistent connection.
This isn’t a dealbreaker because city riding groups typically stay together anyway. Soft mesh with internet-based connectivity offers better range, though it requires cellular data. Outside cities, the RESO’s range improves significantly.
The key is setting proper expectations based on riding environment. Urban riding requires staying closer together while open roads allow more freedom. This matches or exceeds most competing mesh systems.
Value Proposition: Premium Pricing, Premium Experience
The RESO PILOT PRO isn’t the cheapest option, but its features justify the investment. You get 18-hour battery life, built-in GPS tracking, and crystal-clear microphone. RESO Quality speakers and reliable voice commands complete the package.
If you added GPS tracking, quality audio, and reliable communication as separate devices, you’d spend more. The RESO integrates everything into a single cohesive system. The 3-year warranty and dual mesh modes add flexibility.
This makes sense for daily commuters, weekend tour riders, or anyone prioritizing communication quality. For riders tired of compromised audio and unreliable voice commands, the RESO represents a meaningful upgrade.