If you ‘re part of a small group of friends, 3 or 4 riders, who enjoy spending their weekends or vacations together, and you’re looking for a way to stay connected during your rides, you’ve found the right article.
A few days ago, I had the pleasure of testing the new Cardo Freecom 4 Plus intercom, released at the end of March 2019, and today I will share its features, prices, and give you my two cents.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Cardo Freecom 4 Plus: Full Review
The new Cardo Freecom 4+, a motorcycle intercom successor to the mid-range Freecom 4 in the American company’s catalog, takes a huge leap forward from a usability standpoint.
Index
Why choose Cardo Freecom 4 +
Like its predecessor, the Cardo Freecom 4 Plus is the first intercom in the Cardo catalog that allows communication for up to 4 users, also in conference mode.
Its main features are:
- Option of conference communications between users
- Universal connection compatibility with other brands
- Option to connect up to 4 users
- Option to fully control the device through voice commands
- Parallel audio, thus avoiding interruptions while listening to your playlist
- Speakers by JBL
The Freecom 4+ is now fully hands-free, making it one of the most advanced devices on the market.
This further makes the rider’s life easier, who will no longer have to be distracted and take their hands off the handlebars to press a button.
This alone makes Cardo Freecom 4+ a solid choice for the most demanding riders who know safety’s importance.
You only need to say “Ciao Cardo” and then give a command.
Besides its main features, like receiving and managing phone calls, sharing music, getting directions from your navigation system, IP67 waterproofing, etc., Freecom 4 + offers parallel audio (so-called multitasking audio), which allows you keep listening to your music while getting directions from your navigation system.
This way, you won’t get annoyed by the occasional “hiccup” when your music is playing :-).
The music level will drop slightly to allow you to hear directions.
Its design differs from its younger siblings; a selection wheel is added for Freecom 4 +.
What you will find in the box
In your Cardo Freecom 4+ box you will find:
- Freecom 4+ intercom
- a hybrid microphone
- full-face helmet microphone
- mounting accessories
- sled attachment
- helmet mount with sticker
- battery charger
Range
Freecom 4+ has a range of 1.2 km between bikes, but if we consider a group of 4 riders, the maximum distance between the first rider and the farthest 4 riders can reach a maximum of 3.6 km.
Not bad.
Audio
Freecom 4+, compared to its smaller siblings Freecom 1+ and Freecom 2+, comes with 40mm diameter JBL earbuds.
This provides great audio quality and unparalleled power in the playback of your songs.
For the more demanding, a version with 45mm diameter JBL speakers can be purchased separately, which will amaze your ears.
The intelligibility remains very good, up to 80 mph.
Battery life
Battery life remains unchanged from the Cardo Freecom 4, its predecessor.
It offers, like its younger siblings, 13h of use and 1 week on standby.
It isn’t much, considering that the main competitors of the most prestigious brands offer over 20h (some even 30h) hours of use.
Main features and functions
- Audio quality: good up to 130 km/h
- Communication range: 1.2km bike-to-bike
- Number of connected users: up to 4
- Communication type: intercom and conference
- Battery life: up to 13h talk time, up to 1000h standby time
- Voice commands: yes and real
- Charging time: 3 hours
- A2DP/AVRCP: yes
- Song Sharing: yes
- Automatic volume adjustment: yes
- VOX technology: yes
- iOS and Android app: yes
- Waterproof: yes (IP67 certified)
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- communication up to 4 users
- conference communication
- parallel audio
- Real voice commands that enable hands-free operation
- reach 1.2 km
Cons:
- Battery life compared to other competitors
To whom it is addressed
Freecom 4 + is aimed at those who ride with groups of motorcycling friends or all those very safety-conscious motorcyclists looking for a “hands free” device.
This device is a very balanced intercom between functionality and performance, with the addition of voice commands, it will be a device that will appeal to many (including me: –)).
Interphone Cardo Freecom 4 +: instructions
You will be able to install Freecom 4 Plus on any helmet. For more tutorials, please check the official website where explanation videos are posted: https://www.cardosystems.com/products/devices/freecom-4-plus/
User guide
If you want to download the instruction manual in Italian for the Scala Rider Freecom 4+ intercom, click here: user guide