If you are a solo traveler looking for an intercom, you have landed on the right article.

Today we will cover the Scala Rider Freecom 1 motorcycle intercom, the quintessential entry level from the American company Cardo.

Cardo Scala Rider Freecom 1: Full review

The Scala Rider Freecom 1 is the most affordable of the Cardo intercoms and is designed specifically for solo travelers.

Index

Why choose Cardo Freecom 1

The Cardo Scala Rider Freecom 1 intercom is the entry-level device par excellence from the Cardo house, surpassed by its bigger brothers Freecom 2 and Freecom 4, and the Packtalk line.

It is specifically designed for solo riders, as it cannot connect with other intercoms.

Its two main characteristics are:

can only connect with two Bluetooth channels (and you can each one to a separate device, such as a smartphone and satnav)
battery life up to 13 hours
VOX feature, meaning you can turn the intercom on or off using voice commands and answer calls hands-free

The Freecom 1 is a waterproof motorcycle intercom (IP67 certified), a key feature if you are not afraid of the elements, and its design is sleek and streamlined.

With Freecom 1 you can make and receive phone calls, listen to music, and get directions from

your satnav.

You can install it on any helmet with ease.

What you will find in the box

Inside the package of the Scala Rider Freecom 1 you will find:

Intercom Scala Rider Freecom 1
A hybrid microphone
Slim 40mm HD Stereo Earphones
Mounting accessories
Sled
Adhesive
Power supply

Range

Being a device designed for solo riders, the Cardo Scala Rider Freecom 1 has no range.

If you need a device to communicate with your passenger or another rider, we suggest you consider the Freecom 2 and Freecom 4 big brothers.

Audio

The audio quality of Freecom 1 is top-notch thanks to the ultra-fine HD stereo earphones, and AGC technology will automatically adjust the volume according to background noise.

However, it will affect quite a bit the type and level the soundproofing of your helmet. Still, if you will be traveling at a speed below 80km/h, the audio quality of the motorcycle intercom remains outstanding.

Exceeding this speed (or wearing a jet helmet), you risk not being able to communicate easily because of wind noise.

Battery life

The Freecom 1‘s battery life amounts to 13 hours, which is virtually longer than all competitors’ entry-level devices.

This feature will allow you to use the intercom for more than a full day’s ride or, if you only use the bike for short trips around town, even for an entire week.

Main features and functions

Audio quality: good up to 80 km/h
Communication distance: 0m
Number of connected users: 1
Type of communication: telephone only
Battery life: up to 13h talk time, up to 1000h standby time
Charging time: 3 hours
A2DP/AVRCP: yes
Song Sharing: no
Automatic volume adjustment: yes
BMW’s TFT compatibility: full (from software version 2.2)
VOX technology: yes
iOS and Android app: yes
Waterproof: yes (IP67 certification)

Pros and Cons

Pros

battery life (up to 13h)
voice commands
great for solo riders

Cons

Can’t communicate in conference mode with other intercoms

To whom it is addressed

Considering its characteristics, Cardo Scala Rider Freecom 1 is designed specifically for solo travelers.

This means that if you only want to use the intercom to listen to music, make or receive calls, or listen to your satnav directions, then Freecom 1 is the perfect solution for you.

If, on the other hand, you want to communicate with your passenger or other riders in conference mode, you will need to opt for the older siblings Freecom 2 and Freecom 4.

Interphone Cardo Freecom 1: instructions

Cardo Scala Rider Freecom 1 can be installed on any helmet: whether full-face, modular, or jet. Through the instructions below, you can mount the intercom in very few steps: