The Freecom 4 Plus is a four-way motorcycle Bluetooth headset by Cardo that comes with all the bells and whistles the avid rider is looking for, especially for those who love long cross country trips on their bike.
This headset includes JBL speakers, for a listening experience you won’t get from competing models. It also features natural voice operation, a compact, sleeker, design, intuitive controls, and a beginner-friendly setup that allows you to easily answer calls, listen to music, and keep in close contact with friends, family, and riding buddies.
Our Verdict: This headset comes with plenty of bells and whistles, including a group intercom feature that allows you to communicate with three other riders, hands-free voice controls, the ability to stream music from your phone or use GPS navigation, and built-in FM radio that allows you to stay up to date with news, weather, and traffic reports. The headset also comes with JBL speakers, which will be a huge plus for the music lover who’s tired of low-quality headset speakers.
The sleek design allows you to easily install the headset inside your helmet. The dustproof and waterproof rating means you can wear it even if you’re riding around in a windy or rainy environment, without the fear of damaging it. Durable, beginner-friendly, and loaded with all the right features, you can’t go wrong with a model that includes top of the line speakers, voice control commands, and a sleek ergonomic design for total user comfort.
Table of Contents
Overview and Features
Could this be the best motorcycle Bluetooth headset on the market? Possibly. The feature-packed design doesn’t take away from its ease of use, or overall functionality. The high-quality speakers, combined with the longer battery life, sleeker design, and improved durability, make this model one of Cardo’s best.
Their latest headset has a sleeker, more durable design thanks to the aerodynamic shell complete with a clickable, incredibly thin roller wheel, an improved ergonomic fit, and an overall sharper look. For a purer audio experience, the manufacturer has also included JBL speakers and easy integration for both OK Google and Siri platforms.
Our Rating:
- JBL speakers
- Voice controls
- Compatible with both iOS and Android phones
- Long battery life
- Short charging time
- Intercom communication for up to four riders
Durability
If you live in a part of the country that experiences plenty of rainfall, then you’ll be happy to learn that this model is both waterproof and dust-proof. Of course, if you know how to select the right visor for your motorcycle helmet, then you can easily keep the headset dry and free from debris, dust, and dirt. However, in high wind conditions, the fact that the headset is dustproof and waterproof will be a total lifesaver.
Voice Commands
This model supports voice commands, so you’ll never have to pull over to answer a call or switch tracks. All you have to do is say “Hey Cardo” and the headset will quickly go into action. It’s compatible with Siri and Ok Google. Now, you can totally control all of the headset’s features, just using your voice, for a safer riding experience.
Battery
The battery has a short charge time of just four hours and a battery life of one week if kept in standby mode. It offers thirteen hours of talk time between charges, which is pretty impressive.
Volume
The volume is self-adjusting, simply use the built-in dial to raise or lower the volume.
Music
You can stream your favorite playlist or use the headset’s built-in FM radio and get the latest weather, traffic, and news reports, or listen to your favorite radio talk show or music station. You can connect your headset to any type of A2DP device, such as an MP3 player or smartphone, and allow other riders to listen to your music.
Design Compatibility
This set will work well for full face helmets. For half helmets you’ll need to purchase the half helmet kit.
Group Communication
This headset can be used for intercom communication with up to four other riders using a type of Bluetooth headset. This model is so versatile that it will work just fine for riders who aren’t using a Cardo brand model.
You can connect your headset to any type of A2DP device, such as an MP3 player or smartphone, and allow up to three other riders to listen to your music.
The group intercom feature allows you to communicate with your riding buddies, when you’re out on the road, without using your cellphone or having to pull off to the side of the road. This feature is a huge plus if you’re traveling across the country and want to stay connected at all times.
Navigation
Connect the headset to your smartphone to use GPS navigation and to receive or make calls. You won’t have to pull over to the side of the road to check your phone and listen to directions. Thanks to the headset’s seamless integration, you can now stream the directions from your phone right to your headset and even share them with your other riding buddies.
Compatibility
This model is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Pairing your phone is easy, just download the Cardo app and follow the included instructions based on whether you’re using an Android or iOS device.
Phone Use
Use the voice commands to answer a call, access your contacts, make a call, or use the intercom sharing feature to merge any call into your intercom conversation, easily.
Range
This model offers a range of five hundred meters. For bike to bike intercom communication, it offers a range of approximately 0.3 miles.
Controls
The dial control allows the user to raise or lower the volume or scroll through the headset’s menu. This dial is easy to operate, even if you’re wearing gloves. However, with the voice command option, you won’t need to use the dial much.
JBL Speakers
If sound quality matters to you, if you’re looking for a headset that comes with top of the line speakers that will not only enhance voice clarity, but ones that will allow you to listen to your favorite songs the way they’re meant to be heard, then you’ll love the type of sound quality these speakers have to offer, thanks to the addition of the JBL speakers.
This is a great upgrade compared to the speaker quality found in past models made by this manufacturer.
Setup
The first step is downloading the Cardo app from your phone’s app store. To pair the device with your phone, you’ll press the button with the call icon for five seconds.
Once the light blinks red and blue this means that the central unit is in pairing mode. Next, you’ll activate the Bluetooth connection, then use the app and follow the prompts to finish setting up the device and pairing it with your phone.
Use
Activating the system is simple and fast. You don’t have to press any buttons to use a particular feature. All you have to do is say “hey Cardo” and the system will be ready for use. This is what makes this system so safe to use and allows the rider to keep their hands safely on the handlebars. This type of voice command technology also integrates with Ok Google voice commands and Apple’s Siri.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Offers one week of battery life when in standby mode
- Beginner-friendly
- Compatible with iOS and Android phones
- Voice controls
- Short charge time
- Intuitive controls
Cons
- Low range
- Can only be used with up to four riders
Cardo Vs Scala 4 Bluetooth Headset
So, how does this model measure up to the competition? The competing headset is also by Cardo and features an easy to use system and a slim design. Like the Freecom 4 plus, this is another headset that earned a reputation for versatility and durability out on the road.
The competing model can also be used with other Bluetooth headsets, even headsets made by different manufacturers. These headsets are very similar in features and capability, however, the 4 Plus is equipped with the JBL speakers, while the Scala 4 comes with forty millimeter ultra-thin HD stereo speakers. The Scala 4 is available at a lower price but doesn’t offer the same type of sound quality you’ll get with the Plus.
Conclusion and Rating
Our Rating:
The addition of the JBL speakers provides a top of the line listening experience, so you can stream your favorite tunes and share the music with your riding buddies. A big improvement over headsets produced by this manufacturer in the past, this redesigned headset earned a rating of five out of five stars.
