This is what I needed: a short and precise review. I lost my Cardo Q3 that came loose from the mount during a trip, so I'll switch to this one. Thank you very much for the review.
Nice review.. am considering freecom 4 and it sounds like the extra cost may overcome a few issjes, although they are pricy.. enjoy and ride safe when the weather allows..
Thanks Neil appreciated! I think the freecom2+ is a pretty good deal and great value but the 4+ is probably worth every extra penny. Really depends on how you plan on using it, for what I do the Freecom2+ is already more than enough.
We purchased the cardo freecom 2+ a few months before the Coronavirus hit. They have been holding up ok. We also have 2 new Shoei RF1200 helmets wasnt too bad of an install but this review is spot on. Same pros but its a PITA to install updates and we are starting to have random connection issues with this latest firmware they released 5/18/20 when we never had problems before. The voice activation sucks on this so i dont use it. Overall its a solid deal for the price point. The battery life isnt the greatest and they can be a litte twitchy. If i had to do it again id definitely go with the SENA. The cardo customer support isnt the greatest
Sorry to hear that. I thought my connection problem was finally solved and it started doing it again and I updated both firmwares as well and it still does it. Waiting to here back from then...if it continues I might be reviewing another model soon...
Thanks yeah our cardo freecom2+ only started acting off recently. I went to cycle gear and they were already familiar with issues with the cardos and just resetted them. Its working better but I haven’t been able to do the update yet because its LAPTOP UPDATE ONLY and my laptop is down. Should have a new laptop May 26 ill let u know if the firmware helps
My biggest complaint with the cardo is the lousy battery life and the intercom quality is spotty. My friend swears by his SENA and i only went with the cardo freecom 2+ for price point compactness and waterproof. But im not super happy with it at all. The update firmware process is a major PITA. Why cant they make a cellphone app like vance and hines does?
@@madfzr Haven't had battery issues yet, they last all day easy with music on all the time, I charge them every once in a while. In the instructions they do recommend to not let the batteries on the shelf for many months at a time, so even during winter, I'll charge them up once a month even if not used. With that said it's mind boggling what they can fit inside an iPhone (phone, camera, microphone, speakers, memory, complete OS with apps, wifi, waterproof, etc) yet all com systems on the market are flawed in one way or another and are bulky for what they are. I mean if Apple made such a system (that just pairs to your phone, intercom, music and radio, it would probably be the size of a quarter...and probably wouldn't be more expensive. I tried contacting Cardo again regarding the damn music sharing function that lags all the time, they never replied and sent me a survey to ask if I was happy with the customer service lol The solution I found for now is I listen to my phone while my gf listens to the radio.
@@madfzr What are u smoking. Firmware updates are way easier than sena. Plug into computer and download. super simple. Cardo app works great. Senas suck.
I have had the freecom 2 for about six months and I can say it’s an ok beginner intercom. If you plan on using it for music only it’s good but for talking with another rider or sharing music it’s a headache. My freecom two will sometimes kind super muffled when going 50-60 MPH and the further the other ride the better the sound. Second when trying to share music this thing has a mind of its own sometimes pressing the correct button will work sometimes it won’t in addition the music will suddenly start and stop while sharing very annoying.
I have since had issues with music sharing as well. Its always easy to start sharing but it then starts lagging. They sent me replacement units and it still does it. As for the intercom, mine works great, people are often surprised when I answer the phone and tell them I’m riding my motorcycle. Maybe your helmet is very noisy or you have turbulance near the microphone? Maybe the microphone position could be improved?
I was practically sold on this model, but now am concerned it's not the best for my RF-1200. It is specifically the RF's design that is flawed? Meaning, it wouldn't work well mounting any bluetooth set via clip mount? I'd prefer to not use adhesive on the helmet. Does the lack of speaker clearance bother you on long rides, or is it just getting the helmet situated initially that can be a pain? Thanks for the video! It's been very helpful so far.
I just couldnt get the clip installed, but maybe its doable I didnt force it too much. As for the adhesive I had to use 3M tape as the one supplied wasnt sticky enough. I dont have any discomfort regarding the speakers its really just when putting the helmet on, I barely even notice it anymore. I havent tried any other system on this helmet but from thd research I did, none were absolutely perfect....Hope this helps!
I've always been a Sena fan and that's what I currently own but I'm looking at these for my co-worker and I see they just released a firmware update last month should I have him continue looking at these or go with Sena?
My biggest grip with sena is most are water resistant not waterproof. No system is perfect but the freecom 2+ is a good package. If I was on the market for a new one, I think Id consider the Freecom 4, for the vocal commands (ease of use).
Speedytrip I understand your concern but at the moment for me that’s not an issue bc I don’t ride in the rain. If I’m out and it’s start raining that’s one thing but I’m not going out knowing it’s raining.
@@Pmason718 I know a lot of people with Senas that have never had issues in the rain, so if you don't do a lot of touring that includes unpredictable weather your journey, that is indeed probably not a concern.
Sometimes I listen to my music and my gf listens to the radio, sometimes I share my music. Anytime, we can press on the intercom buttom to talk but that interrupts the music. Talking with music would probably be annoying :)
If Apple made one it would probably be half the size, 10x easier to use, much more reliable, and probably wouldnt cost more than the competition. Its like the motorcycle intercom industry is 15 years behind every other industry.
The sharing music feature on mine doesn't work well even after they replaced both units (it lags all the time). But when we switch to the intercom the music goes out, but maybe there's a setting in the app.
Theres a headphone jack connector in the wiring hidden in the helmet if its headphones you had for another communication device it should fit. They also have a JBL upgrade option but those were too big for the space available in the helmet.
@Keeley x X x If its the freecom 2+ you have, the main voice command is to say "hey" or even sneeze loud enough to answer a phone call. The Freecom4 has more voice commands where you can activate intercom, music, volume, etc.
Slim design my ass. 23mm with the frame - is not slim. For the price TODAY it's maybe the best of the worst. All could have been much better If headphone companies and those that make headsets tok the finger out of their rear ends, and started making these things too. ☝🏼😐
If I was sitting on a billion dollars, I'd start a company and could put Sena and Cardo out of business hehe Maybe if Tesla starts making some, they'd be 2mm thin and have a 3 month battery autonomy. Until then we can only try to buy the best of the worst :)
