Best Motorcycle Bluetooth Headset For Under $100: Fodsports MS1-Plus

[@robsmall3372]

This reviewer and a number of commenters have talked about the volume not being high enough. This system and speakers provide ample volume. Low speaker volume will be an installation issue. I have been using a Fodsports MS1-Plus for over two years and found the speakers are loud but very directional. They have to be installed so that they are not just over the ears, but centred on your ear canals, or they will sound very quiet. Other than that, they pair to BT devices easily, hold their pairings, the FM radio is great, and the battery life is fantastic, as is the price! As for the slimline USB-C socket, it is mentioned in the documentation, but you can trim plugs on cables other than the Fodsports one supplied. The reason it is slim is to provide a waterproof connection when the speaker/mic is connected, as they have a specific size connector to match the weather sealed socket. General USB-C cables have a range of plug sizes, depending on what the cable manufacturer thinks, and some dont even fit through the holes in cellphone cases.

[@Mudslidex1]

Those are excellent points and thanks for bringing them up. Yes volume is definitely going to be determined by placement as well as helmet type and their cutouts for speakers etc.. Also your helmets aerodynamics will play a big role in noise in your helmet. Lots of different variables in play that can affect the sound quality. But I agree, for the price, it is packed with features and a very good headset

[@Fodsports]

Loved you real use review. Cheers🍺 Yes, each of these 3 products has its pros and cons. Depends on what the rider prioritizes. For riders who want simpler, easier-to-operate buttons, the FX6 is the way to go. If you want more features and better sound quality intercom, you can choose the M1S-PLUS. If you want a low-budget intercom, go for the BT-S2. These 3 models keep your budget under $100.

[@Hellreign82]

Is there a way to make the M1 plus louder? Different speakers or something?

[@owlexS]

I've had the MS1-Plus for 2-3 years and it is nearly prefect. I've been SUPER impressed by the batttery life (maybe 15-20hrs of music and intercom at high levels). I've used it for hours and hours and then checked the level and it says it's "Over 90%". Then I check it several hours later and it's still "over 50%". It legitimately does last an impressively long time, and I've been using it (wearing out the battery) with pretty consistent riding, perhaps several hours a week for 2+ years of year-round riding. However, a dealbreaker for me that gives me pause to ever buy Fodsport again is the PIERCEINGLY loud highs/trebles in both music and intercom. I listen to music nonstop in my life with a variety of headphones, speakers, etc. and I'm not strangely sensitive to highs or anything. I contacted Fodsport a couple years back hoping there was some firmware adjustments I could make such as an equalizer or something via computer. That wasn't possible. I am astonished that I haven't found other people complaining of this. My co-rider has the same model (bought in a 2-pack) and we both agree that it's unusable with how piercingly loud the highs are. So I've added cotton layers between the speakers and our ears. That helped, but much more and it would completely muffle the sound. For music, I can further compensate a little with the equalizer on Spotify to drop the treble, but with that approach, you forfeit overall max volume, and I'm left with the volume turned up all of the way, but music slightly too quiet. And that's on a goldwing with crazy good wind deflection. On other bikes, the music is far too quiet with this compensation. Overall, I may give a different model a try, but I'm going to return it if the highs are too piercing like this model is.

[@Arryhall]

Geat review. I've been after a comms unit for ages but the BT-S2 I tried was so quiet I could hardly hear it in the house, let alone moving on a bike. 2 units, utterly inaudible. Hours spent trying to get them louder and Fodsports had zero customer service, no response, no reply to my emails, nothing. Utter rubbish. Put me right off Fodsport, BUT there are so many reviews of the M1S Plus and M1S-pro that say they are great, but I just need LOUD and connection to one other person and simoultaneous connection to Google Maps. The more reviews I see, the more confused I get. Thanks for such a good review.

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks. I think there are a lot of variables with these headsets between the types of helmets they are going on, the speaker placement, the wind noise of the helmet, bike noise etc... So far most of the Fodsports I've tried have been good. I actually was using one up until I splurged and bought a Cardo. But only reason I got the Cardo was because their mesh network for riding with multiple riders worked much better than Fodsports did when paired with multiple units. But as a stand alone unit for just listening to music and and GPS etc.. I thought they were a pretty good bang for your buck.

[@Arryhall]

@@Mudslidex1 yeah, there's just so many variables and makes now. I ride a honda blackbird not very slowly with a Shoei lid and ear plugs. Heard bad things about every model, including sena and cardo. Most offer options I'm not interested in but finding real world reviews like yours is fantastic as it tells me what I need to know. What I would love is a KZbinr doing a comparison video of freedconn, lexin, fodsports, moman and ejas. Volume, reliability, build quality and sound quality. Nobody has done that as far as I can tell but it'd be awesome!

[@josephpetitfils5505]

I just bought a second hand helmet which has the ms1 comms, and no usb cable, your the only one that stated use ms1 usb cable, thank you. I would buy a different product, but will learn and accept the ms1, way better than my 5yr old sena model, Chinese instructions are frustrating and you have to think a little differently when reading them, thanks again,

[@jezza1421]

Should have tried the built in equalizer functionality, it would have addressed your issues with volume, and it sounds amazing

[@Mistic993]

Great review. You pointed out things others had not. Thank you

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you found it helpful

[@eprohoda]

CoommonJoe~like,this is breathtaking editing.💫

[@jayothaovadose]

Very simple vid. Thank you bro.

[@graemeshaw9716]

Thankyou for this review. Very good points made. I would be interested in your thoughts re the FX8 Pro. I agree with you re the sound, no good if you can't hear the music or other rider talking. Again, many thanks.👍

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks for watching and commenting. I haven't tried the FX8 Pro, but it's something I may consider as I've been happy with the Fodsports line

[@CollinsCreativeImages]

I need something that can connection 4 riders at least together. I have a 4 seater UTV and want a open mic style

[@djrichsaracino2554]

Hey buddy new sub here, just came across your channel and glad I did (fellow NY'er) haha. I must have watched 50 reviews on Fodsport headsets and you def made my choice easy. Just pulled the plug today 7/23/22 and I went with the FX6 for a few reasons, like the jog wheel, the ease of use with siri and the louder volume, price ($65 bucks on Amazon). I ride alone 99.99 % of the time on a Ninja 636 so the com part was little to no use for me. Hopefully I will enjoy it? if not well can always return it and find something else. Cheers 🙂

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks for checking out the vid and commenting. Hope you like the Fx6. I’ve recommended it to a couple of friends and they’ve been happy with it. It’s still my goto headset as like you said as well, the jog dial and higher volume are what I like best. Thanks for commenting. Happy and safe travels!

[@MVDBR]

Hey man thanks for the review. Did you find these loud enough with earplugs while riding?

[@Mudslidex1]

I found the FX6 to be the loudest. The MS1-Plus had the best sound quality, but not loud enough for me with earplugs. If you dont wear earplugs then they are great. Still good with earplugs but have to keep the volume on max. Yet the FX6 is more than loud enough even with earplugs and I dont have to max them out

[@MVDBR]

@@Mudslidex1 sweet thanks for the reply man, definitely the louder the better we wear earplugs most of the time and our helmets are pretty noisy.

[@Red4banger]

Did you adjust the sound settings? There is a justable sound settings by pushing the minus and plus button together three different ones.

[@tiagomoreira8742]

Good video! I have BTS 2 used it for long time but failed it to much for me unfornatly.. Fx6 has a good sound for phonecalls?gonna check your review about it

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks. Yes so far the Fx6 has been my Go-to headset. Is the loudest of all of them, and I love the jog dial and battery life. Plus double tapping the button for voice command (Siri or Google) work great

[@tiagomoreira8742]

@@Mudslidex1 thanks ! Basically gonna use for calls and music and if I Can One Ray join comunicador with Other people :)

[@Mudslidex1]

@@tiagomoreira8742 you’re welcome. That’s basically what I use it for as well. I was able to pair it with another fodsports and communicate well but all headsets are a pain to pair up. What we do now is just use Discord app. My friends all have the app and since it works over Bluetooth, we just all join the same discord room and chat that way over our headsets. Makes it much easier than pairing everyone up, but you do use your data plan on your phone

[@tiagomoreira8742]

@@Mudslidex1 sounds good with discord! And if was to buy now with newer models would still buy the same? :)

[@Mudslidex1]

@@tiagomoreira8742 I believe so

[@XenaTheQuadCamBikah]

I got the M1s Plus and mostly want it for gps directions, Siri commands, and occasionally music. Using it in a Bell 3/4 open face helmet with the boom mic. I have a 2004 Sportster with a Hammer Performance 1275 kit with head work, cams, and Python 3 slip ons. The problem is Siri works when I’m stopped with the bike running but at even just 40 mph Siri is not responding and it’s pissing me off. I’ve turned up all the volumes and it makes no difference. My phone is an iPhone 13 Pro Max. No idea what else to try. My bike is not that loud.

[@Mudslidex1]

Honestly I don't use my M1s that much. The FX6 is still my Go-to one. I found it sounds the best and the controls are easier to use. I really like the jog dial of the FX6 and the double tap to activate Siri. I wish I had more experience using the M1s to help you out. But I haven't had any issues with it. I just like the FX6 better

[@c3h84ever]

All I'm looking for is a way to communicate with my riding partner.. Will this do that?

[@Mudslidex1]

Yes, as long as they have one too. It doesnt have to be the same model or even manufacturer. As long as the other headset supports universal pairing

[@c3h84ever]

I appreciate your review and response, we'll be ordering the FX6 and if possible reference your review, thanks

[@josephgeorgeejr7039]

Your usually better off using the USB cable that comes with the unit anyhow

[@coconutz247]

sound was excellent. i had no problem with volume being loud enough for my Zfold3. phone microphone and volume was also really good. haven't tried voice commands on my garmin yet. anybody done that with an android?

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks. Actually I just switched from iphone to Android 2 days ago. I haven't paired to the headset yet and its like 8 degrees today so I'm not riding :) But you just reminded me to pair it and test it out. I'll report back my findings once I do

[@coconutz247]

@@Mudslidex1 i thought you said the voice commands only worked with siri. i have android. i long pressed the plus and minus buttons and said.....hey google, call my sister. it worked great. just saying.

[@Mudslidex1]

@@coconutz247 I'll have to double check. I may be mistaken. I've tested a bunch of Fodsports and now can't remember which one supports what! Glad to hear it works on yours. I still need to test it

[@terrisivert7826]

Gorgeous cat

[@mickeybinas]

im just learnin about this. u need a helmet with built in speakers?

[@Mudslidex1]

No. When you buy the headset it comes with speakers and microphone that you put inside your helmet. Most modern helmets have the cutouts already there to route the speakers but you may want to check with your model

[@mohammed7423]

Hi which one of these intercoms are the loudest thanks

[@Mudslidex1]

I would say the newest Fodsports one that I just tested out, with their higher quality speakers kzbin.info/www/bejne/el6Qm3aOgaqUfJY

[@johnjones4096]

My wife and I have the ms1 pros. The directions are Terrible and I'm a jack of all trades kinda guy, I'm not easily stumped by anything. They just don't make much sense. Maybe I need to learn Chinese? The volume isn't very loud on mine, my wifes is too loud but that could just be the placement of speakers

[@Mudslidex1]

I agree. They really need to have someone actually try the steps they write out before they finalize and print them. The instructions are good for telling you what the buttons are, but the pairing process you're on your own with trial and error

[@mrphotofella7696]

I picked up the fx6 and Sena spider st1 the fx6 is so much better to me .. Sena does have mesh tech.. other than that ease of use simplicity controls all go to the fx6

[@Mudslidex1]

I agree. I do like the fx6 best out of all the ones I’ve tried. It’s my go to headset. I don’t ride in larger groups so mesh isn’t a dealbreaker for me. The fx6 is great for what I use it for. Thanks for watching. Safe travels.

[@randomfenrir451]

Question sir: What is that audio jack for? Can you use a regular earphones (with a 2.5mm cable) on it so you can just pocket it on the go?

[@owlexS]

Aux input, not output, unfortunately. I would love to use my own wired earbuds. Nopers.

[@kevinmeier5545]

Would this work with ear buds? I'm driving a sxs no helmet needed unless I'm on Iowa utv trails.

[@1leggedmedia]

He is a cool cat .

[@InfoMasiniGermania]

Hey, what do you think, what is better owerall? We are 3 sometimes 4 drives we want a group talk, (all 4 in the same group, hear and talk) and we want to buy an intercom but we are so confused, and don’t what to buy. I mention that the distance between us while driving it may be big. Please help!

[@OG-Siegal1315]

Download discord then you won't have to worry about range to talk.