Cardo Freecom 2X Bluetooth Headset Review at SpeedAddicts.com

[@roadwarrior8560]

Thanks. would this be as good as an older packtalk bold? usually ride solo, sometimes with one buddy.

[@roadwarrior8560]

@@Nastyhabitz thanks.

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

This is a great option.

[@sharpestjim]

I hate to ask a really dumb question. But I'm old school - and just plain OLD. So here goes: Is there any issue regarding compatibility with old helmets? I've got an HJC CS-R2 that's at least ten years old. But it has been used very little. I've never used a dedicated Bluetooth system on a bike before. I've tried wearing earbuds with the HJC but they're not comfortable at all. I don't mind plunking down two hundred bucks for a good speaker system. But I'd hate to do so and then learn that I'll need to shell out another five hundred for a new helmet.

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Good question! This type of kit can be installed in most any motorcycle helmet. While older helmets might not have the speaker pockets that new models do, you can get things dialed in using the adhesive mounts included. We'd be more concerned about that helmet that's pushing a decade because the EPS foam liner will become brittle and less effective at absorbing energy during an impact. Most manufactures recommend replacing after 5 years. We know folks push that limit when a helmet is well cared for and kept out of the elements, but we would not trust our gray matter to a helmet that's seen it's 10th birthday when you can buy a comparable replacement today for about $100.

[@leocui03]

Helmet lose their protection as the foam and other materials age, I’d consider buying a new helmet anyways

[@t-rex4211]

Look near the ear positions in the lid. Should be round cutouts about 1/2” deep x 1.75” /10x40mm. That’s the speaker size ish. That’s all you need - the rest is surface or behind padding. I had to enlarge my speaker cutouts slightly on a 2016 AGV putting in a fodsports6

[@sharpestjim]

@@t-rex4211 Thanks. I installed it and removed it a couple of rides later. For starters, all of the wires kept the pads from snapping back in properly. Every time I'd pick up the helmet, one of the pads would pop out. Just a general PIA. The other problem: I bought the Cardo mainly so I could get audio alerts from my Radenso radar detector. I bought a Bluetooth transmitter to hook up to the detector's audio out jack. But I can't get the Cardo to pair to the transmitter. Suffice it to say that I am not a Cardo fan. I'll unload it on an online marketplace, I guess. Live and learn.

[@t-rex4211]

@@sharpestjim Ah ok. I know the cutouts I had to widen were in the polystyrene and used a sharp wood chisel so kept flat for the adhesive Velcro to adhere better rather than on the bobbly stuff. Can the radar connect to any other coms unit? Wonder if can but just allows one connection. Maybe if connected to the phone then pair phone to the coms…not sure if a phone allows more than one connection either 🤔

[@soulguard26]

For the love of god can someone please explain when they say "connects 2 riders" does that include yourself or no???? I have 2 other riders in my group and need to know if I can connect to both of them with this. Or does 2 riders include yourself which means its only ONE other rider.

[@good4u88us]

Honestly, you can connect the bluetooth Helmet to your phone and do a conference call and invite all of those people to a conference call like a regular phone call, and you can all talk to each other and you don't even all need cardo systems to do that

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

2 riders total meaning you and 1 other person. I would suggest the Cardo Freecom 4x.

[@dashwood7924]

Question from a solo rider.. can i unclip the mic? i totally do not need it.

[@10svenk]

Yes

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Yes you can!

[@bobbywalker2050]

Think I’ll order one

[@PhoenixPhire22]

So if someone has the packtalk edge that connects 8 riders and you’re on a freecom 2x, can you connect with everyone or you only going to be able to hear one person and they’d only be able hear you when this happens?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

You'll be able to pair with one of them in bluetooth pairing mode and hear / talk to all riders. However if you get out of range your unit will not auto reconnect like a MESH ready unit. You'll have to repair with one of those edge riders and get kissed back into their MESH group.

[@PhoenixPhire22]

@@SpeedAddictsTV Hey thanks for the response! I’ve been trying to figure this out for a minute. I didn’t want to have to buy the packtalk after I just bought the freecom last year so this is good news!

[@rabitoblanco]

So how does the Live Connect figure into this?​@@SpeedAddictsTV

[@lamWEBER]

Great quality video!

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Thanks for watching!

[@jasontomica8938]

​@SpeedAddictsTV I hear people saying they use ear plugs, how can u hear music from the Bluetooth if have ear plugs on? I am confused

[@jasontomica8938]

​@@SpeedAddictsTVI'm not gonna lie, but the bass is o k, but it's not great. Maybe because it's not inside your ears like normal earbuds. They're outside your ears, correct?

[@rfh9560]

Hi, I checked everywhere for this but can’t find the answer, it’s probably so obvious that nobody mentions. This 2X is a device that lets 1 rider connect to another rider, but it doesn’t come with the hardware for two helmets, as in two sets of speakers and microphones, is that right? From the start I was under the impression that I could buy this with a friend for us to split, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. I mainly want to listen to music, I might as well just buy AirPods Thanks.

[@karinegodin4624]

i have the same question.. i'll be waiting for someone to answer your comment

[@rfh9560]

@@karinegodin4624 I still didn’t get a definitive answer but I am convinced it is what I said, I watched multiple unboxings and there’s only 1 set of speakers. It would be too good to be true otherwise

[@sophiekhat5074]

I received the "freecom 2x Duo" as a birthday present. It came with 2 of everything in the one box. If it doesn't say "duo" then it's a single pack.

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

The Freecom 2X does allow you to connect with one other rider. We do have a dual pack.

[@georgesmith6785]

How do you share music. I m told my wife’s would have to listen to her own. Also can it be paired to the bike

[@adriancarchi9618]

You’d most likely have to do that within the music streaming service. I know with Spotify you can have a jam session with other Spotify users and listen to the same song at the same time👍🏽

[@georgesmith6785]

Thank you

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

You should be able to share music using the Cardo app.

[@georgesmith6785]

We can thank you

[@tdz69]

If you have two of these…one for you and one for passenger….and you want to listen to music, will both you and your passenger be able to hear it?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Yes, you can share music.

[@jonon1989]

If I buy the duo 2x. For me and my son to ride. But later decide to buy a single 2x freecom for my wife will all 3 connect fine talk and hear all 3. ?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

2X only connects with 2 riders. I would suggest the Freecom 4X.

[@good4u88us]

But you can just do a conference call. As long as everyone has their cellphones paired to the cardo, You can make a phone call and everyone joins

[@404michaelnotfound]

​@@good4u88us yes, i do this all the time. When riding with more that 2, we use WhatsApp for a group call. All my mates have various brands of headsets. Distance is also no problem anymore.

[@r12rtpilot]

Do you use earplugs as well?

[@jasontomica8938]

I am confused a little bit, I've heard a lot of people saying wear earplugs. How can you wear earplugs and hear the music? Earplugs cuts down half. The sound. It wouldn't even make sense, I'm confused.

[@carlossiordia9645]

I believe they mean wearing ear plugs for riding, as a lot of the times the wind noise is loud and can damage your ear drums as much as loud speakers can. Personally I'm thinking of trying them my next ride, the material that ear plugs are made still allows you to hear certain sounds, it's just a little muffled.

[@zannyreflections9651]

I wear earplugs and use the speakers in my helmet. It’s a lot better you don’t hear as much noise from outside your helmet and if you need to you can turn up the music in the helmet, my ears don’t ring nearly as much as when I used to not wear earplugs and you can still hear it’s just not as loud

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

It's really up to personal preference.

[@waynebrunner1826]

I don't ride without ear plugs. Loop Quiet from Amazon have worked great for me. I also put a tad bit of Vaseline in my ear before insertion. No problem hearing music.

[@Itspako8]

Great review as always! In my case I usually ride with my gf as a pillon and sometimes I ride solo with my friends (usually we are 4) I’m thinking in buying myself a freecom 4x and for her a 2x, at first I thought the best option was to get the freecom 2x duo, but when I’m riding solo, I think the voice command on the 4x model would be more handy for me😅 would you guys agree with this decision?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

I would recommend the Freecom 4X.

[@arecibo732]

If I’ve got a removable chin bar, should I use the boom mic?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Yes you should.

[@rileypoirier6060]

Can you listen to music and talk at the same time when paired with another unit (aka rider on the back)? And can both riders listen to their own music and talk at same time?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

You should be able to.

[@stumpedtree4204]

Bro this made me struggle to install it. watched a video. wires getting in the way of clips etc. I’m a trades men 😭 took me 2 hours to get it

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Glad you were able to install it!

[@dixielivin]

Does anyone know how to reduce wind noise? My wife and I use this and I can hear the wind noise when we are using the intercom from her mic. (She is my passenger)

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

If you are able to install a chin curtain, that will help a lot. A more snug fitting helmet would be ideal. You can look into earplugs as well.

[@TheRealArctic]

Can I listen to music through Spotify if I pair it to my phone?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Absolutely, any app you use for music will work with Cardo products.

[@ronaldguy5474]

I can't share music to both. When I link to second unit, the first one goes out, no music. What's the sequence of setting up to share music with rider on the back?

[@MarianeSantos-ms7sp]

@@ronaldguy5474Hello, also asking for a little help, Just in case you found out a way to shared and talk at the same time ? ( we have a freecom 2x and the other is the Edge )

[@jonatones2962]

I have a problem with this device, when I connect with a friend who uses a Sena I cannot listen to music simultaneously. Very annoying, any advice from someone?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

It's our guess that audio multi tasking is disabled in universal pairing mode (cross brand). Do you have you tested your unit when paired to another Cardo?

[@jonatones2962]

@@SpeedAddictsTV unfortunately not but that's what I assumed aswell, thanks for your response!

[@way2drunk]

I really dont care about the intercom as I ride solo. Are the speakers good? thats the most important thing.

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

They are good JBL speakers.

[@davidgidman7561]

But are really fat and uncomfortable

[@baysinfisher6094]

Does the speakers fit any motorcycle helmet?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Should fit most. It helps if the helmet has speaker pockets.

[@SpeedBoosted911]

Question: does Freecom 2X has a voice commands? I am a bit confused because in one place mentioned that its only in Packtalk, but also mentioned the "Natural Voice" which is a voice commands control, so.... Can i make a call without touching the buttons on the Freecom 2X? Thanks

[@saphinq9989]

No only the 4x has this

[@JohnSmith-uy7sv]

If you push the phone icon on the far right end and you can voice call, so they say. But none of these work on a flip phone as I have tried another different model in 1 week and without the brains of a smartphone, they do very very little. They will receive any call and that's about it. It does not respond to voice commands ... "hello siri" or Ok google for android. I have found out the hard way this past week with 2 different units. Lexin B4FM and this one. They are dain bramaged without a smartphone.

[@SpeedBoosted911]

@@JohnSmith-uy7sv I went with Packtalk Edge - super happy😍 just add some $$ and you get all of this with no brainer)) To ride hands free is awesome, so you don't have to touch phone ever

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

The Freecom 2x does not have voice command.

[@tragic8065]

if i buy the freecom 2 does it come with speakers and stuff?

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Yes, it comes with everything you need.

[@TezcatlipocaMountedRailfan]

You clicked “increase strictness” didn’t you 😂. Man, I can’t even bring up obvious questions. Might as well just turn off comments if you don’t like questions lmao

[@TezcatlipocaMountedRailfan]

Man, how does this stick and my questions not. Good grief.

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

Questions are more than welcome.

[@TezcatlipocaMountedRailfan]

@@SpeedAddictsTV I made 5 attempts to ask a legitimate question that had no Profanity, nor crude terminology in it, and 5 times my comment was automatically removed after 20 seconds. You say questions are welcome, but you clicked increase strictness when you posted the video. It’s obvious. When you do that, the algorithm will literally take every word someone says as an insult or similar. Clicking that option and/or having channel “rules” aside from basic YT TOS creates problems for your community, because this sort of thing happens. Just allow all comments and delete ones that you don’t like.

[@TezcatlipocaMountedRailfan]

I should also add that I worded it differently all 5 times, removing words or phrases that could, even remotely, be considered problematic or offensive. And each time the updated comment was automatically removed.

[@TezcatlipocaMountedRailfan]

It happened again, ya’ll. I didn’t use any word or phrase, but in an attempt to reply to my reply to his reply, in order to add another fact that I mistakenly left out, it was removed. Further proof of this buggy automod feature and its misuse.

[@davidgidman7561]

You have to buy a snug fitting helmet, the speakers are good quality but are so fat that they are really uncomfortable. Over £300 down the pan! Doesn’t matter how many fancy things they do if you can’t use them. Disappointed to say the least.

[@SpeedAddictsTV]

That's a bummer.