For easy reference while on the road, download the Pocket Guide from cardosystems.com/quick-guides/.
This is version 1.0 of the FREECOM4 Manual. The latest version of the manuals in your preferred language and various
tutorials can be found at cardosystems.com/product-manuals/.
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CONTENTS
1. Introduction 4
2. Charging the FREECOM4 5
3. Getting Started 6
3.1 Getting to Know Your FREECOM4 6
3.2 Switching Your Unit On/Off 6
3.3 Different Ways to Operate Your FREECOM4 6
3.4 Basic Functions 6
3.5 Pairing Your Unit to Bluetooth Devices 7
3.5.1 Pairing through the Unit Buttons 7
3.5.2 Pairing through the Voice-Assisted Menu 8
3.6 Pairing the Bluetooth Intercom 8
3.6.1 3-Way and 4-Way Bluetooth Intercom Calls 8
3.6.2 Pairing the Bluetooth Intercom to other Cardo Units 9
3.6.3 Pairing the Bluetooth Intercom to non-Cardo Units 10
4. Before You Ride 12
4.1 Configuring Your FREECOM4 through the SmartSet App 15
4.1.1 Configuring Your FREECOM4 Basic Settings through the SmartSet App 15
4.1.2 Configuring Your FM Radio 16
4.2 Configuring Your FREECOM4 through Cardo Community 19
4.2.1 Installing the Cardo Updater on Your Computer 19
4.2.2 Configuring Your FREECOM4 Basic Settings through Cardo Community 19
4.2.3 Configuring Your FM Radio through Cardo Cardo Community 20
4.3 Configuring Your FREECOM4 through the Configuration Voice Menu 21
4.4 Using Parallel Audio Streaming 21
4.5 Audio Source Priorities 22
4.6 Setting the Default Mobile Phone 23
4.7 Checking Battery Status through the SmartSet App 24
5. On the Road 25
5.1 Making and Receiving Phone Calls 25
5.1.1 Making Phone Calls 25
5.1.2 Answering Phone Calls 25
5.1.3 Rejecting Phone Calls 25
5.1.4 Ending Phone Calls 25
5.1.5 Toggling Between Two Calls on Two Mobile Phones Paired to Your Unit 26
5.1.6 Disconnecting the Current Call and Switching To The Second Call 26
5.2 Making and Receiving Bluetooth Intercom Calls 26
5.2.1 Making a Bluetooth Intercom 2-Way Call 26
5.2.2 Making Bluetooth Intercom 3-Way or 4-Way Calls 27
5.2.3 Receiving Bluetooth Intercom Calls 28
5.2.4 Holding a Mobile/Bluetooth Intercom Conference Call 28
5.2.5 Bluetooth Intercom Busy Signal 29
5.2.6 Click-To-Link Calls 29
5.3 Listening to Music and Radio 30
5.3.1 Listening to Music 30
5.3.2 Listening to FM Radio 31
5.3.3 Sharing Music and Radio 33
6. Troubleshooting 35
6.1 Soft Reset 35
6.2 Reset Pairing 35
6.3 Reset to Factory Settings 35
6.4 FAQ 35
7. Support 36
8. Glossary 37
Appendix A. FREECOM4 Modes and Events - LEDIndications 38
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1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing the Cardo FREECOM4 Bluetooth® communication and entertainment system for motorcycle
helmets.
This Manual describes the features of your FREECOM4 and how to use them.
We wish you a great FREECOM4 experience and encourage you to write to us at support@cardosystems.com
regarding any questions, suggestions or comments you may have.
If you have not yet installed the FREECOM4 unit in your helmet, please install it as described in the Installation Guide
provided in the package.
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2. CHARGING THE FREECOM4
Make sure that your FREECOM4 battery is charged for at least 4 hours before initial use.
To charge the FREECOM4:
1. Using the supplied USB cable, connect your computer or wall charger to the FREECOM4 USBport.
● Charging with the wall charger is faster than via a computer USB port.
● Charging your unit switches it off automatically. To use your unit while it is being charged, switch it on. (see
Switching Your Unit On/Off on page 6).
During charging, the LED indicates charging status as follows:
● red LED on - charging
● red LED off - charging complete
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3. GETTING STARTED
3.1 GETTING TO KNOW YOUR FREECOM4
3.2 SWITCHING YOUR UNIT ON/OFF
To switch your FREECOM4 on:
● Press and for 1 second. The speaker plays an ascending tone and a voice message "Hello FREECOM4".
In all battery states, the LED flashes blue three times repeatedly, confirming that your FREECOM4 is on.
To switch your FREECOM4 off:
● Tap and .
In all battery states, the LED flashes red three times repeatedly, confirming that your FREECOM4 is switching off.
The speaker plays a descending tone and a voice message "Goodbye".
Connecting your unit to a charger switches off the unit.
3.3 DIFFERENT WAYS TO OPERATE YOUR FREECOM4
You can operate the various features by any of the following methods:
● Pressing a button or combination of buttons on the unit.
● Using the SmartSet app on your mobile device (once it is paired with the unit).
● Using the Voice-Assisted Menu in combination with either unit buttons or with the VOX (voice activation). VOX is
for hands free operation of your FREECOM4. You can say a word or phrase loudly when the voice-assisted menu
reaches the function you want to use and your FREECOM4 performs that function. You can also adjust VOX
sensitivity for the microphone, see Configuring Your FREECOM4 Basic Settings through the SmartSet App on
page 15
LEDs, tones and voice announcements guide you while using the functions of your FREECOM4, as described in
FREECOM4 Modes and Events - LEDIndications on page 38.
This manual describes the most suitable method or methods to operate each feature.
3.4 BASIC FUNCTIONS
To turn the volume up for current audio source:
● Tap .
With each tap, a louder tone is played on the speaker until you reach the maximum volume, as indicated by the
maximum volume tone.
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To turn the volume down for current audio source:
● Tap .
With each tap, a quieter tone is played on the speaker until you reach the minimum volume, as indicated by the
minimum volume tone.
To mute the microphone completely and lower the speaker volume to the minimal level when an audio source is active:
● Tap and .
A descending tone is played on the speaker.
Automatic Gain Control (AGC) adjusts your speaker volume according to ambient noise and riding speed. To
adjust AGC sensitivity, see Configuring Your FREECOM4 Basic Settings through the SmartSet App on page 15.
3.5 PAIRING YOUR UNIT TO BLUETOOTH DEVICES
Your FREECOM4 has two Bluetooth channels for connection to Bluetooth devices such as mobile phones, GPS
devices and Bluetooth music players with A2DP.
To connect your FREECOM4 to a Bluetooth device, you must first pair them while in Standby (see FREECOM4 Modes
and Events - LEDIndications on page 38). Once paired, they automatically recognize each other whenever they are
within range.
3.5.1 PAIRING THROUGH THE UNIT BUTTONS
If you are pairing more than one device, Cardo recommends that you pair the mobile phone to channel 1, and the
additional device (such as GPS, music player or additional mobile phone) to channel 2.
To pair Bluetooth channel 1 to a mobile phone:
1. Enable Bluetooth on the mobile phone.
2. Press for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red and blue.
3. Search for Bluetooth devices on your mobile phone as described in your phone's instructions.
4. After a few seconds the phone lists your FREECOM4. Select it.
5. If prompted for a PIN or Passkey, enter 0000 (four zeros).
6. The phone confirms that pairing has succeeded and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.
To pair Bluetooth channel 2 to another Bluetooth device:
1. Enable Bluetooth on the device (such as mobile phone, GPS device, music player).
2. Press for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red and blue.
3. Tap twice. The LED starts flashing red and green.
If you are pairing a GPS device, make sure you perform the next step.
4. If you are pairing a GPS device, tap . The LED flashes slower.
5. On the device you are pairing, search for Bluetooth devices (as described in its instructions).
6. After a few seconds the device lists your FREECOM4. Select it.
7. If prompted for a PIN or Passkey, enter 0000 (four zeros).
8. The device confirms that pairing has succeeded and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.
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● If pairing is not completed within 2 minutes, the unit automatically returns to Standby.
● If you have paired two different mobile phones directly to your FREECOM4, set one as default for making
calls (see Setting the Default Mobile Phone on page 23).
● Not all Bluetooth mobile phones broadcast Bluetooth Stereo music (A2DP), even if the phone has an MP3
player function. Consult your mobile phone’s user manual for more information.
● Not all Bluetooth GPS devices allow connection to Bluetooth audio devices. Consult your GPS User Manual for
more information.
To cancel the pairing process:
● Press for 2 seconds. The LED stops flashing red and blue or red and green.
To reset all Bluetooth device pairing:
● Press and for 5 seconds.
In all battery states, the LED flashes purple slowly five times, confirming that pairing has been reset.
Resetting all Bluetooth device pairing also resets all Bluetooth intercom pairing.
3.5.2 PAIRING THROUGH THE VOICE-ASSISTED MENU
To pair your FREECOM4 with devices through the voice-assisted menu:
1. Tap and .
2. When the voice-assisted menu reaches "Advanced Features", tap or use VOX.
3. When the voice-assisted menu reaches the required option, tap or use VOX.
● To reset all Bluetooth pairing, select the menu option "Reset Mobiles and GPS Pairing".
3.6 PAIRING THE BLUETOOTH INTERCOM
To connect your unit to another unit with a Bluetooth intercom, you must first pair their channels. Once paired, the
units automatically recognize each other whenever they are in range (line of sight up to 1.2 km / 3,900 ft subject to
terrain).
● Pairing a channel replaces any existing paired device on that channel with the new device.
● If you have purchased the FREECOM4 MultiSet, the retail package contains two pre-paired units configured
to communicate on Channel A.
● Your FREECOM4 is compatible with most Cardo models for Bluetooth intercom calls. In addition, it is also
compatible with the Schuberth SRC-System™. Intercom range with other models is limited to the distance of
the device with the shorter range.
For details on how to pair and use your FREECOM4 with other Cardo units, go to
www.cardosystems.com/freecomcompatibility.
3.6.1 3-WAY AND 4-WAY BLUETOOTH INTERCOM CALLS
In addition to standard 2-way Bluetooth intercom calls, you can use the FREECOM4 for 3-way and 4-way Bluetooth
intercom calls on Cardo and non-Cardo devices. FREECOM4 allows full-duplex Bluetooth intercom communication for
up to 3 riders or 4 riders/passengers to communicate up to 1.2 km / 3,900 ft in line of sight (subject to terrain).
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In a 3-way Bluetooth intercom, you are connected to two riders/passengers and each of those riders are connected
only to you. You can call each of the two riders/passengers. If you are already in a Bluetooth intercom call with one
rider/passenger, just add another. All three riders/passengers are now connected in a 3-way Bluetooth intercom call.
In a 4-way intercom conference call, you are connected to your passenger, the second rider is also connected to
his/her passenger, and the passengers are also connected. Each rider calls his/her passenger, and one of the
passengers calls the other passenger. All four riders are now all connected in a 4-way Bluetooth intercom call.
Cardo recommends that during a 3-way or 4-way intercom conference call, riders should be connected to only
one Bluetooth intercom call so they can continue to hear mobile phone and GPS announcements.
Using parallel audio streaming, you can also speak on a 3-way or 4-way Bluetooth intercom call while listening to FM
radio. The Bluetooth intercom volume remains the same while the FM radio plays at a reduced volume in the
background.
For information on making Bluetooth intercom calls, see Making and Receiving Bluetooth Intercom Calls on page 26
3.6.2 PAIRING THE BLUETOOTH INTERCOM TO OTHER CARDO UNITS
To pair your Unit with Cardo units through the unit buttons:
1. Confirm your unit is in Standby mode (LED flashes slowly).
2. On your unit, press for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red.
3. Select the Bluetooth intercom channel you would like to pair:
● Channel A - do not tap anything (default channel).
● Channel B - tap twice. The LED flashes blue.
● Channel C - tap three times. The LED flashes purple.
4. On the other Cardo unit, activate Bluetooth intercom pairing mode (see the other Cardo unit user manual at
cardosystems.com/product-manuals/).
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5. The unit confirms that pairing has succeeded and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.
● To cancel the pairing process, press for 2 seconds. The LED stops flashing.
● If pairing is not completed within 2 minutes, the unit automatically returns to Standby.
● To reset all Bluetooth intercom pairing while in Bluetooth intercom pairing mode:
● Press and for 2 seconds. The LED flashes purple 5 times slowly, confirming that pairing has been
reset .
To pair your FREECOM4 with Cardo units through the SmartSet app:
1. Confirm your unit is in Standby mode (LED flashes slowly).
1. Open the SmartSet app and tap .
2. Tap Bluetooth.
3. Under Riders, tap Add (or Change if you are changing to whom the channel is paired) for the required channel
and follow the on screen menus.
4. On the other Cardo unit, activate Bluetooth intercom mode (see the other Cardo unit user manual at
cardosystems.com/product-manuals/).
5. The unit confirms that pairing has succeeded and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.
● To reset all Bluetooth intercom pairing, tap Delete all.
To pair your FREECOM4 with Cardo units through the voice-assisted menu:
1. Confirm your unit is in Standby mode (LED flashes slowly).
2. Tap and .
3. When the voice-assisted menu reaches "Advanced Features", tap or use VOX.
4. When the voice-assisted menu reaches your required option ("Pair Intercom A", "Pair Intercom B", or "Pair
Intercom C"), tap or use VOX.
5. On the other Cardo unit, activate Bluetooth intercom pairing mode (see the other Cardo unit user manual at
cardosystems.com/product-manuals/).
6. The unit confirms that pairing has succeeded and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.
● To reset all Bluetooth intercom pairing, select the menu option "Reset Intercom Channels Pairing".
3.6.3 PAIRING THE BLUETOOTH INTERCOM TO NON-CARDO UNITS
The Cardo gateway enables Cardo units to connect to non-Cardo units over Bluetooth.
To pair your FREECOM4 with non-Cardo units through the unit buttons:
1. Confirm your unit is in Standby mode (LED flashes slowly).
2. On your unit, press for 5 seconds. The LED flashes red.
3. Select the Bluetooth intercom channel you would like to pair:
● Channel A - do not tap anything (default channel).
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● Channel B - tap twice. The LED flashes blue.
● Channel C - tap three times. The LED flashes purple.
4. Tap to activate the Cardo gateway. The LED flashes red and blue.
5. On the non-Cardo unit, activate Bluetooth mobile pairing mode (see the non-Cardo unit user manual).
6. The unit confirms that pairing has succeeded and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.
● To cancel the pairing process, press for 2 seconds. The LED stops flashing.
● If pairing is not completed within 2 minutes, the unit automatically returns to Standby.
● To reset all Bluetooth intercom pairing while in Bluetooth intercom pairing mode:
● Press and for 2 seconds. The LED flashes purple 5 times slowly, confirming that pairing has been
reset .
To pair your FREECOM4 with non-Cardo units through the SmartSet app:
1. Confirm your unit is in Standby mode (LED flashes slowly).
2. Open the SmartSet app and tap .
3. Tap Bluetooth.
4. Under Riders, tap Add (or Change if you are changing to whom the channel is paired) for the required channel
and follow the on screen menus.
5. On the non-Cardo unit, activate Bluetooth mobile pairing mode (see the non-Cardo unit user manual).
6. The unit confirms that pairing has succeeded and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.
● To reset all Bluetooth intercom pairing, tap Delete all.
To pair your FREECOM4 with non-Cardo units through the voice-assisted menu:
● When using voice-assisted menus, the unit automatically pairs through Channel B.
1. Confirm your unit is in Standby mode (LED flashes slowly).
2. Tap and .
3. When the voice-assisted menu reaches "Advanced Features", tap or use VOX.
4. When the voice-assisted menu reaches "Pair Cardo Gateway", tap or use VOX.
5. On the non-Cardo unit, activate Bluetooth mobile pairing mode (see the non-Cardo unit user manual).
6. The unit confirms that pairing has succeeded and the LED flashes purple for 2 seconds.
● To reset all Bluetooth intercom pairing, select the menu option "Reset Intercom Channels Pairing".
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4. BEFORE YOU RIDE
Get the most out of your FREECOM4 by changing the settings and customizing your unit according to your own
personal preferences, using either of the following methods:
● SmartSet App on iOS / Android (see Configuring Your FREECOM4 through the SmartSet App on page 15).
● Cardo Community on Windows / Mac - minimum requirements - Windows® 7 / Mac OS X 10.8 (see Configuring
Your FREECOM4 through Cardo Community on page 19).
● Unit buttons.
● Configuration voice menu on your device.
Cardo recommends customizations and settings before getting out on the road.
Object
AGC sensitivity
(Off/Low/Medium/High)
Audio priority
(A2DP/Bluetooth
intercom)
Background Audio
Level
Bluetooth friendly name
Default Value Description
Medium AGC
automatically
adjusts speaker
volume according
to ambient noise
and riding speed.
For example,
when set to Low,
higher ambient
noise will cause
the volume
increase to kick in
at a higher level.
Bluetooth
intercom
Priority of audio
source playing
through speakers.
Either music is
not interrupted
by an intercom
call, or vice-versa.
N/A Sets the
background
audio volume
when parallel
audio streaming
is on (see Parallel
audio streaming
(Enable/Disable)
below).
FREECOM 4 Sets the name
that appears on
your phone while
pairing and in the
SmartSet app.
SmartSet App
(iOS/Android)
Cardo
Community
ü ü ü
ü ü ü
ü û û
ü ü û
Configuration Voice
Menu
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