GME's XRS-660-U Is an Australian Handheld GMRS Radio With GPS, Bluetooth and a Color Screen

GMRS has become the trail radio of choice in the U.S., and convoy leaders spend a lot of time trying to keep a whole group on one channel. GME, an Australian radio maker with a long history in the outback, is now selling its premium handheld here. Off Road Xtreme reported on August 21 that the GME XRS-660-U is going on sale in the U.S. at an MSRP of $395.

“When you're miles from cellular coverage, communication becomes more than just a convenience. It's peace of mind,” GME said, as quoted by Off Road Xtreme.

What it does

Transmit power is switchable between 5, 1 and 0.5 watts. The display is a full-color transflective TFT LCD, which GME says is a first for a handheld GMRS radio, and transflective screens are easier to read in direct sun. A 2-watt speaker is meant to cut through wind and engine noise. Bluetooth handles audio and data, and a built-in GPS receiver adds location features. GME ScanSuite digital scanning, several power-saving modes and compatibility with the XRS Connect smartphone app round out the software.

The radio is rated IP67 and to MIL-STD-810G, and it ships with a 2,550mAh lithium-ion battery (BP030-U), a rapid desktop charger, an AC adapter and a belt clip. The warranty is five years.

Why it matters

Most handheld GMRS radios on the trail are cheap and disposable. A $395 handheld is a premium buy, but GPS, Bluetooth, a sunlight-readable screen and a five-year warranty put it closer to the in-cab radios many rigs already run. It is also a reminder that GMRS use in the U.S. requires an FCC license, which covers the whole family.

Channel count was not listed in Off Road Xtreme's report. For a group that already runs GMRS in the rigs, a handheld like this is the radio that goes with the spotter when they get out of the truck, or with whoever hikes ahead to check a line. Ruggedness and a screen you can read at noon matter more there than anywhere else.