The GMRS world has changed considerably over the past decade or so, with companies steadily improving their offerings and increasing the breadth of solid offerings on the market. While these steady improvements have been welcome, it’s been a while since something genuinely unique has come our way. GME US’s new XRS-660-U GMRS radio bucks that trend by offering something the market hasn’t seen before – location awareness.
The handheld radio includes built-in GPS that doesn’t need to be connected to a smartphone or other GPS source to provide location data. The inclusion of GPS allows the device to track its position and, when location services are turned on, broadcast a precise location with a digital “tail” at the end of every voice transmission. The GPS data can then be displayed on compatible radios. When linked to the GME XRS Connect smartphone app, locations are pinned on an offline map, allowing you to see where other party members are without the need for cell towers or satellite data.
Beyond the device’s location awareness, the other standout feature is the new transreflective full-color TFT display, also an industry first. The new screen type promises to solve a perennially frustrating situation – poor visibility in direct sunlight. The technology takes advantage of ambient light, reflecting it back through the image and reinforcing the backlight, rather than overpowering it. The result is a high-contrast (and color) image while also being more energy efficient than conventional backlit LEDs commonly found in GMRS radios.
To protect the new technology, the XRS-660-U achieves an IP67 Ingress Protection against dust and water infiltration and has also been tested to the MIL-STD810G standard for extreme environmental conditions, providing peace of mind for its long-term durability, in addition to its 5-year warranty. The 5-watt radio has switchable 1-watt and 0.5-watt transmission modes to preserve battery when needed and notably features a class-leading 2-watt speaker. The device includes Bluetooth connectivity, allowing pairing with a host of audio accessories as well as the XRS Connect app itself.
The XRS-660-U is available now at an MSRP of $395.00.
Features at a Glance
- 22 GMRS + 400 receive-only channels across 8 Zones
- 5/1/0.5 Watt Switchable Transmission Power
- IP67 Ingress Protection
- MIL-STD-810 G Rating
- 2 Watt Speaker
- Transflective Color LCD Display (TFT)
- Bluetooth Connectivity – Audio & Data
- Built-in GPS Receiver
- Multiple User-customizable Buttons
- XRS Connect – Smartphone Application
- XRS Connect Features – Voice Playback, Active Mute, Crewtalk, Shared Audio
- User-Updateable Firmware
- 22 GMRS Channels (FRS Compatible)
- 8 Repeater Channels – Split Tone Repeater Capable
- User Programmable Receive Only Channels (400)
- Narrow and Wide Band
- Dual and Triple Watch
- ScanSuite Digital Scanning Technology
- Selcall (5 Tone) and Call Alert
- CTCSS (51) and DCS (104) Tones
- 2550 mAh Battery Capacity
