The Original XRS Connect Features, Still the Foundation
When XRS Connect launched, it was genuinely the first UHF CB radio with proper app control, and the features GME built it around still apply across the current range, new and old models alike.
- Smartphone app control: the XRS Connect app lets you build and share scan lists, and pull channel data from the full registered NZ and Australian analogue frequency database, rather than programming everything manually on the radio itself.
- Built-in or phone-linked GPS: newer models carry their own GPS receiver for true location awareness, while earlier models like the XRS-330C and XRS-370C use your phone's GPS via Bluetooth to provide the same location data.
- XRS Connect Active Mute: the app detects an incoming phone call and automatically mutes or lowers the radio, so an incoming call doesn't get talked over by radio chatter.
- ScanSuite fast scanning: GME's scanning technology now runs around 25% faster than earlier XRS generations, and roughly five times faster than most competitor radios.
- User-upgradeable firmware: updates roll out through the app, meaning your radio can gain new features over time rather than being locked to whatever shipped in the box.
Here's GME's own original walkthrough of these five features, filmed when the range first launched.
Everything in that video still applies. What's changed since is the hardware wrapped around it, which is where the 2026 update comes in.
What's New in the Next-Generation XRS Connect (2026)
In March 2026, GME launched a genuine next generation of the XRS Connect platform, introducing two new models, the super-compact XRS-335C and the heavy-duty XRS-375C. This isn't a repackaging, the hardware itself has moved forward.
Louder, Clearer Audio
The new models step up to a 3-watt front-facing speaker, up from 2 watts on earlier units, paired with GME's ClearSound DSP audio processing and built-in noise reduction, aimed squarely at cutting through cabin and engine noise.
A Screen You Can Actually Read in Daylight
The XRS-335C and XRS-375C use a Transflective Colour TFT LCD screen, specifically designed to stay readable in bright sunlight or while wearing polarised sunglasses, a genuine annoyance with older monochrome displays.
Tougher Hardware
The speaker microphone on both new models carries an IP67 rating, protecting against dust and temporary water immersion. The XRS-375C goes further with MIL-STD 810H testing for vibration, shock, temperature and humidity, and supports both 12V and 24V electrical systems, useful for a wider range of vehicles and fleet setups.
Which XRS Connect Model Actually Suits You
With both generations currently available, picking a model comes down to what you actually need, not which one is newest.
| Model | Best For | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| XRS-330C / XRS-370C | Budget-conscious touring and 4WD use | Phone-linked GPS via Bluetooth, OLED display |
| XRS-375C (next-gen) | Heavy-duty, commercial or fleet installs | Built-in GPS, IP67 mic, MIL-STD 810H, 12/24V |
| XRS-390C | Hideaway installs needing a compact main unit | OLED screen, IP67 rating, own MIL-STD 810G |
If your current radio is a plain, non-connected UHF CB and you're weighing up the jump, the honest answer is that the app-based scan lists and Active Mute alone are worth it for most regular users, the ruggedised next-gen hardware matters most if you're running a commercial fleet or genuinely hard 4WD tracks rather than the school run and the odd weekend away.
Getting an XRS Connect Radio Set Up
Mobile Systems Limited is 100% New Zealand owned and based in Mount Maunganui, with over 25 years supplying and fitting two-way radio equipment. We stock GME's XRS Connect range, including the new XRS-375C4P pack alongside the established XRS-330C and XRS-370C models, and we'll help you weigh up whether the next-gen hardware is actually worth the jump for your use case.
