Kress Mission RTKn KR173 vs Husqvarna Automower 415X
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Quick take: The Kress Mission RTKn KR173 skips the boundary-wire install entirely while the Husqvarna Automower 415X needs a perimeter wire laid but doesn't care about tree cover or satellite signal; the Kress Mission RTKn KR173 is rated for a larger lawn (0.7 acres); the Kress Mission RTKn KR173 cuts taller (up to 3.5"), which matters for fescue and warm-season grasses.
| Spec | Kress Mission RTKn KR173 | Husqvarna Automower 415X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,999 | ~$1,999 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Navigation | RTK GPS | Boundary Wire |
| Max Lawn Size | 0.7 acres (30,492 sq ft) | 16,117 sq ft (16,117 sq ft) |
| Max Slope | 40% (22°) | 40% (22°) |
| Cutting Width | 7.9" | 8.7" |
| Cut Height | 1.6"–3.5" | 0.8"–2" |
| Drive | RWD | RWD |
| Runtime | — | 50 min |
| Charge Time | — | 60 min |
| Noise | 59 dB | 62 dB |
| Weight | 27.6 lb | 21.4 lb |
| Obstacle Detection | Kress OAS obstacle avoidance module on the nose steers around objects before contact (sensor type not specified on the US page), backed by bumper, lift and tilt sensors. | Bumper collision sensor plus lift and tilt sensors; no ultrasonic or camera, so it nudges obstacles rather than avoiding them |
| Edge Cutting | No | No |
| Rain Sensor | Yes | No |
| Cellular | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-Theft | PIN code plus real-time GPS tracking and geofence alerts | PIN code, lift alarm, GPS tracking and geofence alerts |
| Warranty | Kress dealer warranty (term not listed on the US product page) | 2-year limited |
Pros & cons
Kress Mission RTKn KR173
- ✓Cheapest Kress with OAS obstacle avoidance, so it steers around objects rather than bumping them
- ✓No antenna, base station or wire; dealer install and app boundary
- ✓Parallel stripes with dead-reckoning fallback under trees and beside the house
- ✓1.2 acre maximum on a 72-hour cycle gives headroom over the 0.7 acre recommendation
- ✓Quiet 59 dB, 27.6 lb, electric height adjustment and a floating deck against scalping
- ✗Only works where a Kress dealer antenna covers your address; no coverage, no mower
- ✗Runtime, charge time, OAS sensor type and warranty term are not published on the US page
- ✗Same 7.9 in deck and 4 Ah pack as the cheaper KR172, so coverage growth comes from longer cycles, not more mower
Husqvarna Automower 415X
- ✓Light 21-pound body squeezes through narrow passages and is easy to carry
- ✓Electric cut height, GPS theft tracking, LED lights and cellular app control from the pricier X-line
- ✓Owners report a half-day DIY wire install if the instructional videos are followed
- ✓GPS-assisted mapping and systematic passage mowing cover small, complex yards evenly
- ✓Sold and serviced through Husqvarna dealers with a 2-year warranty
- ✗Durability complaints: warped cutting disks, lost front wheels and units that would not start after winter
- ✗0.8 to 2 inch cut range is too short for tall fescue and bluegrass lawns
- ✗62 dB is louder than most current wire-free rivals
- ✗Short 50-minute runtime means frequent trips back to the dock
- ✗Marked discontinued by Husqvarna; wire-free Navimow and Mammotion mowers cost the same or less