We all want RC vehicles that can cruise through rough terrains and knock out other cars from the way. But frequently, we have to compromise one for the other. Better control or better bash ability-often the choices come down to this. In our Kraton 8S vs XMass debate, we will highlight a similar conundrum.
These are two of the most sold and well-reviewed RC units on the market. So, should you just randomly pick one of them? That won’t be the worst idea, but if you know exactly what you need from an RC car, it would be better to take a deeper look at their specs and functionality. Here’s how they compare.
Kraton 8S vs XMass: Side By Side Comparison
Criteria | Arrma Kraton 8S | Traxxas XMass |
| Design | More Balanced | Off-road Specific |
| Size | 1/5, 1/8, 1/10 | 1/5 |
| Electronics | Third Party (Spektrum) | Self-Designed |
| Material | Plastic and Metal | Aluminum |
| Battery | 4s, 6s, 8s Lithium Polymer Batteries | 4s Lithium Polymer Batteries |
Kraton 8S vs XMass: What Makes Them Different?
1. Design
Kraton 8S
Arrma has designed the Kraton 8s as a more all-around vehicle. The design objective was to make it as rugged as possible without sacrificing speed. For this reason, Arrma has used plastic on the Kraton 8s internal body. The lightweight structure allows it to hit higher speeds. The use of stickers around the exterior has given the vehicle more of a sporty vibe.
The Kraton 8s headlights are smaller than the XMasss ones, but it has a more contemporary design. More modern RC trucks are going with minimalistic headlights, and the Kraton 8s has followed that trend. Arrma has compensated for the light plastic build with H clips on the hood and rear. This is an acquired taste, but Arrma had to do it to make the Kraton 8s body more stable.
XMass
The first thing that would catch your eye after unboxing the Traxxas XMass is its gorgeous aluminum body. You can tell this has been made for hardcore RC enthusiasts as soon as you lay your eyes on it. The Traxxas Xmass boasts one of the most formidable builds you will see in RC trucks. It epitomizes RC monster truck design.
The body stickers add to the intimidating appearance of the truck. The larger headlights go in tune with the big truck design, even though it’s a bit old-fashioned. But the retro lights look pretty good on this vehicle. Traxxas managed to keep the design clip-less because of its superior aluminum build.
2. Chassis Size
Kraton 8s
The Kraton 8s come in a series of different sizes. You can buy it in 1/5, 1/8, and 1/10 versions. There is also a 1/5 Extreme Bash Roller edition chassis. There will be no electronics in the unit. You will have to assemble it with aftermarket components. Other than that, you get three ready-to-go Kraton 8s sizes.
XMass
The Traxxas XMass, on the contrary, has only one size. However, when you place a 1/5 Kraton 8s, which is the same size as the XMass, next to an XMass, the latter will appear taller because of its monster truck design. There is no chassis-only version. You will have to strip the frame manually and put in aftermarket parts to customize the truck.
3. Battery
Kraton 8s
Since the Kraton 8s have size variants, it takes different sizes of batteries. For the 1/5 version, you will need 4s lithium polymer batteries. The 1/8 version supports 6s batteries, and the 1/10 version requires 8s batteries.
XMass
The Traxxsas XMass is a one-size model, so it only takes one battery size. You will need 4s lithium polymer batteries to power this truck.
4. Electronics
Kraton 8s
You will not find Arrma-manufactured electronics when you disassemble the Kraton 8s. The electronic parts come from Spektrum. The transmitters and receivers are all Spektrum-made. Spektrum is a well-reputed RC brand. So, you won’t have many complaints about the Kraton 8s electronics.
XMass
Unlike Kraton 8s, XMass comes with in-house electronics. Traxxas has designed 2.4GhZ transmitters and receivers specifically for the XMass. You can keep track of crucial vehicle data through the Traxxas app and the Traxxas link device. But you will have to buy the link device separately.
5. Materials
Kraton 8s
As mentioned above, Arrma has used both plastic and metal to construct the Kraton 8s. But plastic is the primary build material, and metal is only seen in the chassis. The metal body gives the car considerable shock-absorption qualities and ruggedness. It keeps the internal plastic parts safe, which minimizes the overall vehicle weight.
XMass
The XMass is all aluminum. Does that make the XMass build quality better? Yes, it can cope with more stress and withstand more difficult conditions. The heavy vehicle weight makes it difficult to control, and it’s not as speedy as the Kraton 8s. However, this is what you need if you want superior off-roading output.
6. Performance
Kraton 8s
The Kraton 8s can cross the 55 mile per hour mark under the correct setup. You can speed beyond 55mph if you hook up a Spektrum Firma 1250KV Brushless Motor with a Spektrum Firma 160A Smart ESC. A pair of 4s lithium polymer batteries and a pinion gear will complete the combination.
Kraton 8s is also easier to control because of its lower ground clearance. It’s more convenient to make turns at high speeds. When it comes to driving control, the Kraton 8s is the undisputed winner in the Kraton 8s vs XMass debate.
XMass
Because of its heavier build, the Traxxas Xmass can’t rival the speeds Kraton 8s can hit. Neither can it offer a similar level of drive control. You can still go as fast as 50 mph with the right gear. Regarding control, the higher ground clearance and increased body weight make the situation tricky, but it’s not overly tough to handle.
Final Words
The Kraton 8s vs XMass debate will yield different outcomes for different user profiles. They are both great, but their strengths lie in different factors. The Kraton 8s is more versatile, faster, and easier to control. The Traxxas XMass, on the other hand, is the off-roading king. You will need extra toughness to conquer the most challenging conditions.
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