Lego Mindstorms?

[clonmult]

My son (just turned 11) has come out with a cracker for his christmas present.

He wants the Lego Mindstorm kit; the "full" NXT2.0 robot model. 2 years back he wanted a radio controlled car (we went for the Tamiya Lunchbox, still going strong). Last year it was the Lego Technic Supercar.

Warned him that this is getting quite serious - it'll be starting him on programming (he loves maths), and isn't anything like the randomly throwing things together that he's used to, all planning and design. He's still very interested ....

So do any of the PH Lego fans have the NXT2.0 and have comments/suggestions? To say that I'm happy about him wanting such a toy is an understatement.

I've only got one issue - seems that the only place that it can reliably be bought from is Legos on-line shop. Kinda get the feeling that Lego aren't doing anything with the product line? Is it due to be cancelled, or maybe replaced in the range?

[sgrimshaw]

Picked up NXT2.0 from Amazon.com when working in the US earlier this year, still yet to open the box.

I already had the earlier version.

Mindstorms is seriously cool stuff, be a fantastic father/son product.

It is used a lot in the educational sector, so whilst perhaps not mainstream there is a good following.

Plenty of books, add ons etc - ebay is a good source.

Currently there is a new sealed set on ebay B-I-N for £190 inc postage.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEGO-Mindstorms-NXT-2-0-...

[Zad]

Argos had "LEGO® Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Robot - 8547" in their 3 for 2 on toys offer recently too, so you may see quite a few on Ebay.

More seriously though, if he really is into science and engineering, 250 quids worth of Arduino stuff would do a LOT more than Lego. It would get you colour touch screen, WiFi, GPS, servo drivers, sensors, cameras etc. e.g. http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/shields-c-...

[clonmult]

Zad said:

Argos had "LEGO® Mindstorms NXT 2.0 Robot - 8547" in their 3 for 2 on toys offer recently too, so you may see quite a few on Ebay.

More seriously though, if he really is into science and engineering, 250 quids worth of Arduino stuff would do a LOT more than Lego. It would get you colour touch screen, WiFi, GPS, servo drivers, sensors, cameras etc. e.g. http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/catalog/shields-c-...

He wants to get into science/engineering (or at least as he says "make things"), but he's only 11 and this is the first time he's suggested anything like this.

The arduino is cool, but not even slightly suited to a kid who loves Lego - the mindstorms is a good starting point for youngsters.

To cap it off, my degree work (over 20 years back, jeeze I feel old) was building what was basically a robot. Intel MCS51 series microcontroller (128 bytes of ram!), optical sensors, stepper motors. Stuff like that is now kids toys ....

[troc]

I have the NXT 2.0 kit together with a whole heap of Technic Lego and its awesome fun. Currently designing a self-aiming gun for a half-track. Or tank. Or Bradley. Or something. I keep changing my mind.

I'm distracted by rock crawlers.

[x5x3]

troc said:

I have the NXT 2.0 kit together with a whole heap of Technic Lego and its awesome fun. Currently designing a self-aiming gun for a half-track. Or tank. Or Bradley. Or something. I keep changing my mind.

I'm distracted by rock crawlers.

lol - I know exactly how you feel - too many ideas and not enough time

[clonmult]

x5x3 said:

troc said:

I have the NXT 2.0 kit together with a whole heap of Technic Lego and its awesome fun. Currently designing a self-aiming gun for a half-track. Or tank. Or Bradley. Or something. I keep changing my mind.

I'm distracted by rock crawlers.

lol - I know exactly how you feel - too many ideas and not enough time

My mind is currently reeling at the possibilities with mindstorms. Got to remind myself that its being bought for my son. Only see him at weekends, and doubt he'll let me keep it during the week ....

I've managed to find the mindstorms kit for under £200. Slight cheat in that its from tesco and I'm using some of my clubcard vouchers.

Rubiks cube will be on the christmas list, and then we'll make the cube solver.

[sgrimshaw]

clonmult said:

I've managed to find the mindstorms kit for under £200. Slight cheat in that its from tesco and I'm using some of my clubcard vouchers.

It's £190 from the link I posted above

[clonmult]

sgrimshaw said:

It's £190 from the link I posted above

True .... but I'll be able to collect it on Monday from our local Tesco Direct for around £180

Think I may be having to order one for myself; need to get myself something for the upcoming birthday, choices are either a mindstorms kit or rocksmith with the Les Paul. Not an easy choice!

[sgrimshaw]

If he's not happy with leaving it at yours for safekeeping (or even if he is I guess), 'apparantly' this holds the NXT Mindstorms set perfectly.

http://www.plasticboxshop.co.uk/plastic-box-with-4...

I'll let you know ....... I ordered one earlier this week, should be here today or Monday.

[sgrimshaw]

clonmult said:

Think I may be having to order one for myself; need to get myself something for the upcoming birthday

Only thing better than one Mindstorms is two .... they can talk to each other

[clonmult]

sgrimshaw said:

clonmult said:

Think I may be having to order one for myself; need to get myself something for the upcoming birthday

Only thing better than one Mindstorms is two .... they can talk to each other

I've seen the video of the uber rubiks cube gizmo - 5 mindstorms and a Galaxy SII talking together???

Have hit a slight problem. The NXT software won't run on his netbook - or at least it doesn't run on Windows 7 Starter. Grrrr. £70 for the "anytime" upgrade.

Problem has been averted - had an old laptop hanging around that was running Ubuntu, I'm now reinstalling its original Windows Vista (already have a genuine product key), should run better than it did originally as the laptop now has 2gig of ram.

[Evo141n]

Just had our Samsung Note controling the shooter bot via blutooth. Now looking forward to integrating the NXT motors in to the Super car and then the unimog

[clonmult]

Evo141n said:

Just had our Samsung Note controling the shooter bot via blutooth. Now looking forward to integrating the NXT motors in to the Super car and then the unimog

I was wondering about connecting the NXT to the supercar ..... only limited by our imagination, eh?

Managed to get the NXT ordered and picked it up last night. £180. Not bad going at all. Somehow I'm going to have to keep it unopened.

[Evo141n]

Thing is the NXT motor units are quite big and an awkward shape. I'm guessing they'll fit better in the Unimog. But having fun chasing the kids with the shooter Bot so I'll leave it intact for a while yet.

Unimog £109 & NXT £106 Asda: Supercar £50 Boots ;-)

[clonmult]

Evo141n said:

Thing is the NXT motor units are quite big and an awkward shape. I'm guessing they'll fit better in the Unimog. But having fun chasing the kids with the shooter Bot so I'll leave it intact for a while yet.

Unimog £109 & NXT £106 Asda: Supercar £50 Boots ;-)

Think my son will have a problem in that he refuses to take the supercar apart - he was so pleased that he built it up without any major issues. Was thinking he could do with some more technic for christmas. But reckon I want the Unimog for myself ....

[sgrimshaw]

Evo141n said:

Just had our Samsung Note controling the shooter bot via blutooth. Now looking forward to integrating the NXT motors in to the Super car and then the unimog

Using Minddriod ?

[sgrimshaw]

Evo141n said:

Unimog £109 & NXT £106 Asda: Supercar £50 Boots ;-)

Sorry if I am being thick, but what do you mean?

[clonmult]

sgrimshaw said:

Evo141n said:

Unimog £109 & NXT £106 Asda: Supercar £50 Boots ;-)

Sorry if I am being thick, but what do you mean?

My guess is that you can get ....
Technic Unimog @ Asda for £109
NXT @ Asda for £106 (seems unlikely - haven't seen that for under £180, list is £250), maybe just the NXT computer?

Supercar @ Boots for £50?

But I'm definitely going to see if Minddroid will install on the tablet tonight.

[sgrimshaw]

clonmult said:

My guess is ....

I did try that and no sign on their websites of these sets, let alone at such low prices.