It’s time for an update on the local cost of the LEGO Mindsorms kit. LEGO Mindsorms is a great concept. The combination of LEGO which so many kids have parts for, and experience in building, with a programmable micro-controller, sensors and motors is great. But, wow, is it expensive. If you buy the latest EV3 kit direct from the LEGO store, you’re looking at $500 plus postage. So are there alternatives? The first thing to consider is going for an older version. The previous version is widely available on Ebay and sits more at the $350 mark, new, and cheaper second-hand. It was an excellent version in terms of the hardware and can run the same programming software. Realistically, though, buying an old version is often not an option when you’re buying for kids. In the same vein you could look at alternative robot kits. But they lack the LEGO familiarity, cool marketing, and peer support: Although they’ll often work better and teach more. So back to finding cheaper versions of the EV3 kit.
Sadly the options are limited. You can again hit Ebay and find new kits at around $430-460 with free postage. Those are from reputable sellers with solid reputations. Often the major limitation with that approach is that you’re buying from the USA and delivery can take an age (and you need to have a plan to get a local power-plug). The best deal by far seems to be to buy from Amazon in the US at US$349 which even once you take exchange rates and shipping into account isn’t bad as a price. But you need to arrange local delivery in the US, re-shipping to Australia, and all the fiddly stuff that goes along with that. If you prefer to buy from a local online retailer there going rate seems to hover around the $460-mark sometimes with postage on top, sometimes not. One major online retailer is selling, or at least offering, the kit for an astonishing $699 – so simply don’t go there. With a bit of patience and searching there do seem to be some local deals available (like this one) that can bring the price down to the mid-$300s.
But you have to be lucky and quick to find them. The lowest local online price I could find today was the excellent value $392 from JustBricks. If you want to go into a shop and get the kit you’re simply looking at $460-$499, unless you hit a lucky sale. So in summary this is a premium kit and you’re going to pay a premium price whatever you do. If you’re looking at a Christmas present don’t wait until the last moment – nothing will make this cheap, but some pre-planning can get you a more reasonable price.This website no longer supports Internet Explorer 9 or below, please upgrade to a newer browser. Target has a new app With new features and a new design it’s quicker and easier to shop at Target FREE Click + Collect FREE Delivery on orders over $80* LEGO® Mindstorms EV3 31313 Rated 5 out of 5 stars Enter Postcode, City or Suburb Create and command robots that do what you want with LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3!LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 has arrived!
Combining the versatility of the LEGO building system with the most advanced technology we’ve ever developed, unleash the creative powers of the new LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 set to create and command robots that walk, talk, think and do anything you can imagine. Follow the step-by-step 3D building instructions to create TRACK3R, R3PTAR, SPIK3R, EV3RSTORM and GRIPP3R and bring them to life with an easy, intuitive and icon-based programming interface. Grab the enclosed remote control and take on challenging ready-made missions or download the free app and command your robot using your smart device. Want to share your own creations and be inspired by others? /mindstorms to access loads of cool content and interact with a huge online community of other LEGO MINDSTORMS fans. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 robot revolution has begun!Ages: 10+ yearsExclusive Online Only Price At the heart of the product is the Intelligent EV3 Brick with powerful ARM9 processor, USB port for WiFi and Internet connectivity, Micro SD card reader, back-lit buttons and 4 motor ports
Includes 3 interactive servo motors, remote control, improved and redesigned colour sensor, redesigned touch sensor, infrared sensor and 550+ LEGO Technic elements Control your robot via the infrared sensor system Intuitive software (PC and Mac) with icon-based drag-and-drop programming interface Control and command your robot with the enclosed remote control or download the free app for your smart device Includes 550+ LEGO Technic elements – everything you need to create amazing robots! Building instructions for 5 robots included. Take on challenging ready-made missions Check out the cool black, red and white design If you can think it, LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 lets you create it SPIK3R (incl. legs) measures over 16″ (41cm) high, 14″ (38cm) long and 15″ (40cm) wide EV3RSTORM measures over 16″ (41cm) high, 7″ (19cm) long and 8″ (21cm) wide R3PTAR measures over 13″ (35cm) high, 31″ (81cm) long and 3″ (8cm) wide GRIPP3R measures over 11″ (30cm) high, 9″ (24cm) long and 7″ (18cm) wide
TRACK3R measures over 3″ (9cm) high, 10″ (27cm) long and 8″ (21cm) wide Your Recently Viewed ItemsLEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3product_label_list_price_accessibility 30 Reviews123456789101Warning!FIND MORE PRODUCTS LIKE THISMINDSTORMS®RoboticsCreate and command robots that do what you want with LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3! LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Reviews - page 2 Create a Just Bricks account and you'll: - Receive exclusive offers via email (no spam, promise) - Browse and Checkout much faster - Access your purchase history and change your detailsThe Education Centre located in Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park will be turned into a high tech robotics laboratory this school holidays for Fizzics Education Lego Robotics 1 & 2. Lego Robotics 1 (9am-12pm) - In this exciting program learn how to teach Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots to do what you wish using motors, sensors and real computer programming techniques!Lego Robotics 2 (1pm-4pm) - Sure to entertain, challenge and delight your creative child, extend their knowledge of programming with more challenges using brand new Lego Mindstorms EV3 robots.