Getting started with LEGO robotics can feel overwhelming because there are so many options. Here is a brief guide to the various kits. Quick advice: If you are new to LEGO robotics and working with children ten and older, the EV3 kit is probably your best bet. For a classroom, choose the educational version rather than the retail version. If you have inherited old equipment, the NXT is still a reasonable choice. The RCX is so out of date as to be problematic. If you are working with young children, you may want to consider the WeDo set. Trying to decide between EV3 and NXT? Read Damien Kee’s EV3 vs NXT (the Educator’s Dilemma). Released in 2013, the EV3 is the newest LEGO programmable brick. The EV3 kit comes with the programmable brick, motors, sensors and LEGO Technic parts. Suitable for ages ten and up. Used in FIRST LEGO League competitions. The EV3 Software is an icon-based programming language. Software is easy to learn and has greater capabilities than the NXT Software.
The educational version of the software includes data logging. The EV3 software is also available as an iPad or Android app. The tablet version is simpler than the full version; it contains icons from the green Action palette and the orange Flow Control palette.The EV3 kit comes in two versions, retail and educational. Both sets include two large motors, one medium motor, a color sensor, and a touch sensor. The retail set also includes an infrared sensor, and a remote IR beacon. The educational set includes an ultrasonic sensor, a second touch sensor, a gyro sensor, a caster wheel, and a rechargeable battery. The retail kit comes with the EV3 software. Currently, the educational-kit software must be purchased separately. However, the educational version of the software will become a free download in January 2016. The educational software includes data logging, which is not part of the retail kit. The NXT was released in 2006. Although it has been replaced by the EV3, NXT materials are still available for purchase.
However, LEGO is no longer providing support for the NXT. The NXT kit comes with programmable brick, motors, sensors, and LEGO Technic parts. Software is an icon-based programming language. Software is easy to learn, but has a relatively low ceiling. For high school students, a more powerful language such as LabVIEW may be more appropriate.The MINDSTORMS NXT kit comes in two versions, retail and educational. Both sets include three motors, an ultrasonic sensor, and two touch sensors. The retail set includes more plastic Technic pieces than the educational set.The retail kit also has a color sensor. The educational kit includes a light sensor, a sound sensor, lamps, and a rechargeable battery. The retail kit comes with the MINDSTORMS software. With the educational kit, the software must be purchased separately. Beginning robotics kit for ages ten and under. Kit comes with motors, sensors, and a limited number of parts. Robots must be run tethered to the computer.
Software has a low ceiling, but is very easy to learn. Kits of metal parts that can be used with LEGO Mindstorms. Larger, heavier, and sturdier than the LEGO Mindstorms’ plastic pieces. Motors are more powerful than the NXT or EV3 motors. Both kits require tools for putting together pieces rather than having pieces snap together as in LEGO MINDSTORMS. Good for older students interested in building bigger and sturdier robots, but more time-consuming to build with than NXT or EV3. New cycles of Dr. E’s MINDSTORMS and WeDo Challenges Dr. E’s Challenges for November Dr. E’s Challenges launch a new seasonFree polybags at Smyths Toys this SaturdayPosted by Huw, 02 Mar 2017 15:51 Drag your kids down to Smyths Toys this Saturday to get your hands on one of two 2017 Police polybags: "Join us in-store on Saturday 4th March to build your own LEGO City Minibuild! Choose your FREE* Lego City minibuild toy (30352 Police Car or 30351 Police Helicopter) and build in-store then take home to play!
*One toy per customer. Limited stocks available, while stocks last." More information on the Smyths Toys events page. Thanks to Brian for the news. New inventories and partsPosted by Huw, 02 Mar 2017 11:20 LEGO has just published instructions and inventories for the March releases on its customer services portal. Although I have not checked them all, the inventories appear to be complete and include a couple of interesting new parts which I examine after the break. Review: 75879 Scuderia Ferrari SF16-HPosted by CapnRex101, 01 Mar 2017 16:35View image at flickr Formula One racing cars have been the subject of LEGO products since the 1970s and their design has evolved according to the changing selection of pieces available. 75879 Scuderia Ferrari SF16-H represents the latest model in the series and has been released alongside 75833 Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team. All three vehicles are based on the cars designed for the 2016 season and this Ferrari is accordingly distinct from that found in 75913 F14 T & Scuderia Ferrari Truck.
The model is decorated with almost thirty stickers which are laden with advertising and the bodywork is accurately represented using a selection of curved slopes and tiles. In fact, I think this might be the best Formula One car released to date! BrickHeadz available nowPosted by TheBrickPal, 01 Mar 2017 14:00Iron Man Ten of the first series of BrickHeadz sets, not including Pirates of the Caribbean, are now available at shop. and Brand Stores - four Marvel (Cinematic Universe), four DC (Batman Movie) and two Disney (Beauty and the Beast). They've been available for VIP members since mid-February. But now, the wait is over; anyone can buy them! It should also be noted that they are not available at any regular retail stores. That means this is the first LEGO store-exclusive theme, as opposed to individual D2C sets from many different themes. We'll be continuing our reviews and doing more coverage of the line soon. Please use our affiliate links to buy wherever you are, thanks:
Posted by Huw, 01 Mar 2017 12:53Batman Minifigure Plush As well as releasing dozens of new sets today LEGO has also launched a lot of Gear (or, what we here at Brickset like to call 'tat'): keychains, role-play toys, stationery, housewares, minifig frames and so on. Perhaps the most interesting are four plush minifigures: Batman, Batgirl, Kai and Nya. They are pretty expensive (£20.00/$24.99), I have to admit, but at 12"/30cm tall they are probably pretty cool!. You can see all the new stuff that's been added on our New at shop.It's easier to see it there than on LEGO's terrible New sets page! MISB Taj Mahal on CatawikiPosted by Huw, 01 Mar 2017 11:00 This week's LEGO auction at Catawiki comes to an end this evening. Once again there are some interesting lots, including: 10189 Taj Mahal MISB 1966 Car repair shop 6347 Monorail Accessory Track (MISB) Technic 855 Mobile Crane You can view all available lots on our Catawiki page and if you have items to sell take a look at the guide to selling LEGO at Catawiki to find out how to get your items listed.