Third party lego motors/connecting Spark to arduinos?

[TheMaydayMan]

Hey, I'm trying to make some motorized lego machines. I've found out that Spark Prime is the current official solution, but I don't want to spend so much money on what I can do with arduinos I already own. The question I have now is, what motors or sensors do I use? Sensors are less of an issue, but I want to be able to mount motors effectively onto lego. Should I get Spark motors and use a breakout board like this? Or are there any good third party lego motors that can connect to arduinos easily? Also, maybe should I use a different control system like C+? I want freedom to code systems deeply though

Also sorry for my earlier post, I had not yet done enough research to know what I wanted to ask

Edited May 27, 2024 by TheMaydayMan

[JopieK]

At least there is an official Raspberry Pi HAT for current LEGO motors: https://projects.raspberrypi.org/en/projects/lego-robot-car. I don't know the "C+ control system", but I'm sure you can program the Pi HAT using Python and probably also C and C++ (as that is often the lower level programming layer underneath the Python). 

[TheMaydayMan]

C+ is short for Control+. I’m mainly unsure of which motor solution to go for.

[Lok24]

On 5/27/2024 at 3:49 AM, TheMaydayMan said:

different control system like C+?

Control+ is just a fixed app for specific sets only.

 

15 hours ago, TheMaydayMan said:

I’m mainly unsure of which motor solution to go for.

Do you mean "SPIKE PRIME" when mentioning "Spark?

Just use any Powered-Up Motor

have a look at Bricklink, less then 20,-- https://www.bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=bb0959c01#T=S&C=85&O={%22color%22:85,%22ss%22:%22US%22,%22cond%22:%22N%22,%22iconly%22:0}

 

 

[TheMaydayMan]

Gosh I keep saying spark when I mean spike

im probably gonna get set 42160 it has three motors, a technic hub and a ton of pieces, so it’ll be a good start

or I’ll get a bunch of cheaper motors and stuff on bricklink

thanks for the help!

Edited May 28, 2024 by TheMaydayMan
Looked at bricklink link

[2GodBDGlory]

If you're wanting to code things on Arduino, I'd look into GeekServos. I don't own any myself, but my understanding is that they work well, are affordable, and come in different variants for different purposes, with standard Arduino-style cables, and Technic mounting points:
https://www.amazon.com/Sparkleiot-Programmable-Geekservo-Compatible-Control（Pack/dp/B0B3RM5L6Z/ref=sr_1_5?crid=31APRX8GCX7ST&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3kv084oY7rx03JWHdPL64FzmW72-dXK9jjEjUILQ4Pr9ztye1KVyIPoKmur4YseRCcY7vVKKVGRfstvBPhVCaDuzJGvgradq49yWbAOP1yCQ9fNEpKiKEBgta16_LnyPCY2XlLHTEVsge99dmAALU400XPn0WpOvf6x48ujBqd3N6FQq52E199JdhiHlRsACGaHp5yTMgoDcosAy-zUS_g.G8V5pctwMQp2_Jx5MMg44crAHA_NRNIn4Tu7ANr6g90&dib_tag=se&keywords=geekservo&qid=1716945822&sprefix=geekserv%2Caps%2C431&sr=8-5

This is just an example of one of their models, and you could probably find better deals on AliExpress, but it should give you an idea what I'm talking about