Would You Buy Lego Mindstorms If It Were Less Expensive?

[DLuders]

Jovel recently wrote to me and asked:

"I am big Technic fan. I love sets with lots of functions and all those kind of things. Of course, I also love Power Functions parts and especially Lego Mindstorms motors. But my main problem with Mindstorms is, it's too expensive (at least for what you get) -- only a few motors and some Liftarms, axles, and pins which I already own more than enough. So, I definitely won't buy two Mindstorms sets just for the NXT motors and sensors.

"So I was wondering if I am the only one with this opinion; I think there are more! Are there more "normal Technic builders" that would buy Mindstorms if it were less expensive?"

Please add your thoughts and comments below.

Edited January 25, 2013 by DLuders

[Rishab N]

Of Course!

[Hey Joe]

I don't own any Technic stuff so I think the US price is reasonable and plan to buy it when my son is older.

Joe

[jadedomg]

If I was more skilled with using power functions and making my own moc's the price wouldn't be too high.

I have been tempted to sign up for the local college that has the lego robotics class that way I could justify buying it :) Who knows what the future holds. As it is though for what you get if you have the skills to use it the price is fine, so if it was lower of course I would buy it.

[-obelix-]

I am not a big Technic fan, but Mindstorm (and power function's abilities and potential) are something that really intrigued me and I did give it some thought, but decided not to get only because of its price. If it were lower, I believe one would have, somehow, find its way into my collection, but for now it will have to wait.

[dr_spock]

I like Technics and have a Mindstorm. Lower prices and/or AFOL deals on sensors and motors would be nice.

[Gene]

I've seen kids attending courses to program the movement on their mindstorms based on tutor's instructions. Very interesting but not as popular to my understanding. Some tertiary/technical students may find it helpful with their projects. I'd still prefer to build than to set programs and i believe some of the parts picture here will definitely help in our moc if the connection can be use for Technic.

[fred67]

There's a few interrelated reasons - it's expensive, and I already have interests in too many other LEGO themes. As a result, I do play with PF a lot, but have not bought mindstorms. If I did not have interests in any other themes, I might be willing to spend the money - but I can only justify spending so much on LEGO, and mindstorms would mean missing out on a LOT of other LEGO.

[Lipko]

I wouldn't buy Mindstorms unless it was extremely cheap (like 50 euros). Otherwise, I'm working with similar stuff, and I'm not really interested in robotics.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Lipko

[captainmib]

Yo D, i want to skip question 2, since my answer will be no to all questions, but i can't when i'm voting...

[Moz]

I write code all day, if I want to write more code when I get home I have my phone and a couple of Arduino projects. Arduino is hard to beat, it's under $100 for most completed, working projects. For me, Lego is a physical thing that I do with my hands. It's one reason I don't do a lot of Lego CAD, it feels too much like work. So I mostly build smaller MOCs with relatively simple functions.

I had the first Mindstorms version and it was ok, but it did teach me that I'm generally not in the mood for recreational coding when I get home. Making something small and definite that solves a real problem is one thing, playing with Lego code seems to be different.

[Jim]

I have bought two NXT's and a couple of HiTechnic sensors. I haven't done nearly enough with it to justify the expense, but for me, it still is the culmination of my hobby and profession, working with Lego Technic and Software Development.

I will buy Mindstorms regardless of the price, but I might buy more if it's cheaper.

One can buy the different components seperately, if the set is too expensive.

[PsyKater]

Not helpful that one has to answer question 2. It will make the results wrong. You could add an option "I said no in question 1"

[DLuders]

Yo D, i want to skip question 2, since my answer will be no to all questions, but i can't when i'm voting...

Not helpful that one has to answer question 2. It will make the results wrong. You could add an option "I said no in question 1"

OK, I added another Poll choice to Question #2 that says "I did not answer "Yes" to Question #1."

[Boxerlego]

Is the Droid developer kit consider Mindstorms.

[le60head]

Great Poll!

Here's my reply to question 1:

I only received the Mindstorms RCX 2.0 set as a child, second hand .

I never bought the NXT sets ( 1.0 or 2.0) because of the price. In the country i live in the NXT 2.0 set costs a bit more than 400 euro, which is too much for my budget.

Last year i managed to get my hands on the NXT Programmable Brick, again second hand. Same goes for the Motors, Sensors etc.

[LegoGBC]

HELL YES!

Im a C# programmer (beginner) and having a mindstorms set is like a dream coming true. however,these costs around 600$ where i live :(

[Paul202]

Lol, the timing on this is funny. My ebay lot for the sensors+brick ends in 12 hours. If any of you want, PM me if interested.

[mobi]

No - I'm just Technic fan.

[DLuders]

Is the Droid developer kit consider[ed] [to be] Mindstorms?

I would say Yes (since the box DOES say "Mindstorms" on it). However, the 9748 Lego Droid Developer Kit uses the 32344c01 "White Micro Scout with Dark Gray Base" instead of the more-capable RCX, NXT, or (upcoming) EV3 intelligent brick. It's kind of like a "Mindstorms-light" kind of device.

[UrbanErwin]

I have 1 RCX 1.0 with powerjack and 1 RCX 2.0, for train control, and I want to buy a EV3 although I'm not sure why , cause I don't have a use for it.

Edited January 25, 2013 by UrbanErwin

[Soluzar]

I'm not sure if I would. I can't really see what it adds to the kind of things I want to build, honestly. If I think really hard I can maybe see some potential for it, but then I'd need to be coming up with ideas specifically for Mindstorms rather than the normal kind of thing (cars, trucks, construction machinery) that I'm naturally drawn to. As well as that, it's my perception that the NXT brick is pretty big, and I don't necessarily want to give up that much space, or mass. It's more weight for the motors to haul, after all.

I'll say "maybe" if the next generation of the brick is smaller, and brings with it some more powerful motors. It might be fun to have an autonomous vehicle that can navigate around obstacles. I don't see any real need for an LCD screen, personally. Also, maybe they will increase the number of motor control ports.

Edited January 25, 2013 by Soluzar

[Ondra]

No, because I cant understand programing.If I will going to buy minstorms ev3 it will be only expensive rc set for me or useless garbage.

[JunkstyleGio]

No. As much i am into technic, i'm not into mindsorms.

First it was way to expensive and nowadays i really do not care anymore.

[kibosh]

Price is one of my concerns with Mindstorms. it seems like a very serious investment for something I might not even enjoy or be able to make work. Also, from the limited research I've done, it seems to have trouble working on Macs. Until that's resolved, I won't risk the purchase.