Enantiomeer

Thanks. Now that you say it like this it is rather obvious. You'd never use a singleworking cylinder for this type of machine, much too slow in the backward motion.

The torque value of the (different versions of) 24 tooth clutch gear is discussed here. I do have all three versions of the 24 tooth clutch gear. I just tried to check if I could feel any difference between those and found that they are highly inconsistent (not really a surprise). When rotating the gear over one complete revolution I could clearly feel that at certain points in the rotation the required torque was much higher and then after passing those points the torque suddenly dropped dramatically. This behavior will make it more difficult to obtain reliable measurements for the torque threshold (without using specialized equipment which is quite expensive). Based on how the new linear clutch is designed I expect a similar behavior. I'll check if the machine workshop at my company has any suitable low range torque measurement tools. If that is the case I'll try to perform some measurements.

By making a mistake. Somehow I had it in my mind that this gear has 24 teeth, while in actuality it has 20. The torque increase does not affect speed control accuracy/smoothness. Hence I don't have to take it into account for this purpose. For other purposes you of course do need to take the torque increase into account. For example when you choose in which step of the gearing down sequence you want/need to place the clutch.

The use of position controlled motors does indeed enable speed control and reduces the need for gearing down. There is however a small catch and that is the fact that speed control becomes less accurate/smooth at very low speeds. For this model TLG chose to make the movement of the tracks quite slow. It is geared down 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 36/28 = 30.9 times. If you'd try to recreate that same slow speed range by controlling the motor you'd have to run in in the range of 0 to 3.2 % of the normal maximum speed. This would surely result in a not so smooth movement, actually eliminating one of the advantages of the controlled motors over the old PF system. I noticed the same, though in the end when everything is assembled this really isn't an issue. The model is quite sold. One thing I noticed near the end of the build was that the fake hydraulics tubing just end in mid-air i.s.o. connecting to the linear actuators. The simplest solution I could think of was to take two 3L bars, two 2*1 technic beams and a technic bush and make this connector: Next I connected this to the top end of one of the linear actuators like this: Alternatively you could connect the tubing to the bottom side of the actuator by using a 4L bar and pushing that through the actuator holder, which would result in something like this: I think these methods give a more convincing impression for the fake hydraulic tubing than the original instructions. One thing I'm not sure about is the number of tubes required. Would each actuator in a real machine use one or two tubes? I would expect two tubes per actuator (one for oil supply and one for oil return) since it would enable simpler valve, motor and control systems. Does anybody know this for sure?

The issue I have with TLG's approach is that it is aimed at the customer, not the shop. No matter how well TLG tries to control the release date they have to be aware that it is impossible to control this completely. As such the assignment of blame isn't as straightforward or black & white as you guys suggest here. I'm fairly certain the shop will get some backlash from shipping the set too soon since I gave their name to TLG, who won't be pleased with them. I expect that the complaint that TLG will make to the shop will make more of an impression than any complaint I could make.

I just chatted with TLG customer support. The friendly support employee explained that the 42100 functions won't be released to the app until the official release date of the model (October 1st). So, there is nothing I can do until then. I indicated to him that although I understand the reasoning of TLG about embargo/release dates, that by taking this approach they are hurting actual customers i.s.o. the resellers that are breaching the embargo/release dates. He mentioned he would pass that along to the relevant department/people within TLG. It's not much but I guess it's the best I can hope for in this situation.

I tried that already, as well as re-checking that I made all the connections between the hubs and motors correctly. All to no effect. I wouldn't be surprised (though I would be annoyed) if TLG simply hasn't released the firmware update for the 42100 yet for the general public and only supplied this with a dedicated app version to the selected reviewers. I left some feedback at TLG, now waiting for a reply from them. Hopefully that won't take too long.

Finished building the model yesterday. Unfortunately can't get the model to interface with the app. It just isn't recognised. The app only shows the 42099 and tries to interface with that, which of course fails since it is wired up differently. I just looked at Sariels video review and noticed that he was running a different version of the app (v1.0.0 build 271; see his video at 26:46) than I have (v 1.0.1, which is the only one available in the app store). What he indicates is that a firmware update is performed when connecting to the model for the first time. However in my case that doesn't happen.

Yesterday they send an e-mail confirming the new shipment date; week 40 (30/9 ~ 4/10). This is completely as expected. Their little mistake in putting the set online too soon effectively created a pré-order situation for those people who put in an order. For me this is no issue; I'll still get the set at the earliest possible date.

In the 42099 Off roader the L motor is used for steering. During startup of the app/model this function is calibrated by moving the position to the maximum possible right & left positions. Does anybody know how those positions are detected? Is it by comparing comparing the rate of rotation to the applied power? Or could it be by torque encoding? Could you incorporate such a calibration routine into the control of these motors?

Yeah, exactly what I was wondering. Well, hopefully in the future the plugs with connecting strips will become available. Then it's just a matter of finding or modifying a crimp tool.

I found the PU plugs, but what would be the right type of connector pins for that and where could you find the right type of crimping tool?

I think I figured out a way to use the PU LED light cable but without ruining it. Instead of using a 2*1 Dupont connector on the PU/Control+ side of the connector I'll use a 4*2 connector using following (all female) pin assignment: The extra M/F are just male/female connectors which are not connected to anything. They're just there to make sure you can only connect it in one way to it's matching counterpart on the other part of the cable with the LED lights on it. Using this connection scheme you could also fabricate cheap extension wires for any of the PU/Control+ devices using a 6 strand AWG26 wire. For the PF/9V connector I'll use a 3*2 Dupont connector with the following (all male) pin assignment: On this connector I'll connect the 4/5 pins and 3/6 pins to each other so the PU/Control+ hub recognizes it as a train motor. This connector can then be connected in two ways to the PU/Control+ side of the connection which enables switching the motor direction in case it's not what you want.

When I placed the order (21 August) I did get an order confirmation with an indicated shipping date of 30/31 August. As was to be expected nothing happened today/yesterday. What will probably happen is that they'll just hold my order back until they are allowed to start shipping. So, it's effectively become a pré-order and I expect to get it the first day of the official release.

Would this also work for connecting the old 9V motors from the 90's with the Control+ Hub/App? I have a bunch of micromotors which I'd love to be able to use in one integrated control app.

I actually ordered it. When I now try to access this order on their website I get an error "Order niet gevonden. In verband met een technische storing kunnen we geen informatie weergeven over deze order. Onze excuses voor het ongemak.". Translation: “Order not found. Due to a technical malfunction we cannot display information about this order. Our apologies for the inconvenience.”. Since they took down the set from their site they'll probably ship it the moment they are allowed to. One interesting thing about Conrad's site is that they show actual amount of stock of all items. And it mentioned something like > 40 available. That would suggest that it's already in their warehouse. There are also other shops that claim it will be available August 30 (but without being able to order it yet). So, I'm still hoping that they'll ship it tomorrow so that it arrives here on Friday. Probably that's a bit silly of me, but I don't care.

The original LEGO wires were 24AWG. If you use that thickness you should be fine. Especially since the original LEGO wires were made from Aluminum, whereas these are made from Copper, which is a much better conductor.

They are now available on the Pick-a-Brick site. Price is fairly high; Male CV joint € 1.58, Female CV joint 1.45 €, Planetary hub € 7.93.

You're absolutely right. I do hope that won't take too long.

New parts are never on the Pick a Brick site until after the release of the first set in which they are used. 42099 was released last Thursday and the new parts (CV ball joint, wheel hub with planetary gear, all the new Bright Light Orange parts and Control+ Hub and motors) are not on the TLG Pick a Brick site yet. I expect the those will be released within a few weeks; this seems to be normal time between release of first set and release of individual parts (same was the case for the new gears in the 42083 Bugatti). On the other hand I wouldn't be surprised if it takes much longer before the Control+ Hub & motors become available individually. Releasing those separately could hurt 42099/42100 sales.

For the polyester string that TLG uses, I use this: https://www.jewelryandfindings.com/polyester-cord/778-1-1-2mm_1549-polyester_1830.html?time=1564861693912 Available in several different thicknesses and colors. For the cloth string that TLG uses, I use this: https://www.partydeco.nl/bakers-twine-uni-linnen-zwart-45m/ Available in several different colors.

My thought exactly. With the 3-axis gyro it should also be possible to program self balancing systems such as gun stabilisation on tanks or battleships. Or more challenging; a self balancing unicycle. Though in that case you might also need the output of the accelerometer sensors to keep such a meta-stable system balanced.

According shop.lego.com (https://shop.lego.com/en-NL/product/4X4-X-treme-Off-Roader-42099) the smart hub includes 3-axis gyro and 3-axis accelerometer sensors. Of course, the gyro ability was known from the videos that TLG issued, though at least for me it wasn't clear this was 3-axis. The added accelerometer sensors mean that in principle you could build an inertial guidance system for your models.

That would be great if it is true. And even if it's not the case I'm sure some smart people out there in the big digital world will very quickly find a way to do that.

Is it my imagination, an optical illusion, or is the 15L LBG beam in the center of the picture bending a bit? This model looks absolutely awesome. I'm sure I'll buy it the first day it's available. Maybe I'll even take a day off work to be the first at the LEGO store. I'm also certain I'll buy the 4*4 on day 1 to get my hands on the new control system. Love the fact that there are gyro sensors in it. Hopefully those can be used for constructing/programming auto leveling vehicles/systems in a relatively simple way. Maybe apply it to: https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/111068-moc-feller-buncher-with-instructions/ or some cool big tank. Also great new parts. What I love most is the longer linear actuator (bigger cranes, yihaa!!!). The wheel hub with the 1:5 reduction is also way cool. The new 28 tooth gear is quite nice as well, makes it possible to create gear ratios that previously were only possible with the old 73071 Differential: https://rebrickable.com/parts/73071/technic-gear-differential-old-style-28-teeth/7/