kolbjha

I loved building LEGO when I was a kid, it kept me busy for hours at a time. I say building, because to make things always seemed to fascinate me more than playing with it. Of course, I want to see that it works, but... after that... what's next thing I can make? The same today, really. Anyway, what brought me out of the dark ages, was that I picked up 8047 at the local grocery(!) in 2011. At that time our oldest son was 3 months old, and my wife said: "Its years before he can play with that!". I replied: "It's not for him, it's for you". She never had played with LEGO in her life (OK, I know studless Technic perhaps is not what most people associate with LEGO), and the next 1-2 hours she was busy... I remember I was impressed she got it all right in first try. And then two more small sets, and now I also got involved in the building process. And I was lost. Again. Next thing I know, I looked at the 8069 in the toy store, and after that... well that's more than 70k parts ago.

+1

42020 (x3), 42021 (x2), 42023, 42024, 42025, 42026, 42027 (x4), 42029, 42030.

Your card will be charged only if the funding is successful, meaning that if they failed reaching the goal of 60K, no backers would be charged. So it is not more risky being a early backer than a late one.

You are right that it is a risk involved being a backer for a Kickstarter project, even there is a pretty strong commitment for the project towards their backers, if successfully funded. Saying that, these guys seem to be in the start of a mass production phase, and that is also why they need funding. I have confidence in these guys and their product. Further, I am not sure that the retail price will be the same when available for ordinary sale. Perhaps it will be higher? After all it replaces PF elements costing £38 (2 IR receivers + 2 IR remotes, LEGO shop, UK prices, assuming you already own a smart phone). Ok, you will need a £3 extension cable as well, so say the "SBrick-for-LEGO-price" is £35. But SBrick has far more powerful functionality and possibilities, something I think the potential buyers (mainly AFOLs) appreciate. Anyway, I am not sure if you can take for granted that the SBrick (if successful) will be available for you for £40 in ordinary sale. Another aspect is also that if the project fails, even successful funding, I guess it is a fair assumption that the SBrick guys will do their best to at least deliver their rewards. In other words, I think there is a bigger chance of getting your hands on the SBrick if you are a backer, than if you are not. But I don't think it will come to that, I am confident these guys will be successful. All of this is just my own assumptions, I may be wrong. Also, I fully respect your honest opinions and choices. At least we can agree upon it's a great product, and cross our fingers it will be a reality, right? :)

Hi nicoga3000, There is also a £40 pledge (+ £3 for shipping) for 1 SBrick (that is £11 more than the one you are referring to). I guess you will have to wait longer if you choose to buy it once it is available for order. And I am not sure if it will be much cheaper than £40.

That is, the pledge is not $180, but £180. Hi Dafgek81, I posted many short messages here now, but to summarize: - The £180 pledge includes 1 sealed 42030 + 1 SBrick + instructions for SBrick in 42030. - I am not sure about VAT and toll, I am prepared for that I will have to pay that when the stuff enters Norway (where I live). - Perhaps somebody from SBrick team can clarify regarding VAT and toll? - Regarding pledges, I posted some questions as private messages to Mark Bollobas on the Kickstarter page. Perhaps you could do the same, if you are in doubt.

Yes, that is correct. I pledged one of them my self. If you choose the £180 pledge, you will receive a sealed 42030 + 1 SBrick + instructions on how to use the SBrick in the 42030.

You're right. I didn't think about that.. hehe

Good question, but I guess the cost is reduced due to the fact that they don't have to include 2 IR receivers + 2 IR remotes. I guess those units alone is around 30£(?).

Very good question! I've been wondering about the same.

I was thinking of using mLA's for the steering, making a mechanism something like follows: PF Servo controlled by IR receiver for steering. PF Servo turns a disk/gear/wheel or similar. Another disk/gear/wheel or similar represents the actual angle. The difference between these two activates a PF switch controlling a M motor, that in turns drives the mLA's If the difference between these two is zero, the PF switch is OFF. The point is to have proportional steering, but more "sturdy" by using mLA's. Perhaps it is overkill, but I still would like to experiment to see how it works. Anybody having an idea on how to build this mechanism and add it to the model?

Assuming a build with both types (SBrick and IR Receiver), what will be the benefits? In my mind: 1. Using only the BT controller, don´t have to operate both BT controller and IR remote. 2. Potential to customize the control of the PF elements connected to the IR receiver. It would also require that the SBrick itself supported more than 4 input channels, otherwise it would be no point of using 2 out of 4 outputs for controlling the IR receiver. Any comments about my comments? IMHO: I would like the possibility, but it is not the reason I´m backing the SBrick guys. BTW: I have 6 IR receivers, and I will still use them, even when I have SBricks :)

I love this creation! Clean and excellent build! Totally crazy idea... and very inspiring! This kind of stuff is one of the reasons I got out of my dark ages. Keep up the good work!

In the poll, is it possible to add another option for most liked feature, like the fact that "64 PF devices may be controlled from one remote control". For me, one of the biggest limitations with PF IR remote system, is the limitation of 4 X 2.

I just put my vote, but how can we specify under the option "Other (please specify)"?

Regarding the need for extension cable, I think it will be possible to connect it directly to a 8881 battery box, using a PF plug (for example to another PF unit powered by the same battery box, or a loose PF plug) between the battery box plug and SBrick. I think part of the battery box switch will slide under the SBrick. But I guess the green LED will be covered. Perhaps even easier and sturdier with 88000 (but then the control switch will be covered).