DLuders

You could probably control your entire train layout with this: I got this e-mail from Dexter Industries yesterday: "Control a LEGO Robot with an iPad or iPhone" Have you ever wanted to control your robot with your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook? Now you can! The new websocket example software allows a user to dynamically control the robot from a webpage from a browser on a laptop, computer, smart-phone (Android and iPhone), or tablet device (Android and iPad). •Control your LEGO MINDSTORMS with an iPhone or iPad •Robot Control Over WIFI for LEGO MINDSTORMS

I like how the turret can rotate 360 degrees with the turn of the knob. Your MOC reminds me a little bit of the Lego 8446 Crane Truck set:

It seems that (among the regular members of this Eurobricks Technic forum), the "lucky few" who have the 9398 set are efferman, Sariel, Blakbird, & Conchas, & Anio....

Is your creation going to be something like these Lego Stair Climbers? From the , there is more information at http://blake-foster.com/project.php?p=20 (stair climber I) and http://blake-foster.com/project.php?p=21 (stair climber II). I'm not sure why you need Shock Absorbers for slow-motion wheel movement like these have.

@ SNIPE: There are four components of the 47349c04 "Wheel 72 x 34, with Lime Tire 72 x 34 Balloon Offset Tread" . Here is the naked 47345 "Tire 72 x 34 Balloon Offset Tread" (without its green color) and the wheel components shown on this list: Zblj's technique for attaching these wheels is best shown on this Lego Digital Designer .lxf render of his HyperBeast:

@ Xan326: Here are the steps to insert that video: 1) Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to insert here on Eurobricks. For this example here (so that you can see all of the characters), I have stripped off the http:// characters so that you can see the entire string (without it being shortened): www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JI8UNQBpXvI#! 2) Paste the URL into the "Insert Media" button (located at the right end of the menu group, at the top-center of your "Reply" box). 3) Remove all of the characters that do not follow this format (again, without the http:// in this example so that you can see all of the character string): www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxxxxxxxxxxxx . In this case, the character string will be www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI8UNQBpXvI#! . The final resulting string will look like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI8UNQBpXvI#! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JI8UNQBpXvI#!

@ Dannnohhh: Here are the exact specifications of those Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tires that you ordered for the Lego 9398 4x4 Crawler set (to be sold on the USA Shop.Lego.com website starting on July 23rd -- shipping time is extra to your location). Numbers: Roklox 1.9 Name: Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tires Inside Diameter (I.D.) Size: 1.9 inches (48.26mm) Weight: 81 grams / 2.85 ounces Outside Diameter (O.D.): 114.46mm / 4.506 inch Width: 38.94mm / 1.533 inch For USA Technic AFOLs: If the Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tires are too "tall" for your taste, this RC4WD list of 1.9 Tires shows many different tire tread patterns (some of which are good for military models). Many should fit the Lego 44772 wheels (Wheel 56mm D. x 34mm) by STRETCHING like a rubber band. Here's the Out Croppers 1.9 Scale Tire (whose dimensions are printed on the tire sidewall -- 3.58" (90.9mm) O.D. x 1.57" (39.9mm) wide x 1.9" (48mm) I.D., a tad smaller than the 54120 "94.8 x 44 R Balloon Tire" that comes with the 9398 4x4 Crawler set): of them in action:

@ TechyMind: Nice video animation!

This device could allow more precise control of Lego Power Functions motors. It would work well outdoors (where the sun's bright light can interfere with the PF Infrared Controller's signals). "Info ■3 proportional connectors ■5 non proportional connectors ■1 electricity connector ■gyrosensor +/-2G ■dimensions 11x6x3 holes ■micro USB B ■on/off button ■LED diod ■electricity 9V ■range 10 meters ■Bluetooth 4.0 ■2 year warranty ■compatible with Power Functions connectors ■smartphone is not included" "Connectors UPCORE G1 has 9 connectors to control your brick creations and models. 3 connectors are fully proportional, you can regulate your supply motors M-motors, XL-motors, LEDs and other appliances in the range 0-100%. 5 connectors is non proportional, these connectors can control their creations as well as with non proportional control Power Functions. And the last connector is used to power the UPCORE G1 (from the battery box). UPCORE G1 connectable with Power Function connectors. Power UPCORE G1 is used to power the 9th special connector. Can be used to power a standard 9V source: 8881 LEGO® Power Functions battery box, 88000 LEGO® Power Functions Battery Box AAA or 8878 LEGO® Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box and older sources, if you use the 8886 LEGO® Power Functions Extension Wire or 8871 LEGO® Power Functions Extension Wire. 9th connector has reverse polarity protection. Current is 1A (amper). Maximum load is 16V (volt). Gyrosensor +/-2G Gyrosensor +/-2G - gyroscope, used to detect collisions, falls, blows, hits a shot and tilt axis XYZ. For example. Gyroscope can provide feedback on off-road driving. Using the driver (smartphone, tablet, netboook) can simulate the function of damage to the axle or rolling off the tires. Or. The driver can simulate the function of car bodywork damage during the "Brick cars destruction derby ." Micro USB B UPCORE G1 has installed micro USB type B for repair and uploading firmware. When you connect your computer and UPCORE G1, UPCORE G1 is used as a USB flash disk, you can upload and change the firmware. On/off button Turns on and off the UPCORE G1. The button also serves as a command to reset the UPCORE G1. LED LED used to indicate: power on / off, searching drivers, low battery status, signal loss, hardware failure. Range UPCORE G1 range is normally up to 10 meters, but the range of control can be even greater if your driver will have Bluetooth class 1 with a range of 100 meters. UPCORE G1 communication is not unlike the Power Functions IR technology disturbed sun or reflection of light snow or water. Bluetooth signal is only disturbed by metallic surfaces."

Conchas (Fernando Correia) posted this extensive TechnicBRICKS Tech Review of the 9398 4x4 Crawler. He discussed: 1. The Package and Contents 2. The New Parts 3. The Parts Assortment 4. Building Experience 5. Functionality and Playability 5a. The Doors 5b. The Suspension 5c. Batteries Replacement 5d. Video Footage 6. The B-Model 7. Final Thoughts 8. The Ratings His overall rating: "Highly Recommended"!

Intesting techniques for the roller wheels:

ineterceptor posted this about "Testing Crawler 9398 on TruckTrial circuit. Out of the box it works pretty nice. If differs were swapped with knobs, it would work even better." I see a LUGPol Truck Trial sign at the beginning of the video.

@ nicoga3000: Look for the 9398 on the Shop.Lego.com website beginning Mon., July 23rd (only 2 more weeks of waiting). It's being sold now on the German Shop.Lego.com website now.

@ Zblj: You certainly are innovative in using those Lego elements! I have built your HyperTruck (which is a blast to drive), so it's hard to improve upon that one. Your Panther (pictured below) is also excellent, but I have not yet built it!

I am a fisherman, and recently bought some Berkley Fireline black fishing line that is MUCH STRONGER than the transparent monofilament of old. The stuff is designed to spool up on reels but not have a "memory". You can find similar "firewire"-type fishing lines in any store that sells fishing lures.

@ inquisitor88: In this post, Traktor reports that the Shipping Weight of the 9398 box is 2.3Kg (5.07 lb) -- the same as the 8297 box. I like "The Mind"'s picture of his new, colorful 9398 4x4 Crawler next to his grey 8297 Off Roader (now seen in The Scooter Guy's Flickr photostream):

@ dr_spock: Nice Unimog drilling rig! It looks like its set up to find the Kimberlite diamond formations in the Far North!

@ Sariel: Do you think there is a way of incorporating your "3-Studs Wide Differential Lock" into the 9398's drivetrain? I don't yet own the set, so I can't try it myself. The Lego 9398 and 8297 models are very similar, and you wrote: "An idea on how to lock the new, 3 studs wide differential in a compact, reliable way. The 8297 set came with a new, 3 studs wide differential, which is already a third generation of Lego differentials. It’s narrower than the previous ones, and much easier to transfer the drive to, but lacks any specific means to lock it (at least at the time of the 8297 set’s release). The solution shown here is the most compact locking mechanism I was able to develop so far. It relies on the transmission driving ring, which is a rare part but very easy to engage/disengage. It’s so compact that the driving ring actually touches the differential case, but the resulting friction is minimal thanks to its smooth surface. The 16-teeth and 20-teeth gears are well meshed and capable of handling a considerable torque, while their ratio reduces the torque transferred to the transmission driving ring by 20%. I suppose the driving ring and the differential have similar torque resistance, but the driving ring is a much more expensive loss."

@ Sariel: That's a nice "torture test"! To prevent the 9398's stock tires from spinning inside of the Lego 44772 wheels, one could use CA (Cyanoacrylate Adhesive, or "Superglue") along the rims -- that's what RC Monster Trucks use. Do you think that the top-heavy 9398 could benefit from WIDER AXLES, to prevent it from tipping over?

Perhaps the lighter weight of the 8878 Power Functions Rechargeable Battery Box offsets the lower output voltage (7.4V). Maybe the 9398 4x4 Crawler is built TOO ROBUSTLY (to handle rolls and abuse by kids), so if one could LIGHTEN the chassis or body shell, Crawling performance would increase.

@ efferman: Thanks for the 20 photo-sequence Building Instruction images for your Non-Differential Axle design. I'm SO ENVIOUS of the Europeans who have the 9398 4x4 Crawler set already, so I want to build your axles today with the spare parts I have on hand. When I finally get the 9398, I plan on having two sets of axles (one with differentials and one without) to be able to handle all driving situations.

@ Conchas: The Lego 44772 wheels would be most appropriate for those low-profile, Duratrax DTXC9708 directional RC tires above. They have an Inside Diameter (I.D.) of 1.9" (48mm), and their width (35mm) is very close to matching the outermost rim's width (34mm). It could be a substitute for the Lego 44771 "Black Tire 68.8 x 36 ZR" (right picture below) from the 8070 Supercar II set: When I was stretching the Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tires onto the Lego 44772 wheels, it seemed like I was handling a giant Rubber Band. The rubber is VERY SOFT -- much softer than the Lego tire compound. I believe that stretching the 48mm-I.D. Duratrax tire onto the (nominal) 56mm-O.D. Lego 44772 wheel will work, even if the tire's sidewall is low-profile. The fact that the Duratrax 1.9 tires are advertised with "foam inserts" makes me believe that the tire wall thickness is quite thin and stretchy. Without the foam inserts, the rubberband-like tire would collapse. I just ordered a set of four of these Duratrax tires for USD $11.95 , and will let you know how they fit on the Lego 44772 wheels when they arrive. @ mrklaw: Yes, I think that when I place the Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tires onto the 9398 4x4 Crawler in a few weeks, they will handle the weight fine. Recall "The Mind"'s picture of his new, colorful 9398 4x4 Crawler next to his grey 8297 Off Roader II -- the models are VERY CLOSE in size and weight. In this post, Traktor reports that the Shipping Weight of the 9398 box is 2.3Kg (5.07 lb) -- the same as the 8297 box. Yes, the "Plumped" and "Non-Plumped" tires are the same Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tires, mounted on the Lego 44772 wheels in a different manner. Mounting them differently changes their appearance. The "Plumped" version probably performs better at Crawling because of the slightly larger surface area and bulging sidewall lugs that can grab on the edges of rocks better. The "Non-Plumped" version looks better, and perhaps is more realistic.

On Rebrickable.com , there are several small Lego Power Functions models to consider by Mahjqa (Peer Krueger), Jurgen Krooshoop, and Nico71 (Nicolas Lespour).

Another consideration is the "CONTACT PATCH" area of the tires contacting the surface. Here are two identical 8297 Off-Roader IIs with different tires (the Lego 54120 Balloon tires & the Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tires). Notice that the Lego balloon tires only contact the surface with a small, rounded "Contact Patch" while the 3rd-party tires have greater contact area --> better grip --> better Crawling ability. Note that the Rok Lox 1.9 Comp Tire shown on the right is the "non-plumped" version.

@ bbqqq: I like your "LEGO Pinball with 7 flippers, 3 floors. 2 rails, multiball auto release / lock. auto ball return for next kick. Mechanic, Only steel ball is not LEGO part."