LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547)
Reviews of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547)
1.) NXT 2.0: A Solid Improvement on the Best MINDSTORMS Set Ever
Reviewed by: MINDSTORMS author Round Rock, TX
Rating: 
I first encountered the MINDSTORMS series in 2001 when I bought the Robotics Invention System 1.5 out of curiosity. Since then, I've purchased and used numerous MINDSTORMS sets, written two MINDSTORMS books, developed and taught a LEGO robotics course, and given LEGO presentations. So when I heard that LEGO was releasing the NXT 2.0 set in summer/fall 2009, I was curious to discover how LEGO would improve its flagship product. After finally getting my hands on a 2.0 set, I've been busy building, programming, and analyzing the kit's features. And I think this is the best MINDSTORMS set to date.
The original NXT set released in 2006 (I'll call it the "1.0 set") enjoyed enormous success but still had some shortcomings. The NXT 2.0 set addresses some of those flaws and really is everything the 1.0 set should have been. As a robotics kit, the NXT 2.0 set mainly involves building and programming, so I'll take a look at how the kit performs in each of these areas.
First, the building experience is fun and challenging while offering some exciting new additions. For the electronic elements, the NXT microcomputer and servo motors remain the same in both design and quantity; however, the selection of sensors has changed. There are now two touch sensors, an ultrasonic (distance) sensor, and the color sensor. The new color sensor boasts three functionalities. It can detect colors (6 basic colors), measure light intensity, and act as a lamp (emitting a red, blue, or green light). Unlike the 1.0 set, there is no light sensor or sound sensor: the new color sensor can function as a light sensor, and LEGO apparently thought that having two touch sensors would be more useful than having one touch sensor and one sound sensor as in the 1.0 set. I agree.
The building elements are, once again, studless LEGO TECHINC pieces rather than traditional bricks. The 1.0 set included a few TECHNIC bricks, but these are gone in the 2.0 set, which focuses entirely on studless construction. Overall, there is still a good selection of beams, pegs, and axles (including a new #9 length axle) as well as the addition of two small rubber bands. Also fun is the special ball shooter equipment along with 12 small, brightly colored balls.
There are only a few gears included, though. Whereas the 1.0 set included a fairly good variety and quantity of gears, the 2.0 set includes only a handful of double bevel gears and a single 12t bevel gear. This is a bit disappointing but also understandable. People like to add lots of gears to their robots to make them look cool, but lots of gears introduce lots of friction. The 2.0 kit's sample robot designs demonstrate how to connect pieces directly to motors rather than using gears to transmit the motion. This works fine and takes a little bit of getting used to, but I would still encourage new LEGO users to expand their collection of gears after purchasing the 2.0 set.
As for the programming, the 2.0 version of the included NXT-G software offers some welcome new features. A remote control, sound editor, image editor, new programming blocks, improved performance, and other features make programming a more enjoyable experience. Performance is noticeably better than in the 1.0 version but can still be sluggish.
The software includes a number of fun challenges spread across four robot designs: Shooterbot, Robogator, Color Sorter, and Alpha Rex. The sample robots are durable and work well, although some of the instructions for using Color Sorter were a bit confusing. The new version of Alpha-Rex is a truly fascinating robot: in addition to being a fun "advanced" model to build, new users can learn a lot from its incredibly compact and elegant design.
The NXT 2.0 set is leading the MINDSTORMS series in the right direction. I like what I see in this set, and I believe LEGO has a winner on its hands. The 2.0 set is more expensive than the 1.0 set--by $30--but I believe the improvements and added functionality justify the extra cost. In sum, the NXT 2.0 set is a great toolset for any robotics enthusiast and a must-have for MINDSTORMS fans.
2.) A great set for the creative youngster (and for the inventive adult!)
Reviewed by: MINDSTORMS NXT Author The Netherlands
Rating:
SUMMARY:
I think that the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 is a great set for the creative youngster (and for the inventive adult!) This robotics kit can offer hours and hours of fun. While playing with it, you'll (your kid) be able to interact with people all over the world, and you'll have a great start in engineering.
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At the moment of writing this review, 4 customer reviews have been posted: two 1-star reviews and two 5- star reviews. This gives an average of 3 stars, which is way below what the kit deserves. It deserves 5 stars.
Another customer (D. Perdue) has already posted a great review (5 stars) about the new features in the set, and in this review I'd like to add some more to this. Furthermore, I'd like to respond to the two negative reviews posted so far.
I have been into MINDSTORMS for about 4 years now, and my first robot set was a RIS 2.0 set (the older MINDSTORMS system). I purchased my first NXT set in 2007 and I still have not stopped playing with it. This is what I like about MINDSTORMS: the possibilities are endless. You can not only build and program robots, but you can also design, invent and even interact with the MINDSTORMS community.
By corresponding with others in this community, you'll get to learn new building and programming techniques, and you can share your knowledge and robot inventions with other LEGO - minded people. As a result, you can get in touch with people all over the world. This has been so for all the MINDSTORMS system, and now that the NXT 2.0 is introduced, I expect the community to grow even larger.
When you first open the NXT 2.0 box, you'll find a special bag with building elements called "start here!". With these parts you can start of building your first robot with step by step building instructions.
I have to admit, the next step is a little harder: programming. The drag-and-drop programming software is really easy to use, but the documentation isn't always very clear: there is not a step-by-step guide in the kit which teaches you all the ins and outs about programming (but there is a good reference manual in the software). Fortunately, there are enough sample programs to get you started. Everyone with a little creativity can do the trick.
As you finished playing with the basics of robot programming, you can start building some of the other robot models that appear on the NXT box: an alligator, a ball color sorter and a humanoid: Alpha Rex. I recommend to start with the training vehicle (Shooterbot) first, though. But, having built these four models doesn't end the fun yet!
There are a lot of websites dedicated to MINDSTORMS (NXT 2.0). Some of them offer building instructions so you can build even more robots. Apart from these websites, there are also plenty of MINDSTORMS books, which teach you how to make the best of your NXT set. Also, there are a few books, especially dedicated to NXT 2.0, coming out at the end of the year.
As you gain more MINDSTORMS experience you'll be able to invent your own robotic creations. Then, you can take photos, or even create a 3d model of your robot on your computer, and share it on the MINDSTORMS NXTLOG website.
In the rest of this review, I'd like to respond to the two 1-star reviews posted on Amazon as of now.
- Re: "Buyer beware!" (Customer support issue and technical problems)
I'm sorry to hear about your problems with the NXT 2.0. I know that a lot of MINDSTORMS sets are being returned to LEGO, but sometimes that is because people do not know how to use it. If this is the case, the mistake can often be solved easily (An example problem is an incorrectly placed motor or sensor cable).
In general, I would recommend to post issues on MINDSTORMS forums by the community (just Google for "the NXT step" or "NXTasy"). The people there usually know more about it than the technical support service.
I have to add that the programs on the NXT Intelligent Brick actually did correctly work on my end. These programs are not faulty, and regular programming using the software also worked with no problems.
Of course, when there is really a problem with the hardware in the set, it is good to let LEGO know and to request replacement parts. This turns out to be the case for this reviewer. Hopefully, this problem doesn't occur in too many sets. I've experienced the LEGO customer service to be quite helpful. In the past, I have had two broken electronic LEGO pieces, and I received new, working parts after a call with them.
UPDATE: I've just checked the NXT 2.0 User Guide, and found a small, but important error on page 15: The colored annonations that instruct the user to plug the cables are incorrect. With these cable configurations, the programs do not work indeed. You can follow the building steps in the software instead - these are correct.
- Re: "Better than ever?"
I agree that NXT 2.0 (as apposed to NXT 1.0) was not improved on the hardware side apart form a new Color. I think this is great. Why? All NXT 2.0 sets are still compatible with the NXT 1.0 sets, simply because they use the same intelligent brick. This way, existing users can upgrade without throwing their old system away. Furthermore, all the useful information made up by the community for NXT 1.0, is still just as valuable for NXT 2.0.
SUMMARY:
I think that the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 is a great set for the creative youngster (and for the inventive adult!) This robotics kit can offer hours and hours of fun. While playing with it, you'll (your kid) be able to interact with people all over the world, and you'll have a great start in engineering.
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Laurens Valk, the Netherlands
Designer of the Manty robot which appears on the back of the NXT 2.0 box,
[...]
3.) Great kit, different than the 1.0 kit and real fun
Reviewed by: Robotics Instructor San Carlos, CA
Rating:
This summer I taught a summer workshop on the Mindstorms NXT robotics system. I have to say that out of all of the kits available this one is the most cost effective and fun kit to use for robotics learning. It was so easy to teach the 8-15 year old students how to quickly build and program the examples provided in the kit, the kids really enjoyed the ShooterBot build.
4.) Awesome Set
Reviewed by:
Rating:
This is a great set for anybody interesting in Robotics, Science, computers, Mechanics, or anybody who wants to enjoy themselves and create something great. It is really easy to use and the possibilities are endless!!! No doubt this is probably one of the best toys/investment any parent can give to a child (I'm a kid too, but I have really gotten a lot out of it!). It allows kids to explore their imagination and make something unique. LEGO is a great company and the quality of the kit is excellent. An absolutely great buy!!!
5.) Love it
Reviewed by: Melinda Maryland
Rating:
This is an awesome kit! It has enough pieces to build a few different configurations of robot (note that there are only enough motors to build one robot at a time). I bought this to use in a high-school classroom. This was our experience:
-The box came in the mail and the kids tore into it. They were psyched. When they opened the box, they were bewildered by the number of pieces. We figured out that the pieces were divided into individual bags for each project. The bags aren't resealable, so you should have a plan for keeping them organized once they are opened.
-They wanted to build the hardest project (the one depicted on the front of the box), but I convinced them to start small. They built the little car first. It took about an hour because we were still learning how to use all of the pieces. The directions were hard for them to follow because they weren't used to legos. They missed a step somewhere and it messed them up so much that they had to take the project apart and start over. We were out of time, so I took the set to a friend's house and her 10 year old lego-enthusiast son put it together. He was able to follow the pictures and complete the project within 30 minutes.
-My students loved programming the robot once it was put together. The setup process isn't ideal for the classroom, as there are lots of small pieces that can be easily lost. In the future, I will assemble robots myself (or let a small group of dedicated students work on it after school) and then let the kids do the programming. It's not that the kids CAN'T build the project (because clearly, the 10-year-old had no problem), but it was hard for them to do it as a group. Assembly required a lot of focus and space.
-I plan to purchase more of these for my classroom. The kids can work in groups of 3-4 students per kit. I want to encourage parents to buy this, too. It's definitely a toy that you'll enjoy along with your kids. I would say age minimum is a mature 8. The 10-year old could put it together, but he had a hard time with problem-solving skills. If a piece was missing (and a few were), he stopped working instead of looking for a similar piece in one of the other bags. Parental supervision is definitely required. This toy will stop being fun if you lose too many pieces.
6.) Creative fun for inquisitive mind
Reviewed by: Jim Holliston, Ma
Rating:
I bought this kit instead of sending my son to computer camp this summer. He has enjoyed creating robots with the Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 more than the computer camp he went to last summer. The Mindstorm has allowed him to create and program his own robots. This has kept him busy almost every day since he received the kit.
7.) And now I shall sing of my unabashed love for this toy
Reviewed by: dbhutchin Nashville, TN
Rating:
I honestly get a little choked up thinking about Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0. I believe this brilliant little system is going to open up a lot of opportunity for a lot of kids.
Last night my bright eight-year-old son begged me to wake him up at 5:00 this morning so he could spend some more time perfecting his latest robot. (Sure enough, his eyes popped open when I shook him at 5:00 and he went straight to work.) I see this toy awakening new passion and skill in my son, and for that I have nothing but gratitude.
Let me back up a bit. My son received this as a Christmas gift this year. (Thanks grandma!) We have no experience with previous Mindstorm kits. I was concerned about the difficulty level, as the box recommends a minimum age of 10 years and my son is eight. He is a huge fan of Lego Bionicle toys, and can follow the instructions to build the more complex Bionicle models without my help. I hoped that that might be a good litmus test for his readiness to jump into some robot building.
It turns out I was right. With some concentration, he worked through the instructions to build the first basic car-like robot, and then the shooterbot. I was, to be honest, a little dissappointed that he didn't want my supervision... but thrilled that this expensive toy was clearly not going to gather dust in my house.
Next came the programming. Again, I was a little worried, as this was an area where neither I nor my son were experienced. I loaded the software on my computer (works on a Mac! Bless you Lego.) and clicked around a bit. Despite the visual nature of the programming language, I could see that it was a rich system with lots of options and nuance. Hmmm. This might take some work.
Most reviews here have not commented on a feature that I think is pretty neat: you can actually do some very simple programming on the brick itself -- without the computer. By clicking around the little navigation screen on the brick, my son was able to program some simple instructions. (For example, if the robot "sees" a wall, back up, turn a quarter turn, and then continue.) This turns out to be an easy little introduction to the "if/then" statements that comprise the more full-featured computer software.
Later robots offer a step-by-step guide to the programming. ("First drag this command into place; next drag this command" and so on.) In the process, there are lots of opportunities to tweak the settings. Before I knew it, my son was getting the hang of this somewhat complex software.
Today we are still experimenting with the basic robots, and using the predesigned programs that come with each. He can change options and parameters within the software. His confidence is growing, as is his endless motivation to build totally jamming robots that HE can control. Yep, he can do this.
I share all of this because you, like me, may be trying to evaluate whether to make the considerable investment in this toy. I do think it's a great choice for a sharp eight-year-old who has demonstrated a love for building with other Lego projects. (What about a seven-year-old? Hard to say. My guess is that my kid would not have been quite ready for this a year ago.)
But I can't tell you how cool, how wonderfully satisfying it is to see my son turn off the dang Spongebob reruns and lose himself for hours in this beautiful toy. It feels like THIS is what learning, and what childhood, is supposed to be.
I know from my own childhood that sometimes the right opportunity comes along and can awaken passion and skill that a child didn't know he had. It's a sacred thing when little spirits get a taste of what they might be good at, and how they might exercise their imaginations in this world. Will Mindstorms NXT be that kind of seminal opportunity for my son? I don't know yet. But thank you, thank you, Lego, for giving him the chance to find out.
8.) Easy robots for beginning builders
Reviewed by: L. B. Meadows Spring, Texas USA
Rating:
My son, age 10 is still playing with this (building his own robot designed now). It takes some time to figure out programming and lots of trial and error, but very good toy for anyone who has interest robots, lego and basic programming. He likes to build animals, so I am sure that kit will be a Christmas gift. He says this is best cool gift he ever received.
9.) Pricey Robotics Fun
Reviewed by: anon_2003 usa
Rating:
Overall, this is a great toy! I'm a software engineer who often works with automation and robotics. It was fun to share this with my son.
Awesome Stuff:
* There is a CD full of instructions for various robots and more on the website! The instructions are in 3-D and very easy to follow.
* The designs are very versatile. You can build the basic projects and then change sensors or components to make what you want.
* Very easy to understand. Inputs and outputs are clearly labeled. Even my 9YO could understand the instructions.
* Pieces are extremely durable.
* Programming interface is a very simplified version of LabView. My son was able to figure it out easily and experiment with programming.
* Lots and lots of parts to work with.
* A creative kid can make pretty much anything he/she wants to with this.
Could've been done better:
* Extra parts are really expensive.
* Flimsy box: We had to buy another box for storage
* Batteries: A rechargable battery pack would've been great.
Other Notes:
* More inputs/outputs/sensors would've been nice, but that would add complexity. Keeping in mind that this is a toy for children and not a complex design and construction kit for professionals, I'd say Lego did an awesome job. My son and his friends love his set.
* There is some explaination about how parts work, but if you want to teach your kid more, you are going to have to explain without lego help. If you are not an engineer, go to google or google scholar and do a little research. Learning with kids is fun too!
* This set is mostly compatible with other sets and lego technic, but google before you buy.
* The programming interface is pretty obvious, let your kids figure it out without your help, kids are very technology-saavy and it will be faster that way.
* Read the instructions. Everything is clearly explained, labeled and there's no boring stuff embedded into the instructions.
Overall, this is an awesome toy for the budding engineer. Great way for younger kids to learn about robotics, programming, engineering, circuits and reading directions.
10.) Great Young Boy Robot Kit
Reviewed by:
Rating:
We bought this platform for my 11 year old son for christmas. It has endless combinations to build everything from a walking robot, truck, tank, ect. very good for kids with mechanical aptitude, the system programing from all of the servo motors and sensors is very easily down on a PC. We us a PDA as a remote control via blue tooth.
11.) Best of Christmas!
Reviewed by: music mom Fairfield, CT, US
Rating:
We got this for our 12 year old son for his "big gift" this Christmas. The things he has created with it are incredible. There are many instructions online to build many more things than the awesome instructions that came with the package. He's built a "regular" robot that looks like a cross between Wall-E and Johnny Number 5 (from the movie Short Circuit), an alligator, two versions of color sorting 'bots, and the favorite was the guitar! He can actually play "Smoke On The Water!"
Too complicated for younger Lego artists, but I think ages 10 and Up is just perfect.
12.) Nice buy!
Reviewed by: G. Liu
Rating:
I bought this for my son, he's so excited. I would like to buy some Mindstorm books for him to learn the modern science.
Very quick delivery and good product. Recommend!
13.) a Mom's review
Reviewed by: A.H.O. McLean, VA
Rating:
I bought this for my 11-year-old son after he competed in the First Lego League robotics competition. It is a wonderful, mind-expanding machine. It helped that he learned to work with it as part of a team, and with a mentor who understood its potential. But now that he's on his own with it, my son really loves to work with it, tries millions of different designs and challenges. It's a great product.
14.) I wish I had this toy for myself!
Reviewed by: R. Rizwana
Rating:
I gave it to my now 9 year old brother for his birthday and he totally loved it. I even helped him build and program his first robot. For a time when being tech savvy at a young age is such a demand with growing technologies and their complexities, this was perfect for my brother to have fun and learn and play with the coolest toy around. There are lot of tiny pieces so watch out if you have kids who like eating toys. Other than that, the toy is AWESOME!!
15.) Awesome Robotics set
Reviewed by: N. Wakeman Alameda, CA United States
Rating:
Bought this set to share with my 11 year old grandson. Wasn't sure that he would be able to handle it on his own so thought it could live at my house if he needed help with it. He took off when he opened the box. Started with one of the harder models and flew through assembly to get to the programming. Created the program as specified in the manual in a flash and then started to improvise on both the model and the program. Had a bit of trouble with debugging modifications to the program, but with some basic instruction on programming and debugging (my husband and I are both in the computer industry), we was independent in no time. The set went home with him and he is continuing to work with it. Great educational value, fun toy.
16.) Future is now!
Reviewed by: rbhatta Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Rating:
LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) which we purchased for our daughter has been an excellent kit for her who has aptitude to build and create new things; this kit has most of the necessary pieces to construct various types of Robotic contraptions for a very educational and at the same time having fun learning mechanical, electrical, electronics, robotics, computer programming skills, the possibilities are infinite.
PROS
[+] Excellent value as the kit has instruction and needed pieces to build Shooterbot, Robogator, Color Sorter, and Alpha Rex
[+] Good quality building materials are provided in the kit
[+] New and improved NXT software
CONS
[-] Wished it had come with Lithium ION rechargeable batteries in the brick.
This is the best gift or toy one can buy for their child, this kit will keep the child thinking, learning new skills, keep one busy for a very long time.
Our daughter will be competing in the First Lego League this year, LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 purchase was a pleasant experience from Amazon as always. - Thanks Amazon!
17.) worth the wait and the money.
Reviewed by:
Rating:
this product is probably the most exspensive, but yet the best by far product i have bought in my whole life. this product is very educational as i have learned more about robotics after one day than i have in my whole life. so bottom line is that this product is worth the money and the wait and i highly recomend it.
18.) Mr. Roboto NXT 2.0
Reviewed by: A. Hurdt Okinawa Japan
Rating:
Big fan of Legos Technic. I have been wanting to get a mindstorms kit and finaly got this one. I am thrilled with the possabilities. Still need to get some adapters to be able to add in my Technic Power Functions, But otherwise it has greatly increased the quality and abilities of the projects i can make.
19.) Awesome learning tool, fun and a lot easier then you'd think!
Reviewed by: Book Collector, Uber Geek New York
Rating:
True to form, Lego has produced something really elegant with the Mindstorm NXT kit. i bought it for my son, and we opened the box, and had the first robot running around in 30 minutes, which is pretty impressive.
This is an amazing, perfectly engineered kit, with a lot of possibilities in this box, and a lot of opportunities to expand with parts, etc.
If you're into robotics or lego, this is a great great toy.
20.) Great toy...
Reviewed by: Sandy AVON, NY, US
Rating:
This is a great educational toy, they can build several different robots and program them. I would recommend buying a container for all of the pieces, I actually got a couple little tackle boxes for them. My son built the robo gator and displayed it at his school lego show. It was a very big hit....
21.) LEGO Mindstorm kit
Reviewed by: T. Grossman
Rating:
My son loves LEGOs and this is a great learning device. He can do things that he likes (build with LEGOS) and learn something about robots and how they work at the same time.
22.) Educational and Fun
Reviewed by: sciencesuccess
Rating:
I bought Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 directly from Lego, and the shipment arrived quickly. They make building and programming robotic devices simple, so it has great educational value in that it emphasizes key concepts without being caught up in the details if learning from more detailed robotic kits. The building instructions were generally quite clear and easy to follow. There were a few minor steps that were a bit difficult to construct, and the general instructions on using the kit and software could have been better. Nonetheless, they have done a fantastic job compiling together such a complicated set of robotic parts and software. For anyone interested, I am also currently uploading some videos of what I have made, and those videos cans be found by clicking on the web page included in my Amazon profile (click on "sciencesuccess" under the title of this review, and then on the left column of my profile, you can find the web page link).
23.) I'm a seventeen year old girl and I love my robot :)
Reviewed by: acc
Rating:
I first saw this product last week. I volunteered as a counselor at a math and science camp, and one of the workshops was robotics. They used the Lego Mindstorms NXT 1.0, and I absolutely fell in love with the little robots. Each group of kids had to engineer a robot to navigate an obstacle course, and because I was a counselor, I was supposed to just let the kids engineer and program the robot on their own, so I wasn't allowed to play with the robots on my own. However, I thought that they were so much fun that I came home and asked my dad to get me one for my brother (who is younger) and me.
The toy is a lot of fun. I definitely recommend it for young kids (ages 8+, for younger kids, adult supervision is highly recommended) who like to build things and see them work. Most of the lego diagrams are well done and easy to follow, but it is easy to make mistakes. However, what is nice about these kits is that there is room for error, and sometimes the toy will still work even if there is a missing piece. It allows for creativity and experimentation, which is more fun then just following a guide book.
I think that because I am older (17), the program was really easy for me to learn to use. Younger kids may have a more difficult time with it, but the program does come with "getting started" guides and there are instructions for programming the robot for the different designs it provides, which is really helpful for understanding how the program works (ie. the sensors, loops, switches, etc.). I gave the educational value a "4" because this is really graphical programming, geared towards younger kids. Fortunately, programs can also be written in C++ and Java, or so I have been told by my friends. :) So, potentially, there is a greater educational value for kids interested in computer science or programming. There are also people that are more advanced with programming, and they can program the NXT to solve a sudoku or a rubiks cube (you can look up videos on youtube.)
Also, the thing is, you don't really learn much "robotics," like the stuff they do on high school teams. But this is definitely a good product to get your kids interested in building and programming.
The legos are durable, as lego pieces are... Sometimes the power of each motor is not exactly the same, so you may have to compensate for the unevenness of the movement when doing the program. A minor drawback is that the NXT "brick" eats batteries like a monster, so be sure to have 6 AA batteries on hand when it runs low (and don't forget to turn off the brick when you're done playing with it!)
So far, I have built the shooterbot using the ultrasonic and light sensors, and they work beautifully. It's a lot of fun, and rather impressive when things work out just the way you want them to. I think that this would be a great birthday or Christmas gift.
24.) the MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 rocks! (A KID`S REVIEW)
Reviewed by:
Rating:
I think that this is the best toy ever. I got for my birthday and I`ve been playing with it everyday since. I would really recommend this to people who like Technic and power functions some places on the internet have free building instructions and pre-made programs to download. one of those places is [...].
25.) Great educational toy for youth!
Reviewed by: S. Morris Lexington, KY
Rating:
It comes with what you need but works with other parts kids already have. They love it. Now one has joined a club at school to compete with it.
26.) Lego's is a great toy to educate your kids.
Reviewed by: Laura T. Mercier
Rating:
Lego's is a great toy to educateyour kids. Great Job to the Lego's makers. My son has learned a lot from this toy.
Laura
27.) Lego Mindstorms
Reviewed by: R. Siegel
Rating:
The Lego Mindstorms Kit is a good introduction to robotics for young children. The basic components and the programming software are well tailored for young children to master quickly.
28.) Great kit
Reviewed by: L. Bagley St. Louis
Rating:
My son loves this kit. He's 11 and is having a great time building the various robots.
29.) Eats up batteries!
Reviewed by: just a mom
Rating:
Well, as my son says, "It's Lego. All the Lego stuff is pretty durable." He does complain that it goes through batteries like crazy. He saved up a year to buy this toy - so of course he has no money to go buy rechargables and charger. Also, it takes 6 AA batteries - so would probably need two chargers or double set of 6 batteries. As I write this he has just informed me we need to go buy more batteries!!
My complaint as a parent is that it turned out this item was to be delivered while we were out of town for the weekend. I was concerned that UPS would just drop the package off on our front door even if we weren't home. Then my son would be out all of the money he had saved to buy this product. I tried to contact UPS and schedule a later delivery date by a couple of days but was told that I had to contact the sender. So, I contacted Amazon and they basically said there was nothing they could do. But they assured me that they have contracts with their shippers to not just drop off any items if nobody is home if said item costs more than $100, which of course this does. So we got home and found that my son's mindstorm had been left in front of our house behind our trash can! Luckily it was still there!
The product itself is pretty much what my son thought it was going to be and he loves it!
30.) A little more whimsy would be nice...
Reviewed by: David Dressler Cincinnati, OH
Rating: 
I purchased the original Mindstorms 1.0 way back in the nineties. I absolutely loved it; it was a great workout for both my imagination and my ingenuity. It was also a great family toy: I could get the gears aligned and programmed, and my 8-year old daughter would supplement it with additional Legos for fun. That was what I loved about the original set: it did a wonderful job of straddling the line between robotics set and sheer silliness. The computerized brick looked like a giant yellow Lego; there were lots of colors, and it was compatible with other Legos. It even had an expansion set that allowed you to built animals and monsters, and came with Lego eyes, fins, and all kinds of fun little additions. The creations were functional (usually!), but also seemed to fit into the World of LegoLand.
This new set looks like...well, a robotics set. That's not a bad thing, but it means that this set needs to be compared to other robotics sets out there. Before, Mindstorms was completely unique, in a class all by itself. Now it looks like a very well-designed robotics set. The colors are drab, the 600+ pieces all have a specific practical function, there is less room for customizing.
Don't get me wrong, this set is a huge step up in functionality. The new color sensor alone is an enormous improvement. I will have hundreds of hours of fun with NXT 2.0. But I'm not sure my current young daughters will have much interest in it, and that makes me sad.
One last note: the box itself is pretty poorly designed. It's...a box. There are no dividers or compartments to keep organized. Not a huge issue, but you would think that at nearly $300 a pop the Lego folks would be willing to spring for a little extra cardboard.
31.) From a middle and high school teacher
Reviewed by: bclamore Texas
Rating:
I've had 10 sets for a few months now. I've started a Robotics group with 6-8th graders. I'll explain my ratings.
The kids love the kits, so fun is up there.
The educational value is middle-of-the-road. If you already have NXT/Mindstorms programming experience then this kit has educational value. But if you are just starting out it is difficult and unnecessarily so. I have programming experience so I am OK with it, but 6th graders can get frustrated -- exactly what you don't want. The included s/w offers too few example robots and programs. For those examples that are there, the instructions are clear and the programs work. But students will not learn programming without additional instruction. So teachers beware: you will need to create a tutorial in your curriculum. There is a site for more robot instructions (NXTPrograms.com), but there's not much there yet for this new 2.0 version. There are also some tutorial videos available online (e.g., ortop.org) for the previous version.
Another complaint I have is the kit is not backward compatible. In other words, you can't make all the kits from the previous version (you can make a few). LEGO should come out with a compatibility upgrade kit so that all the robots and programs that were invented for the previous version don't just die out.
As far as durability goes, we have had one motor seize, but LEGO replaced that fairly quickly.
32.) Great toy (bit expensive!)
Reviewed by: S. Mirthipati Atlanta, GA
Rating:
Pros: I agree with other reviews here and don't have much to add. It's a great toy for an enthusiast. Just a couple of complaints.
Cons: 1. Wish Lego included a $5 storage box with compartments for organizing various pieces (of a $280 toy). Where do you keep those small peices once unpacked or between projects - in zipper bags?
2. Rechargeable battery instead of 6 AA batteries. Even a sub $100 digital camera has rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries; Why not this little robot? It will reduce the weight and size of the brick.
Wish-list: Voice recognition sensor!
33.) Great idea, but be prepared to spend some more $$
Reviewed by: Martha A. Jackson Salem, OR
Rating:
I design equipment control's for a living, so I'm fairly adept at these types of embedded processors. Purchasing the NXT kit only seemed a natural way for me to spend more time with my two boys (12 and 9) and sneak in some education at the same time.
The Good:
> This is an awesome idea by Lego - a toy that can be reused over, and over, and over again and is only limited by the imagination.
> It really is a good tool to teach your child the fundamentals of programming.
> The software (by Labview) is well done and about as easy as it can be made to be.
> The parts are compatible with other Lego products - greatly expanding the capabilities.
> It really does lend itself to parent/child together time.
The Challenges:
(Note that I say challenges, because I would really say that there is anything bad about the product.
> If you've never programmed before, you have to expect that there will be a learning curve. Don't expect to be doing anything you can imagine right away.
> It really feels to me like a starter kit. Most things that we want it to do, there are simply not enough parts for. For example, a fourth motor would be really useful as well as a third button and an analog input device (an input that varies in value instead of off/on - like a light dimmer). To really make this fun, I think that you either need two of them, or find a friend with one.
> You have to find clever ways to attach to the motors and the 'brain' in order to build a stable structure. I know of lots of regular lego parts that could have been included to make this easier.
Summary:
The Mindstorm is a great product that lends itself to quality parent/child time. The experience is enhanced by a combination of a technically savoy parent and an inventive child. You'll find yourself thinking and building all kinds of interesting devices together.
To keep it from going into a closet after the first month, though, you need to plan on further investment. It is a starter kit, and needs further parts to make it really useful. Consider getting together with friends or joining a club.
SteveJ
34.) Engineer Dad
Reviewed by: CB Short Hills, NJ
Rating:
I know and work with PLC's and computer simulations. We were looking for an educational toy for our 10 yr. old daughter. Her school also has a First Lego Robotics Club, so this would be a good first step. Overall, this filled the bill. There are simple robots that help the child get a fast start and build confidence. As with all Lego products, there are lots of small parts and completed robot assemblies are small in size. The robots work as expected and the building and programming experience are excellent. There are plenty of books and on-line support for Lego robotics, with plans, instructions, and examples for help and continued learning. I did find that the instructions had some errors, particularly involving crossed wiring. Since I am an engineer, I was able to figure it out quickly, but a child on their own or a non-rech parent could have spent a lot of time and been very frustrated.
This is not pure toy. It involves some work, dedication, and practice - all of which are important skills for a developing mind and growing child. With Lego robotics, the upside potential for continued learning and advanced capabilities are immense. Of course, as with all Lego products, there is a significant cost involved - especially if you wish to expand your robot with additional sensors and mechanical arms, wheels, gears, etc. I wish that Lego would offer add-on kits that feature specific projects, designs, etc. with the needed extra parts. That would make the second step easier, instead of expecting a more experienced child to instantly master all skills. Bottom line - I would recommend this toy/learning product very highly. Just be ready to assist your child a lot. It takes a concerted effort on the part of the child and the parents combined.
35.) Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0
Reviewed by: renee Wisconsin , USA
Rating:
My 8 year old son purchased this robot building kit with money he'd been saving. He loves LEGOs and working on the computer. He was unable to program and build the suggested robots by himself, but it was a great opportunity to build and program with dad! Although they have put together numerous LEGO kits in the past few years, this was definitely the most complex. They were able to figure it out and make the robot perform a number of functions within a day. Now that they have it assembled, my son can write mini-programs for the robot to perform. His only disappointment, is that the NXT memory is not very big, so it can only store so many programs, before needing to delete some. My husband felt the sensors (color, distance, etc.) are a lot like the sensors used in the paper mill he works in, so it is excellent exposure to practical technology.
36.) Error in user guide?
Reviewed by: Dr. Mom Berkeley
Rating:
24 hour post Christmas review: I agree with the reviewer who says this is a very expensive product to not have any sort of storage for 600 tiny parts. More frustrating to me was what I think is an error in the "user guide" p15
I am not a computer programer or a technogeek. This was a Christmas gift for an 11 year old. Kid assembled the quick start robot by himself and together we fumbled through the software on our Apple computer, and it is not so obvious that the little robot he assembled from the included booklet is really the precurser for the robot that shoots balls. So anyway, we do the little program and start up the robot and one side of the robot is lame- meaning the wheels on one side go but on the other side the wheels are not turned by the robot. Kid disappointed.
So I tried to check the mechanical assembly and ended up rebuilding the robot, same problem, played around with the cords and thought maybe a computer problem, but then saw a small discrpancy between how the wires were connected on p 15 of the book and the same drawing in the software (step 21 in the shooterbot instructions)
So the toy seems to be working for now, and my son has moved on to the next step. Not able to contact any customer support over Christmas or the weekend. Wish the booklet had the correct illustration and also that the booklet had a little more support (or the website) for us moms or more instuctions.
Kid is much more delighted now that the product is working. By tonight he had it shooting balls and we were indeed having fun. I was hoping it would be a little more straightforward for an 11 year old. I think it will be a good toy for him but I was REALLY annoyed Christmas afternoon. Thus the low rating for "fun", we were not having fun on Christmas.
Amazon's current price for this product ($262) is much better than Toys R US ($300+tax)
The Lego website didn't have much help. Reading some book reviews and other websites, it is clear that the books offered by Amazon at this time are primarily for earlier versions of this product. There are several earlier versons of Lego robot toys that have books and reviews. So I was happy I didn't purchase this product with an additional book.
37.) Robotics makes a great hobby!
Reviewed by: Biotek Geek Texas
Rating:
I am a high school science teacher and this is my second LEGO Mindstorms robot kit. I originally bought the RCX and then got a grant for my school and purchased 20 more for my science research and design class. Due to a move to a different school district, I suddenly found myself out of robotics for a couple of years. Then my new school district became interested in adding robotics to the gifted and talented program and that opened up a new opporturnity for me to get back into robotics. When I realized that the new LEGO NXT had been introduced, I knew I wanted to upgrade, and I did. The NXT is much more advanced and everything I have built and programmed so far has worked to perfection. I plan to teach robotics to our the gifted and talent classes next semester. It is a terrific way to get started in robotics and I plan to seek some more education grants and if that is successful, also introduce it into my Design Technology Classes. My students all love this educational toy. There are numerous robotics competitions and contests that have corporate sponsors that can open doors for my students into scholarships and robotics careers.
38.) Worth it if your kid loves robotics and has a long attention span
Reviewed by: Reading Mom
Rating:
Very educational but has a bit of a learning curve to really enjoy. My son loves robotics and is very patient so after much work he really got into it. But I could see some kids losing interest. It helps if they are big Lego fans and love to build -- especially Bionicle or Technic-type legos as this toy builds similarly to these. Be sure you have a computer easily accessible for the kid to use because it's really absolutely necessary at all times.
39.) Replay value very high, hours of fun.
Reviewed by: greebster philadelphia
Rating:
Lots to do with this robot toy, my son is having hours of entertainment with it.
40.) Mindstorms for the younger child
Reviewed by: ogre
Rating:
The box says 10+, but I am sure there are some other people with children younger than 10 who are interested in mindstorms.
I can definitely recommend mindstorms for children who are interested but some years under the recommended age. My six year old has had more joy from the mindstorms 2.0 than any other toy. At this age she builds robots from instructions rather than inventing her own robots and although she modifies programmes she has yet to create her own from scratch. However this growth of use should allow the set to be still entertaining as her abilities grow.
The set itself is restrictive though. The memory limitations show an update is really needed and some form of multiplexing to allow more sensors would really expand what can be created.
But a great purchase for 6-10 year olds who are over the conventional lego sets which often build only one thing and then they are of little further interest.
41.) I wish lego would create a bettter naming convention
Reviewed by: mc USA
Rating:
I've been interested in this for the past few months. I hear that the new mindstorms is version 2.0. Then I look at very old versions and they are also version 2.0. So it's confusing as to whether this is the new 2.0 or the old 2.0 still on sale.
I'm interested in the new version because I read it has more memory and other updates. And yes I see 8547 but for my short term memory it means nothing....
42.) Great toy if you get one that works
Reviewed by: C. Skoning Oshkosh, WI
Rating: 
I purchased this toy for my son for Christmas. It was a disappointment to find that the computer part or "Brick" was defective from the start. The display was blank and despite following all of the troubleshooting procedures we could not get the display to work. We could program the brick and my son was able to use it until a replacement arrived. If you do a google search for "NXT 2.0 Blank Display" you will find that many many people who purchased this product have had the same problem. It is a shame that a company like LEGO who is normally known for quality can put our such an unreliable product. According to my research they have had this problem for years and yet they still keep pumping out the same defective product. The good thing about buying this product through Amazon is that they replaced the product promptly and the return process was not painfull.
43.) This is NOT A TOY
Reviewed by: B. Wood Buffalo,New York
Rating:
This is not traditional Lego. It is computorized programable robotics. You must have a computor to program this and you must be able to follow directions. Thank goodness my husband is tech savvy because my son, who is 12, needed much guidance. It is very educational, but after his first `robot' he has lost interest. It is frustrating if you don't understand programming and it falls short on explaining it. Wish I had not spent the money.
It would be better suited for 14 or older (my husband liked it)
44.) It doesn't teach robotics.
Reviewed by: Forest7
Rating: 
Contrary to some of the other reviews, I haven't found LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 to be a significant advancement over Robotics Invention System Version 1.5: Mindstorms Power of Robotics.
I taught a high school robotics class for two years using the Mindstorm 1.5 Version and the students found it challenging to their inventive capabilities. The forms and purposes the robots could take were almost unlimited. The students were learning robotics, or the function of robotic devices.
With the Mindstorm NXT release students went from learning robotics to constructing preconceived robots. This change is similar to going from learning creative concepts to learning craft concepts. That is, changing from using basic elements to assembling parts from a kit, or to "painting by the numbers."
The same criticism can be found in reviews of basic Legos, and the parents' reviews who find their children much more creative and happy with basic Legos than with the many specialized kits being sold now.
Perhaps some other company will see the potential in making a basic robotics kit that allows free creativity, and includes the improvements in technology and software that have occurred since Mindstorms 1.5 was produced.
45.) Buyer Beware!
Reviewed by: pa mom
Rating:
Beware of this toy. After receiving this item, we immediately put it together and attempted to use the internal test programs to make it run. No luck. We sent it back to Amazon. For the record, Amazon's customer service can't be beat. We sent the item back on a Friday and we had a new package at our door the following Monday. Thank you Amazon! Unfortunately, Lego could learn a thing or two about customer service from Amazon. The second item has the same flaw as the first. We contacted Lego's customer service and tech support and were told that the internal programs were, indeed, faulty on these bricks and we should just go ahead and use the computer to program the figures. Not exactly the response I was looking for. Seeing as we will be mainly using the computer to program this, I went along with it. Well, guess what? That didn't work either. After another call to tech support (and 4 or 5 hours trying to get this thing to work on my own), I was told that my problem was too advanced for the person I was speaking with to handle. (I was attempting to build the very first robot in the building guide with a simple two block program - pretty basic stuff!) He claimed he would refer my problem to another team that would contact me. It's been two days and I haven't heard a thing. So far, all I have received for my $280 is whole lot of frustration (and great disappointment for my 11 year old son, who so desparately wanted this thing). For the record, both my husband and I have engineering backgrounds, so we are extrememly familiar with programming. I believe that a Lego toy should be within our capabilities. I am convinced that this one is also defective, and Lego just doesn't want to admit it. Get ready, Amazon, because I will probably be sending this one back to you in few days as well! (at least you know how to take care of your customers)
Update - Aug 2,2009 - We returned the second set to Amazon and purchased a new set from a local business. It worked perfectly (using the exact same programs we had written earlier and built exactly the same way as the two from Amazon) The two sets purchased from Amazon were, absolutely without a doubt, defective. I even got Lego tech support to finally agree on that. Don't be too quick to blame the user fellow reviewer!
46.) Better than ever?
Reviewed by: Tadeo Mexico
Rating:
I love Lego and the NXT, but i expect more inovation. A tecnology acording to our time. Once this game was a revolutionary game but now...
Think, how much do you you pay for your cellphone? you get good compact stereo speakers. a camera, a memory card reader. But here almost 10 years after,nothing new. Tecnology, like design means more for less. now you get the same 32 bit brick for the same money. This make a toy more expensive.
fun? ...a lot. but better than ever? ....a little.
Features of LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547)
New! Upgraded and Stronger than ever!
LEGO Mindstorms NXT is back and better than ever: new models, more customizable programming and all-new technologies! Mindstorms NXT 2.0 combines the versality of the LEGO building system with all-new technologies, an intelligent microcomputer brick and intuitive drag-and-drop programming software. The new 2.0 toolkit features everything you need to create your first robot in 30 minutes and then thousands of other robotics inventions that do what you want!
The intelligent NXT LEGO brick features 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display, 4 input and 3 output ports, and Bluetooth and USB communication link
Take LEGO to the next level with MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0. Combining the versatility of the LEGO building system with a microcomputer brick and intuitive programming software, this building kit enables you to construct robots that see, speak, feel, and move. Designed for ages 10 and up, the 2.0 robotics tool set features everything you need to create and program your first robot in approximately one hour. After that, you can create an endless lineup of robots that do what you want--if you can dream it, you can build it.
 | MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Ages: 10 and up
Pieces: 619
Requires: 6 "AA"/LR6 batteries (not included) |
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With MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0, you can construct robots that see, speak, feel, and move. View larger. |
Use the included software to program your robot and watch it come to life. View larger. |
Build, Program, Go Creating a MINDSTORMS robot is challenging -- but not too difficult -- with an illustrated step-by-step booklet and software showing the way. The booklet gives you instructions for building a basic "Quick Start" robot only, which is an easy introduction to the MINDSTORMS experience. This robot took our two adult testers about 30 minutes to build and 30 minutes to program. After that, they spent a lot of time just playing with their creation and testing its abilities.
Once you master the basics of MINDSTORMS, you'll need to use the included software to get instructions for more advanced creations. You can also use the MINDSTORMS web site to find instructions for many other robots, or you can create robots on your own. No matter what you choose to create, the principles are the same: just build the robot using the LEGO elements in the kit, and program it on your computer using the software. Then watch your robot come alive.
NXT Technology Brings LEGO to Life
MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 features the latest in robotic technology: an advanced programmable microcontroller, Interactive Servo Motors, smart sensors, icon-based drag-and-drop programming software, interactive challenges, and wireless Blue tooth and USB connections -- all the smart technologies you need to create your custom robot.
First, the brain of the MINDSTORMS robot is NXT, an intelligent, computer-controlled LEGO brick that features a 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display, input and output ports, and a speaker.
Second, three Interactive Servo Motors give you precise control over the robot and ensure that the robot moves with precision -- the built-in rotation sensor can measure one-degree steps.
Third, there are four robotic sensors. The first is the Ultrasonic Sensor, one of two sensors that gives your robot vision. You can use it to make your robot avoid obstacles, sense and measure distance, and detect movement.
And fourth of all, two Touch Sensors give your robot a sense of touch. They detect when they are being pressed or released, and you can use them to make your robot pick up things or act on command. For example, by pressing a Touch Sensor you can make your robot walk, talk, close a door, or turn off your TV.
There's also a Color Sensor that functions three ways: it distinguishes colors -- black and white, as well as a range of bright and pastel colors -- it distinguishes light settings, and it can be used as a color lamp.
And finally, the MINDSTORMS Software lets you program your robot. Use the software to create a program, and then download the program to the NXT by using the USB cable or the wireless Blue tooth connection. Mac- and PC-compatible drag-and-drop software gives you 16 building and programming challenges, from beginner to expert.
Overall, this set scores an excellent rating for its clever design elements. Our testers enjoyed the way the set brought a new level of interaction to their LEGO experience, and appreciated how easy it was to create their first robot. They also loved the way this set encourages inventive play -- all the cool hardware that makes up the set can be used to build any robot you dream up. Finally, our testers liked how this set offers a great balance of learning and fun, and encourages interest in science, computers, and engineering.
Microsoft Windows Requirements - Windows XP Professional or Home Edition with Service Pack 2 or newer
- Intel Pentium processor or compatible, 800 MHz minimum (1.5 GHz or better recommended)
- Windows Vista Service Pack 1 or newer
- Intel Pentium processor or compatible, 1 GHz minimum (1.5 GHz or better recommended)
- CD-ROM drive
Apple Macintosh Requirements - Apple MacOS X v10.4 or v10.5
- PowerPC G3, G4, G5 processor, 600 MHz minimum
- Intel processor (1.3 GHz or better recommended)
- DVD drive
General System Requirements - 512MB of RAM minimum
- 700MB of available hard-disk space
- XGA display (1024x768)
- 1 available USB port
- Compatible Blue tooth adapter (optional)
What's in the Box NXT programmable LEGO Brick, Ultrasonic Sensor, Color Sensor, two Touch Sensors, three Interactive Servo Motors, USB cable, 7x6-wire cables, building instructions for four robots, user guide, software, test pad, and 619 LEGO pieces.
1.) The intelligent NXT Lego brick features 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display;
2.) Three interactive servo motors; four sensors(Ultrasonic Sensor, 2 Touch Sensors and the all-new Color Sensor);
3.) Color Sensor has triple functionality: Distinguishes colors and light settings, and functions as a lamp;
4.) Easy-to-use software (PC and Mac) with icon-based drag-and-drop programming and 16 fun building and programming challenges;
5.) There are 612 pieces in this product;
6.) Batteries not included with this product;
7.) Building instructions for 4 new amazing robots;
8.) Four input and 3 output ports, and Bluetooth and USB communication link;
Package Height x Length x Width: 18.8 in. x 18.8 in. x 15 in.
Package Weight: 4.7 lbs.
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