Wednesday, April 10, 2013

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547)



LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547)

Product Description

The "NXT" generation of buildable, programmable robots is here! LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT is back and better than ever, with new robot models, even more customizable programming, and all-new technology including a color sensor! LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 combines the unlimited versatility of the LEGO building system with 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 tens of thousands of other robotic inventions that do what you want!

Amazon.com

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)
What We Think

Fun factor:
Durability:
Ease of assembly:
Educational factor:
Novelty factor:

The Good: Brings LEGO to life.

The Challenging: Booklet only includes instructions for one basic robot.

In a Nutshell: Everything you need to build and program robots -- jump starts inventive play.


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.

  • The intelligent NXT Lego brick features 32-bit microprocessor, a large matrix display
  • Three interactive servo motors; four sensors(Ultrasonic Sensor, 2 Touch Sensors and the all-new Color Sensor)
  • Color Sensor has triple functionality: Distinguishes colors and light settings, and functions as a lamp
  • Easy-to-use software (PC and Mac) with icon-based drag-and-drop programming and 16 fun building and programming challenges
  • Batteries not included with this product
  • Building instructions for 4 new amazing robots
  • Four input and 3 output ports, and Bluetooth and USB communication link


LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547)

LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) Reviews

Amazon.com
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
305 Reviews
5 star:
 (231)
4 star:
 (51)
3 star:
 (6)
2 star:
 (6)
1 star:
 (11)

480 of 494 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars NXT 2.0: A Solid Improvement on the Best MINDSTORMS Set Ever, July 19, 2009
= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 
Amazon Verified Purchase( What's this?)
This review is from: LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) (Toy)
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... Read more
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120 of 129 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A great set for the creative youngster (and for the inventive adult!), August 1, 2009
= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 
This review is from: LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) (Toy)
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... Read more
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133 of 146 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A little more whimsy would be nice..., October 3, 2009
By 
David Dressler (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 
Amazon Verified Purchase( What's this?)
This review is from: LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) (Toy)
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... Read more
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Tuesday, April 9, 2013

$ Buy LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon 7965

LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon 7965 Review


Straight from the Death Star escape scene of Episode IV: A New Hope
    Includes 6 mini-figures: Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Ben Kenobi, Princess Leia Organa and Darth Vader
    Millennium Falcon features opening hull, detailed interior, twin flick missiles, rotating laser cannons and detachable cockpit cover
    3 lightsabers, 3 blasters and 1 crossbow also included
    1254 pieces total


Kids ages 9 to 14 will be happy the old man got the tractor beam out of commission when they blast off with the Millennium Falcon LEGO Star Wars Set. Straight from the Death Star escape scene of Episode IV: A New Hope, this replica of Han Solo's iconic starship is crafted from more than 1,200 LEGO pieces for a detailed, articulating display. With twin flick missiles, rotating laser cannons, and detachable cockpit cover, this Millennium Falcon set's got more than a few surprises left in it.
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