Lego mindstroms nxt

druvans said:
Anyone has any opinions about this Toy
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I'm loaded with opinions, although I'm more familiar with the RCX version of Mindstorms.

Could you be more specific about where your interest lies? Lego Mindstorms, in general, is a nice entry-level robotics kit. The programming environment is graphical, which is confusing while you're trying to figure out what the little pictures mean. The RCX processor was pretty limited (only three inputs and three outputs) but NXT processor has a lot more capability, including loads of optional sensors, which makes it good for a wide range of learners.
 
my kids have one of these and I love it (so do they)
It's easy to use for the beginner, the instruction manual takes you step by step to more and more complex machines and functions. You can buy after market input and output devices to enhance the capability. AND you can get programs for both Windows and Mac OS to write more advanced programming for the NXT.

I'd almost say not to call it a toy, but it's made to stand up to kids, no need to be delicate with it.

go to Youtube and search Mindstorm NXT. There are some pretty creative applications there.
 
monkfish said:
I'm loaded with opinions, although I'm more familiar with the RCX version of Mindstorms.

Could you be more specific about where your interest lies? Lego Mindstorms, in general, is a nice entry-level robotics kit. The programming environment is graphical, which is confusing while you're trying to figure out what the little pictures mean. The RCX processor was pretty limited (only three inputs and three outputs) but NXT processor has a lot more capability, including loads of optional sensors, which makes it good for a wide range of learners.
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Not sure - wanted to try out Robots, and dont know much about it. Is it kid friendly or more of an adult toy ?
 
druvans said:
Not sure - wanted to try out Robots, and dont know much about it. Is it kid friendly or more of an adult toy ?
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Very kid friendly. 5 yrs old sounds a bit young (you aren't the type that takes a 5 yr old to NC17 movies, are you?) but I think the box says something like 10+. I don't see why a motivated 8 or 9 yr old wouldn't be able to deal with it.

It's also got enough capabilities to keep an adult occupied for a while. Eventually an adult would want to move on.

In the schools, they usually run the robot competitions so they use Mindstorms from elementary up through 9th or 10th grade. The more advanced (build your own from components) generally run from high middle school on up. Note the overlap.

At the minimum you need a kit with the NXT brick (microprocessor) and a few sensors and motors, and you need the programming language. Looks like the 8527 kit comes with all that, and retails for $250.
 
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It depends on the child. Is your child reading? If you help a bit to get started, 5 isn't too young. Does he(she) build with legos?
 
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