Mindboards

Hi,
I'm about to buy a mindstorms set, but I've seen some rumours flying around that there may be a new release soon. What do people think? Are those rumours true or am I safe to get a set now? Thanks

Rumors? What rumors?

People have been talking about a "NXT 3.0" for a while now. AFAIK, it's just wishful thinking. But if there were to be a new MindStorms, it would likely be an entirely new system. IMHO, just get the NXT.

There is a whole thread containing speculations about the next version of LEGO Mindstorms NXT: https://sourceforge.net/apps/phpbb/mind ... ?f=1&t=646

I haven't ever heard anything about a new version of LEGO robotics, since version 2.0. I doubt that LEGO will continue with the 'NXT x.x' naming scheme, and the next robotics system will be called something entirely different. I imagine that it will still be a subtheme of Mindstorms, though.

As inxt-generation said, I'd go with a NXT 2.0 kit for the time being.

I wouldn't have any fears about buying an NXT now and a new Mindstorms comming out right after. (Almost) Everything that LEGO builds is part of a compatible system. What every they come up with next will be more of an evolution than a revolution of the Mindstorms we have to day. Sure there are a lot of differences between the RCX and the NXT, But with available cables many sensors are cross platform compatible. Also there are still people out there using their RCX. I'm sure when a new system comes out people will still use their NXTs for many years.

Was at local Lego store about a month ago, employee said not Mindstorms kits are being sold in store...website only, and new sets would be out Q1 after Xmas.

EV3: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/07/lego ... bile-apps/

John Hansen

I am looking into buying Mindstorms for me and my son, but now that EV3 has been announced to be availabe in fall of 2013, should we wait or will the current bundle with Nxt2.0 be ok?

Thanks in advance!

Henrik Verup

I bought mine in Nov after waiting several months and am very happy I did. The next set (3.0) will have improvements, but is basically similar. If you are an andriod user there are NXT apps out too, so no waiting for that.

Really depends on how particular you are on new stuff. They are all really good sets. You could even get an older, usex RCX kit too but they are older tech than NXT.

There are good comparison pages here linked from the FAQs.

henrikverup wrote:I am looking into buying Mindstorms for me and my son, but now that EV3 has been announced to be availabe in fall of 2013, should we wait or will the current bundle with Nxt2.0 be ok?

Thanks in advance!

Henrik Verup

Depends.

If you are willing to spend $350, and want maximum functionality, I'd recommend waiting until the EV3 comes out so that you won't get last year's model just before the new one comes out. The NXT is beginning to phase out, so support for it probably won't last much longer, and if you and your son want to share your creations with other kids on the LEGO website, it would be harder to do that, as I foresee the NXTLOG riding off into the sunset soon after the release of the EV3.

However, if the price is more of a factor, and you don't care about the NXTLOG and support for the NXT or about what will generally be considered "hip" when this Fall comes and for the years to come, then I don't see why not to buy an NXT now for cheaper than you will be able to buy an EV3. Just one thing to note is that you may have difficulty with the NXT software if you're running a 64-bit Windows 7 operating system, and would need to install a virtual machine with an earlier version of windows.

And it would even not be a bad decision if you bought an RCX. These can sometimes be even cheaper- just note that they have less functionality than the NXT and especially the EV3, and since it's not sold by LEGO anymore, you'll have to get it from Ebay or Bricklink (I think Amazon still sells them too, but last time I checked the price was outrageous). If you want to make sure it's complete, take extra precautions to ensure the set you're buying doesn't have anything missing, as miscommunication about the completeness of a set can often occur when buying old sets from 3rd-party dealers. And of course, with the software being even older, it would be even harder to get it working on today's computers. Not that it hasn't been done though. I don't mean to discourage you from this option, as the RCX was a LOT of fun for me when I was little. Just know that there might be some complications you wouldn't get with the other two options.

circuitmage wrote:I bought mine in Nov after waiting several months and am very happy I did. The next set (3.0) will have improvements, but is basically similar. If you are an andriod user there are NXT apps out too, so no waiting for that.

NXT 3.0 is a misnomer for the EV3. The EV3 isn't the NXT 3.0, it's the next generation of MINDSTORMS, not just a version upgrade. The transition from the NXT 2.0 to the EV3 is like the transition from RCX 2.0 to NXT 1.0.

Well...they did say it would be NXT compatible, which is another reason to get a 2.0. I'm just afraid it won't have out-of-the-box support for legacy devices (RCX).

Since "3" is in the name and it's widely accepted as the third iteration, I don't believe its a misnomer.