Mindstorm NXT 2.0 – The Verdict

When it comes to gift giving for a creative child, nothing beats the new Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0. The best possible toy a child with a curious mind can ever receive is not one that comes pre-assembled. On the other hand, it is one that let them create. Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 is such a toy, something that your kid might jump for joy when seeing it on Christmas morning and spend the next hours excitedly assembling their first robot. Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 is a perfect gift for your creative younger. Read more to find out why.

Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0Newly upgraded from the popular Mindstorm NXT 1.0, stronger and more versatile than ever. Introducing Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0! This Lego product offers the right balance between the versatile nature of LEGO’s building blocks and advanced microcomputing technologies, enabling your child to put their imagination to good use by building robots that can see, speak, feel, and move.

Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 – Robotic Building Block At Its Best

Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 boasts the latest and greatest in robotic technology, with an advanced programmable microcontroller, smart sensors, icon-based drag-and-drop programming software, interactive Servo Motors, interactive challenges, plus a couple of wireless Blue tooth and USB connections. Essentially all of the cool tools you ever need to make your first customized robot.

Why Does Everyone Just Love Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0?

Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 comes with a whole lot of new models, more customizable programming and all-new technologies. For Lego as well as robot lovers, the brand new 2.0 tool set includes all you need to make your 1st robot in half an hour, and once you’re comfortable with the first steps you can move on to creating 1000s of different robotics inventions that can do virtually anything you want. It offers plenty of fun and engaging playing experience for everyone, kids and adults alike.

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But before you get too carried away let’s have a look at the main features:

  • At the heart of the Mindstorms robot is something called NXT, a smart, computer-controlled LEGO brick that sports a 32-bit microprocessor, a sizable matrix screen, input and output ports, along with a speaker.
  • 3 Interactive Servo Motors provide you with exact control on the robot and ensure the robot moves with pinpoint accuracy. The built-in rotation sensor could calculate one-degree steps.
  • You will find 4 robotic sensors. The very first is called the Ultrasonic Sensor, which is one of the two devices giving your robot vision. You can obviously employ this to help make the robot steer clear of obstructions, sense and measure distance, as well as pick up on motion.
  • 2 Touch Sensors offer your robot a feeling of touch. They identify when they’re being pushed or released, and you may rely on them to make your robot grab items or even take action on order. For instance, simply by pushing a Touch Sensor you may make your robot go walking, speak, shut a door, or switch off your television.
  • A Color Sensor which could differentiate colors, including grayscale, as well as a range of bright and pastel colors; is smart enough to sense light settings; and is versatile enough to be used as a color lamp
  • The Mindstorm software allows you to program your robot. You can use it to develop a program, and download this program to the NXT using the USB cable or even the wireless Blue tooth link. The Macintosh and PC-compatible drag-and-drop software provides you with sixteen constructing and programming challenges, with different difficulty levels ranging from beginners to experts.

See this great YouTube video about the versatility of Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0.

You can buy Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 cheap online here, but be as quick as you can as it’s one of the best selling items in Amazon toys and games and in huge demand at the moment.

The Good

  • Mindstorm NXT 2.0 presents a whole new degree of interaction to their LEGO experience, and also makes it simple for your child to make their first robot.
  • This set promotes innovative play, all of the awesome components which comprise the set may be used to develop virtually any robot you dream up.
  • It gives an excellent balance of fun, excitement and educational values, as well as induces curiosity about science, computers, and engineering.
  • Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 are simple to fully grasp with direct to the point illustrations, thereby lessening  the learning curve of the new user.
  • After the software program is set up you will find in-built training videos to develop a simple program along with instruction to download it to NXT.
  • Coding is simple with drag and drop capability and easily accessible functional items which can be dragged on to fix with other objects.
  • Remarkably versatile with a lot of potentials for the computer programming fanatics. There exists a software development kit for them to learn about programming intricacies at a deeper level of details.
  • Appeal to various degrees of skills. As knowledge of the mindstorm nxt improves, new challenges are available to construct complicated robots to help keep the interest going. Among the list of challenges is to develop a robot arm for straightforward tasks with capability to respond to changes in colors. Although these types of tasks tend to be for constructing Lego complex robots, the program offers tutorials with programming instructions to test every challenge.

The Bad

  • The provided programming software can be confusing for beginner programmers and kids to whom the kit is marketed.
  • As a toy gift Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 can be a quite expensive set, so it is best suited for your own kids or someone you hold dear. Check the best price here.

Who is Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 Best for?

Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 is ideal for kids aged 10 and above. Curious young minds should be able to create and program their first robot in approximately 1 hour. And it only gets better. The highly flexible programmability of this set means your youngster can produce a never-ending selection of robots that can do what they want. They just need to dream of something and work on building it.mindstorms_nxt_2.0_1

Let me show you what people are saying about Mindstorm NXT 2.0

To say Mindstorms NXT 2.0 is an amazing toy would be like stating that Mount Everest is a mountain. In as little as over 30 minutes, i had a robot ready to go. The software program is indeed simple to use, and also the entire set is awesome. I do believe that the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 is a superb set for your imaginative child (and for the inventive adults too!) This robotics kit will offer countless hours of enjoyment. While playing with it, you’ll have the ability to connect to individuals around the globe, and you’ll have a terrific start in engineering.
Lauren V. (This review was rewritten for uniqueness. See the original review here)

The NXT 2.0 set is leading the MINDSTORMS series in the right direction. I love what I see in this set, and I also feel LEGO has a winner on its hands. In summary, the NXT 2.0 set is an excellent toolset for just about any robotics enthusiast and a must-have for MINDSTORMS fans.
David P. (This review was rewritten for uniqueness. See the original review here)

Wondering about the differences between Mindstorms NXT 2.0 and Mindstorms NXT 1.0?

If you already have a Mindstorm NXT 1.0 set, you will notice that Mindstorm NXT 2.0 has essentially the same control unit. The NXT 2. has a new color sensor instead of a light sensor, which allows it to measure in tri-color. It also comes with improved firmware. Additionally there are a lot of different parts between the 2 sets. The sensors look a little different and the NXT has a faster processor. Some people have the opinion that the original Lego Mindstorm NXT 1.0 is better and more popular and that is why it costs more. However, remember that NXT 2.0 is new and still gathering speed and popularity. Lego also has a plan for NXT 3.0 in a few years.

Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 Frequently Asked Questions

Can I control an RCX brick with the NXT 2.0 software?

The NXT 2.0 software will not program the RCX bricks. The only FLL-allowed software package which will work on both RCX and NXT is Robolab.

Is the NXT 1.0 sound sensor compatible with the new NXT 2.0?

The NXT brick that is part of the NXT 2.0 set is the same as the one that came with the 1.0 set (except it has different standard firmware). The sound sensor will work with the new NXT 2.0.

Which is better: Lego Robotic Invention System 2.0 or Lego NXT Technology?

Robotics Invention System can be easier to build with, and its programming is very easy to understand. The new NXT also uses new motors, which is much bigger. Therefore if you prefer smaller and very easy programming then go for Lego Robotics Invention System, otherwise for extended programmability and playability choose Lego Mindstorm NXT technology.

Is Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 compatible with the original Lego Mindstorms NXT?

Yes, they will be compatible. The only difference is the color sensor and the programming. I’m sure that you would be able to upgrade the firmware on the old NXT.

Where can you download Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0 software?

You can download LDD, which is a program that lets you make your own Lego sets including Mindstorm NXT.

What is Lego Mindstorm NXT?

Lego Mindstorm NXT is a robotics toolset that provides endless opportunities for armchair inventors, robotics fanatics and LEGO builders ages 10 and older to build and program robots that do what they want. Building upon the success of the globally-renowned Robotics Invention System, the next generation of LEGO robotics is smarter, stronger and more intuitive than ever, leveraging new technologies and expanded sensor capabilities to add a level of sophistication to excite and challenge more experienced robot creators.

What is Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0?

Since 1998, the Lego Mindstorms NXT Robots product generated a veritable legion of young architects robot, and update the most important on a single building-NXT kit to date. The kit is even included in the level component of the Primary School Dean Kamen in the inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) science competition where students build robots to participate in mini-soccer and other mini forms based Sports Arena.

Which is better: Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 or Lego Mindstorm NXT 1.0?

Lego Mindstorm NXT 2.0 is better value for money. It can do many more things, employ more advanced technologies, and is actually cheaper than Mindstorm NXT 1.0.

Where to buy Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0?

Amazon.com is a reputable company with outstanding customer service. You will have peace of mind because not only they will make sure you get the holiday gift on time but they are very active in updating you with the status of your gift delivery. Gift wrapping is also available for just a small additional fee. Free shipping is provided and a 365-day refund policy is available.

Is it possible to control my Mindstorms NXT 2.0 with my PS3 controller?

No, it is not possible.

What are the available models of Lego Mindstorms NXT 2.0?

All these models can be programmed in different ways. The following are examples:

- Robogator: Like an alligator, it snaps its jaws at objects in the way.

- Shooter Bot: A robot that launches balls quickly if it detects movement.

- Color Sorter: Separates the different colors of balls in to different trays.

- Alpha Rex: A humanoid robot that can walk forward, backward, turn, talk, grab things, and can see. This robot was redesigned for this release.

The box also has 10 models built from download-able building instructions from Lego Mindstorms Official Webpage.