Are kits available for purchase?

Dublin Robotics Boosters commonly receives for requests for information regarding purchasing LEGO Mindstorms NXT kits.

Dublin Robotics Boosters does not have extra LEGO Mindstorms NXT kits to sell, nor receives special discounts when purchasing them.  However, at the end of each season, there MAY be field set-up kits (mission kits and mats) available for sale.  Proceeds from these sales are used to defray program expenses.

The LEGO Mindstorms NXT comes in 2 versions; a retail version (set # 8547) and an educational version (set # 9797).  A summary of the differences is listed below for your convenience.  The full article, listing additional information, can be found here: http://robotsquare.com/2012/02/18/understanding-nxt-versions/.

Each Dublin Robotics Boosters sponsored FLL team is outfitted with TWO (2) LEGO Mindstorms NXT Education Kits (Set #9797, while/light grey boxes) and TWO (2) LEGO Resource kits (Set #9695, blue boxes).

The NXT retail version (set #8547) is usually most competitively priced online, while the educational version (set #9797) and the resource sets (set #9695) are only available at the LEGO Education website.

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 (Set #8547 – “retail version”)

  • Total of 619 building elements, see full overview
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT Intelligent Brick
  • 3x MINDSTORMS NXT Motors
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT Ultrasonic Sensor
  • 2x MINDSTORMS NXT Touch Sensor
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT Color Sensor
  • Set of 7 NXT compatible connector cables: (1x Short [15cm] , 4x Medium [35 cm], 2x Long [50 cm])
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT “2.0″ Programming Software

This set has no Sound Sensor, but has two Touch Sensors. The Color Sensor in this kit can sense both colors and light intensity.

LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Education (Set #9797 – “educational version”)

  • Total of 431 building elements, see full overview
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT Intelligent Brick
  • 3x MINDSTORMS NXT Motors
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT Ultrasonic Sensor
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT Sound Sensor
  • 2x MINDSTORMS NXT Touch Sensor
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT Light Sensor
  • Set of 7 NXT compatible connector cables: (1x Short [15cm] , 4x Medium [35 cm], 2x Long [50 cm])
  • Set of 3 NXT to 9V system converter cables
  • 3x 9V system Lamp
  • 1x MINDSTORMS NXT Rechargable Battery with Charger

This set contains more electronic components, but fewer regular building elements. The included Light Sensor measures light intensity only. The sound sensor measures sound intensity only (volume).  The Education set does not come with software! MINDSTORMS Education NXT software is sold separately by LEGO Education.

NXT Education Resource kits (set #9695 – “resource kit”)

The resource set is a supplemental parts pack, an “expansion pack” of building elements, so you can build bigger robots. Note that this set does not contain any motors or sensors. The present Resource Set is set number 9695 (see contents). Some stores may still have the “old” version in stock, so be sure to look at the set numbers when you buy.  While these sets were designed to be used with the MINDSTORMS NXT Education Base set, they are also perfect part resource kits for LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT “1.0″ (8527) and NXT 2.0 (8547).