23%
OFF

Gigmesh (3806)

List price:	~~$64.99~~
Our price:	$49.97 that is 23% off!
Manufacturer:	LEGO Systems, Inc

Average user rating: Average user rating: 0

The Best Toy Lego Has Come Up With!

This is not one of those toys that ends up in the back of the closet two days after a kid gets it. I got this set for Christmas, and played with it for months. In fact, I still play with it, even though I have had it for a year. Why is this toy so fun? The secret is the included CD-ROM which contains ten missions to download to your Spybot. Parents, if you are looking for a way to drag your kid from the computer, this is it. The downloadable missions make this toy a computer game without the computer. There is only one fault. In trying to keep with a spy theme, Lego included the instructions for assembly on the CD-ROM. If your computer won't run the CD, or if you don't even have a computer, you are stuck with a mess of Lego pieces. Lego should have at least included printed instructions, so if you can't get the software to work, you can at least have a cool robotic vehicle to drive around. Nevertheless, this is an excellent product, and I strongly suggest it for all ages.

Great introduction to robotics

The Lego Spybotics line is an easier and lower-priced introduction to robotics than the Lego Mindstorms series.

ABOUT SPYBOTICS PRODUCTS
Spybotics contains four robots (so far). Each is designed to be strong in only one or two of the categories of speed, strength, and agility. That means that the user will have to learn how to capitalize on the vehicles strengths in a competition with other Spybotics vehicles.
* Shadowstrike is a vehicle that scores high on speed and agility
* Gigamesh scores highest on strength, but low on other
* Technojaw is probably the most balanced, scoring quite high on speed but well on strength and agility
* Snaptrax scores high on agility and strength

COMPARISON TO MINDSTORMS
There are several key differences with Mindstorms:
* Mindstorms is far more programmable; there are even artificial intelligence algorithms available for Mindstorms so that the Mindstorms robot can learn
* Mindstorms has more components that can be controlled: The program doesn't just control wheels; it can control gears and infrared sensors, etc.
* Spybotics is like a smart remote control car, but not really a robot; it is also geared toward playing competitive games when a friend has another Spybotics vehicle
* Unlike Mindstorms, but like most other Lego kits, you can only bid 2-3 different vehicles with the Spybotics kit

Because of its greater programmability (you could actually write your own operating system for it), Mindstorms costs a lot more.

PURCHASING RECOMMENDATION
I think this is a great product. If I was purchasing for an adult, though, I'd buy Mindstorms--which is used in college robotics classes. But, ANY OF THE SPYBOTICS PRODUCTS ARE A GREAT FIRST ROBOTICS EXPERIENCE FOR A CHILD.

Son loved the product

Good product. Son put it together in one night and was fascinated by the electonics.