Robot Inventor 51515 vs. 45678 LEGO SPIKE Prime: how to choose?
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- Please like and ask any questions you have in the comments!
00:00 Introduction
00:46 Robot Inventor concept vs. SPIKE Prime concept
03:36 Different Firmwares
04:58 51515 vs 45678 electronic parts
06:04 Robot Inventor motors vs. SPIKE Prime motors
06:42 SPIKE Prime sensors vs. Robot Inventor sensors
08:32 A look at the available bricks in Robot Inventor vs. SPIKE bricks
09:54 Wheels
10:24 Baseplates and frames
11:28 Decorating and combining with other sets
13:15 Caster wheels in Robot Inventor vs. the caster wheel in SPIKE Prime
15:09 Conclusion: buying guide
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LEGO has four robotics sets on the market: Boost, SPIKE Prime, EV3, and Robot Inventor. I compared EV3 to Robot Inventor in a previous video. Here, we'll look at SPIKE Prime vs. 51515 Robot Inventor. The comparison is interesting because both sets have very similar hardware, and you can get them for about the same price. I've seen both boxes retail at a price between EUR 340 and EUR 380.
LEGO targeted SPIKE Prime at educators. You can't even get it in official LEGO shops and most retail stores. The only official way to get it is through a LEGO Education supplier, although some online stores sell it to everyone. The idea behind SPIKE Prime is to give teachers a tool for exploring robotics with their class. It is colorful, easy to use, and full of 1-hour activities. The models are small and straightforward. SPIKE Prime aims to teach about concepts like programming, entrepreneurship, robotics, and the environment. In my opinion, SPIKE appeals to ages 8-12. There are exceptions: some adults do crazy stuff like making a trapeze artist swing 360's.
LEGO MINDSTORMS 51515 Robot Inventor is a so-called 'retail' set. With that set, LEGO aims for kids who want to have fun and be creative. There is little to no educational content in the app. It's mostly fun activities. The models are much larger, so the building fun lasts longer.
It's interesting how the MINDSTORMS brand has left the classroom. Seymour Papert - who originally coined the term - was creating material for school kids. He found out that kids will learn and explore if you create inspiring worlds around math, language, or programming. Exploring these worlds gave kids Mindstorms. Adults enjoy their Mindstorms too. Some take up meditation, while others just buy a box of LEGO MINDSTORMS. I'd say Robot Inventor appeals to kids in the age range of 10 to 100 years old.
The LEGO SPIKE box vs. the LEGO 51515 box
As an educator's tool, SPIKE Prime has a solid plastic educator's sorting box. LEGO designed SPIKE Prime to be assembled and taken apart daily. The boxes stack neatly for storage at school. The lid snaps on to prevent the loss of bricks.
To give you more plastic to build with, LEGO Robot Inventor comes in a cheaper cardboard box. It still is a better box than the average LEGO box because it has a lid and you can reclose it. Most other LEGO boxes tear open from the side and end up in the paper bin. It does not feature sorting trays, however, or a large format print of the part list. This style of box is practical at home, but it is a nightmare in the classroom.
LEGO 51515 electronics vs. SPIKE Prime electronics
The electronics inside both sets have a lot of commonalities. They both have the new 6-port hub, albeit in a different color. Both have the new medium motor, light sensor, and ultrasonic sensor. This is where the similarities end.
SPIKE Prime features two particular electronic parts over MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor
SPIKE Prime features a Force Sensor and the Large Motor. The force sensor is an upgrade from the EV3 touch sensor because - as the name suggests - it can sense the gradual force applied. The EV3 touch sensor could only sense pressed or not pressed. Force sensing is excellent in classrooms where you learn about springs, newtons, mass, and weight. When building cool robots, there is less use for such a sensor.
The Large Motor has a larger torque than the medium motor, but also a more inconvenient form factor. Even though it has more pin holes, I find it more complex to build with. So for I never had a lack of torque on the medium motors. Maybe they are useful in large robot arms?
LEGO MINDSTORMS Robot Inventor has better robot electronics
What Robot Inventor lacks in variety, it makes up for in quantity. There are no less than four medium motors in the set. They come in a practical shade of grey that is easy to combine with other colors. When I build robots, I will always choose an extra degree of movement over a force sensor. It is the more practical set in the daily life of a Technic robot builder. 
Наука
I used to play with Mindstorms as a kid maybe 10-15 or so years ago. This video greatly helped me make my decision to pick up the Mindstorms when I get the chance. Thank you!
Thanks for the great details!
You are underrated.
Very nice video! I was already convinced i wanted to get the Robot Inventor for my birthday, but now i know even more about it.
Great video, very useful this comparison.
Thank you. Very useful video.
This was helpful- thank you 😊
I own both of the sets. Each one has its own pros and cons,but I love them all and they are great legos for teenagers like me. :)
Enjoy!
Great Video. Thank you for sharing those insights.
Glad it was helpful!
Love the video thanks for the info
Thank you. Great information, man! Recently bought my nephew the 51515 for christmas. Excited to start on it.
Have fun!
Thanks you for the video, it help me to make a choice ! 👌
Glad I could help!
You are Greate 👍👍👍 Thank You Anthon
Im glad i came across your video, i will get 51515 first and spike prime later. New subscriber here :D
Its kinda funny how the mindstorms costs less than the spike prime yet has almost twice as many elements.
Thank you!
Wow spike prime and robot inventor are pretty much the same hardware. Is there possible to compare nxt to ev3 to robot inventor?
This is so cool
Very useful video. You have mentioned option to flesh Spike hub to get 88016 Mindstorm hub functionality. How to do it?
Thanks for guidance.
Hi I have a question, can I connect the Lego spike with mindstorm app?
Thanks for answer
Great video, Anton! Quick question, I just built Tricky, and the Ultrasonic sensor seems a little sketchy. Most of the time, it measures correctly, but then I see momentary readings where it says something is 200cm when it’s definitely not 200cm away. Also, anything over 150cm distance registers 200cm (e.g., if something it’s 152cm away, the sensor says it’s 200cm away). Did you have same issues with the ultrasonic sensor? Also, if I just cover the sensor, the smallest reading it gives is 4cm.
Thanks!
Yes. It does weird things from time to time. I usually try to program around these fluke readings. EV3 was not much better. I haven't done thorough testing, but I suspect it is inherent to the ultrasonic technology. Lasers are more accurate.
Lego announced the EOL of mindstorms. Looks like Lego is now only focussing on the Spike lego education sets for robotics.
Great video!
Thanks!
Thanks for the video it has alot of information in relative short time.Now I know that i dont need the "force sensore"neather a "gyro sensor"!
You are welcome!
Thanks a lot :)
You're welcome!
I own a spike prime but not a robot inventor. does anyone know hot to flash the robot inventor software onto spike prime?
Does the batterys fit in each otter?
Hello Antons, thanks for the info. Do you have a "how to" guide for flashing the minstorm firmware onto the spike prime hub?
Thanks!
Just connect it to the mindstorms app
How do I flash Mindstorms FW to the Spike hub?
I bought both already, and I still learned some stuff from watching this. Thanks!
Thank you for the awesome video! Our boys are super into Lego and robots (mom too!) and I think they would have heaps of fun! Question though since they are young; I want to confirm that it would it be possible to get the Mindstorms 51515 set and still be able to access the Spike lessons? They would benefit from the basic lessons first and mom can build the more advanced stuff, LOL we could get the Spike expansion kit + the pressure sensor and add that to the 51515 set? Best of both worlds for home education? Thank you.
Yes, you can access the SPIKE lessons, but they will be hard to follow since you won't be able to build the exact models with 51515. You will not miss the pressure sensor, trust me.
Thanks for making a clear, concise, informative video on this subject without saying "I REALLY LOVE THIS OR THAT" 200 x!!
Glad it was helpful!
Do you know if the SPIKE Prime battery will work the same in the 51515 (we want a spare battery and only SPIKE batteries are available). I also saw that the MINDSTORMS programming app doesn't support force sensors - probably given that they're not official 51515 elements - so do the large SPIKE motors work fine with it?
The battery is interchangeable. The Large motor, I haven't tried. I use Python mostly and in Python everything just works, force sensors, motors,...
I found that my Mindstorms 51515 hub scratches very easily: the plastic of the front of the hub seems to be very soft and can be easily scratched with a finger nail - which is not typical of any Lego part or previous versions of Mindstorms (I have NXT and EV3).
Has anyone faced that, or maybe I got a hub with some defect?
You can chat with lego customer service
Hello, Anton! I wanted to ask if the big engine is compatible from education recruitment to hub of 51515 and pressure sensor to hub of 51515? Thank you.
Yes, everything is compatible!
As anton said, everything is reverse-compatible, however, due to
yes
Thanks for your great vid. Do you think it would make sense to buy two 51515 and combine them to have more options to build own stuff since I have an option to get it quite cheap. Or is it useless since I have only 6 ports and can only connect one hub? I want to build together with my son and he has already BOOST wich i find not flexible enough (own Cars, models etc.) What do you think?
Yes, absolutely. I'm planning to buy four.
Great video! Do you know if the new mindstorms is compatible with the boost motors? Thanks.
Yes they are. But you'll probably have to use Python or a different firmware.
or future updades? more motors? ect.
The Hub is missing the window monitor screen that allow you get feedback from the robot. Is there a console panel for communicating with the computer textually.
Yes, there is. Luckily. I use it a lot.
@@AntonsMindstorms What does it look like?
0:00 music?
Hi! Thanks so much for this video! We were thinking of getting mindstorms but are leaning towards spike now as we heard that the mindstorms app won't be available after 2024. Do you think it would be worth investing into the mindstorms just for the 2 years or just buying spike? Thank you!
Watan, greetings. I have the same concern since the non-profit I work with has focused their energy on Mindstorms and these sets are not cheap
You can always flash the hub
I just saw this video and also found out that Mindstorms was discontinued... No clue where to go now haha
Great video, Anton! Video edition of your article on your website is always awesome! You mentioned you could flash the hub and use it between Mindstorms and Spike Prime. How did you do it? Have you mentioned somewhere already? Thanks!
It's as simple as connecting it to your mac/pc with usb and opening the spike or mindstorms program. It will ask you to flash the hub.
@@AntonsMindstorms Great to know that. As an inexperienced guy w/ Mindstorms, it’s a little bit scary to do flash w/o knowing what’s the consequence. If it’s that simple, I will try it out soon. Thanks, man!
Think I have a similar question (although I don’t know what flash means). I understood from the video that I could buy a 51515 hub to add to my spike prime (I want two anyway) for remote control. I further understood that I could buy the cheaper 45678 hub and make it into the 51515 by switching firmware. Does this work for a total beginner or am I best advised to buy the 51515 one? Thank you
@@aka6153 The hubs are interchangeable (if you are color blind :D ). You can however only remote control with EV3 and the new hub. Two new hubs can communicate with each other (at the moment).
@@AntonsMindstorms so if flashing is possible, then there is potential for third party firmware?
I'm a classroom teacher but I'm wondering if perhaps Mindstorm will be better for us. I could always flash SPIKE firmware onto it. I'm just worried that the different colored parts might make it hard for the kids.
The 51515 kit is way more flexible for fast concept building as it has a better selection of frames and beams. Too bad it is really hard to come by 51515 sets as a school with the 5 box limit. Friday Lego made things even harder, as they will discontinue 51515. So if you want less ugly parts, grab as much 51515 as you can, and flash them as Spike hub for future proof programming.
wow!
Great video! Thanks! Can you compare the convenience of learning Python programming between Spyker Prime, Robot Inventor and PyBreaks?
Hey ho! What is your opinion on using the Robot Inventor for education in a makerspace (not school with tight schedule)? I prefer the more complex models you can build with the parts of the Inventor. The spike prime models are quite simple to be able to build fast and the joy of building is missed... The inventor can use the firmware and software for spike right? Price wise is also better. I only need to sort the storage problem. Any ideas? Thanks!
I have those big flat IKEA boxes for storage. I use them store half-built models and spread out the parts a bit. If you use RI in a makerspace know that the activities take much longer than SPIKE. That might be appealing to you, but most kids don't have that attention span. SPIKE is just quicker fun.
@@AntonsMindstorms we run workshops since 2008. We use a range of platforms including NXT, EV3, Wedo1, Wedo2, VEX, sam labs, we even designed our own microbit based robot called Theta for our students. Each project lasts for about 3 x 90 mins long workshops and it includes project analysis, brainstorming, building, coding, tests, evaluation and back to improving building and coding. Students aged 9-10 and upwards usually never use instructions. So, many pieces for experimentation is a plus for our style. Our groups follow a year long, 28 x 90 mins workshops and include 3D design and printing, video game design and electronics projects along with robotics. Thanks for your opinion!
Wow. Wish i had a class like that when i was a kid.
Sounds like you are a teacher at the robotic Hogwarts!
Have fun! :)
how many beams does the 51515 have, the one with holes?
I have a part list on my website
Pls , Can do a Comparison between ev3 robot and robot inventor which one its better 🌹
I did one here: antonsmindstorms.com/2020/10/11/robot-inventor-vs-ev3/
Great video Anton. I just want to know could we use Robot Inventor for educational purposes. I have been ev3 mindstorm for 3 years, it has many instructions, but spike seems very easy to build, why they didn't make spike prime more challenging as robot inventor? Because if the spike prime is for classroms shouldn't it be more challenging, have difficult and interesting instructions? Is it possible to use Robot Inventor in classrooms as replacement for ev3 mindstorm than using Spike Prime? Is it possible? Is there any restrictions or any rules that this is only for playing at home? So it has also programming app, I think there shouldn't be anyproblem. If the LEGO company says that robot inventor for home everyone should use at home?why nobody uses Robot Inventor in classrooms, cause it has more things to learn. Don't you think it is more helpful than Spike Prime? And the company should put Robot Inventor to classroom,and spike to home, what is your advice? Could I use robot inventor in my classes and is it okay to use them in FLL and WRO competitions? Thanks in advance, I know too much questions, this is just my weakness to ask more questions)
No restrictions. I only think Spike is more comfortable for the teacher with the plastic box and small activities. I have built pretty advanced and challenging robots with Spike.
Thanks a lot for your answer. I have got a problem Anton with decision issues. I would like your advice. ( I know this question is not exactly about the topic). My question is as big as my problem( so sorry for that, but I believe you could help me to solve it). So i I have been teaching with ev3 mindstorm for almost 3 years at robotics course, but now I want to buy robots and run my own small business, but I don't know which to buy. I really wanted to buy ev3 mindstorm education set, but they say that price is going up and I'm afraid about the future of ev3 and also new ev3 classroom. What do you think about the future of programming app, will it continues to work or will be obsolete?
So i want to buy ev3, but the reality is that I should buy Spike Prime. But I don't like spike prime, I can't see it like the replacement of ev3, even it seems that wedo2.0 is better than Spike Prime. Because the Spike Prime looks very easy to build, it looks like you're building nothing. So my children audience should be like 6-13 ages ( used to teach these age group even ev3) and know after this it looks like I'm going backwards, because I think it should be very easy if not for ages 6-8, but for 10+it is easy. There should be more steps for building anything, but for spike it takes about 3 minutes to build driving base. Even the official lesson plans for spike is considered for 30-45 min, but I use to provide my lessons for 90-120 min. I don't want my lesson to look like only coding Scratch lesson. So what should I do? What is your advice to me? I'm wrong about spike prime? Maybe its better than I think? But there is no any other way than buying a Spike Prime, because Iam not sure about the future of ev3. I'm in a big dilemma. I couldn't to decide what to buy? Ev3 is what i want, the reality is Spike Prime. Will be there a good instruction( more advance like in ev3) for spike prime? What is your advice for me? Almost 3 month i think about it.
The problem is that I have a few money and I could afford for the first time to buy only 5-6 robotics kits. So I shouldn't make a mistake. Where to invest to me if my audience will be mostly 7-12 years old kids? To ev3, wedo2.0 or just make myself believe that Spike is best? Maybe there is another robots that I should consider for replacing ev3?
Or how could you teach with Spike Prime for 90-120 min for a bit older kids like 10+, i want it to be or extended at least to 90 min just like in ev3, because most children also like building activities, but there is no good building plans and instructions with more pieces in one activity, coding is also good, but spike is build very quickly, I don't know how I would manage to provide 90 min classes with just quick building lessons plans for 7-13 years older kids. Please write your answer with arguments because your thoughts are very important to me and I think could really help to solve these dilemma🤔🥴🤯
Thansk in advance.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@@nasimikamilzada795 You should decide for yourself but:
- I like SPIKE as a teaching device. Quick building, start programming and tweaking asap. With kids I want them to learn new concepts, not spend hours sorting bricks and following building instructions.
- You're future-proof with SPIKE. That's good for an investment.
- I think EV3 is more for advanced competitions, highly intelligent kids, high performance connected robots. As long as you use Python, the software will always keep working 100%. The new Scratch/Word Block program for EV3 is more limited than the one for SPIKE.
@@AntonsMindstorms i agree with all your words. Just let me know if it's not secret for what max and min ages do you use spike prime? And do your kids work mostly in a pair with one set or separately? And how much time? Is it possible to prepare 90 min lesson plans with Spike both with building and coding activities? How do you manage it? If I buy it I don't want then to regret.
Hello, thank you for video, you cover all things about 51515 & spike prime. I want to know that 51515 can support classroom software?
And spike prime can support mindstorms App?
Yes. and yes. But the Building Instructions are not usable because they have a very different part set.
@@AntonsMindstorms can we use 51515 kit in FLL competition ?
@@priteshranva7880 Yes. Almost all official LEGO parts are allowed. See the official rules for the 9 or so older parts that aren't allowed anymore.
@@AntonsMindstorms thank you 😊
Hi! Thank you for your excellent video. When you talk about firmware you said they are identical and that you have seen no differences between the blocks coding. But besides remote functionality, Mindstorms also allows playing sound from the hub speakers. Spike's firmware does not allow that, ?m I right? I'm just getting to know the set (I got Spike Prime main and Expansion set last week).
I think sound is possible on both.
We just got a bunch of 42100 in school, those are much better bang for buck. Just buy a few sensors separately, and you are good to go. For programming, Bricklife Scratch 3 is the best anyway, and it works exactly the same on 51515, 45678 and 42100 hubs.
42100 retired last year
but the 2 4-port hubs have a gyro inside, it takes 12 AA batteries to power it. (6 of each)
I got a mysterious screwed hub from 42140 20 days earlier
Thank you for all the videos! Do you know if 2 hubs of the 51515 / spike prime can be connected at the same time in the programming app? (software daisy chaining)
From what I've seen so far, no daisy chaining available yet
due to future updates.
Mindstorm in Spike Prime colors would have been cool.
Hi, Anton. I am new to Mindstorms. I was recently invited to assist with facilitating Mindstorms workshops for kids at my local library. Lego has announced that they are retiring the Mindstorms platform but the workshop I am joining has aimed to get kids ready for competitions etc. In your opinion- will the Mindstorms platform still be relevant?
Ngl i kinda wish this video was more about that mech suit you made
What model would you like to see next?
It Seems That Both Of These Are Equal in each of this sets It's Also Intresting to Compare The Mindstorms Robot Inventor With the Earlier CRX,NXT,EV3 as CRX,NXT,EV3 have the same kind of of screen on the the central unit Mindstorms Robot Inventor Seems different, I Find This Intresting Because I'm Bassicaly 7 Years Old
The first kit was RCX, not CRX. Enjoy!
Papa!
Whats the price of the Spike Prime?
Around €350
Pls do ev3 vs 51515
It's on my website antonsmindstorms.com/2020/10/11/robot-inventor-vs-ev3/
I still don't understand why they sell for around the same price on BL... Hell mindstorms is even cheaper on some stores
For educators, spike is much better.
the program from 45678 is suitable for 51515
What would you recommend for kids...?
Depends on their age and fascination.
@@AntonsMindstormsWhat would you recommend for ages like 12...?
@@mv_cuber3726 Robot Inventor. It will last a LONG time, if it's at home. If it's at school in a group with a teacher, choose SPIKE Prime or EV3
@@AntonsMindstorms Thank you very much for letting me know...And also I have one more question and it is from where did you bought the Spike Prime...?
but remember there is also an expansion set for spike prime with an extra motor and colour sensor and 600 extra pieces and robot inventor does not have one
You have a point. So far I never ran out of bricks and sensors with 51515. But I'm getting a second 51515 kit. 😋
Oh OK that also works👌
But you can buy the expension set and use it with the Robot Inventor aswell.
Too bad Robot Inventor 51515 isn't available from Lego anymore. So I went with Spike Prime.
Seth's bike hacks lego edition
Spike prime
You can use controller on lego spike prime too.
no
@@dinhtuan752 OK
THIS IS OLD THO
*video
i mean yes: both SP and RI hubs can use in 51515 app
8
I'm afraid kids from my school would steal a lot of parts...
Same
Why do you have only 7.3k?
I wish I knew. Tell your friends to subscribe! Thanks!
And how mani Do you have technic Lego😭😭
Yes, lots of it. Too much. I only use mindstorms and spike. 😅
On
🍯🏆🍯
But spike prime is 1 789 dirham 😅
Ооттмамама
I think i gonna chose spike prime cause is much easy and i gonna have spike prime at my birthay 29 august
Класс
Thank you!