Wow this was a blast. I remember my dad installed a C compiler for the RCX on the laptop. It was my first real programming, must have been around 7 years old at the time.
The RCX makes the sensor logic much more accessible than any subsequent intelligent brick. I think it is still a good platform for teaching simple electronic principles due to this simplicity.
I see you used the excellent Panasonic eneloop batteries for your a robot. Unfortunately they are only about 1.3 volts when fully charged. Try using standard 1.5 volt Alkaline batteries for better results.
I have mine from when I was a kid. I've since picked up a few for £30-40 on eBay and gumtree. In total I've got 4 sets. Be warned. It's common for the insulation on the power cables to degrade, especially if stored in places like loft/garage. I'm a scout leader in my spare time, in about 1 month I'm planning on running a team task - build robot and program it to find it's way through a maze
@@NonsenseWars 👍 I've done some repairs using speaker wires. Tricky task will be replacing cable on the light sensor. It's a good bargaining point if a kit is being sold on eBay/gumtree but price is a little high.
@@liammhodonohue Do let us know if you manage to fix the wires on the light sensor. They are really annoying to open and we haven't found a good way to do it!
@@NonsenseWars I've heard you do and I read guides that make no mention of having to download firmware for controlling the remote despite mentioning the remote. I really hope I don't!
It might work, but the bands would need to be pretty thin. I don't think this was a problem when these tyres were new though; they've just degraded over time and become less rubbery.
Wow this was a blast. I remember my dad installed a C compiler for the RCX on the laptop. It was my first real programming, must have been around 7 years old at the time.
The RCX makes the sensor logic much more accessible than any subsequent intelligent brick. I think it is still a good platform for teaching simple electronic principles due to this simplicity.
The 10 year earlier Lego Lines with Interface A was even more accessible! You basically read and write to binary pins of an 8-bit parallel port.
I just bought this exact set for 10 bucks yesterday at the flea market lol hope I can get it to work
That's a great price just for the parts even if the brick doesn't work!
I see you used the excellent Panasonic eneloop batteries for your a robot. Unfortunately they are only about 1.3 volts when fully charged. Try using standard 1.5 volt Alkaline batteries for better results.
Great review, love seeing these oldschool sets!
Thanks! We're hoping to review 2.0 and maybe one of the expansions as well.
This was my dream set that I never got as a kid, because we did not have a computer in my home until I entered college. 😢
They are quite affordable now! Maybe even less than $100 used.
I have mine from when I was a kid.
I've since picked up a few for £30-40 on eBay and gumtree. In total I've got 4 sets.
Be warned. It's common for the insulation on the power cables to degrade, especially if stored in places like loft/garage.
I'm a scout leader in my spare time, in about 1 month I'm planning on running a team task - build robot and program it to find it's way through a maze
The wire rot is indeed an issue, but don't worry we have a video for that :D
ruclips.net/video/hV13i88nPVM/видео.html
@@NonsenseWars 👍
I've done some repairs using speaker wires. Tricky task will be replacing cable on the light sensor.
It's a good bargaining point if a kit is being sold on eBay/gumtree but price is a little high.
@@liammhodonohue Do let us know if you manage to fix the wires on the light sensor. They are really annoying to open and we haven't found a good way to do it!
Do you need to set up the brick if you're using the rcx remote?
That's a great question, and I'm not sure. We never tested it without the firmware installed.
@@NonsenseWars I've heard you do and I read guides that make no mention of having to download firmware for controlling the remote despite mentioning the remote. I really hope I don't!
You need to download the firmware to the RCX to use the IR remote .
@@larsherrnsdorf3344 Woe is me
I actually had that set with the RCX 1.5...
Technically the 1.5 is a different set... but I'll talk about it a bit in part 2!
Q: could an elastic band fit between the tyres and the hubs to enable better grip from the wheels?
It might work, but the bands would need to be pretty thin. I don't think this was a problem when these tyres were new though; they've just degraded over time and become less rubbery.