LEGO Sets/Parts

These are the Mndstorms NXT sets available, from left to right:

• LEGO Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (set # 8547 - retail v.2.0)
• LEGO Mindstorms NXT 1.0 (set # 8527 - retail v 1.0) - old version
• LEGO Mindstorms Educational NXT Base Set (set # 9797)
• LEGO Mindstorms Educational NXT Resource Set (set # 9695 or 9648)

The retail versions are designed to suit a single user (home user), where the educational version are better for schools where are multiple users. The main difference between retail and educational sets are:

• Any of the retail sets (set # 8547 or # 8527) come with more parts than the NXT Educational Base Set (set # 9797)
• The retail sets come with the NXT Software (single user license)
• The educational sets come with a storage box and trays

Retails sets are available at Toys' retail stores and online. Educational sets are available from LEGO Education.

LEGO parts:

Some of us really enjoy designing and building LEGO robots and there is a time where we miss some specific parts. All the parts used in LEGO robotics are LEGO Technic parts. You could probably find the missing parts in one of your old LEGO Technic sets. Now, if you really need to buy specific parts, you can find them at:

• LEGO Pick A Brick Shop
• Brick Link - Unofficial LEGO Marketplace

Remember, sometimes we are able to change slightly our designs to overcome missing parts. Buying parts online is time consuming; it is hard to find a vendor that sells all the parts we need at a reasonable price. Also, the parts may take a week or two to arrive and shipping is costly.