Customer Reviews

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this to be a very unique book. Many of the other Lego Mindstorms books I have reviewed focus on simply building a cool robot. While building a cool robot is certainly one of the reasons builders like Mindstorms so much, it's not the only reason. This book also focuses on the programming of these robots, which is something I haven't seen adequately covered in any other Mindstorms book.

In fact, this one point--learning how to program your robot--is really the focus of this book. All the models deal with getting your robot's sensors and Bluetooth ability to work as seamlessly as possible--all while accomplishing the specific task the robot was designed for.

While the models are all very interesting (a 3D photo assistant, a crane, a slot machine, etc), the real jewels of this book are the programming and debugging techniques used for Mindstorms. In fact, the first third of the book focuses on how sensors work, how to program them, and how they can be debugged. Without a doubt, this is the best discussion of the subject I've seen anywhere. Period.

My only complaint about the book is that the building instructions are done in black and white (instead of the color instructions provided by Lego). I think most people interested in this type of book would be willing to pay a few extra bucks for color pictures. While the lack of color is certainly a strike against this book, it is not enough to tarnish an otherwise brilliantly executed book. This book is highly recommended not just for the models, but for the outstanding discussion of Mindstorms programming.

This book adopts a cookbook approach. The book briefly explains the basics to get you grounded in the material. But quickly thereafter, the book takes a leap to address intermediate builders. The assumption is that online resources will help bridge the gap. Its an approach that works.

Roughly a third of the Idea Book contains a number of tips and techniques for using the kit.

The remaining two thirds of the book (Part II) is dedicated to building eight robots of varying complexity.

This book contains very clear instructions and diagrams for NXT-G program. The sample robots are creative and very well designed. You can feel the intelligence behind when you build. I especially like the binding of this book, so it can lay open while you build. So I will probablly purchase more book from this press. In fact I have pre-order one. One thing I doesn't like is one of the samples requires two NXT kits, which I don't have at the moment. I guess it's because this book is targeting more senior builders.

The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build

I read this book and I really enjoyed it. This was the first Mindstorms book that I read and it was really easy to understand and got me off to a quick start. The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars was that the graphics and text are printed on an off white background and it made it a little harder to read and the graphics themselves are all black and white and some of them were a little hard to figure out the robot designs because of it. But dont let this keep you from getting this great robotics book. [...]

Looking for a birthday gift (15th birthday) for my son that would spark some interest to do something besides playing video games led me to this Lego product and I must say the venture was successful. He has truly enjoyed using his "mind" and "hands" to build his robots and looks forward to coming home after school to do just that instead of craving the Playstation as before. I have to "restrict" his time playing video games but with the Lego NXT he can build at will which is also a real plus. The unit has worked well thus far and at this point my only criticism of the product is that it does not come with a good storage case for all the pieces (you'll have to buy something to do this or pieces are likely to get lost and it is difficult to keep things organized without a storage unit). I also bought two Lego NXT guide books in addition to the unit which have proven worthwhile as the included book is much more limited on what all you can build with the kit. My son has said that he would like to pursue an engineering degree now when he attends college as he would love to continue to design and build new products (such as cars) as a result of his experience with this Lego kit. It is expensive when you look at this set as just another Lego set...but to me it is priceless to see him creating functional robots that makes him and I both feel very proud of his accomplishments in building one that works as intended and all while the Playstation sits and collects dust...what could be better!! I guess only some gift like a bicycle or such that gets your kids outdoors and active could be better than something like this but for now I think I've found a perfect gift to make him active inside his mind. I do know that over time I will probably have to buy add on kits to keep this NXT kit interesting but I'll gladly fork out the money to do so as to me this has been a great alternative to video games!! I grew up playing with Lego's and now I can watch my son do the same...outstanding product!!

You would need this book if you own the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Kit. Can't get it work without it!

'The LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Idea Book: Design, Invent, and Build' is an absolutely wonderful book with one MAJOR flaw in that the entire book is in black and white. Packed with 16 chapters written wonderfully with exciting examples and content, this would have been a easy 5 star recommendation but I simply cannot do that. Legos are bold, bright, and full of color, the decision to publish this in black and white was a terrible one. I understand this decision was made to no doubt save costs, but it shouldn't have been published (no matter how good the content is) in this form. Some books would benefit from color, some books require it and this is one of those cases. If you enjoy Legos and want to learn how to use Mindstorms NXT and all the fun, amazing things you can do with them this book will show you how, but I would wait for version 2.0 of this book with color. Not only is the black and white unfavorable, it's downright hard to follow.

Great content, great layout, thumbs WAY down for no color

**** RECOMMENDED

Lots Of good information on NXT G-code,Bluetooth programming for the NXT, and an informative guide to designing your NXT bots.I thought this book was well worth the money. The "LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT-G Programming Guide (Technology in Action) is a very good intro to this book.

The problem with this book is it has black and white photos of black and white pieces. They don't give a close up of what your adding to your structure. Writing is too small to look at without a magnify glass.
Programming was screwed up in some places.