Revell Vexplorer Robotics System

by Revell-Monogram

Product Features

• "The Spycam" Live color picture with sound transmits to your TV to explore anywhere... And sometimes where you shouldn't.. With over 150' range. Includes 6 large, all terrain wheels to take your robot anywhere you want to explore.
• Over 300 parts to create endless combinations of radio control robotic activity and learning experiences. Design and build endless configurations.
• Partially assembled with the claw, arm tower and wheel sub-assemblies already built, you can have a working motor in less than an hour. Then you can tear it apart to make your own unique robot.
• "The arm" reaches high and low to grab.. Whatever..."The Claw" Strong enough to pick up a 12 ounce can, and sensitive enough to pick up a feather.
• For kids 14+ and their parents who want to mix fun and exploration with science and technology education.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 14.2 x 24.3 inches ; 9.9 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000O0PWN6
• Item model number: 31445083532
• Manufacturer recommended age: 14 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,989 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The winner for Best Innovation at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show, the Vexplorer is finally available for everyone at least 14-years-old who loves to play as much as they love to learn. Part of the Vex system, this next-generation fun and educational robotic system is an exciting addition to what has become a virtual institution in junior high school, high school, and college robotics classes.

The Vexplorer system includes over 300 parts to develop endless combinations of radio-controlled robotic activity. View larger.

The claw is strong enough to pick up a full 12-ounce can. View larger.

A built-in spy camera transmits live color pictures with sound to any standard televistion. View larger.

After constructing your robot, take it for a spin with the easy-to-use controller.

Much More Than A Toy
With more than 300 parts, the Vexplorer allows users to create, experiment, and play with endless combinations of radio-controlled robotic activity. Designed by Revell Monogram, this robotic design system is endorsed by such prestigious organizations as NASA, Carnegie Mellon, and FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Young and old electronics and robot enthusiasts will have a blast learning about robotic configuration through hands-on experience. In less than an hour, users can construct their very own robot. Compatible with the entire Vex system, the Vexplorer can be easily expanded using optional Vex accessories and mechanical parts from other Vex machines.

More than a mere toy, the Vexplorer boasts its own built-in spy camera, transmitting live color pictures with sound to any standard television. Utilizing a camera receiver module box, it broadcasts video over distances up to 150 feet. The Vexplorer also makes lifting and moving objects around both fun and challenging. The claw is strong enough to pick up a full 12-ounce can, yet delicate enough to handle a bird's feather. By simply keeping the claw control held down, the sensitive, soft plastic grip material keeps things clenched. Setting a can of soda back down without dropping it is another story -- that takes practice.

Built with a sturdy, metal base, arm, and arm support, the Vexplorer can stand up to its share of wear and tear. It operates with many metal and durable plastic pieces, including four motors and 24 gears, as well as cables, harnesses, tools, screws, nuts, bolts, and more. The six rubber-like plastic tires with tread grips make for easy rolling over most even surfaces. However, getting over some bumps can prove frustrating, if not outright impossible at times.

The Ultimate Test Drive
While this system is a great introduction to robotics, we recommend it for those who already have a knack and enthusiasm for building and exploring. The Vexplorer exemplifies the old saying that the journey is more important than the destination. For fans of science, technology and robotics who've put their minds and hands into transforming the Vexplorer into a functioning robotic system, it's extremely rewarding to build it and watch it in operation. But even the most enthusiastic Vexplorer fan will note its slow crawl; it's too bad the machine couldn't be built for a bit more speed. However, even at its pace, the radio-controlled device is as fun as it gets.

After assembling the Vexplorer -- which won't be easy for everyone -- the best part is watching the machine's exploration on your TV screen. Do this simply by switching on the camera receiver module and plugging it into the back of the TV with the included A/V cables. This may work with some computer monitors as well. Those tech-savvy enough to get this far will likely figure out a way to even record their "lunar landing." The broadcast of our test model was sensitive and got fuzzy when the Vexplorer approached its 150-foot maximum distance, and the audio didn't come through well. Nevertheless, we were captivated, sitting on the couch and experiencing the world outside from such modest heights.

Pros:

• An excellent introduction to robotics
• Compatible with all Vex systems, allowing for endless configurations
• Claw grip and arm pick up and move solid and sensitive objects
• Built-in spy camera allows you to view robot's exploration up to 150 feet away
• Sturdy metal and durable plastic construction

Cons:

• Slow operation
• Video and audio broadcast can be fuzzy
• Cannot climb over bumps; ideal only for level surfaces

What's in the Box
Vexplorer robotics design system, remote control, and camera receiver module.

Product Description

Science and technology combine in this robotic revolution. With over 300 parts, four servo motors, a 6-channel radio with 150-foot range and 24 gears, kids can build their own unique radio-controlled robot configurations. Cool add-ons like "the claw" that's strong enough to hold a soda can or the arm that can grab things let kids use their imaginations to do some serious building. A real spycam can be attached to the robot and transmit the images to a TV or computer screen, allowing builders to explore anywhere. Assembly is made easier with the included SolidWorks software disc.

Requires one "9V" and 10 "AA" batteries, not included. Measures 6" x 13" x 22".

Includes:

• Over 300 parts in all
• 6-channel radio with 150' range
• Four servo motors
• 24 gears
• All-terrain tires
• Tons of coated, heavy metal parts
• Tools, screws, nuts, bolts
• Spycam that submits live transmissions to any TV or computer
• All accessories needed to connect to a TV or computer
• SolidWorks software disc with step-by-step assembly instructions

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars VEXplorer--It Could Be Better, August 27, 2007

By 

William J. Decker (Fort Wayne, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Revell Vexplorer Robotics System (Toy)

The VEXplorer is a nifty little kit. Nice tires, better motors than VEX, and pre-assembled components. You can argue if the pre-packaged assemblies really allow students to "engineer" the machine; or if they just dumb-down the kit.

Regardless, where the kit is really lacking is the inability to do any programming. Without being able to program, this isn't a robot; it is a remote-controlled car. The kit is overly basic to make it a very effective teaching tool in high-school or middle-school. It may be good for elementary.

According to the folks at VEX, the motors are not interchangeable with the VEX kit (also a problem). The kit does come with some nice design software. However, the license is only good for six-months. Anyhow, so much of this kit is already built; there is very little left to design.

If you want a quickly-built remote control car for your kids, this kit is great! If you want something to use as a real teaching platform; this isn't the robot for you.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun but mislabled I think, April 6, 2008

By 

James D. Holbrook (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Revell Vexplorer Robotics System (Toy)

After taking delivery of this we (my 12 year old nephew and myself) had this thing put together and ready for action in about 2 hours.
I would not call it a robotics system due to the fact that it is actually remote controlled and not robotic by any definition.
The quality of the parts seemed high and robust.
Battery life is short so stock up.

Overall the boys are very happy with it and it's still in one piece!!
Recommended with the understanding that it is not a robot but an RC toy.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is one of the best robotic toys on the market!, January 26, 2008

A Kid's Review

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Revell Vexplorer Robotics System (Toy)

Pros: wireless color video camera with microphone, has a claw for grabbing (and moving) almost anything, the range is about 150 feet fom the remote control.
cons: batteries start to wear out within 45 minutes, kind of slow, even though it has 6 wheels it is not an all terrain vehicle.

Overall I think this is a very cool toy you will not find anywhere else and is great for kids who like robots and building because this robot comes in about 5 preasembled pieces. You use nuts and bolts to put it together. It also comes with a program so you can design your own robot with the 5 preasembled parts. this is such a fun toy it is graeat for spying around the house and grabbing almost anything! The camera is placed on the claw arm so you can see exactly what you're grabbing you can also pan up, down, left and right with it.(Left and right with the wheels.)Giving it a very wide field of vision. Like I said, this is one of the best robotic toys on the market! I llove it!