Two different Robots

[Private Reid]

What do you think?

Which one's better in your eyes?

reasons.

http://letsmakerobots.com/node/17

OR

http://societyofrobots.com/step_by_step_robot.shtml

[Parth]

In my opinion, the Picaxe Bot would be easier to make, but would cost more and you wouldn't learn how it exactly "works".

On the other hand, the $50 Robot would be cheaper and you would learn a lot about robotics, but it could get too frustrating trying to build everything by yourself.

Basically, if money is no issue, the Picaxe Bot would be a more comfortable introduction to robotics.

[Private reid2]

this is hard...
the picaxe is more expensive but eiseir
while $50 bot is harder but less expensive...

I think it evens out...

[airman00]

If you are serious about robotics then go with the 50 dollar robot , you'll learn C and actually learn how it all works . The other bot is like the bunny slopes of robotics. ( those who ski will understand that)

[AndrewM]

And just like the most important lesson to learn when skiing is "How to fall down", one of the most important things with robotics is how to troubleshoot your problems (without throwing the robot into the wall).  The $50 bot will likely give you more troubleshooting experience.

EDIT:  I personally recommend solarbots to beginners, granted no programming to be had but lots of good electronics and theory.

[Admin]

Perhaps I'm a bit biased here but . . .

The picaxe is a much less functional microcontroller. And that board doesn't have a power bus

In the long term, you'd be better off learning about AVR or PIC . . . there is much more support and source code out there for these over picaxe . . .

And the $50 Robot teaches you all the skills you'll need to make robots in the future . . . harder I agree, but you'll learn more. Don't think you can get away without understanding schematics and knowing how to solder

And [admin bias] if money isn't a problem, then my Axon would be the best over all others [/admin bias]