Hi,
NXT has a better mcu, an ARM7,
Fair bit of overkill IMO, as much less would do it, but hey, no complaints over getting the good stuff, just over the fact that they don't really bring out the powers of it
As I've learnt over the years, a good programmer can cram the impossible into a very small and slow controller and still get the job done, while a bad programmer just goes for the ultra fast controller with all the bells and whistles to make up for the fact that he's poor at programming.
Just like in modern computers - Once we wouldn't think that 64kB would ever be used to the brim
And since controllers don't use GUIs, there's no real explanation for the wast increase in memory and speed besides sloppy programming.
What LEGO Nxt and Vex are meant for could be done with a baseline controller like the (outdated) AT89Sxx or similar, so when there's so much potential power, it's sad that they don't use it (or at least help those wanting to use it with relevant info - Oh, there is a LEGO developers group acknowledged and supported in some way by LEGO, but Joe Average...).
[...] but every time I need to prototype something mechanical, I do it with Lego.
Yes, the rapid prototyping situations
is the strength of LEGO and to some extent Vex, but it is IMO a bit too expensive just getting it for rapid prototyping (LEGO Nxt cost more than the twice the US price here in its homeland
).
With LEGO, you're more or less bound to using LEGO. With Vex, you can mix it easily with other materials, more like Mecano construction sets, but you have to bolt it all together, so it's not as quick as LEGO to assemble.
Unfortunately, it doesn't seem super strong either (judged from pictures and info found on the web), just like Mecano went downhill on strength somewhere around 25 to 35 years back - the "new" stuff appears to be made of recycled polish biscuit tins or similar, while the old stuff was substantially stronger (I have some from each "period" to compare with).
I recently stumbled over
These sets from CapToy on a Danish site. I don't know if this is sold worldwide. It appears to be made in China, but I haven't seen it anywhere else. It's much cheaper than both LEGO and Vex, but it appears to have somewhat crappy motor units.
That said, I wouldn't mind having a load of each, but as nobody just throws it at me, I think that I'll go for some Vex stuff if I ever get myself convinced that I can't live without it - exactly for the late night testing of ideas where you can't run power or air tools (as even a hacksaw would wake up someone).
I wouldn't consider their respective controllers or sensors though, as I can make it better, cheaper and right to the point of what I want it for; Like the sad 4 proportional + 2 digital (on/off) channels that Vex has for a ROV - doesn't go very far and is much too expensive.
Should anyone ever make something full metal (gears and all) and with a broad range of all parts, I'd be their first customer, but apparently, quality and stamina doesn't sell these days
