THIS is how to fix LEGO Control+

The LEGO Control+ system is fundamentally flawed. It lacks many of the features that made power functions so great! Today, I will explain exactly how control+ can be fixed very easily. Believe it or not, bringing back the lego power functions motor set, but for powered up, would fix a ton of issues not just with control+ lineup, but also with the lego technic theme as a whole.
0:00 Intro
0:25 Powered Up Accessory Box
3:13 Extension, Splitter, and Converter Cables
5:40 One Motor & Gearbox Sets
📸 Instagram: @unbrickme
email: [e-mail]
#legotechnic2022 #legotechnic #legopoweredup

[@FamiliarGecko]

I'm still baffled that this Powered Up system was supposed to replace Power Functions, yet years later it's still missing elements as basic as an extension wire...

[@minotaur818]

I think having separate motorized upgrade packs are also good for bringing in newcomers. Most people would be hesitant to purchase the motorized sets now because they are so expensive, so if lego can release more cheaper non motorized sets but give the option to get them motorized later, that would be great

[@Unbrickme]

Agreed

[@mrbuddyvlogs7316]

Agreed

[@darthgbc363]

Power Functions needs to come back. Smart phones don't need to control everything. Simple on / off is still needed in the future.

[@MrAppie9090]

Yes I forgot, physical dedicated remote control is always going to win from a phone. There is one for sale i know, but I'm not going to buy it. I built a moc crane using a lot of motors 4 XL 8L 4M and 2 servos. As of right now all driving controls are PF and the crane part is C+. That's a lot of remotes, but the kids love that, the C+ they hate.

[@antonyngan9482]

But power functions sucks when using outdoors,it’s a huge disadvantage

[@A_Dilophosaurus]

Exactly, PU's only real advantage is that any motor can be used as a steering motor, but this is nearly pointless as a PF servo motor was the same price as a PU L motor is.

[@Thinginator]

@@antonyngan9482 Third party companies like Sbrick and Buwizz solved that problem with bluetooth control. They're still controlled by smartphones, but vastly superior to Lego's infrared receivers and their entire new electronics system just for app control. Lego should've just bought Sbrick or Buwizz instead of fixing what ain't broken. There was no need to replace Power Functions.

[@k1rd858]

They should update power functions by creating a hub compatible with power function's plugs motors and batteries instead of creating a new plug that is 💩

[@elcheapo5302]

I've been collecting Lego for nearly 40 years. I have two rooms full of sets. I have not, and will not be buying any powered up sets. "Smart devices" have no place in my Lego collection. The cost is egregious, the system is inflexible, and it's not backwards compatible with the hundreds of motors/accessories I already have. Discontinuing PF entirely for this "system" was a slap in the face to those of us who supported Lego through the bad years.

[@Unbrickme]

Whoa 40 years? When did you start collecting? I’m only 18 not even half of 40

[@elcheapo5302]

@@Unbrickme In the early 80s. Classic Space was awesome back then! I have the monorails, tons of 9v trains, all the modulars, both carousels, tons of technic from the go-kart in the mid 1980s through the new tow truck. I'd give it all to be 18 again! :)

[@mitsos306ify]

I couldn't agree more! I'm collecting since late 80's and I feel that as years pass Lego is interested in making models for marketing purposes and the love for building is lost. The only good thing is that you can find very nice MOC's from inspired amateurs!

[@polloaztecaSRT]

I like to know that I am not the only one who thinks the same! It's a shame that I joined lego technic late and couldn't enjoy the motor set, a motor set with the + control would be great!

[@blackdragonplays1934]

Same here

[@NXTangl]

I believe they should add more accessories that take advantage of having a full duplex serial interface on every cable. For example, using new kinds of advanced actuators and effectors like a pneumatic solenoid bank, or a multi-LED driver that acts as a fully programmable version of the light effect brick. Unfortunately, although the NXT/EV3 has the same number of cables, it uses slightly different voltages and entirely different serial systems (I2C or RS-485 for the EV3 cables vs full duplex UART for Control+). I also think they should have swapped to BLDC motors for better performance/efficiency/longevity, since it doesn't seem like backwards compatibility was at all considered.

[@ptaku2007]

we need to send this to lego...

[@gdtonska6146]

this is the good stuff, made my day

[@Unbrickme]

I’m glad you liked it

[@CarsSimplified]

I assumed the limited ports on the new power sources were to prevent excessive power draw, but I have no idea how much power the strongest motors draw and have no idea how much the battery pack could handle. Those are limitations but I just don't know how close they are. That stack of 9V style elements looked troublesome, but maybe it it can handle that? Good video either way!

[@ShunTechnicBricks]

Awesome idea!

[@sydneypalenge5982]

This is entertaining I'm 11 yrs old and I need to know this cause I might need a controler for my lego moc so yeah

[@miketechnic5.0]

very interesting the video that talks about why lego should market a box with motors inside + a hub to increase the fun with a minimum expense

[@camdencap4974]

great video i subbed!

[@Unbrickme]

Thank you so much I greatly appreciate it

[@JAVA76543]

I bet that people would like powerd up more if it was a lego boost replacement than a power functions replacement.

[@samsbrickbuildsusa974]

It is a really good idea for being 30 bucks as he said, but the battery box itself is like 50

[@tsuriranpu]

I was looking online for a starter box set just to find out you'd have to buy everything separate. And calculating how much that would be, I'd just be better off buying a whole set including the components. Which is probably what they would want.

[@Pales27]

Video idea: Top 10 Lego Technic B models

[@Unbrickme]

I already made a video like that :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWSaknt-i9ONp7s

[@Pales27]

@@Unbrickme and Top 10 pneumatic sets?

[@tykenen4178]

Unbrickme, you forgot about spike prime/robot inventor electronics that are a part of powered up family. The large 6 ports hub is also messed up. This hub could be a game changer if it comes to remote control if lego didn't screwed it up.

[@Unbrickme]

Didn’t forget about it. But mindstorms currently only adds two sensors and 2 types of motors to powered up

[@eidampet4240]

So you choosed the second image.

[@christianwaterstraat5685]

Thx you

[@parrainxable]

Just getting back into Lego again after 6 year hiatus. Got busy with family and career. Just wrapped up my dedicated lego space at my new place and ordered a Off Road Buggy to get into the remote control stuff. Tried to look for a motors/remote control set, but lego doesn’t seem to have such a thing. This off road set was the cheapest point of entry.

[@gorbistrunz4321]

The only C+ set I own is the 6x6 Volvo. I'm using it with the 88010 train remote and flashed the hub with pybricks, so it's not dependent on the app.

[@Mocsfromscratch]

That’s a very nice LEGO Powered-up accessory box. I wish that it would also release. 1:30

[@Unbrickme]

Thanks! Yeah it is my dream that LEGO would release a powered up accessory box

[@diprosla592]

@@Unbrickme i would be happier if lego wouldn t cut production of PF motors, controlors, battery boy and infared recievers, price is now so high that i can t get any more motors. (i would love if LEGO PF wasn t cut of completely like if they keeped PF and just added POWER UP in shops so there would be still power functions) i still don t understand why they cut of power function completely

[@WHEATYFEET]

box is pretty hideous looking but i would like that to happen

[@Tommy-pv1vh]

@@diprosla592 at this point you have to buy knockoff power functions if you want a basic motor

[@the_goofiest_goober]

I think the worst part is that its sooo expensive

[@dami2569]

When you will do Thoughts about 2022 set list?

[@Targetstrike]

Yes, they should learn from previous successes

[@MrAppie9090]

I really hate C+ at this moment. It's so annoying having to program everything. I still use the PF wherever I can. I just want to have a driving chassis for my nephew to play with. Why on earth would I automate playing with it? Let him pay attention and play around with it. The Liebherr set was great, however adding on to it is nearly impossible without gutting the entire thing. And the technic hub/ battery box is somehow even more space consuming than the PF as battery box. It's two steps back in my opinion. The only good thing is the possibility of any motor to act as a servo, but how many of those do I need? And before anyone starts, yes I can and have programmed a few mocs. I just don't see the value yet.

[@kreuinos6333]

Hey could you possibly make a video explaining why powered up is so expensive compared to power functions?

[@Thinginator]

It's due in part to the bluetooth for the app control, plus all of the extra stuff like the angular sensor in the Control+ hub that's ultimately an unnecessary gimmick, and also the fact that almost every Powered Up motor is a servo motor, so every motor has sensors and extra mechanisms in them that regular motors don't have. By design, Powered Up cannot be as affordable as Power Functions, which is one of the reasons why it sucks.

[@asphaltgamerx2687]

What about if we have stackable cables in powered up and control+

[@Death_is_Beauty]

My hot take: Powered Up/Control+ is a very sloppy concept. PF was basic, and I would always use my SBricks over the IR system, so the bluetooth is alright in powered up. My gripes come in when there was no hard launch. It’s been just set after set of these systems. There is a LOT of variation between each iteration of it, with NO backwards compatibility. None. Super unlike LEGO because it’s a very limiting system. Not to mention just to obtain 1 system you have to get it in extremely expensive sets. I have a whole load of PF stuff, like 20 of the different motors and 10 battery boxes, whereas I have YET to buy anything control+. Even the name change shows LEGO wasn’t sure of what they were doing. No LEGO, I do not need servos in my motors. Just give me a servo motor alongside the basic motors. Give me a box with more than 2 ports, give me cable extensions, lights, and drop the price dramatically for me to even consider buying a set with Control+.

[@Mocsfromscratch]

Unbrickme, are there any other new LEGO Technic sets coming soon? With gearbox, pneumatics or control+.

[@Unbrickme]

I don’t know, but as soon as the 2022 sets get revealed I’ll make a video about them

[@brickotronic]

I don't see why it should be that hard. You are right, it has to be a reprogrammable controller. It would need Bluetooth. First, you pair it with your phone app. The app loads the program to the controller, you unpair your phone and pair the controller to your model. If this would be possible, I would buy my kids these big sets again. I do the setup once for them and then they can play without a phone.

[@emiliosmichaelides7853]

this system can be entered in mclaren senna or jeep?

[@I.G.C.A]

I think that's arriving with 42139

[@landylive2526]

Pnewmatic cylinder at 1:00 . What is it?

[@Mocsfromscratch]

I never seen this type of NXT sensor. Is it similar to infrared sensor? 5:28

[@Unbrickme]

No, it works like doors that scan your electronic keyphobs. The sensor came with a bunch of different electronic keyphobs and different ones could be used to activate different actions on the robot

[@legolover7148]

I Agree, Because My mother won't get the new sets because she say I'll spend my time looking at screens anyway

[@leander9263]

3:26 well but the splitter is impossible. The new Lego motors are all position sensors as well. During calibration they send a Signale to the smart hub. With a splitter the hub wouldnt know what to make of the signals. If you want a splitter just try it and make one yourself: cut two cables, remove isolation and wire two motors to one plug. I haven't tried it but conceptually this is a disadvantage of integrating the servo functionality into the motors. So the powered up system is indeed fundamentally flawed but by the motors themselves. They are all expensive now even though the functionality is not always needed. The Integration is also the reason why plug and play is gone. Btw physical controllers are possible after all people control sets with game pads too. Lego only needs to make a programmable controller with 4 switches/channels. The app would send the set data to the controller and it's done. That is not difficult or expensive. And it is in my opinion the single most important thing they should do to increase play value of all sets by a mile in an instant.

[@2kBofFun]

You certainly can split things. The sensors just use I2C. I love the new motors, they are so versatile. Absolute positioning is the killer feature, and it is on almost every model, including the cheap ones. Back in the day you only had that very limited servo motor for 35€ that only did 180° of movement.

[@leander9263]

@@2kBofFun thanks for the comment. So splitting things is possible still... K let's hope then.

[@2kBofFun]

@@leander9263 Partially. As the motors are more advanced, you can only drive a single motor on a port. But multiple sensors should work.

[@UzzyT.]

If it existed it would be at least $50+.

[@catzzzz1450]

0:41 the Power Functions accessory box also comes with universal joint?

[@Unbrickme]

Yep

[@timewarpdrive77]

I got that set for Christmas back in the day!

[@CJfoks]

Now, years later PYbricks added support for pairing XBOX gamepad with technic hub directly. Someone in LEGO should lose job for not making this a thing years ago.

[@Unbrickme]

More specifically, Laurens Valk! He is the king!

[@Christophersanchez1326]

Just built the Technic 42140 and the system had a update off the back and now doesn't want to connect to the app. Son beach.

[@Christophersanchez1326]

Got it going.. just delete the app and re install and it's running.

[@K3b1bisLtu]

Based

[@Unbrickme]

Thanks

[@richardjulien1329]

I think they should first fix the price of powered up systems... I mean, 35 € for a single battery box on which you can put only 2 motors, it's really too much T_T for the splitters, the subject is difficult for one reason : the torque of the motors depends ( most of the time ) on the current limit, so if you have 2 motors on one output, you basically split in half the max current... But for lights, yup, good idea, nobody want to buy a battery box or a hub just for lights on the moc XD

[@Fish-Finger]

the powered up system is so expensive because you are paying for the app, and for the extra sensors but i agree its way to expensive.

[@richardjulien1329]

@@Fish-Finger I know you are paying for that too, but the battery box isn't connected, for example, so it should be same price than the PF battery box... Well, I doubt we will see a permanent reduction of the price, but let's still hope for it XD

[@Fish-Finger]

@@richardjulien1329 what you mean the battery box isnt connected? and it has 4 plugs and its bluethoot,

[@Unbrickme]

There’s a Bluetooth 4 port hub, as well as a basic 2 port battery box that just has an on/off function no Bluetooth

[@richardjulien1329]

@@Fish-Finger as Unbrickme said, there is the connected hub, and the battery box, which was supposed to be released in the V22 Osprey but is finally only disponible in the online Lego store, at 35€, while the hub is 80€...

[@leander9263]

they simply have to make a programmable controller and one more function in the app to connecto to and then transfer the chosen lego sets controls to the 4 channel controllers. done. After that you could ditch the app even. for instance turn on controller 1, then turn on hub 1. they blink for confirmation. repeat with 2nd controller and 2nd hub if existing (on larger sets). you would color code your controllers if you want to with bricks. This is not hard to do I suppose and the hardware is a small simple chip no more that has the lego sets control just like in the app. Is not like a programmable controler is some technological feat. With a programmable controller and the increased app functionality of connecting and writing all existing control+ sets and motors, hubs etc would immediately receive higher value for the users.

[@sadeness]

Some f us like the cars,so /I not see why they cant have both

[@vizonex4316]

I hope we get one of these especially since America didn't get 80115

[@Unbrickme]

Same, I really hope that the powered up battery box becomes available soon in the US

[@kongyiu]

Lego knows that adding a motor will mKe Technics a lot better. They know that too well! That’s why they are releasing expensive sets with motors that costs a lot more. If they keep releasing the add-on set for $30, then they couldn’t sell the more expensive sets for a higher price. It’s all about $€£¥!

[@jameskratzer4538]

LEGO is suffering from a corporate "Multiple Personality Disorder" kind of problem. Their near-pathological distaste of anything 'military' was played by a few ultra-liberal groups in Europe, and overnight LEGO canceled the V-22 Osprey set, despite the purely civilian markings and mission design. Then, they have allowed their Robotics division to stagnate in favor of toy-like junk, where Mindstorms and the full Robotics development environment was potentially their #1 entry, both financially and emotionally, into the intellectual adult world. And, finally, LEGO has devolved from a multi-level, multi-market corporation, that caters to basically every mindset from toddlers to Mensa, to become the Lincoln Logs and Erector Sets of the 21st century - with less flexibility.

[@timewarpdrive77]

Old mindstorms was great; never had a full RCW (just a scout), but damn that thing was fun

[@jessedelaney4360]

Please listen up Lego :)

[@ESloth308]

I think the lego control plus accessories box would not be 30 dollars it will be 40 maybe 60 dollars

[@Unbrickme]

I want it to be $30

[@ESloth308]

Me to but seeing how lego is now with there prices it would definitely be 60 dollars

[@caskraker]

If you really think a splitter for Powered Up would be possible you don’t understand much.

[@Unbrickme]

Not for independent control, but to accommodate things like a dual motor drive connected to a single port

[@caskraker]

@@Unbrickme Which is only useful if you otherwise run out of ports.

[@Unbrickme]

Well, with only four ports it’s extremely common to run out of ports

[@ivansmith654]

They are real only two possible paradigms here One Lego will blame us because it is easy to do, no proof will be given because most people don't need proof or Lego never wanted to do RC Lego, and is just now doubling down on not doing RC, and if we ask Lego why, we will be blame for it as I have already stated Lego is not here to help us do want we want to do, and I move away from Lego because of that! I still love building, I now do it in another way which I am not wiling to talk about openly because I am not here to help Lego, which Lego would take, and use, it is my idea! Lego can bite me!

[@republicservicesoflosangel7954]

I agree with you they should get a powered up box set with motors like power functions did so we can upgrade our vehicles. The LEGO technic winter 2022 sets sound very boring and disgusting

[@dami2569]

I dont agree. For me only 2 sets arent very much interesting. Those sets is 42137 and 42138. Rest seems okay, especially 42130

[@thomasl.4081]

@@dami2569 These sets are CARS! Cars with steering and differential are no TECHNIC sets, these are bluff packages in my eyes. Cars with steering and differential you can find in LEGO Creator too. TECHNIC sets should have more than steering and differential ....

[@dami2569]

@@thomasl.4081 Yes, thats why 42137 and 42138 isn't very much interesting. Okay, maybe 42137 will be since rumours says that this will be a Pullback. 42138 is just another Corvette

[@woodennecktie]

i'm very disappointed in lego electrics , not only is it always to limited , they change the whole bunch every two years ... so much for intelligence . all my projects work with power functions and what came before . i'll never upgrade to smartphone and stupid connectors

[@timewarpdrive77]

Yeah, the constant need to change standards in annoying; like.... Why did power functions have to change the connection type? Is it a different voltage?

[@brix_max]

Well I‘m not a fan of control+.

[@Unbrickme]

Why not?

[@brix_max]

@@Unbrickme because of the complextiy of making motors and stuff move as u wish. I really liked that in power funktions u could just connect a motor to a battery box and it worked and if u wanted it remotely controlled u could just build in a reciever and done, it worked. In control+ u have to like write a code and stuff to just turn a motor on. It was hard enough for me to learn Mindstorms EV3 programming. Also I really prefer a physical controller over a mobile phone. (And control+ motors and battery boxes are very expensive) I love your content tho, please keep making videos👍👍👍

[@antonyngan9482]

I don’t think Lego is going to listen to you

[@Ziplock9000]

Lego dont care. They get more greedy every year. The money from movies and games is more important

[@toddwz]

Is this going to be real or just wishful thinking? :)

[@Unbrickme]

Hopefully real

[@caskraker]

Just be patient. 300 euro for an as new 42100 and you have 2 hubs and 7 motors. Plus almost every part you need to build most other Control+ sets. The missing parts are cheap at bricklink. And patients helps in other ways too, as the Powered Up app has matured big time, with more to come. In 3 minutes I make my own control interface for every set or moc.

[@maszkalman3676]

How to fix control+ step1: throw it out step 2:bring back power functions with more modern receiver....