Vintage LEGO Mindstorms 9719 Robotics Invention System Version 1.0 Review

[@timonix2]

Wow this was a blast. I remember my dad installed a C compiler for the RCX on the laptop. It was my first real programming, must have been around 7 years old at the time.

[@legotechnic27]

Great review, love seeing these oldschool sets!

[@NonsenseWars]

Thanks! We're hoping to review 2.0 and maybe one of the expansions as well.

[@jimlewis1]

The RCX makes the sensor logic much more accessible than any subsequent intelligent brick. I think it is still a good platform for teaching simple electronic principles due to this simplicity.

[@lovemadeinjapan]

The 10 year earlier Lego Lines with Interface A was even more accessible! You basically read and write to binary pins of an 8-bit parallel port.

[@joeheiderman6576]

I see you used the excellent Panasonic eneloop batteries for your a robot. Unfortunately they are only about 1.3 volts when fully charged. Try using standard 1.5 volt Alkaline batteries for better results.

[@jamesdecross1035]

Q: could an elastic band fit between the tyres and the hubs to enable better grip from the wheels?

[@NonsenseWars]

It might work, but the bands would need to be pretty thin. I don't think this was a problem when these tyres were new though; they've just degraded over time and become less rubbery.

[@karbengo]

This was my dream set that I never got as a kid, because we did not have a computer in my home until I entered college. 😢

[@NonsenseWars]

They are quite affordable now! Maybe even less than $100 used.

[@liammhodonohue]

I have mine from when I was a kid. I've since picked up a few for £30-40 on eBay and gumtree. In total I've got 4 sets. Be warned. It's common for the insulation on the power cables to degrade, especially if stored in places like loft/garage. I'm a scout leader in my spare time, in about 1 month I'm planning on running a team task - build robot and program it to find it's way through a maze

[@NonsenseWars]

The wire rot is indeed an issue, but don't worry we have a video for that :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/noeUZJxubdODjK8

[@liammhodonohue]

@@NonsenseWars 👍 I've done some repairs using speaker wires. Tricky task will be replacing cable on the light sensor. It's a good bargaining point if a kit is being sold on eBay/gumtree but price is a little high.

[@NonsenseWars]

@@liammhodonohue Do let us know if you manage to fix the wires on the light sensor. They are really annoying to open and we haven't found a good way to do it!

[@notmuch_23]

I actually had that set with the RCX 1.5...

[@NonsenseWars]

Technically the 1.5 is a different set... but I'll talk about it a bit in part 2!

[@timewarpdrive77]

Do you need to set up the brick if you're using the rcx remote?

[@NonsenseWars]

That's a great question, and I'm not sure. We never tested it without the firmware installed.

[@timewarpdrive77]

@@NonsenseWars I've heard you do and I read guides that make no mention of having to download firmware for controlling the remote despite mentioning the remote. I really hope I don't!

[@larsherrnsdorf3344]

You need to download the firmware to the RCX to use the IR remote .

[@timewarpdrive77]

@@larsherrnsdorf3344 Woe is me