EV3, similiar like NXT / Mindstorm, is one of the most expensive RRP category.

USD350 in Lego S@H, that's easily rm1120 not yet count shipping & tax.
+/- ... my guess is landed price 1k-1.3k (after deduct discount, but add back shipping & tax)
Anything below rm1k, can buy

yeah. EV3 is backward compatible with NXT. But not to my RCX controller, need conversion cable.

Straight declare as "LEGO toy". Customs normally see Lego will know.

They can't say got wire treat as cables, cause many other PF sets have wires and remote controllers (Technic, train sets, etc.)

Else, if Customs argue, you say got ARM processor, memory and controller, put under Computer... 0% tax

My advise, get NXT 2.0 unless you want to collect some parts to combine with EV3 later.
Otherwise, go straight to EV3 first.

Declare as computer set = 0% (if Customs accept it, which I think unlikely )
Don't put as computer parts/cables, this maybe taxable.

It's not false declaration. It just depends on which category you declare, and whether Customs think is valid or not.
EV3 controller is actually a small portable PC
Similiar like handheld-computer , it is not a PC actually, but Customs treat it as PC category 0% tax.
But if you try to import just the charger for it , you won't get 0% under computer. Plastic/rubber/copper as parts got tax (previously, not sure current now got changes).

That is the reason holding me back not to get EV3 urgently. Maybe can wait EV3.5 or EV4
With the cable I get from you, my RCX is compatible with PF motor and vice-versa

But NXT/EV3 motor is very precise (for Lego standard). Up to 1 degree rotation control.

Yes, then it is arguable, if you decide to take it up to Customs office. Or come up with "extra" documentation, similiar method like "blackout" and tadaaaa... extra documentations

Previously I have similiar items brought in regularly, but different size and model.
Customs will simply assign different category, even if I already state it clearly.
So, bring it up to them (quite dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, then you will need type-approval, sirim, etc. if RF related), and re-categorize it. I always bring my "File DiRaja" with me, the moment I open my "Royal File" , they will know already.

Even if they insist on their category (sometimes they mood not good), then I use "blackout" technique to come out with documentations the stuff will not stay in M'sia and will fly out within weeks, so I ask them to prepare docs for me to claim back tax paid, if any. Normally, Malaysia Boleh, tidak apa attitude, lazy to do documentation , and for future documentation, they will relent.
I don't mind if need to prepare, cause no matter what, I still send the same stuff out of M'sia after that. So in reality, I'm not cheating.

Normally is not purposely go there to buy Lego. But coincidence if that overseas country has cheap Lego while you study/work/vacation, then can buy.

Yes. All compatible. But EV3 controller has some advantages over NXT in programming/control.

Nice! Medium size Technic vehicle. Not sure what vehicles it can lift up. I think 8110 is too big & heavy for it.
And the weight it can lift & tow. Motorizing it will be interesting, but my servo & motor will be fixed in 8110.
Need to get extra XL motor again, but no servo unless I take out from 9398.

Yeah, me too going to get 42008
42005 look see first

It's like your first time eating donuts



It's either you like/hate it.

Lucky I'm not into Technic supercar
I'm more into construction/heavy vehicles (excavator/truck/cranes)

I have an offer for 42000, not sure want to take or not

Let me check the building instructions for supercars.
I know some have gearbox (with reverse), pneumatic as suspension, ... maybe can learn something new


edit: for pneumatics, 8110 is the current set. Frankly, at this moment, pneumatics has more disadvantages compared to Linear Actuator.

Advantage of pneumatic:
- more "realistic"
- good for far out places, where gears/axles are not suitable.
- compact for far our places, as no need beams to hold the gears/axles.

Disadvantage:
- shorter cylinder rod extension
- less powerful than LA
- air compressible, not hydraulic.
- no accuracy.
- slow response when activated, need to build up the pressure. Then suddenly fully extended (no accuracy).
- air leaking if left for long time.

etc. That's all I recall so far.



This post has been edited by cute_boboi: Aug 8 2013, 09:56 PM

Nice idea for the hot-rod v6 engine.

My comments:
- 2x U-joint are enough. You may want to use 1x U-joint and 1x CV-joint, cause the suspension system will cause the axle to move a bit. Refer 8110 PTO

- add 2 beams to hold the axle at motor and engine each.

- another way is direct plug in a M-motor to the engine block. Kind of fake, but less gears/axles involved. But can make the engine rpm look faster.

That should be the LA reaching its max or min point. The clutch will auto-skip (grind-of-death) to protect it from breaking.

There is a flaw with the double LA, similiar with the construction in 8043. Both the 20T gears should be at the same side, i.e. not opposite of each another.
Search for Parax here
Due to it, it could strain one LA on the way up, and another LA on the way down.
Long term, the metal cylinder inside could grind the plastic inside, even though it is already gel-lubricated.

It's easy to know. Fully extend it. Touch your finger onto the side of each LA, both should have the same firmness. If one is firm, another wobble slightly, it's not balance.
Fully minimize it (no vertical force impact for 42009, but there is for 8043), do the same, see if both firm, or only one is firm.

What it means while extending fully in operation, it is using only 1x LA power, the other is no-load. i.e. might as well take out the other LA to mod other stuff.
Refer some dismantle pics here
Using single LA, with repeated up/down, may strain it and the metal cylinder 'screw' will start to "cut" into the plastic housing it, even with lubricants.

So far I have not hit into this ... yet. I test my 8043 with bucket lifting load of up to 250gm (yeah, I weight the load dumped by the bucket with a scale) and it sounds a bit strain to lift up the boom. Digging at higher load "in the ground", I estimate at 400-500gm, it starts to grind.
Not yet build 42009, but I expect the double LA issue, and I will build the gears parallel instead of opposite.

Also, by keeping the crane boom in down position, I guess no damage will occur, as it will rest on top of the front driver's cab.

Pyramid, too simple lah
Unless they make it 5 layer with maze inside probably with the base like Taj Mahal, the piece count could be 25k

Yes, bring those microscale up to gram +/-

But you need to have the base weight for reference, for all the minifigs (including the packaging, plastic/paper, and Billund air inside)

Yes, before 1990's, it is really brick by piece.
Then it started to have bigger and bigger pieces, which spoils the "brick-building" process.


Technic range - it's either you like it or hate it


Not everyone is lucky to be able to afford Lego when small (even parents or uncle/auntie/God-parents)
I still consider myself very lucky to have jus a few sets.
So now, got own income, can afford to go relive my childhood.

Means start with 42004 first ? Then 42006, then 42009 ?

Jeremy Clarkson

yeah, I suggest just mod it, align both LA properly (can twist 180 degree) then set it in.

Yeah, I don't know how to describe the "shrink" when you compress suspension, but you get the idea and know about it

Anyway, the beams (thin / thick) to hold the axles at both sides, is for it to be secure, and not wobble. Especially affecting the gears. Also not to fall out when lifted/compressed. And holding it in proper place, reduce the gears friction and/or loss-of-power, which may affect the motor performance for front and back (9398)

err... how to align. Normally I built the whole thing near complete, or until at least the crane/boom is sturdy enough to stand by itself.
Then with the LA extended 60-100% with the weight of the boom, press in the middle part of the entire LA length and can feel the degree of firmness or wobble. Both should have the same firmness.
If not, dismantle part of it, only rotate the top part of the LA 180 degrees clock/counter-clock wise. Sometimes may need to adjust 1 teeth of the gears connected to the bottom of the LA.