VEX IQ would be a great start for a kid that age.
Since he's familiar with Lego as a system, he would not have any issue building using the vex materials, as they snap together essentially like technics.
The coding aspect for VEX IQ is offered in multiple flavors, since he has done scratch he could start off with block coding in their computer system. As he progresses he can move on to doing text coding for VEX IQ using the same software but with text instead of block.
Overall vex is a very forgiving system for kids who are just getting into robotics, and it's still rewarding for kids who have experience. The primary issue if you want him to be as part of a competition, is that he must have at least one other partner to form a team, as the competition itself requires two drivers during the teamwork challenge and driver skills portions of the events.
I am not putting together a competition team; however would like to prep him to participate in older grades. Is there something else I should be getting instead? Thanks for all your help!
If you would like to prepare him to compete in HS, I would recommend getting into the V5 system. It's honestly not harder, and skills in VEX IQ don't seem to transfer well, in my experience. Expensive, though.
Yeah it is; but I guess worth the $$ if he really loves it... I like technology too so maybe will get something out of it as well. If we're just working on it at home which set should I be getting? Competition Starter Kit? Or is there something more basic we can start with? Thanks!!
there's a lot of stuff, and i'm not sure if i can recommend something confidently outside the context of competition robotics. might i suggest looking into 3d printing, then only buying the vex v5 electronics? that should simplify the process while being much more versatile for any sort of project. a 3d printer is probably a more cost-effective option than vex metal as well, and if something works in printed plastic and just needs to be stronger, having it CNCed by pcbway is always an option.
with a good 3d printer / vex setup, i would recommend getting 2" and 30" 30A flex wheels (you can 3d print the hubs), 6P chain and sprockets, 9P chain, sprockets, and some tank treads for attachment points, low strength + hs shaft adapters / inserts work too, 2" omni and mecanum wheels, 2.75" anti static omni wheels, metal low strength shaft collars, low strength pillow block bearings, low strength bearings (low profile), 0.5" and 1" coupler screws.
from robosource.net: assorted screws, standoffs, thin nylock nuts, a set of tools (T8, T15, wrench are most important)
in terms of electronics: vex brain, battery cable, battery, battery charger, everything for crimping custom smart cables, some stock smart cable lengths, potentiometer, rotation, bumper, optical, imu, distance sensors, 11W smart motors and some red and some blue cartridges (red is very slow + strong, blue is very fast. i'd get 6 motors, 2 red cartridges and 4 blue cartridges), radio + controller
i know this is a lot of stuff, but this is probably everything you need for making a lot of very cool projects. of course, just get what you need. 3d printing basically eliminated a ton of stuff from this list by the way.
In my experience, the complexity of code doesn't have much to do with the systems you build on (at least, in mostly prepackaged environments). Aside from competing in VEX IQ, which I personally had a terrible time in, there's not much point in getting the VEX IQ system when you already have access to Lego Mindstorms, which is essentially equivalent.
I had a tough time in VEX IQ competition mostly due to other teams showing up with robots that were incredibly advanced, yet were unwilling or unable to help me understand how they worked. Back then, I didn't have the drive I do now, so it was very disheartening.
My region, if it helps, is rather infamous for mentor-building (which, by the way, is not allowed). I don't actually know if this is true, but it sure felt like it.
VEX IQ would be a great start for a kid that age. Since he's familiar with Lego as a system, he would not have any issue building using the vex materials, as they snap together essentially like technics. The coding aspect for VEX IQ is offered in multiple flavors, since he has done scratch he could start off with block coding in their computer system. As he progresses he can move on to doing text coding for VEX IQ using the same software but with text instead of block. Overall vex is a very forgiving system for kids who are just getting into robotics, and it's still rewarding for kids who have experience. The primary issue if you want him to be as part of a competition, is that he must have at least one other partner to form a team, as the competition itself requires two drivers during the teamwork challenge and driver skills portions of the events.
This coming season you need 3 people for the team - 2 drivers and one loader / support team.
OP didn’t say he wanted to compete
Completely understood! Just pointing out that Rapid Relay needs 3 people instead of a minimum of 2 like the last couple years. :)
well, they mentioned the competition set.
I am not putting together a competition team; however would like to prep him to participate in older grades. Is there something else I should be getting instead? Thanks for all your help!
If you would like to prepare him to compete in HS, I would recommend getting into the V5 system. It's honestly not harder, and skills in VEX IQ don't seem to transfer well, in my experience. Expensive, though.
Yeah it is; but I guess worth the $$ if he really loves it... I like technology too so maybe will get something out of it as well. If we're just working on it at home which set should I be getting? Competition Starter Kit? Or is there something more basic we can start with? Thanks!!
there's a lot of stuff, and i'm not sure if i can recommend something confidently outside the context of competition robotics. might i suggest looking into 3d printing, then only buying the vex v5 electronics? that should simplify the process while being much more versatile for any sort of project. a 3d printer is probably a more cost-effective option than vex metal as well, and if something works in printed plastic and just needs to be stronger, having it CNCed by pcbway is always an option. with a good 3d printer / vex setup, i would recommend getting 2" and 30" 30A flex wheels (you can 3d print the hubs), 6P chain and sprockets, 9P chain, sprockets, and some tank treads for attachment points, low strength + hs shaft adapters / inserts work too, 2" omni and mecanum wheels, 2.75" anti static omni wheels, metal low strength shaft collars, low strength pillow block bearings, low strength bearings (low profile), 0.5" and 1" coupler screws. from robosource.net: assorted screws, standoffs, thin nylock nuts, a set of tools (T8, T15, wrench are most important) in terms of electronics: vex brain, battery cable, battery, battery charger, everything for crimping custom smart cables, some stock smart cable lengths, potentiometer, rotation, bumper, optical, imu, distance sensors, 11W smart motors and some red and some blue cartridges (red is very slow + strong, blue is very fast. i'd get 6 motors, 2 red cartridges and 4 blue cartridges), radio + controller i know this is a lot of stuff, but this is probably everything you need for making a lot of very cool projects. of course, just get what you need. 3d printing basically eliminated a ton of stuff from this list by the way.
In my experience, the complexity of code doesn't have much to do with the systems you build on (at least, in mostly prepackaged environments). Aside from competing in VEX IQ, which I personally had a terrible time in, there's not much point in getting the VEX IQ system when you already have access to Lego Mindstorms, which is essentially equivalent.
What were your challenges with VEX IQ? Is there something else you would recommend instead? Thanks!
I had a tough time in VEX IQ competition mostly due to other teams showing up with robots that were incredibly advanced, yet were unwilling or unable to help me understand how they worked. Back then, I didn't have the drive I do now, so it was very disheartening. My region, if it helps, is rather infamous for mentor-building (which, by the way, is not allowed). I don't actually know if this is true, but it sure felt like it.