Do you like power function in every set?

[mobi]

Why nowadays Lego supplies power function in almost every set?

Not only it pushes up sets' prices but also one would end up with so many battery boxes.

I liked the 1990s concept of selling motors separately and providing the instruction to show how a set can be motorised.

In many sets power function just drives auxiliary mechanism rather than powering the whole vehicles.

Lego motors and electronics are not long lasting as their mechanical bits. This might affect the resale value of the sets. For example, my 8479 barcode truck is still fine but sensors do not work any more.

[Omikron]

Yes I like power functions in many sets, because If I only had one battery box and motor I couldn't play with several sets at one time.

Having only one set motorized is awful for me, also I consider every new battery box as a spare part

[davidmull]

Yes!

[timslegos]

I lave SO many battery boxes! I would prefer the motor set to come extra simply because i already have all the electronic components.

tim

[dandexter]

I would personally prefer the 1990' style as you mentioned in the OP of selling motors separately and providing the instruction to show how a set can be motorised. As I don't drive/play with my Lego sets, I enjoy the building, learning any new/interesting techniques and adding them to my collection.

[andythenorth]

Current count of technic sets on lego.com (UK): 17 (excluding the PF accessory set)

Sets containing PF: 6

Sets that don't contain PF: 11

Percentage of available sets containing PF: 35% (somewhat less than 'every set' or 'almost every set').

I enjoy this link about traumatic events for Lego fans, you might too: http://news.lugnet.com/general/?n=43860

[DLuders]

TLG offers SOME of their Technic sets with Power Functions, because their Market Research tells them that SOME people want to be able to drive/operate their sets via Remote Control. There's lots of competition in the high-end Toy Industry; modern kids don't necessarily get satisfaction rolling a non-powered Lego Technic vehicle across the floor (when there are MANY remote-controlled toys in the same store aisle). AFOLs represent for only ~5% of all Lego purchases; most modern kids don't even remember the classis "studded" Technic sets because they weren't even born yet.

If you have extra Battery Boxes that you don't want, open up a Bricklink store and sell them for a few coins.

[Freekysch]

I can't say that i love PF, because they need some many fresh batteries all the time. For example, on my 8043 i need to swap my batteries every 2 weeks if i want to play with it, and that is not ok. Overall, i prefer to turn a knob manually, even though my finger hurt. Sets like 8265 / 8069 are perfect examples of sets that work like a charm without PF.

[dr_spock]

I would like the PF to be sold separately to keep the price of set down. I usually use my Lego VIP points to get PF accessories.

On a side note, having multiple battery boxes is handy in a Techball competition. You can easily have fresh batteries for each round.

[davidmull]

I can't say that i love PF, because they need some many fresh batteries all the time. For example, on my 8043 i need to swap my batteries every 2 weeks if i want to play with it, and that is not ok. Overall, i prefer to turn a knob manually, even though my finger hurt. Sets like 8265 / 8069 are perfect examples of sets that work like a charm without PF.

I really don't know why people don't us lithium battery's in there models,there in my 8043 a year and still working and in my 8110 months 2 and that's rc now,they give great power and are lighter too.

[KEvron]

it makes sense that they should come with the flagship sets, but to include them in every set could prove cost-prohibitive for consumers, and the inclusion of PF's in smaller models would seem impractical; where would one put the motor on 9390?!

KEvron

Edited March 12, 2012 by KEvron

[Saberwing40k]

*snip*

Lego motors and electronics are not long lasting as their mechanical bits. This might affect the resale value of the sets. For example, my 8479 barcode truck is still fine but sensors do not work any more.

are you sure? i have some old 4.5 volt motors, and they work just fine.

but anyway, i do not like pf in many sets. i prefer something really cool, and really complex. i mean , if 8070 were not motorized, it could actually be a legitimate successor to 8880 and 8448.

in short, lego needs to stop motorizing every stinkin' set.

I really don't know why people don't us lithium battery's in there models,there in my 8043 a year and still working and in my 8110 months 2 and that's rc now,they give great power and are lighter too.

because of the fact that rechargable boxes like that cost $50. what i do is use regular rechargable batteries, which is a lot less costly.

sorry, just had to be said.

[Lipko]

How expensive is the power functions compared to wheels?

According to my limited experience, sets without wheels seem cheaper than sets without power functions (compared to wheeled and powered sets respectively and with about the same number of parts). Maybe I'm wrong here...

Anyway, I prefer sets without power functions, because I buy sets for the parts mostly. I prefer powerless sets for aesthetic and functional reasons too. Powering arbitrary (and not main) functions and having other manual functions at the same time is a bit awkward to me. Fully powered stuff for playing, or fully manual stuff for looking at and adding to my collection.

Edited March 12, 2012 by Lipko

[Omikron]

Why PF in most "big" sets is good?

For example 8043 has 4 motors, 2 receivers, 2 controls, battery box, 4 actuators - the best PF source set I think. It wouldn't be so great if all functions were manually controlled. And it is rather cheap. Try to buy this PF on bricklink and count their prices + taxes + shipping.

Another example - 8070 - only 1 motor and a battery box - do you think they make this set much more expensive?

[mobi]

are you sure? i have some old 4.5 volt motors, and they work just fine.[/Quote]

Yes, my motors work fine. But other electronics like sensors, wires etc. doesn't work any more.

For example 8043 has 4 motors[/Quote]

I don't think anybody complaints about PF in 8043 :-)

But sets like 8070, 8109, 8052 etc. probably would have been better off without PFs.

[doug72]

Most larger Technic sets have PF for some functioins, i.e. operating cranes, out riggers etc. but do not have any provision for remote driving or steering.

The Unimog being a prime example.

Instructions should be included on how to install motors, Rx etc as you build to allow for drive & steering.

In order to do after set has been built means you have to be partly dissembled to install these functions, once instructions become available.

[andythenorth]

in short, lego needs to stop motorizing every stinkin' set.

They don't. Basic maths shows that.

[Saberwing40k]

They don't. Basic maths shows that.

Show your work, buddy.

[mobi]

Sets containing PF: 6

Sets that don't contain PF: 11

[/Quote]

But some of them are quite small sets - aren't they?

[bb15080]

if you look at this year line up only two have pf out of 9

last year only 3 out of 10

Edited March 13, 2012 by bb15080

[mobi]

This is current Technic line up (as per Lego website - some no longer available though)

Set Parts PF

8071 593 No

8110 2048 Yes

8065 119 No

8067 292 No

8069 609 No

8043 1123 Yes

9395 954 No

9397 1308 Yes

8081 590 No

8070 1281 Yes

8066 141 No

8068 408 No

8109 1115 Yes

So there are 5 large sets (parts > 1000) of which all come with power function.

[Omikron]

This is current Technic line up (as per Lego website - some no longer available though)

Set Parts PF

8071 593 No

8110 2048 Yes

8065 119 No

8067 292 No

8069 609 No

8043 1123 Yes

9395 954 No

9397 1308 Yes

8081 590 No

8070 1281 Yes

8066 141 No

8068 408 No

8109 1115 Yes

So there are 5 large sets (parts > 1000) of which all come with power function.

So is it bad?

[Milan]

So is it bad?

No.

[mobi]

Whether it is good or bad is in the eyes of the beholder.

[Technic Gearhead]

I tend to prefer the semi large sets without PF, like 8265, 8069, 8053 but PF are cool for the flagship models. I don't really care for PF in the smaller sets although it doesn't really bother me either.