Hi,

I haven't picked up many sets in the last year. I am interested in the new power functions sets. I'd like to hear what other fans think of the new system and if there are any particular sets that use it well. Thanks.

Tom

Yeah! I def wanna get this set with the two new Technics set released this year.. the excuvator & the handle thingy set.

Since I am in australia, I still have to wait at least 1 month i guess

I think the highlight of the PF sets so far was easily the bulldozer from last year. It's not on the S@H site anymore but is still easy to find on ebay for close to the retail price. To me, it's the best Technic set since the Backhoe.

The PF system in general seems to be very good, especially since it can interface with most of the older 9V components using that adapter cable. The IR system is quite well designed and can support 8 functions if you use all the channels. The only issues I have with it are that most of the components have built-in wires that are permanently attached on that end, so you're limited by the fixed sizes of those wires, and the battery box is no improvement over the old one and still lacks an AC adapter jack. I wish they had included that.

One nice touch is that the battery box and IR remote and receivers have LEDs that turn on whenever they're active. The new light pieces and polarity switch also look good, but I don't have any of those yet.

Thanks for the responses. CP5670 I will check out the bulldozer, it has been on my list. I'd also like to use the components in sets other than Technic too. The remote sounds like a great add to the system.

Tom

I think the highlight of the PF sets so far was easily the bulldozer from last year. It's not on the S@H site anymore but is still easy to find on ebay for close to the retail price. To me, it's the best Technic set since the Backhoe.

Agreed. The amount of function, form,and playability factor is by far supiorior to any set in resent memory. I took mine out to my back yardand pushed some dirt around. I felt like a 12 year old boy all over again! The motors have plenty of torque to musle up hills, as well as push/tow some pretty decent loads. I can't wait to add some lights!

These new power functions has given us a hole new level of possibilites with our sets. Probbly one of the best things lego has done for the hobby.

I just got the new off roader. It will be interesting to see just how bright thoses new lights really are. Construction begins Saturday!

The only issues I have with it are that most of the components have built-in wires that are permanently attached on that end, so you're limited by the fixed sizes of those wires, and the battery box is no improvement over the old one and still lacks an AC adapter jack. I wish they had included that.

These are two points I hoped TLC would never had done.

The old 9V system allowed to use multiple wires to be combined for (almost) unlimited lenghts. Now you can´t extend the cables any more and are limited to around 50cm (I didn´t measure it exactly). That is really disappointing.

Yeah, the AC adapter jack... The NXT block would also had been nice if it had an AC adapter. Surprisingly enough the old Mindstorms set (1.0) had a power inlet, with V1.5 and 2.0 it was removed. Why?

Agreed. The amount of function, form,and playability factor is by far supiorior to any set in resent memory. I took mine out to my back yardand pushed some dirt around. I felt like a 12 year old boy all over again! The motors have plenty of torque to musle up hills, as well as push/tow some pretty decent loads. I can't wait to add some lights!

These new power functions has given us a hole new level of possibilites with our sets. Probbly one of the best things lego has done for the hobby.

I just got the new off roader. It will be interesting to see just how bright thoses new lights really are. Construction begins Saturday!

Cool, post your thoughts about them after you build it. The lights look pretty nice, although I wish they had stud connections in addition to the axle holes.

And yeah, the PF motors are quite powerful. Even the smaller one provides considerably more torque than the old Technic/RIS motors, while the XL one is comparable to the big RC buggy motors but has a more convenient shape.

These are two points I hoped TLC would never had done.

The old 9V system allowed to use multiple wires to be combined for (almost) unlimited lenghts. Now you can´t extend the cables any more and are limited to around 50cm (I didn´t measure it exactly). That is really disappointing.

Yeah, the AC adapter jack... The NXT block would also had been nice if it had an AC adapter. Surprisingly enough the old Mindstorms set (1.0) had a power inlet, with V1.5 and 2.0 it was removed. Why?

It makes no sense to me either. I have several 9V battery boxes that I hardly ever use since the batteries are so cumbersome to deal with. I especially hate how they slowly drop in voltage over time, long before they actually die out. The Lego AC powered sources also seem to put out 11V or 12V instead of 9V on their highest settings, which gives motors an extra bit of power over what even a fresh set of batteries can provide. The train speed regulator and the control center are both like this.

I have to wonder if it's some obscure safety law that they're trying to follow. I remember hearing somewhere that the 12V train line wasn't available in the US or Canada due to some restriction on how high the voltage on wall-powered toys could be. In which case, it would be good if one of the Mindstorms modders like HiTechnic offers an adapter-powered box at some point.

As for the cables, there is at least an extension wire available for them (the 9V adapter, which doubles up as one).