Which is better: 8043 or 42100?

[recovering_from_dark_ages]

Which is better: 8043 or 42100? I've researched them both endlessly and am having a tough time deciding. I only have space for one of them at most. After searching, I didn't find a definitive thread about this.

By the way, is it possible to post a poll? It would be great to get some data on this question. Please clarify whether you've owned both when replying

[Lok24]

4 hours ago, recovering_from_dark_ages said:

Which is better: 8043 or 42100?

they are completely different.
The 8043 offers only "motor on off" with the remote, the 42100 offers slow and proportional steering via Control+ App on an tablet or similar or even with a game controller.

 

 

 

[recovering_from_dark_ages]

1 hour ago, Lok24 said:

they are completely different.
The 8043 offers only "motor on off" with the remote, the 42100 offers slow and proportional steering via Control+ App on an tablet or similar or even with a game controller.

 

 

 

Are you saying that the 42100 allows controlling the motors with adjustable speed from the controller and the 8043 does not? Is that true of all motorized functions or just steering? Thanks for pointing this out - was not aware

[8868]

I have both. For me 8043 is better. 42100 is too big and heavy. 

[recovering_from_dark_ages]

On 11/7/2024 at 6:31 AM, 8868 said:

I have both. For me 8043 is better. 42100 is too big and heavy. 

Fair point. For me, the pros and cons are as follows and I'm still undecided:

The main points in favor of 8043 for me are that it takes less shelf space, looks in scale with other classic Technic sets (like 42043 and 8455), has a handheld PowerFunctions controller instead of the Control+ app, and that it achieves 6 out of the 42100 set's 7 functions with around 1/4 as many parts, making it the more mechanically dense build. I also happen to think that it looks slightly better (which is subjective) and I've seen a number of posts and videos from people who own multiple (even many) Technic sets and who think it's the best Lego Technic set ever made.

The 42100 set has two additional functions (motorized bucket open/close and non-motorized ladder raise/lower) and based on what I've read, it has the best app user interface of all Control+ sets. Unlike the 8043, it allows controlling the motors with adjustable speed rather than just setting motor on/off from the controller. It also has far more digging power than the 8043 (which has insufficient digging power due to its use of small motors). And 42100 can drive, rotate, and use its digging arm at the same time, unlike the 8043, which can't use its digging arm while driving or rotating. 42100 also doesn't have any defective linear actuators, which the first few weeks of production 8043 sets all had.

EDIT: updated this post with some additional distinctions that I discovered between the sets

Edited November 9, 2024 by recovering_from_dark_ages

[MinusAndy]

Depends what you want from it. If you’re buying it to build once then strip for a parts pack, 42100 all day long. Unless you want to build stuff that’s more colourful. Then get the other one. 
or get both! That’s more Lego which is a good thing!

[wissamms]

both? both!

[M_longer]

8043 was released a bit too early - with 4 L motors instead of 4 M motors it would be the most awesome remote control set ever.

[bruh]

9 hours ago, MinusAndy said:

Depends what you want from it. If you’re buying it to build once then strip for a parts pack, 42100 all day long. Unless you want to build stuff that’s more colourful. Then get the other one. 
or get both! That’s more Lego which is a good thing!

Ha! I wish I had the money to make that a reality.

[arjan400016]

8043 also has an awesome b model. One off the most playable technic models i know off

[Ric079]

8043 was my first PF model, was a truly interesting build, and remained built and used for a long time. As M-Longer says, it was under powered, so got the Kroohshoop Ultimate upgrade. Not quite as clever mechanically, but much stronger. Still in use all these years later, and with my advanced years and failing eyesight the PF remote system its much easier for me. I was given the 42100, very large, not hugely complex, lots of empty space, and was disassembled to build the Eric Trax Leibherr PR776 bulldozer - great MOC. Hence the 42100 as a perts pack, the 8043 as a source of joy.

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

I personally find the 8043 set more elegant in terms of shapes.

Maybe the hydraulic pistons of some production batches were defective but I have always liked this model very much!

[jorgeopesi]

For me is the 8043, I had a lot of fun building it, I also learnt some tecniques and you can even play with it, I consider the 42100 a expensive display model.

[Lok24]

On 11/7/2024 at 1:09 PM, recovering_from_dark_ages said:

has a handheld PowerFunctions controller instead of the Control+ app, and that it achieves 6 out of the 42100 set's 7 functions with around 1/4 as many parts,

It is absolutely not necessary to use the control+ App, there are many other options.

But the Control+ App offers lots of other possibilities like learning and programming movements, position indicator, display overload  and so on.

And: all functions can be run simultaneously, where as the 8043 is not(!) completely remote controlled, you always have to change functions at the model itself (Drive/grab).

Sorry I was wrong.

10 hours ago, jorgeopesi said:

I consider the 42100 a expensive display model.

No, the complete opposite,  it's very impressive to see it work.

Edited November 9, 2024 by Lok24

[Timewhatistime]

6 minutes ago, Lok24 said:

And: all functions can be run simultaneously, where as the 8043 is not(!) completely remote controlled, you always have to change functions at the model itself (Drive/grab).

I am not quite sure about this statement.

As far as my copy of 8043 is concerned, the functions (driving/turning vs. digging) can be selected by the fourth M-motor, which is remote controlled (as well as the other three M-motors).

[Lok24]

the red lever is directly in front of the battery box

You are right!.

 

Edited November 9, 2024 by Lok24

[schraubedrin]

On 11/7/2024 at 1:24 PM, MinusAndy said:

Depends what you want from it. If you’re buying it to build once then strip for a parts pack, 42100 all day long.

I second this.
42100 is a great parts pack.
8043 is an awesome build, one of the most technical technic sets i had the pleasure building.

Regarding playability, i would put them on a similar level, but depending heavily on the type of play you prefer:
42100 is great for just using it as a remote controlled digger without any hassle (which you could get much cheaper and nicer in toy stores)
Playing with 8043, you're constantly reminded of the technical complexity inside (the switching of functions the others mentioned), but because of its size and weight, i had great fun trying stunts like these with it.

[recovering_from_dark_ages]

3 hours ago, schraubedrin said:

I second this.
42100 is a great parts pack.
8043 is an awesome build, one of the most technical technic sets i had the pleasure building.

Regarding playability, i would put them on a similar level, but depending heavily on the type of play you prefer:
42100 is great for just using it as a remote controlled digger without any hassle (which you could get much cheaper and nicer in toy stores)
Playing with 8043, you're constantly reminded of the technical complexity inside (the switching of functions the others mentioned), but because of its size and weight, i had great fun trying stunts like these with it.

Does the 8043 actually have enough power out of the box (with the stock motors) to do the final climbing trick in the video that you linked?

[schraubedrin]

I have to admit, i only ever built it with the L Motors, i don't have enough S-Motors to build and play with those.

[recovering_from_dark_ages]

On 11/14/2024 at 5:09 PM, schraubedrin said:

I have to admit, i only ever built it with the L Motors, i don't have enough S-Motors to build and play with those.

Makes sense. Thanks for clarifying