Subject:
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Is Scout powerful?
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Thu, 19 Oct 2000 11:17:26 GMT
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Highlighted:
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I just acquired the Discovery set that includes the Scout. At first I
always face the scout as a simpler version of the RCX with the following
disadvantages:
-2 motor outputs only
-2 inputs only
-inputs are restricted to touch sensors only
-less memory
-less suns and tasks
But then I noticed a few aditional feautures:
-built in light sensor
-third output connected to a VLL output (LED)
-more built-in functions
-lower firmware download time (at least with the new beta version). Does it
happens at all??
I confess my interest in Scout started because of availability. I can find
the Discovery set here in Brazil, but not the the RIS set (At least not with
a fair price).
Since I worked mainly with simpler programs until now, I noticed no real
disadvantage. In fact it was even easier since I could use the built-in
interface to preliminary tests and them the power mode for more complete
programs. I used only the Lego script code until now but it seens the new
NQC supports Scout including the exclusive built-in functions.
So, from the software side, you have more limitations (less subs and
variables) but you benefit from the built-in functions and built-in priority
control. Probably that's why firmware download is faster (or inexistent).
The limitations didn't really looked a big deal for me.
From the hardware side, at first it seems more limited if you consider as it
comes from the box. It lack of support to external light and rotation
sensors seens to be the main limitation (Is it really true???). Also the
third motor may be a problem.
But if you think about expansions and building home-brew sensors, things may
be different:
1) It's possible to build active sensors (like light, sound, etc.) that
emulates the touch sensors in raw mode. the problem is that they should have
an external power source.
2) The VLL output seens a great option. The VLL is well documented. A
external circuit similar to the ones used for serial communication could
take this output and translate into a 7 bit output. That opens a great
possibility to controlling more motors or even switching sensor banks.
Most home-brew sensors and expanders I saw (most at Michael Gasperi page:
http://www.plazaearth.com/usr/gasperi/lego.htm) are focused on the RCX. I
wonder it somebody already explored the VLL output or aditional sensors for
the Scout? It seens a great uncharted territory...
Mauro Vianna
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: Is Scout powerful?
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| I think the scout is great. We build quite a lot of simple models to be controlled by the IRRC, it is perfect for this. It is also good for checking out larger models before the RCX is cranked up. It is biggest draw back is the it only having two (...) (24 years ago, 19-Oct-00, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Is Scout powerful?
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| I also think Scout is very good, and it has some new features that not in RCX but will be in new RCX2, like event monitor and so on. NQC 2.2 r1 supports scout in NQC language, so you can write software like for RCX, if you like to use IDE (...) (24 years ago, 19-Oct-00, to lugnet.robotics)
| | | Re: Is Scout powerful?
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| (...) The Scout has the following drawbacks. Passive Sensors only. No Rotation or Light. It's very hard to use the Light sensor for some projects since it's built into the brick. 1k of RAM!!! That's 400 bytes to play with. Not very much at all. (The (...) (24 years ago, 19-Oct-00, to lugnet.robotics)
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