Subject:
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Re: Even better, RIS 1.5, $99.99
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.robotics
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Date:
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Fri, 7 Jun 2002 16:01:26 GMT
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Viewed:
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687 times
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In the end, it all comes down to the power connector on the original 1.0
RCX. If you don't mind buying batteries while you're trying to debug your
code, then the version you buy doesn't matter. (And with the 2.0 firmware on
the web, the contents of the RIS set doesn't much matter - you're only going
to use it as a source of an RCX, tower and Technic bits and pieces anyhow.)
If you want to run the RCX off a 10 v A/C wall transformer while doing
software development, which seems to be 90% of the power-on time in my
experience, then the older 9709 packaged RCXs, which are the ones being
offered at discount are worth their weight in gold (well batteries at least!)
So if you buy RIS 1.5 or 2.0, buy a 9709 too! Two RCXs are at least 2X fun
over one and you can use the one with the external power jack for
development work.
(You can also use the 9709 RCX(s) for train control and leave it/them
running all day during a show. If you're into trains, this is a real bonus!)
The only thing I can see as a slight advantage of RIS 2.0 over 1.x is the
USB tower which avoids the need for a battery. My old 1.x tower batteries
seem to last a long time anyhow, so its not an issue for me.
JB
In lugnet.robotics, sjbaker1@airmail.net writes:
> Liz B wrote:
> > With the compatibility issues not totally known, plus the cost of
> > upgrading to 2.0 software, you might look at buying the 2.0 RIS on eBay
> > or somewhere for not much more. I've seen sealed new sets go as low as
> > $120 (usually around $140), and I haven't even looked lately.
>
> In the end, the decision comes down to:
>
> * Do you need a USB tower or an RS232 serial port tower?
>
> If you need a USB tower then you've got to go with the RIS 2.0, if you
> need the serial port tower, you need an RIS 1.5 or an RIS 1.0.
>
> If you have a choice between the 1.5 and the even older 1.0 sets - then
> on balance, I'd go with the RIS 1.0 because the RCX brick has an
> external power connector that can save you a small fortune on batteries.
>
> Aside from that - there are a few minor differences in the parts count
> that are unlikely to sway your decision.
>
> ----------------------------- Steve Baker -------------------------------
> Mail : <sjbaker1@airmail.net> WorkMail: <sjbaker@link.com>
> URLs : http://www.sjbaker.org
> http://plib.sf.net http://tuxaqfh.sf.net http://tuxkart.sf.net
> http://prettypoly.sf.net http://freeglut.sf.net
> http://toobular.sf.net http://lodestone.sf.net
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Even better, RIS 1.5, $99.99
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| (...) This brings up another question I have. Since I will now have two RCX's can someone give me a short summary of how to use them? Can both be used from the Mindstorms software, or is something better required (since I've only had 2.0 a week, I (...) (22 years ago, 7-Jun-02, to lugnet.robotics)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Even better, RIS 1.5, $99.99
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| (...) In the end, the decision comes down to: * Do you need a USB tower or an RS232 serial port tower? If you need a USB tower then you've got to go with the RIS 2.0, if you need the serial port tower, you need an RIS 1.5 or an RIS 1.0. If you have (...) (22 years ago, 6-Jun-02, to lugnet.robotics)
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