Recommended Sellers for Aussie Robot Buyers
Free advice based on where I buy my robots!
Free advice based on where I buy my robots!
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eBay?Before you run with any of my recommended sellers I would check on eBay first. But remember, sometimes eBay sellers can be unreliable. Check their rating and feedback before purchasing. Also, occasionally items on eBay are factory seconds. I once bought a set of Lego Boost from eBay at a much better price than from a store, but two smaller pieces were missing. It didn't really matter, to me but it's something to think about.
eBay is where I sometimes buy spare parts and batteries. I've also found some good kits and spare parts on Facebook Marketplace, Amazon and Gumtree. |
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CubeletsThe first thing you'll notice about buying Cubelets is that they are expensive. All good stuff is! Cubelets have actually been around for a while, now, so if buying second-hand make sure they aren't out-dated!
There are smaller kits available if you have a limited budget. I get most of my Cubelets from Little Bird Electronics, but they are popping up with other sellers so it's worth comparing prices. Sometimes I even get them straight from Modular Robotics is the USA. But be aware their prices are in US dollars., and they charge about $90 to deliver to Australia. AND if you buy more than $AU1000 worth from overseas you have to pay separate GST before it is delivered (billed by the courier) If you are considering using a device to remote control and/or even code your cubelets, then avoid the older style Bluetooth Cubelet because they are more difficult to connect. The newer Bluetooth hat is way more user-friendly. Just hold your device nearby, and you are connected to the closest hat.
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Dash and CueIt's hard to find a place that sells these awesome robots cheaply in Australia. The place I recommend in Modern Teaching Aides, because they offer significant discounts for bulk orders.
I recommend eBay, also, if you are only buying a few Dash or even Harvey Norman! If you're trying to decide between Dash and Cue. I think Dash is great for grades Prep-6. Where-as I think Cue suits grades 5-8. Dash seems way more popular (than Cue) in Australian schools. I think the "Dot" robot is a bit of a waste of money. There are a number of accessories that are available with these robots, but they are quite expensive and not that useful. If you are desperate for the catapult, xylophone or marker/drawing options, I would just buy one of each, and see how it goes before buying a whole class set! |
Base kit for the older Education version Mindstorms EV3 (45544)
Base kit for the new Lego Spike Prime Educational version (45678) Designed for schools
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Lego MindStorms EV3 and
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Spike Essential. A simpler version of Spike Prime; designed for grade 1-4.
Spike essential small motors, colour sensor hub and LED matrix.
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There is also a more basic version of SPIKE Prime called SPIKE ESSENTIAL. It is designed for younger users from grades 1-4. Perhaps this is the replacement for the popular "Wedo". I recommend buying them from the same people I mentioned above, (for Spike Prime).
It has less pieces, smaller motors and hub, and an LED colour light Matrix! It uses a ICON-BASED code, similar to Scratch Junior. It is definitely aimed at younger users, but there are heaps of great little 45 minute projects built into the app. Slightly cheaper than Spike Prime at about $AU450 per set. 
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"home" editions. Top right is the latest product - Mindstorms Robot Inventor (51515) Bottom left is the older EV3 Mindstorms (31313)
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There are also commercially available "home" versions of these products, which are good for people looking for their own kit. I'd check eBay first, but the latest "Lego Mindstorms Robot Inventor" (Similar to Sprike Prime) is available in stores. They are usually cheaper than the educational versions and if you can't find them in stores, try lego.com
The main differences are they both come with an infrared remote control. The older EV3 version does not come with a rechargeable lithium battery, but the newer Robot Inventor, does! The coding apps are exactly the same as they are for the education versions. If I was looking for a kit for my own child, I would choose the new Mindstorms Robot inventor. See a review of the new product, here. To see the latest Mindstorms (Robot Inventor 51515) compared to Spike Prime (45678), click here. To compare the old Mindstorms EV3 (31313) to the new Mindstorms Robot Inventor (51515) click here To compare EV3 home (31313) to the EV3 Educational version (45544) click here See Lego's video of the latest Mindstorms (Robot Inventor; 51515) home edition here. |
Traditional WeDo2.0 now being replaced by BricQ
BricQ motion Prime for ages 10+
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WEdo 2.0 & BricQThese are other popular Lego products which are great for students in Grades 2-5. The WeDo base set is around $AU 300 and probably the best place to buy them is either Modern Teaching Aides or Moreed Educational . I don't use these in my workshops because I have often thought they don't have enough "WOW" factor, but they are still are really good investment if schools are looking at a suitable introduction to robotics. They are good because they offer some good variety into a school's scope and sequence. I reckon the best age for these kits are Grades 3-4. But I believe WeDo are being phased out and replaced with the new "BricQ" series (Motion Prime and Essential) which, don't have motors, (technically not robots!) but are cheaper at about $AU175 per set More about BricQ Essential here More about BricQ Prime here More info about Wedo here. 
BricQ motion Essential for ages 6+
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Lego Boost (17101)Recommended Retail price is $AU249. I originally bought mine on eBay. I have recently seen retailers such as BIG W sell lego Boost sets for $AU199. But they are getting harder to find.
Remember, each set needs its own additional tablet. That's why they are pretty cheap; because most of the technology (even the sounds) are from the tablet. Warning: It takes a good two-three hours to build one of the five robots. I really like the free app, though. It's jam packed with clear instructions and a progressive tutorial where you need to unlock levels to proceed. The coding is simple but versatile. (Icon-block coding) However; connecting several kits via bluetooth is difficult, unless you do them one at a time. I can't imagine having a lot of these in one classroom. Connectivity would be too tricky. It's a great gift for your children at home, though! They are also compatible with the new Mindstorms (Spike Prime and Robot Inventor) |
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Bee Bots and Blue BotsBeebots are very popular in Australian schools. They really only suit kids up to grade 2, but I guess it depends on how creative you are with the tasks you set. A bluebot can do everything a beebot can, but can be remotely controlled via a phone or tablet. I really don't think bluebots are worth the investment considering they cost about the same as an entire Lego Boost kit ($AU200). Bulk orders are for beebots are the way to go, and I recommend Modern Teaching Aides,
Make sure you get the ones with built in rechargeable batteries, or you'll be buying lots of AA batteries! |
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Lego spare parts?I discovered BRICK OWL and it changed my life. It's a fact... some bits are more precious and rarer than others. Find every individual lego bit you are looking for here! Great for lost parts!
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