Lego Mindstorms EV3 - does anyone have it? Is it worth it?

[LeMesmer]

DS (12) has been asking for Lego Mindstorms for the last couple of years but I have always said it is too expensive (and I don't think he would previously have had the patience to build it). I have seen it now on Amazon for 219 pounds, cheaper than I have seen it before and I am sorely tempted to order it for Christmas.

But - is it worth it? I don't mind paying that if it will be used, but not if it is a 9 day Christmas wonder. Does anyone have it, do your DC play with it, is it as good as it is supposed to be? DS still 'plays' with lego most days, building stuff, using it in animated films so he hasn't grown out of the usual lego yet really, and I know he would love this as the more grown up Lego - but I'm still wondering

PS, the other thing is a bought him a build your own robotic arm last Christmas which he thought was great until he and his Dad started to build it on Christmas Day. I hid in the kitchen while WW3 started over poor instructions, which screw went where, who was in charge of building, whose present was it....etc.....etc....for hours. I really don't want a repeat of that!

They are bringing out a new simpler lego robot , similar concept but for a younger age group.

That's probably why ev3 price has dropped.
Both of my DS were looking for ev3 last year but there's no way they'd be able for it. Actually after reading your second post I think my dh wouldn't be old enough for ev3 either.

😁 I think most DHs should be kept away from robot building. We saw the more simple version in the Lego shop, and DS really liked it, but I think it was more because he thought he would never get Mindstorms. It looks good but I think at 12 it perhaps wouldn't be of interest as long as Mindstorms. I am sure you are right though that is why the price has come down, I hadn't thought of that.