SpaceRail perpetual marble runs?

[BearSoFair]

Considering buying for DS2 (12) as he's very much into those kind of engineering/building items but reviews seem a bit mixed. Some saying instructions aren't clear enough, or they're just far too fiddly to enjoy making. Age on the box says 15+ but DS will happily work on these kind of things for hours as long as he can see he's actually making progress. Has anyone tried them, and are they worth it or is it just too frustrating to be enjoyable?

I haven’t tried those, altho now I might. Has he tried the Rokr ones? They’re laser cut wood, possibly aimed a bit younger but still very satisfying. The only thing I would say is that they need a touch of glue, which can lead to marble-run-finger, a little known and sometimes embarrassing condition 😳
They’re very satisfactory little machines once built. If I did another I would consider staining the pieces in colours as an experiment.

We had one and I must admit we gave up (and I love a challenge) but my DS was only 10 at the time so maybe yours will fare better.

Thank you both. I hadn't come across Rokr, I'll take a look at those!

Not perpetual motion, but we have the Hape marble runs which are excellent, officially they are mine but they kept DS (who is 9) amused screen free for most of 4 days of self-isolating off school due to catching COVID.