Buy or Build

[Freeze]

Yes... I'm a newb, squid, whichever. And I'm looking for my first bi-ped.

But I'm getting stuck deciding where to start... sort of. My personal preference, after pouring over forums and such, is the Kondo line.

My track record with other tech is to upgrade to my higher standards. This usually means that I end up with something that has little "stock" left and a big box of parts I will never use.

So... does it make more sense to buy an "off the shelf" kit and upgrade later or build from the ground up with assembled parts?

Basically, start with the conversion kit with the 2350 servos rather than a stock kit full of servos that will end up in a parts bin. Then proceed to buy a controller and other odds and ends as required to complete the rig.

Or is that just over-kill? Or no one goes that far anyways unless competing? Or just not cost effective? Or just a dumb approach

This guys site is a good read. If you can stomach the software translation.

This is where I'd like to go with a rig:
http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en ... heN-9cnCwQ

And this is a link is to his full on custom "NEO"
http://translate.google.com/translate?u ... l=ja&tl=en


Any advice / insight???

[srobot]

Have you built and/or programmed robots/rc cars/computers before?

What type of stuff are you most interested in? Programming, building, controlling it?

If you know a lot about this stuff I'd say build a custom robot, but even I find it very helpful to start with a kit and over time customize it.

--srobot

[Freeze]

I'm more of a builder / fabricator. My computers and rc rigs are all custom works. I'm not proficient in code so the programing side I could do without. But by that I don't mean I'm adverse to building custom moves, gaits, etc using existing software. I just don't want to start from scratch and make custom software.

I realize kits are the easiest way in to gain experience and that's how I started in PCs and RCs. But I did spend a lot of money and time turning them into what they should have been in the first place.

I guess the question is, personally, looking back do you wish you had started with a kit... or built it right, the way you want, the first time. Or as close to it as you could have imagined at the time.

Without experience I realize I cannot predict or see into the future to determine what I will eventually end up with and then buy just those parts rather than progressing "normally". Essentially, without experience I would have to copy an existing design and go from there.

[srobot]

I know what you mean, I did RC cars back in 1996 - 2001.

I've found robotics and RC cars to be on one hand 100% different and on the other 100% the same.

What is different is largely the money, and what you can do with what you have.

What is the same is the concepts and ideas behind both.

Looking back I would never have done RC cars if I would have found robotics sooner.

I personally like the Bioloid because you can easily program custom robots with the software that comes with it, and if you need help you can get it.

In most cases it is cheaper to buy the stock robot and customizing it over buying all of the servos and stuff separately. Plus you get the added experience.

One thing that will help you is if you have ever programmed (even something very simple) in BASIC or a similar type of language. That way you know the basic flow of programming.

What ever choice you make though, I'm sure you will get plenty of support from fellow builders.

--Scotty

[Freeze]

I figure the mechanics and fabricating of a bot is the draw for me. Second the "making them do things and stuff".

To compare this to RC I would have never bought the "cheaper" vehicles trying to save money and thinking it would be good enough. The would have been "enough" if it was something I ended up getting bored of after a month. Not so. Same with buying "entry-level" mountain bikes... and computers just good enough to get the job done at the time... Hard to predict though.

I think the Kondo line is strong draw due to the following it has in Japan. Something used and modded that much must have potential and worth the time and money. For me the bioloid may not take me as far as I would hope to go. Robonova... not with a LOT of upgrading. That's not saying they are not good for what they are.

But back to the topic... guess it does come down to how confidant one is that they will go far in the hobby. Not sure if it will be what you think it is... go in slow. Rich... heck... do whatever

[srobot]

But back to the topic... guess it does come down to how confidant one is that they will go far in the hobby. Not sure if it will be what you think it is... go in slow. Rich... heck... do whatever

Yeah, that is a lot of what this is

I too like buying a computer that will be the best now, and in 3 years that same computer will be middle level.

If you have worked with metal before (which it sounds like you have), I'd say you will be able to build a custom bot!

When you go to buy, keep in mind what I said about the buying the parts separately may cost more.

If you have any more questions let us know!

Cheers!

[Robo1]

If you like the kondo line and have the money build the kit out of parts with the 2353 servo's these servos are so much better then the standard servos and parts. the plastic parts in the khr-2 are rubbish and I replaced them with metal ones. The only expensive thing about doing it this way is the control board cost £130 on it's own. But if you or a friend can build a control board then it's a much better way and will keep the hobby more alive as you r making it rather then just screwing it together.

[Robo1]

Having a think about it and looking at your link then I would say go for it your like having your own custom bot more then just of the shelf one. Have a look at this link for a control to sequence the servos.

if your good at CAD hake all you own parts have a look at my home built bot here it should give you some ideas.

Bren

[Freeze]

After running more numbers through my abacus it seems that a kit is the most cost effective way to get the base components and start from scratch. Unless it's a "money no object" project.

The RCB and a handful of servos bought separately meets the retail cost of a kit pretty fast.

Guess I'll go kit and enjoy the inevitable hindsight at a later date.

[tempusmaster]

After running more numbers through my abacus it seems that a kit is the most cost effective way to get the base components and start from scratch. Unless it's a "money no object" project.

The RCB and a handful of servos bought separately meets the retail cost of a kit pretty fast.

Guess I'll go kit and enjoy the inevitable hindsight at a later date.

Unless you're a professional with lots of experience, patience, and $$$, start with a kit. Once you get that up and running, then start replacing or mod'ing subsystems one at a time. Even Maru-san (King Kizer) started that way, and recommends it to anyone that asks for his advice.