How does the new LEGO Powered Up motor stacks against the existing PF motor? What are the differences? What is new? Will the hamster eat the cable? Check out now ;)
Older system is obviously superior, they should have kept this system and just made better motors, expanding their existing PF line would have been better.
BuWizz and SBrick aren't made by LEGO, if a model contains non-LEGO parts (except batteries), it ain't LEGO, plain and simple. Not to mention that one has to use a "smartphone" to control those units, which is a stupid idea in so many ways plus LEGO don't make mobile phones.
First: The inefficiencies of using a radio based system for simple on/off or rough speed control on a basic DC motor compared to IR. For example, with the Power Functions remote, the only thing that it is doing is running a low power microcontroller to sample which button is pressed and then pulsing a low power IR LED accordingly. Using a smartphone, one is running a massive computer with high powered CPU/GPU, power hungry bluetooth, power hungry GSM, massive LCD panel ect just to turn a simple motor on/off. Second: The limited range of bluetooth compared to IR when the Power Functions system is used properly. Sunlight or moonlight makes no difference. Third: The fact the when I play with my models outdoors, these drives can last for 2 or 3 hours covering distances of well over 1 mile (longest drive so far was almost 6 hours), a modern smartphone transmitting 10's or 100's of updates per second over bluetooth, the battery is simply not good enough, its fine for playing with your model for 10 minutes, but for hours on end, a smartphone is useless. Forth: Any time that a smartphone is connected to the internet, has bluetooth switched on, the phone is simply powered on, or even powered down but with battery still connected (as either MI5/6 or GCHQ told us a while ago), it leaves the device open to attack. I take the view that unless bluetooth, wifi ect need to be on, then I keep them off and since one has a better ways to control LEGO then with a smartphone, eg Power Functions, then I shall use the options LEGO have given us. Plus the Power Functions system is totally un-hackable, thus no little s**thead can hack it and mess it up. Search the internet for iOS/Andriod malware/virus's and then try to find some for the Power Functions system...I rest my case. Fifth: Even when you take into account the fact the I use non-rechargable batteries, the Power Functions system is far cheaper to run in the long run than using a smartphone and bluetooth. Yes using bluetooth can have its uses in a limited range of applications but BT and a smartphone is simply not up to the task for the way I use LEGO.
Why can't they go back to having the option of using batteries or power? Power is so much more reasonable for Lego Trains... Totally get batteries for other uses.
I bought 2 sets of powered up when I first saw they were available on the Lego store. I was greatly disappointed in the remote's system of controlling trains, the fact that because of their latest innovation, I have to pair controllers and battery boxes every time I turn one off,and that the regular, non-bogie motor is 30 dollars, I wish I had to wasted so much money on them. Powered up doesn't compare to power functions. Let this comment be a warning to all Lego train enthusiasts: GET POWER FUNCTIONS WHILE YOU STILL CAN.
If performance is same then they are killing off the old system just for some Bluetooth- which we've already gotten from sbrick and others BOOOO LEGO! EXPAND YOUR CURRENT SYSTEMS INSTEAD OF REPLACING Side note: get on lego shop and buy the cr*p out of all their motors
Their almost like apple now. A big loyal fanbase, and yet they treat them like trash. I don't recall a time lego listened to our cries for stuff, and that's why there are so many aftermarket lego things. While lego could add something that we've added to our lego add-ons, they likely won't. This is why I stick to the older legos, back when lego had the good power functions.
it was always like this remember the pre 2008 motors? In my opinion much better than the new ones except some more advanced stuff but in term of a good old motor that just runs they were better in my opinion
I always wanted more powerful Lego motors when I was a kid. 10 years later and we have this weird motor that is still weak but with a worse plug design and an app to control the speed. What an improvement!
Really hope they address the connection issue, it'd be nice to have variable speed, even if there are only 10 steps. Maybe while they're at it they can try making them more powerful too? 4:46 I love him he gets two thumbs up
Thank you! Im getting the set in christmas and im so excited to see how the new motors work! Also i enjoy the fact that you can have it smoothly controlled by the app!
I wonder if anyone makes custom lego pieces that work like the 9V system? Like they 3D print bricks and add metal strips to them to conduct electricity.
2:20 Except that the PF M motor won't sit down on the studs properly at all if you have a plate, tile or panel next to it, as they have not made the base part thick enough.
Nice comparison! So actually at the moment the only advantage (vs many disadvantages) is the fact it has studs on top which can enable some new solutions but not too many. I think Sariel you could also mention that the new colour line is shity, as it LBG and DBG is better blending with vehicles mechanics than white-LBG :) so we will need to add another effort to mask it in some MOCs....
Old systems only main advantage is the stackable outputs, and even then you are pretty limited due to battery box output. The powered Up line has a lot more available now, and if you use the City Hub 88009 you don't need to use a phone. Bluetooth connection means it wont get messed up by sunlight and does not need direct line of sight for control. You can even control multiple hubs with one remote at the same time if your train has multiple engines. I think the only problem with powered up is a lot of them were quickly retired, but there's a lot on used market so it's okay.
I was so excited to see a new motor but saddened how similar it is after 11 years. I would love to see some pricey high quality RC car type of motors for some builds. Might need metal gears at that point though...
that battery box with built in bluethooth would be amazing for remote controlled builds as it would save ALOT of space. if only it had power functions plugs on it ):
Not at all, they have different functions. In most cases they give an information to the hub what device is plugged in. The BOOST motor (missing in this video) delivers an angle decoder signal, the WeDo and BOOST Sensors communicate with the two wires using the I2C protocol. If you're curious, look here: www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/162288-powered-up-a-tear-down/
Why? The motors before the PF era weren't gone expensive after their discontinuation. BTW these new connectors are easily convertible to the stackable PF format.
I wonder what will companies like Sbrick and BuWizz will do, if the new sets are coming out with these new plugs? Hopefully Lego will make connection adapters like we have seen before, with the old 9v system.
Its about time someone did a Pf motor vs Power up motor comparison !!! much needed video !! Im sirslayer from eurobrick!!! thank you for your dedication to the Lego community and can you digitally sign my book by you?????? it would bring more value if you can signed them!!
I think PF will soon be something of the past. Powerup Lego is much more powerful and the obvious (perhaps late) step, and probably means a big lego investment.
Excellent comparison, thanks for that! Now we also need a comparison between the PU motors and the new ones from the Spike Prime/Robotic Invention set motors. I'm afraid these are the only ones Lego will support in the near future (?).
because they pulled one apple ass "upgrade" on us. Removing features that are really useful, adding barely anything of worth, and more or less its the same exact thing. If this works out and they dont get enough flak they are going to keep doing it, its how business works. This is the lego equivalent of the F-35 program, its a non-upgrade that has less situational usefulness, which is what this thing is built around.
I think I've used this new motor in WeDo 2.0. Honestly, I'm not a fan of this new plug. But new design is quite nice and opens up a fair bit more possibilities. BTW I'm still using old 9V motor from 1990.
bit disappointing that it isnt really any better performance wise if anything worse than the motor made 11 years ago why isnt it more powerful more torquey and faster?
The more power you put thru a brushed dc motor, the hotter it gets. Putting anything more than a single watt of power thru a motor this size would raise it's temperature to something you wouldn't want to touch. And since according to a source I've seen these motors have an efficiency of transforming electrical energy to mechanical energy of under 50%, you're only going to get half a watt or less out of the output shaft of the motor. Remember this is a kids toy, not a power tool. It just has to move things under their own power, not accomplish any meaningful work. So to keep costs down, they make the motors weak. If you want more torque, you gear down. If you want more speed, you gear up. If you don't have enough power, you use a larger motor like a PF L or XL.
I think the problem is, that the new Powered Up, M motor is, 3x more expensive then the Power Functions, M motor. I’m going to stick to Power Functions, for now
I have only one question. Why you didn't do a test on a technic wehicle? For example on RC tracked racer? That shuold show the real differents of these motors
Damn. If anyone has heard of the game Robocraft... LEGO is becoming just like the devs of Robocraft. They don’t listen to their customers and they just do whatever the hell they want to.
I think this new connector could be about controllability. Not just speed, but also position like in the mindstorms sets. The concept of getting information about the angle of the motor also completly denies the option to stack them up since each one has to be spoken with speratly. Only future will tell, maybe some new block will be added which has the option to stack these or so, but it will then need more space for sure...
I hope they're more efficient though. I'm not really bothered with the max speed and torque, I just want it to last longer under pressure without running out of energy within minutes like the Power Functions motors do.
I bought 2 sets of powered up when I first saw they were available on the Lego store. I was greatly disappointed in the remote's system of controlling trains, the fact that because of their latest innovation, I have to pair controllers and battery boxes every time I turn one off,and that the regular, non-bogie motor is 30 dollars, I wish I had to wasted so much money on them. Powered up doesn't compare to power functions. Let this comment be a warning to all Lego train enthusiasts: GET POWER FUNCTIONS WHILE YOU STILL CAN. If you don't use Lego motors for trains, then what they have out so far for remotes makes them rather unusable. You HAVE to control everything remotely.
Just... Why? The system isn't even BC with the old one! At least PF extension cables made an elegent BC solution! And plus this makes extending cables WAY too complicated. Wires like these should be limited to MINDSTIRMS.
i say i want my stackable plugs this is B.S. get with it Lego Powered Up motor on a G.B.C. that uses 13 L-motors i don't think so that is 7 hubs over $50 each and 42AA batteries or with the pf 3-5 train regulators no batteries
I would say the best improvement we could look for is more speed/torque for the same size, but is it possible ? I'm not sure there are improvements in this area the latest 10 years, I would really like to have the point of view of the experts around here! :) like you Sariel.
What about 2019 first TECHNICS Sets? No Powered up function`s? Any information what and when we can expect? Is it still worth to buy 42030 set to get all power functions?
Dziękuję, myślałem jak dodać PW na zbudujmyto lub na FB, Mam Twoja książkę i buduje z synem ale jedyny silnik jaki posiadam to lego boost i masakrycznie się buduje z użyciem tego. Posiadamy nowy lego train wiec już mam nadajnik i odbiornik i bardzo liczę na silniki :). Czekam na informacje w takim układzie !!!
I'm a fan of the stackable plugs for the motors too. What I am more interested in what type of motor LEGO uses. brushed or brushless . Brushless motors are far superior to the brushed motors but they do need a control unit also called an ESC (Electronic Speed Control) in order to work.
