EV3 Home Edition (#31313) vs. EV3 Education (#45544) vs. EV3 Education FLL Edition
2015 - This article covers the difference between the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition and LEGO MINDSTORMS Education EV3 and what's available through the FLL website. PRICES CAN CHANGE!!
Article Link!
MINDSTORMS NXT Use it if you must but do NOT buy an NXT set for your team - it's a dinosaur vs. the EV3.
MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition set (LEGO #31313) $350 -the one you’ll find in toy stores. The free software used is a lower level than the Education software. DOES NOT INCLUDE: Ball firing device, rechargeable battery $79.95, battery charger $24.95, ultrasonic proximity sensor $29.95, gyro (rotation) sensor $29.95, extra touch sensor $19.95. Education software includes data logging capability and many good 'Robot Educator' lessons that are not included in this retail (free) version $99.95. Disadvantage to teams using the Education set. Add $385 (including expansion set $99.95) to upgrade to EV3 bundle.
MINDSTORMS EV3 Education Core Set (45544) $349 (+ $99.95) = $449 - sold online at Lego Education
The set contains 1 EV3 programmable brick, 2 Large Motors, 1 Medium motor, 2 Touch Sensors, 1 Color Sensor, 1 Ultrasonic Sensor and 1 Gyro sensor. The set also includes 7 connector cables and a USB cable for programming. The set includes a rechargeable battery for the EV3 brick. Does NOT include education software - thus the added $99.95.
MINDSTORMS EV3 Education Core FLL Bundle $499 at FLL with registration
In addition to the EV3 Core Set in includes the EV3 Expansion Set and EV3 Software ($349, $99.95, $99.95 = $549 if purchased separately)
MINDSTORMS EV3 Education Expansion Set (#45560) $99.95
This allows you to build bigger robots such as an elephant and a stair climber (link). The set includes over 850 building elements including beams, axles, and gears. It does not contain any electronic elements but the expansion set is considered necessary to be competitive.
EV3 Rechargeable DC Battery $59.95 (FLL) - $79.99 (Lego.com)
DC Battery Charger $24.95 (FLL or EDU) - $29.99 (Lego.com)
EV3 Education Software $99.95 (FLL or EDU)
EV3 Intelligent Brick $159.95 (FLL) $179.95 (EDU & Lego.com)
FLL Purchase Link
Lego EDU Purchase Link
Lego.com Purchase Link
Q 1. Can I use NXT parts with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3?
Yes. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Brick uses the same LEGO Technic elements and RJ12 connector cables as the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Brick, so all your existing sensors, motors and building elements will work with the new platform. Please notice that the NXT rechargeable battery cannot be used together with the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Brick.
Q 2. How do the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 sensors compare with the NXT sensors?
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Sensors are completely new digital sensors, providing a better build interface, higher performance, and more accuracy than NXT Sensors.
Q 3. Will LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Sensors work with the NXT Intelligent Brick?
No. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Sensors are digital and therefore will not work with the NXT Intelligent Brick.
Q 4. Will new connector cables be required?
No. LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 uses the same RJ12 connector cables as the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT.
Q 5. Can LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Sensors be used together with NXT Sensors?
Yes. LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Brick uses the same RJ12 connector cables as the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Brick.
Q 6. Can NXT Sensors be used with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Brick?
Yes. LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 uses the same LEGO Technic elements and RJ12 connector cables.
Q 7. Are there any Apps for EV3 available?
Yes. There are three free-to-download LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Apps available on both iOS and Android smart devices.
Q 8. Can I program the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Brick using NXT Software?
No. It is not possible to program your EV3 Brick with the NXT Software. There is On-Brick Programming App with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Brick for simple tasks. All of the EV3 Brick Programs can be uploaded into the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition Software for continued and advanced programming.
Mindstorms Support Link
CONCLUSION: It's more cost effective to buy the EV3 through FLL.
MINDSTORMS NXT Use it if you must but do NOT buy an NXT set for your team - it's a dinosaur vs. the EV3.
MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition set (LEGO #31313) $350 -the one you’ll find in toy stores. The free software used is a lower level than the Education software. DOES NOT INCLUDE: Ball firing device, rechargeable battery $79.95, battery charger $24.95, ultrasonic proximity sensor $29.95, gyro (rotation) sensor $29.95, extra touch sensor $19.95. Education software includes data logging capability and many good 'Robot Educator' lessons that are not included in this retail (free) version $99.95. Disadvantage to teams using the Education set. Add $385 (including expansion set $99.95) to upgrade to EV3 bundle.
MINDSTORMS EV3 Education Core Set (45544) $349 (+ $99.95) = $449 - sold online at Lego Education
The set contains 1 EV3 programmable brick, 2 Large Motors, 1 Medium motor, 2 Touch Sensors, 1 Color Sensor, 1 Ultrasonic Sensor and 1 Gyro sensor. The set also includes 7 connector cables and a USB cable for programming. The set includes a rechargeable battery for the EV3 brick. Does NOT include education software - thus the added $99.95.
MINDSTORMS EV3 Education Core FLL Bundle $499 at FLL with registration
In addition to the EV3 Core Set in includes the EV3 Expansion Set and EV3 Software ($349, $99.95, $99.95 = $549 if purchased separately)
MINDSTORMS EV3 Education Expansion Set (#45560) $99.95
This allows you to build bigger robots such as an elephant and a stair climber (link). The set includes over 850 building elements including beams, axles, and gears. It does not contain any electronic elements but the expansion set is considered necessary to be competitive.
EV3 Rechargeable DC Battery $59.95 (FLL) - $79.99 (Lego.com)
DC Battery Charger $24.95 (FLL or EDU) - $29.99 (Lego.com)
EV3 Education Software $99.95 (FLL or EDU)
EV3 Intelligent Brick $159.95 (FLL) $179.95 (EDU & Lego.com)
FLL Purchase Link
Lego EDU Purchase Link
Lego.com Purchase Link
Q 1. Can I use NXT parts with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3?
Yes. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Brick uses the same LEGO Technic elements and RJ12 connector cables as the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Brick, so all your existing sensors, motors and building elements will work with the new platform. Please notice that the NXT rechargeable battery cannot be used together with the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Brick.
Q 2. How do the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 sensors compare with the NXT sensors?
The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Sensors are completely new digital sensors, providing a better build interface, higher performance, and more accuracy than NXT Sensors.
Q 3. Will LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Sensors work with the NXT Intelligent Brick?
No. The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Sensors are digital and therefore will not work with the NXT Intelligent Brick.
Q 4. Will new connector cables be required?
No. LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 uses the same RJ12 connector cables as the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT.
Q 5. Can LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Sensors be used together with NXT Sensors?
Yes. LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Brick uses the same RJ12 connector cables as the LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT Brick.
Q 6. Can NXT Sensors be used with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Brick?
Yes. LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 uses the same LEGO Technic elements and RJ12 connector cables.
Q 7. Are there any Apps for EV3 available?
Yes. There are three free-to-download LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Apps available on both iOS and Android smart devices.
- EV3 Fix the Factory – the fun & challenging robot puzzle game from LEGO® MINDSTORMS®
- EV3 Robot Commander – the official robot command app from LEGO® MINDSTORMS®
- EV3 3D Builder - the official 3D building experience from LEGO® MINDSTORMS®
Q 8. Can I program the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Brick using NXT Software?
No. It is not possible to program your EV3 Brick with the NXT Software. There is On-Brick Programming App with the LEGO® MINDSTORMS® EV3 Brick for simple tasks. All of the EV3 Brick Programs can be uploaded into the LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Home Edition Software for continued and advanced programming.
Mindstorms Support Link
CONCLUSION: It's more cost effective to buy the EV3 through FLL.