Thames and Kosmos Remote-Control Machines DLX

Great kit. I got it for a 6 yo and he plays with it for up to 5 hours at a time. Based on some reviews, I expected some problems with the robotic arm project. But no, he built it completely on his own with no problems. I do see some opportunities for improvement to the gear couplings on some projects like the crane, but I use them as teaching opportunities to show him how to think independently from instructions and "design" his own fixes to minor defects. I also like it is not constrained to one model like certain over priced lego kits. This one has 20 different projects that show how motors and gears are used in everyday machines. I've even started to show him how to change gearing ratios to make a car go faster or have more power. Some parts are somewhat hard to separate but my 6 yo has figured out how to do it all on his own. I'm very happy with this kit. It is different from rigid lego kits that have difficulty incorporating movement and are limited to one model. Make sure you get the latest version as I noticed some improvements between older kits and this one. Also, the price is right for so much entertainment time...

This may be one of the coolest and most high quality toys I've encountered in a long time. My 9 yr old built the domestic robot first and can't stop playing with it! Parts are high quality, instructions are precise and it even includes some basic details on the pysics and practical applications of the different models. Can't say how refreshing it is to finally not have to fix a toy before it even starts getting used. Not an inexpensive kit, but worth every dollar.

This is a well constructed German designed item. I emphasize German because it is far superior to the Asian built things that proliferate the market. Although it says it's for kids 8 and up, I would take that with a big grain of salt unless someone older is assisting in the construction. Once assembled kids 8 and under can easily use it. It's great for teaching kids how to construct electro-mechanical devices and learn how they work. The pictorial instructions are pretty clear once you get the hang of it.

I want to be happy with this purchase, but only time will tell. The box it came in, while not visibly in used condition at first glance, was very clearly used once opened. The inside compartments were ripped, and as I cut the taped edges to open the box initially, I could see that this box had been taped previously. These details worry me that we were sold a previously returned/used item. So, will it break or not work properly as we use the various pieces? Won’t know until we use them all, and not every part is used in each set of construction directions. Buying any toy from Amazon has become a crap shoot of what condition the item delivered to you will be. Easy returns, yes. But who is policing whether those returned/damaged items are being resold to another unsuspecting consumer. Thumbs down. This toy is WAY too expensive to be sold in this condition.

Super cool. Plenty of different projects to keep it interesting for a long time. It isnt easy, so id recommend it for at least a smart 9 year old

My 11 year old daughter loves this! I can't say enough things about it. It has kept her busy for hours upon hours. She has built so many different robots. One of the best toys I have purchased in a long time! Creates future engineers in my opinion.

My 6yr. old son loves this and uses it everyday. It is rather pricey but since you can make so many different things it is worth the money! One toy that keeps on giving. :) He did have some trouble at first getting the small parts apart and doing it on his own but after a few months he was able to do projects by himself. Might not be an issue for one who is older.

After watching a promotional video of the machines I bought 2 kits. Only after I gave the kits as presents did I discover that you cannot use both kits at the same time because they are on the same channel. The video falsely portrays the use of more than one machine.