Lego® has long been a staple of childhood playtime, allowing kids to create and explore with their imaginations. The introduction of the Powered Up 88009 Hub brought the world of Lego to life, allowing for remote controlled Lego cars and other exciting builds.
Whether you’re a parent looking for an educational and exciting activity for your kids, or a tech enthusiast wanting, it's a great way to introduce your kids to the world of technology and robotics by incorporating it into their Lego play, especially since Lego announced that they will be retiring their Lego Mindstorms theme.
What is the Lego® Powered Up 88009 Hub?
Lego® Powered Up 88009 Hub is a powerful and versatile hub that gives you the power to control and power up your Lego Powered Up sensors and motors for the ultimate building and engineering experience.
The 88009 Hub can be used in conjunction with other Lego Technic pieces to create a wide range of mechanical models, from Lego cars and trucks to cranes and construction equipment. It can be controlled using a smartphone app or a Bluetooth-enabled remote control, allowing users to control the speed, direction, and movement of their creations such as their remote-controlled Lego cars.
Unfortunately, Lego stops selling the Hub at the end of 2022. For this reason, we have gone in search of a Lego 88009 alternative.
Our favorite Lego® 88009 Alternative
With Lego® 88009, the possibilities are made endless. Imagine the thrill of seeing your Lego creations take on a life of their own as a Lego train runs through your very own Lego city. Nothing else can quite compare to that excitement and satisfaction. However, if you are looking for third-party controllers that will switch up your Lego experience, we highly suggest that you consider BuWizz 3.0 Pro.
BuWizz
BuWizz is a company that specializes in creating devices for powering and controlling Lego models. They offer a range of products, including the BuWizz 3.0 Pro and BuWizz 2.0, which can be used to power and control Lego sets. The company is based in Slovenia and was founded in 2015.
BuWizz 3.0 Pro
The all-new BuWizz 3.0 Pro is the best alternative way to power and control your Lego® models. This upgraded version from BuWizz comes with a number of new features that make it even better than its predecessor. It now provides programmable power – giving you access to g-meters, voltage gauges, a variety of sliders, buttons, joysticks, and even a tilt function controlled by your phone's accelerometer.
The device comes with a powerful internal battery, programmable power settings, and a variety of pre-loaded controllers that can be used to control the speed, direction, and movement of your creations. You can also design your own unique controller using the BuWizz app.
Here are the notable features of BuWizz 3.0:
- The 4 PU ports support all current motors, lights, and sensors (including Boost, Spike, WeDo 2.0, and Lego Mindstorms robot Inventor), enabling you to build amazing creations with your imagination.
- The Pro version also comes with a high-performance rechargeable Li-Po battery with a capacity of 2300 mAh, 8.5 Wh
- The 3-axis acceleration sensor allows you to measure acceleration, g-force in cornering, the attitude of your model, and more.
- It can control four Powered Up motors (or sensors) and two Power Functions (or older 9V) motors
- It also has an impressive battery life that can last up to seven hours.
- It comes with a micro-USB charging cable, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and a detailed instruction manual
With so many great features packed into one device, the BuWizz 3.0 Pro is perfect for anyone interested in learning (or teaching) robotics or programming – not to mention building custom and advanced motorized Lego models.
Lego® 88009 vs. BuWizz 3.0 Pro
When it comes to choosing a remote control system for your Lego® creations, it can be difficult to choose between the two top contenders: the Lego 88009 and the BuWizz 3.0 Pro. Both offer a range of features and benefits, so let's take a closer look at how they compare.
Design
The Lego® 88009 is designed specifically for use with Lego products like the Lego Technic Cranes and offers users an easy-to-use remote control system that can be used with any compatible device. It has two channels, a two-button design, and an LED indicator for power status.
On the other hand, the BuWizz 3.0 Pro is a more advanced remote control system that offers up to five channels of control and a host of advanced features such as Bluetooth connectivity, built-in gyroscope stabilization, and adjustable speed settings.
Performance
The BuWizz 3.0 Pro has a higher performance because of its powerful microprocessor in comparison to Lego® 88009, allowing for more precise control and smoother operation of the motor. The microprocessor allows for quicker acceleration, sharper turns, and better responsiveness when controlling your models. And because the motor runs more smoothly, it also reduces wear and tears on the gears and other parts inside the set.
Price
In terms of pricing, both systems are reasonably priced; however, the BuWizz 3.0 Pro is more expensive priced at $169.15 than the Lego® 88009 due to its additional features. The Lego 88009 is priced at $49.99. Overall, both systems offer excellent value for money, so it all comes down to your preference on how you want your Lego creations will be.
Functionality
If you're looking for something simple but reliable, the Lego® 88009 could be the perfect choice for you; however, if you're after something more sophisticated and advanced then the BuWizz 3.0 Pro may be worth investing in.
- Customizable settings: The BuWizz 3.0 Pro has a range of customizable settings, allowing users to tailor the performance of the motor to their specific needs.
- Bluetooth and NFC connectivity: The BuWizz 3.0 Pro has Bluetooth 4.2 and NFC capabilities, allowing users to easily connect and control their motor using a smartphone or tablet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, BuWizz 3.0 Pro is a worthy investment for any Lego® builder who wants to power their Lego MOC and other sets. The latest Bluetooth battery update of the Lego 88009 Alternative offers an incredible 100m range, making it the only product on the market that can control both Powered Up and Power Functions simultaneously.
On top of that, with the BuWizz app, you can program and customize all of this without a computer or any programming knowledge. Perfect for both beginners and advanced Lego builders.
If you are looking for great Lego deals at an affordable price to add to your Lego collections, be sure to check out the Brickfact app for price comparison. You can choose from a list of sellers and buy Lego sets at the best price. The Brickfact app informs you via push notification as soon as a new Lego deal is available. It is also free and available for both iOS and Android.
