Review: 42124 Off-Road Buggy
Posted by Huw,
Control+, the implementation of the Powered Up electronics platform for Technic sets, was launched in 2019 and 42124 Off-Road Buggy is the fifth set to incorporate it.
It's LEGO's second attempt to create an 'affordable' Control+ set, following last year's abysmal 42109 App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car, but that's not really a word that can be used to describe a 374-piece model that costs $130 / £120 and on top of that requires a fairly modern smartphone to actually operate it.
Let's see what you get for your money...
Parts
The bulk of the cost is attributable to the Control+ components: a Technic hub and two large motors. Bought separately from LEGO.com they would cost £135 (£75 for the hub and £30 per motor) / $170, so I suppose from that point of view the set is a bargain!
Bright-reddish violet Technic pieces are relatively rare, having been first used extensively in last year's 5678 SPIKE Prime. This set introduces two new ones, the only pieces of the colour in it.
Dark azur Technic parts have been around a bit longer, and this set contains 15 of them, including the new-for-this-year 3x7 and 2x3 panels.
The most exciting pieces in it, however, are these two 15l beams with holes in two planes. LEGO describes it as Beam 15 Module, W/ 4.85 Hole, No. 1, design number 71710.
I suppose it is a logical progression of the frames that feature holes in this arrangement along their sides, and I will not be surprised if smaller lengths are introduced in the coming years.
The tyres are brand new too, design number 69909, and you'll see them clearly below.
A sticker sheet is provided but I didn't apply them.
Construction
As you would expect, it does not take long to assemble the 374 pieces. The front wheels feature suspension and steering, which is driven directly from one of the motors.
The completed model
Given the number of pieces, I think it looks quite good, and while it probably would look better with stickers applied it does not look bad without them.
An 'aerial' has been fitted to make it look like a toy radio control car.
The second motor is built into the rear axle assembly to provide power to the back wheels, via one of the new differential components.
That assembly is connected to the front of the chassis with two axles, and to the top of the vehicle with two springs which thus allows the chassis to bend in the middle and provide rudimentary suspension.
The hub is positioned low down in the centre of the chassis and its batteries can be changed without needing to disassemble anything.
Operation
A smartphone is required to operate the car via a bluetooth connection. Generally, I've found establishing and maintaining such a connection to be fairly reliable but occasionally I've needed to reboot my phone (Samsung Galaxy S9) to get it to connect to the hub.
The Control+ app has been updated to include this model and once it's connected to it, you are presented with the screen below.
Acceleration and steering are accomplished using the control pad on the left. The car goes much faster than you might expect so you need a large space to drive it in if you're not to continually bump into things. The buttons on the right trigger sound effects through the phone's speaker and the large one at the bottom is the brake.
I didn't find it that easy to go at anything less than full speed, partly because the control surface is tiny, so the smallest move of your finger results in dramatic changes in speed or direction. I also found it difficult to reverse and steer to back away from obstacles, mainly because it goes so fast. This isn't such an issue in a large area but it is when trying to manoeuvre around furniture and doors in a tight space.
It's a shame, then, that the most basic of controls is so tricky to use. The joystick-like control is far too small and sensitive to be able to do so with any finesse: something using the phone's tilt sensors to move and steer would probably have made it much easier. Perhaps kids with small fingers will be better at it than I...
As you might expect there is some sort of game built into the app, which is accessed by pressing on the orange square in the corner. You can race against a virtual opponent using various 'power ups' and weapons shown on the left to get the better of him.
Your opponent also has the same techniques at his disposal and various manoeuvres are required to avoid falling foul of them.
I haven't delved into this fully yet, and to be honest I probably won't. One thing's for sure, though, you'll need a large space to drive in if you're to compete in the challenges and not keep crashing into things while looking at the screen. Adults are likely to consider it to be little more than a gimmick, although kids may well have fun with it, and it should in theory increase the longevity of play.
Verdict
As a small ratio-controlled car, I think the set is quite successful. It certainly looks much better than the Top Gear rally car monstrosity and it's probably as small and as cheap as sets incorporating Control+ are going to get. But it's still astronomically expensive! A non-LEGO comparable car would cost a quarter of this and is likely to be more robust, more fun and more easily controlled.
The look of the vehicle and the 'off-road' tyres give the impression that this is suitable for use outside. If you have a large tarmacked surface free of obstacles to drive it around I suspect it will be fun to do so, but I would not recommend crashing into things unless you want to damage/lose pieces, and while theoretically Bluetooth has quite a large range outside, I suspect in practice you'd be hampered by connectivity issues beyond 30-40m or so.
So, effectively, it's most suitable for use indoors and, as I keep saying, you need a large space available to operate it in, and that's something most of us in the UK at least don't have at our disposal.
Furthermore, in my opinion, using a phone to control it saps the fun out it: having to find your phone in the first place, then mess about with Bluetooth, fire up the app, establish a connection and so on. That's 5 minutes gone before you even get started. I'd much rather flick a switch and use a dedicated remote control.
Overall then, unless you really need an app-controlled Technic buggy in your life, there's not much to recommend it: it's expensive and it requires a smartphone and a large area to drive it in. Plus, when you're not playing with it, it is not a particularly attractive display model.
It's available now at LEGO.com but I really can't recommend buying it at full price. The Top Gear car dropped to 40% below RRP in the UK at Amazon last November so it's reasonable to expect this will do the same in due course.
Video review
As always, Sariel has produced an excellent review that showcases the model's capabilities, much of it filmed outside.
Thanks to LEGO for providing this set for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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45 comments on this article
Honest review! Fun-looking little car.
Remember Power Functions, and their 'modular', intuitive, customisable remote controls...? That please, LEGO.
And speed. More speed. Always more speed.
Great review, fully agree! :-)
I just wanted to add that it is possible to create custom controls in Powered Up app, RacingBrick prepared a tutorial: https://youtu.be/AuL-wdn3v4g
Powered Up is just plain stupid which will renders sets useless when Lego decides to no longer support the app. Not to mention the ridiculous battery eating.
But the most stupid thing is that Lego needs to get kids away from smartphones to buy their toys and they are forcing kids to have these time-eaters around even when playing with Lego. Why not use the phone then all the time and ignore Lego in the future....
The Hub costs £75?! Without batteries, too. Damn, Lego needs to do something about that.. that is not acceptable. I like these little buggies, tho.
This is a good look for Technic: minimal bodywork so you can see the mechanical guts. Well, except that the most important of those are sealed inside the Powered Up components.
I just can't appreciate Control+ for all the reasons already discussed. Last year I converted the Volvo Hauler to Power Functions (with continuous steering, by the way) and one day I will do the same for the Liebherr (bigger project...). Going forward, unless it is a vehicle I absolutely need in my collection, I will not be buying Control+ sets.
If the dark azur parts were turquoise, this set would have a strong late 90s/early 2000s Technic vibes.
Omg, I just realise how dirt cheap 42065 was in comparison... and it had better looks too, IMO.
I can't be bothered with all the new powered up stuff just yet. For now, I consider it a giant step back from the Power Functions days.
@JayCal said:
"I can't be bothered with all the new powered up stuff just yet. For now, I consider it a giant step back from the Power Functions days."
I have to agree. It just saps the fun out of operating the models: having to find your phone, mess about with Bluetooth, fire up the app, establish a connection and so on. I'd much rather flick a switch and use a dedicated remote control.
My son's getting my old (but still in great shape!) 5600 for his birthday in a few months--I think it'll be plenty fun, we already own it, and it won't require my phone.
Totally agree with those who think Powered Up is a giant step back from the good old Power Functions. While it has some fancy functions, TLG killed the major part of the fun by forcing the use of smart devices, apps and by eliminating dedicated controller with physical feedbacks.
They couldn't even make it work off the train remote, which has swivelling controls specifically for driving a car. Pathetic. And have you seen the RRP for just a dumb version of the battery box on its own? $30! Ridiculous.
LEGO have ruined Technic for a generation.
Good review.
I liked the video, too, but I'm not sure how long a zucchini is, so that doesn't help. We don't get them much in the UK.
And I rant on LEGO Mario for bad price per piece with electronic.
With this amount of money U can bay a decent RC car with great speed, that don't relay on your smartphone. And since almost all the cost of this set goes to the nub and motors, that have literally 1 function - to move - I don't think this is a good set.
I need to agree with comments above, Lego is intended to take children away from phones, and not back way.
How funny that the ninjago city gardens is such a good price but this is the complete opposite lol
@darthnorman said:
"The Hub costs £75?! Without batteries, too. Damn, Lego needs to do something about that.. that is not acceptable. I like these little buggies, tho."
Two things: these hubs can be found for way less from parted out sets. I just got 2 for 40 €. For that price I even peeled one open to inspect the guts so it is no big deal it has some plastic damage now. The internals are totally cool (80MHz 32 bit ARM + 32 bit BLE microcontroller) which brings me to:
Second thing: these hubs are basically a downsized 51515 hub. You loose 2 ports, but it is similarly powerful when programmed and allows full stand-alone robot making. On the other hand, it gives connected motors more oomph, as the voltage is 9V and the hub has capacitors, where the 51515/Spike hub runs at 7.2V without capacitors.
The real retailprice is 95€, so for a programmable robot hub and 2 servo-like motors, it is not too bad. Don't forget those 25€ Chinese remote buggies CAN'T STEER, they have that stupid all-or-nothing steering. Here you can easily add more motors, a distance sensor or a colour sensor, turn it into a tank, a segway (the hub has a gyroscope!), a rubik solver, just what you imagine.
@IgelCampus said:
"Powered Up is just plain stupid which will renders sets useless when Lego decides to no longer support the app. Not to mention the ridiculous battery eating.
But the most stupid thing is that Lego needs to get kids away from smartphones to buy their toys and they are forcing kids to have these time-eaters around even when playing with Lego. Why not use the phone then all the time and ignore Lego in the future...."
Kids like smartphones. LEGO likes when people buy their stuff. I’d rather see a kid playing with an app-controlled LEGO set than just staring at their phone all day.
@Slobrojoe said:
"Good review.
I liked the video, too, but I'm not sure how long a zucchini is, so that doesn't help. We don't get them much in the UK."
Its a courgette :) Not sure thats a standard unit of measurement though - could be anywhere between large radish and small cucumber
Assuming the center of the control App is a tilt sensor as in X-treme off-roader 42099, as this had some interesting feedback when driving at steep angles. The wheels look interesting for own mocs, together with the powered up components, so maybe as suggested best to look at this as a powered up components set.
For several of the reasons already mentioned above, I also do not like app controlled LEGO and will not buy it.
Instead, I bought a 42095 RC Racer at a steep discount last month, to get some Power Functions parts. Contrary to initial rumours, this set has not yet been discontiniued. Good news for those who want to stick with Power Functions.
Through the introduction of Powered Up, Lego basically left their closed ecosystem for the first time when it comes to primary (play)functions. It solely depends on the use of a third party device, which as far as i know is something truly new for Lego. To me it makes them less independent, which kind of worries me for things to come. On another note, Lego is the perfect medium to get kids and adults in a fantasy world without the need of modern day touch screens, social media and other "screen-driven-interfaces"... We all know that their Hidden Side theme didn't work out well, with its augmented reality feature.. Although I bought the entire theme for the great sets and parts, I've never bothered to use my phone on them... Lego is "hands on" discovery in a tactile way for kids of every age. Don't fix something that isn't broken. If you want to play a videogame, Lego has that covered already, and with good results. If you just want to build, put down your phone and please give us an offline closed ecosystem for powered functions... like: Power Functions was.
Yeah yeah, I sound like an old fart ;-)
Powered Up is an interesting electronics control system. I either like it or dislike it depending on what I'm making. Some creations don't need much where PF is sufficient, while other creations are more complicated where PU would work better.
This set isn't too bad, but I'd rather get the Liebherr which I think demonstrates the PU system much better.
LEGO has mentioned "80s RC buggies" repeatedly. Tamiya, Kyosho, and LOSI all have not only reissues of old buggies, high-end offerings that offer more power, better range, endless upgrades, and no need for a smartphone. I noticed Kyosho now has a 4WD chassis with a normal ride height in the Mini-Z size range that is only like $60 more. And let's not forget the growing number of nice sub-$50 RC options on the market. With LEGO you're stuck with the same shocks, same wheels, same tires, same motors. And there isn't such a thing as aluminum Technic beams. When I build a motorized LEGO model, it's just that. This is a dumb idea in my opinion; as LEGO is competing directly with the pro-grade RC models. However, when LEGO does RC heavy machinery, I prefer that. The cheap RC machinery (and by that, I mean anything under $200) is weak (meaning they can't lift or dig much), has poor battery life, and are cheaply made; with no way to repair them when something breaks. With LEGO, you can make more powerful machines at less cost. But doing basic RC cars is a little nuts.
While this buggy is neat, in my opinion, Control+ is a huge downgrade from Power Functions. It is more expensive, more complicated, and once LEGO drops support of the app, you have an expensive paperweight. I have a Mini Z Overland Mitsubishi Pajero; and it's 22 years old; but still works great. I know people with 40-year-old RC planes. Not to mention, most of the old electronic stuff LEGO did still works as long as someone took the batteries out. I don't know why they simply didn't just make an improved Power Functions that used 2.4GhZ tech like most RC companies; as opposed to all this smartphone linked nonsense.
The beams are fantastic! I like the buggy, but at a much lower price, and there should be a seperate remote control indeed.
Ah, Huw...
Wishbone suspension? You know what a wishbone looks like, right?
"The buttons on the left trigger sound effects..." - you mean right, right?
As Tim wrote on NewElementary, it's not just the size of the control area, it's the total lack of feedback that a sheet of glass offers. I'd happily trade in the proportional steering and speed for two physical joysticks or sets of buttons like the PU train controller.
Makes you wonder what sort of research and test LEGO have done for this. Given it to kids who have never used a proper remote control and have grown up with tablets? I'm sure they'll find it a cool toy. For anyone who has used a proper remote control car this just won't do.
I already have the Top Gear Disaster (bought at proper discount) so despite the cool tyres I have no intention of buying this set. Sorry LEGO, you developed a nice new framework for robot building but for most other Technic applications it's just too limited and expensive.
That's a good point about the feedback, or lack of it.
@JayCal said:
"We all know that their Hidden Side theme didn't work out well, with its augmented reality feature.. "
I feel like I keep hearing this, either a lot of people are saying this, or a few people are saying it a lot. What exactly is the evidence for it?
@MisterBrickster said: "I feel like I keep hearing this, either a lot of people are saying this, or a few people are saying it a lot. What exactly is the evidence for it?"
The fact that the sets are shelf-warmers?
The Super Mario sets were the same in Australia, over the Christmas period. The Lego aisles had been picked clean, except for the piles of Mario sets, sitting there untouched.
Thanks for this honest review. Just what I've been saying for quite a while. Technic is going down the drain, and Control+ is the worst aspect of it.
Incidentally, a while ago I bought a proper RC car from Tamiya, including remote, battery and painted as well as printed body, for about the same amount of money as this thing. Needless to say there's no comparison. I just don't get why anyone would buy this overpriced yet incapable thing just because it says LEGO on the box.
This is the sort of set begging for an option to buy without the hub & motors so I could incorporate the ones I have already. But why the different controller set up to 42099? I find that works quite well with separate steering & motion but it's easy to control geared down, thus slower, as I have it.
Do you know why they (the authorities) try to discourage people from texting in a car? Because you can't see the road ahead when you are looking at your phone. Do you know why these toys - this cute little one and the monstrosity of last year - are useless? Because you can't look where you are going while looking at the screen of your phone.
So, I believe we all agree: Lego please create a Bluetooth remote control. Anyone will just have to buy one - and will be able to use it with all the models that require visual feedback - which is most of them!
I recently discovered the new tutorial on control+ GOLD! That was long overdue and, shame to Lego, this tutorial was provided by a user - many thanks to him. Lego should have provided us with that on the day that the first control+ system was sold.
New beams should prove to be very useful in many situations. I also like the tilted front of the buggy (technique also done on the MacLaren).
I believe I will eventually buy this but modify it for independent rear suspension (the buggy will most likely get bigger) and improved controls once I've spent some time on the control+ tutorial. Steering by tilting the phone might make this model usable...
Thanks for the fair and honest review, giving this wonderful-looking vehicle a real chance and reporting on its very real shortcomings. As a former full-time RC'er (I think at last count I reviewed, customized, raced, flew, scratchbuilt, etc., over 700 of the things), I really wanted this to be decent. I would never expect hobby grade RC performance from a LEGO machine. However, Amazon toy grade speed for twice the price seems to be a reasonable ask. This doesn't come close to either milestone. It's sorely underpowered for outdoor use -- Sariel even tried doubling up the motors and that barely made a difference. For indoor use at slower speeds, it's difficult to control on a smartphone (even with a custom control layout) and has too large of a turning radius. The only two good things it has going for it are the fact that you build it from the ground up, and it looks great (especially with stickers IMO). The price and performance are both completely unacceptable in all scenarios.
I'm with other commenters in losing faith in Powered Up. I had been doggedly holding onto optimism, but it keeps letting me down. The best thing it has going for it is usage in trains, where it beats PF with fewer physical components and no IR line-of-sight limitation, while including the critical, yet sadly exclusive physical controller.
I do think this looks quite good, and will probably pick one up.... but only once it's inevitably dropped to £60 - £65.
time and time again on this site I think people loose site of what or who Lego is aimed at.
Lego is prodomatly a childrens toy and currently the toy industry is suffering from tech fever.
Kids don't play with toys anymore in fact toy industry research shows that non-tech toys are actually seen as a punshment that they have to play with when their tech is taken off them.
Kids now adays have their phones to hand and what lego has done is become an addition to that tech time in an effort to survive.
yes i know adults buy the product and they should think about that but actually they have set their focus out and they are sticking to it.
things change and move forward but we rarly see the posatives only the negatives or moaners i like the added ability of sounds and custom controls etc but each to there own
@HOBBES said:
"Do you know why they (the authorities) try to discourage people from texting in a car? Because you can't see the road ahead when you are looking at your phone. Do you know why these toys - this cute little one and the monstrosity of last year - are useless? Because you can't look where you are going while looking at the screen of your phone.
So, I believe we all agree: Lego please create a Bluetooth remote control. Anyone will just have to buy one - and will be able to use it with all the models that require visual feedback - which is most of them!
I recently discovered the new tutorial on control+ GOLD! That was long overdue and, shame to Lego, this tutorial was provided by a user - many thanks to him. Lego should have provided us with that on the day that the first control+ system was sold.
New beams should prove to be very useful in many situations. I also like the tilted front of the buggy (technique also done on the MacLaren).
I believe I will eventually buy this but modify it for independent rear suspension (the buggy will most likely get bigger) and improved controls once I've spent some time on the control+ tutorial. Steering by tilting the phone might make this model usable... "
It may be very useful for kids to learn that you can't see where you're going while looking at a screen.
Oh, c'mon you guys! I don't comment on Brickset that often, but all that negativity here just forced me to. It is a nice set, imho.
1. All the advanced Technic MOCs out where have been using 3rd party Bluetooth-Smartphone solutions for a while now. Everyone was criticizing TLG for not keeping up with the progress.
2. The TLG answer with PowerUp is not bad. It is a huge step forward from Power Functions in terms of functionality: all motors have positioning feedback, the range and usability of the Bluetooth is superior, the brick is programmable, has a built-in sensors, and it supports the external sensors as well.
3. The lack of physical control is an annoying but minor downside, the technology is there, it's just a software issue at this point. I am sure it will be supported shortly. Yes, I agree, it would be nice to have it out of the box.
4. The set itself is not cheap, but it is the cheapest way to obtain both the new Technic RC system and the new Robotics solution. I can built a MOC one day, and teach my daughter to code the next.
5. If you don't like to use your phone with Lego, just don't. There are plenty of excellent manual Technic sets, and there always have been. And there always been motorized sets. So just stick to what appeals to you. My daughter doesn't know her Duplo train can be controlled with a phone, because I hate to spent the time with her staring at a screen. And most of the sets I buy are manual, because this is what I like. I still build RC from time to time, and I am going to buy the buggy no doubt, because this is the cheapest option right now.
Toy story MOC on this one.
@Zordboy said:
" @MisterBrickster said: "I feel like I keep hearing this, either a lot of people are saying this, or a few people are saying it a lot. What exactly is the evidence for it?"
The fact that the sets are shelf-warmers?
The Super Mario sets were the same in Australia, over the Christmas period. The Lego aisles had been picked clean, except for the piles of Mario sets, sitting there untouched. "
So anecdotal and invariably the provider of the anecdote doesn’t like it the theme themselves . Funny how these failed themes keep being on bestselling toy lists. And getting additional waves.
@proran - yes, there have always been motorised sets. And now, there aren't. Unless you have a phone, none of the motors work. And no, the brick is not 'programmable'. The programs you write run on your tablet. You can't even press a switch to turn a light on. How's that for progress?
You said yourself you prefer your child to play with the new Duplo train WITHOUT a phone. Well, thanks to the 'Powered Up' system for Technic, that is no longer an option.
Although when they're old enough to play with Technic, and LEGO have stopped supporting the current app, they won't be able to play with any of it anyway.
@proran said:
"5. If you don't like to use your phone with Lego, just don't. There are plenty of excellent manual Technic sets, and there always have been."
I would be agreed with you if Lego wouldn't relay their flagships from the last two years on this system.
TLG needs to produce another dedicated PU controller, like a game console pad, with physical joysticks and buttons, and also a portion of it with a touchscreen for dynamic content (like the acclaimed fart button for the buggy here). Rechargeable, of course. And it ca-ha-ha-HA-n't cost above 40 $/£/€.
Only then I personally might consider PU system.
And update all the applications to be back-button quitable/exitable, not just via home button. Jeez...
@MisterBrickster said:
" @Zordboy said:
" @MisterBrickster said: "I feel like I keep hearing this, either a lot of people are saying this, or a few people are saying it a lot. What exactly is the evidence for it?"
The fact that the sets are shelf-warmers?
The Super Mario sets were the same in Australia, over the Christmas period. The Lego aisles had been picked clean, except for the piles of Mario sets, sitting there untouched. "
So anecdotal and invariably the provider of the anecdote doesn’t like it the theme themselves . Funny how these failed themes keep being on bestselling toy lists. And getting additional waves."
IMO the difference is that Hidden Side had cool builds AND nice play features without the need of a smartphone, where this set is just a static colourbomb without a smartphone. When the primary (play)function of a lego set depends on a third party device (smartphone), to me it loses some its original magic of what a set should be. It used to be a magical experience that came with all required items IN the box.
Then again, this is good old fashioned me typing... ;-)
@Huw said:
" @JayCal said:
"I can't be bothered with all the new powered up stuff just yet. For now, I consider it a giant step back from the Power Functions days."
I have to agree. It just saps the fun out of operating the models: having to find your phone, mess about with Bluetooth, fire up the app, establish a connection and so on. I'd much rather flick a switch and use a dedicated remote control.
"
I disagree, but I think this comes down a different idea of what it means to 'play' with Technic models after they're built.
I find the idea of just 'driving' a car / excavator / truck after I've built it to have a maximum play appeal of a few minutes. But that was the only option available with Power Functions.
On the other hand, the idea of adding a couple of the PoweredUp proximity/colour sensors to this model and then trying to build a sufficiently robust code to make it self-driving would give me weeks of play value.
In an improvement over the last generation of Mindstorms (which I could never afford, anyway), the code and the grunt-work involved in running the operations is held on my smartphone and not the PoweredUp brick itself. This means that I can instantly switch over to the model's original Control+ setup if I fancy a quick manual drive, or want to play with the racing game that LEGO have provided, and then seamlessly switch back to my coding project afterwards.
For trains / trams / monorails, the proximity/colour sensors also provide the facility to code an automated running system with trains stopping and starting at stations, points and signals switching automatically, trains waiting in passing loops for other services to pass, etc. The possibilities are endless.
It really is a massive improvement over Power Functions and, with a bit of manual coding, it's possible to use the Powered Up remote to control anything.
The one and only criticism I have is that there's no way to 'stack' motors and sensors, meaning that complicated models require more than one hub. This could have been solved by using a digital bus to send encoded signals to each thing connected to a port, but this would hugely increase the price and returns me into the "I can't afford Mindstorms" realm.
Having collected all Technic sets from 1977, Control+ is so awful I haven't bought any Technic in over a year. And have stopped visiting Brickset even. I came here today in hopes of finding news of a controller being released. Sad, but on the upside I've saved money!