VEX EXP Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. VEX EXP brings everything great about the V5 system to the classroom.
Both V5 and EXP use:
Both V5 and EXP use:
- Powerful processors with very similar user code performance
- VEXcode for Blocks, Python, and C
- The same smart sensors
- The same 3-wire devices
- The metal construction system, fasteners, etc.
- Compare VEX EXP and V5
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Yes. VEX EXP brings everything great about the V5 system to the classroom.
VEX EXP is a great fit for the classroom:
VEX EXP is a great fit for the classroom:
- Classroom clutter is greatly reduced with organized parts storage
- Educators can easily bring the excitement of VEX competitions into the classroom with STEM Labs
- Student robot build experiences are enhanced with improved parts and faster robot build times
- Slightly smaller robot size reduces the space needed in classrooms, without losing any capabilities
Classroom-Specific FAQs
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The VEX EXP Education Kit and VEX EXP Classroom Bundles are recommended for classrooms.
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The V5 Robot Brain and V5 Smart Motors (11W) were both designed to meet all the requirements of competition use, including 21 ports and high-power motors. Additionally, competition use required an expensive display on both the Brain and Controller to allow for data visualization when away from a computer.
VEX EXP has fewer ports and lower-power motors (5.5W) that are more aligned with classroom needs. Since classroom use always has a computer nearby, the computer's screen along with VEXcode can replace the function of the more expensive screens on the V5 Brain and Controller. Lastly, only large competitions need the expensive VEXnet radio function, allowing EXP to use a more cost-effective Bluetooth solution that is robust for classroom use.
VEX EXP has fewer ports and lower-power motors (5.5W) that are more aligned with classroom needs. Since classroom use always has a computer nearby, the computer's screen along with VEXcode can replace the function of the more expensive screens on the V5 Brain and Controller. Lastly, only large competitions need the expensive VEXnet radio function, allowing EXP to use a more cost-effective Bluetooth solution that is robust for classroom use.
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Yes. VEX EXP has completely new STEM Labs. Each of the STEM Labs are centered around classroom competitions that use the game field and game objects that are part of the VEX EXP Classroom Bundle.
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Yes. VEXcode for EXP is nearly identical to VEXcode V5.
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The main differences are that EXP allows slightly smaller robots to be built, requires less tool usage while building, and improves overall build speed. Additionally, the part selection allows for more variation in robot design without the need to cut metal parts. This allows builds to be constructed, deconstructed, put away, and re-used from class period to another.
The EXP Battery has almost twice the capacity of the V5 Battery, allowing for all-day classroom use.
The EXP Battery has almost twice the capacity of the V5 Battery, allowing for all-day classroom use.
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VEX EXP contains a large selection of parts, so there are nearly unlimited robot designs that you can build. VEX provides instructions for a beginner BaseBot and Clawbot.
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Yes. EXP and V5 can use the same devices, including:
* The V5 Smart Motor (11W) is compatible with the EXP Robot Brain, but at reduced power.
- V5 Smart Motor (11W)*
- V5 Smart Motor (5.5W)
- V5 Inertial Sensor
- V5 Distance Sensor
- V5 Optical Sensor
- V5 Rotation Sensor
- V5 Vision Sensor
- V5 3-Wire Expander
- EXP Controller
- V5 Controller
- All 3-Wire devices
* The V5 Smart Motor (11W) is compatible with the EXP Robot Brain, but at reduced power.
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The V5 Battery and the EXP Battery are not interchangeable, nor are their chargers.
Competition-Specific FAQs
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Yes. In fact, the VEX EXP STEM Labs are designed to bring the excitement and engagement of robotics competitions to the classroom. VEX EXP Classroom Bundles contain game fields and game objects for this reason.
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No, the EXP Robot Brain, EXP Robot Battery, and EXP Controller are for classroom use only. However, EXP students will gain valuable knowledge and skills that are directly applicable to V5 and the VRC because the building system, sensors, motors, and coding are identical between the platforms.
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We recommend EXP for the majority of the Classroom Kits so that more students can get hands-on experience with STEM and robotics. Use one V5 Competition Kit to support each of your team robots. Since all the construction parts and devices are compatible, they will seamlessly coexist in classrooms. The aluminum structural parts used for competition robots are easily differentiated from the steel structural parts in the EXP kits. Any part in the VEX EXP kits is legal for the VRC except for the EXP Robot Brain, EXP Robot Battery, and EXP Controller.
General FAQs
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Yes. These two kits will continue to be the standard for the VRC, VEX U, and VAIC Competitions.
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Yes. We will continue to carry spare parts.