While there has been a lot of discussion and questions around the differences between the Home and Education versions of the EV3, there hasn’t been a lot about the differences in the software. I’m going to try and summarise as best I can here. If I miss anything, please let me know.
The most important thing to note first up, is if you ignore all the marketing / packaging of each software, then the actually programming language (unofficially called EV3-G) is exactly the same for both the Home and Education editions.
The biggest difference is probably in the Lobby area. The Home edition is definitely marketed towards Boys, aged 8-14 with quite bold and dark colours and slightly menacing looking builds. The Education Edition is far cleaner, which will appeal to teachers and (stereotypical) girls.
;)
;)
| Education Edition | Home Edition | |
| Cost | US$100 Single licence US$400 Site Licence | Free Download |
| Programming Language | EV3-G | EV3-G |
| Content Editor | YES | YES |
| Datalogging Software | YES | NO |
| Tutorials | Generic tutorials for all aspects of the EV3 device | Tutorials specific to each particular build |
| Building Instructions | EV3 Core Base GyroBoy Colour Sorter Puppy Robot Arm H25 Download pdf’s here | TRACK3R SPIK3R EV3RSTORM R3PTAR GRIPP3R as well as links to other bonus models |
| Sensor Support | Supports both EDU and Home sensors | Supports both EDU and Home sensors |
There will be additional education modules you can purchase (the Design Engineering module being the first) which I believe you can only load into the Education version.
Conclusion: They are actually pretty close. If you are just looking to program your robot, and not concerned about the very ‘boy’ focussed lobby, then the Home version will suit you fine. If however, you’re looking to roll this out in a classroom, where you’ll likely have a mix of ages / genders, then the Education edition is certainly worth looking at. If you’re going to be using your EV3 for more than just ‘robots’ and are going to delving into some *science* (which I strongly recommend everyone does!), then you can’t go past the Education edition software.
Did I miss anything?
Terry and Melissa,
Unfortunately there is nothing that I know of, that will *easily* convert a 31313 (Home) edition to the 45544 (Education) edition. Laurens Valk did a nice comparison here that outlines the differences – http://robotsquare.com/2013/11/25/difference-between-ev3-home-edition-and-education-ev3/
There is also a very nice table here that shows exactly what is in each kit (as well as the expansion pack).
http://brickdojo.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/mindstorms-ev3-education-core-set-expansion-set-parts-comparison/
The expansion set (45560) does a good job of bridging the gap, but it's not perfect and you do need to supplement it with the odd extra part. Bricklink might be your best best for these random pieces.
Hope this helps! 🙂
Hi Damien,
I just purchased an EV3 home edition and love it! I've been looking at some of the educational projects/lessons and would like to add the necessary parts to my set so I can build any of the educational projects. Short of buying the EDU core pack (45544) and an expansion pack (45560), do you know if there are any sets that will effectively turn a home edition set into an EDU set?
Thanks!
Terry
Hi Damien,
I love your blog! Thank you for all your fabulous information. I am a middle school science teacher and just bought the EV3 Education Core Kit only to realize that the building instructions and models for the Core kit are not the same as the home edition. I really wanted to build the models from the home kit. Do you know if the EV3 Education kit is capable of building the home edition models? (Does it have the same pieces?) thanks again
Dano O,
I *think* that a single licence means that you can only have it installed on one computer at a time. The Teacher / Student versions are almost exactly the same, save the slight difference with the Content Editor. If you're not likely to be using any Curriculum, then the Student intallation will be fine.
Good luck!
Thanks for your assessment of the two versions. Do you happen to know with the single purchase of a license ($100 education), if one is allowed to do both the teacher and student software installations for Lego EV3 Education core set? I started the installer and stopped because I was stumped on which fork in the road to take: Student or Teacher, or if it is possible to install both… We're using the software at home for our two kids to use with the EV3 and will not likely be setting up any curriculum
Thanks,
Dan
Hi Rebecca, that is great that you have got your kit. The rechargeable battery will work fine so long as the charger you have is capable of accepting 24V. Have a look at the sticker on the charger itself to see if it does.
Regards
Damien Kee
Hi Josh, The Home edition will work for the NXT but, you'll want to download the additional blocks (Ultrasonics, Sound etc) from the EV3 website so you can use those sensors.
A 'NXT on EV3 software' post is on my (admittedly very long) 'to-do' list 🙂
Regards
Damien Kee
Hi Damien, we just got the EV3 education set. Very cool indeed. I bought it from the US site and have friend sent it over here. It comes with a rechargeable battery, can I use that rechargeable battery charger here though since we run on 220V and US runs on 110V?
Thanks very much for your help,
Rebecca
Hi Damien,
Does the home version work with NXT devices as well? Do you have any tips for using the NXT with EV3 software (the Mindstorms software originally for the NXT has not been maintained and does not work with Mavericks for the Mac or many PCs either).
Thanks,
Josh
I'm really sorry Rob, but you cannot get the Education model .ev3 files from anywhere other than an official copy of the Education software 🙁
Is there anywhere where I can download the ".ev3" project files for the Education Core and Expansion robots? That would allow me to load those project files into the home edition of the software and then download those programs to my EV3 brick. I have bought the retail (31313), education core (45544) and education expansion (45560) sets, so it would be great if I can access the ".ev3" project files for all the education robots as well as the retail robots.
Zaid, you can download the EDU sensor blocks for the Home edition here – http://www.lego.com/en-us/mindstorms/downloads/software/ddsoftwaredownload/
Look under EV3 blocks.
Walter, I'm going to do a post about that soon (hopefully by th end of the year!!) 🙂
Data will be remembered when turned off, but unfortunately cannot be written to the SD card automatically
Thanks or the info ! mmmm but i have a question ! how can i download edu sensor blocks ?
Can you explain how the data logging software works and its performance capablities (e.g. data field formats) and whether it remembers the data when the brick is turned off or whether it can record its data log to the SD card? thanks
Hi Rebecca,
If you get the Education version, then the IRSeeker and Beacon would certainly make good additions, as would the extension set. The Engineering module is pretty good, but probably a little expensive for just the one student.
Damien,
we are looking at buying the education set, and maybe some extra such as the extension set, infrared sensor. Is there anything else you think is worth getting? That design engineering module is bit too advance for a 9yo boy, is it?
Aswin, The firmware is *slightly* different as it has the on-board Datalogging capability that the Home edition doesn't have.
Quoc, you are absolutely right, you can have both versions installed on the one computer at the same time 🙂
You can have both edition installed on the same computer. The icons are different and gives you two choices of "lobby" and materials.
Hi,
Is there a difference in the software on the brick between education and retail?