Definitely a great bot in great shape. I only paid $25 bucks for mine so it was an easy decision. The question is: Do I want to put him on a shelf and look at him, maybe sell him someday? or do I want to have a real robot that can do real cool stuff? Personally, I would go for the modification. I have a 2 foot Robot B9 (from Lost in Space the series) that untouched is worth quite a bit. But my dream is to have a full functionig Robot B9, so under the dremel he went. Just my 2 cents.

I'd get a fixer-upper from ebay for <$50 and never have to regret putting the dremel to the nice one.

The fact that you have the original box does add to the collectable value (or will in 25 years or so...). If you can fix the arm without the fix being obvious, like many rare toys, it could be worth something when it is an antique. If you can't make the fix super clean, then just save the box for a collector with a perfect bot looking for a box to increase their collectable value and use it to make a real robot.

Alan

I had no idea there was a canadian version? do you have a picture of the box? That's real cool!

As for modifying it... See, I'm into collecting items for their value of improving my enjoyment. Owning an omnibot with 1980's tape recorder functionality doesn't give me enjoyment. And having it sit around - tempting me - for 30 years to be worth a bit more money doesn't sound like fun.

That's why I modify everything I own ... I look at it like an investment. What's it worth to enjoy NOW vs being worth a few extra bucks in 30 years?

Hack away my friend - hack away

Here is a few shots of the box and some of the dis-assembly I did last night at 12:30 in the morning.

Thanks for the feedback guys, I may hold on a little longer to start so I can get the parts like the EZ-B. I do have an Arduino board but want to make it EZ as possible as this is the first adventure into electronics and robotics but I have a decent amount of computer gear so I should be able to figure this out. I actually have a decent RC crawler collection and plan to sell off some of my unused projects, keep things like the ESC's and Servo's so I can have a few for this project. Really I wanted to build a Wall-E but i'll start with the Omnibot as I remember seeing them in the stores as a kid and wanted one.

Close up of the box the top flap is loose but it has the Styrofoam inside.

Nice and clean robot

Problem arm, a pin or small metal piece can fit inside as it's actually hollow.

Whoa! Canadian! Awesome!

Don't paint over that sticker

I love seeing robots being taken apart! You really jumped into that pretty quickly. I dig it

Dude,

I have a replacement for that broken part you can have. I added servos to my elbow joint and don't need it. Give me your address and I'll mail it to you. [email protected]

Its pretty nice, I remember having a Dingbot when I was a kid. I think it was from Consumers Distributing. Had bought one earlier last year with a Canadian box so they are around I guess. Anyway, got the arm apart ready to fix it.

Probably get a plan for what I want to do. But quite sure the sky's the limit