Does anyone still have Roamers?

[skaterspoon]

Hi,

 

I wondered if anyone has seen any of the 'Classic' Floor Roamers recently in the school they're working in. They are/were made a company called Valiant and look something like this:

 

We have a few of these and have found them to be really useful for introducing basic programming with Y3s. They are different from the Roamer Too which we looks something like this:

 

We would really like to get hold of some more and wondered how many (if any) had been lying around at the back of cupboards in ICT suites up and down the country. We would be willing to pay for them if you happen to come across any.

 

Thanks,

 

Skaterspoon.

Edited March 4, 2013 by skaterspoon

[localzuk]

Have you got a picture of one? We have something which I don't know the name of in a box.

 

EDIT: Is it one of these? http://www.valiant-technology.com/us/pages/roamer_home.php?cat=1&1

 

If so, we have one that's been sat in a box for ages. We have moved on to newer devices since then. I'd have to check with the powers that be though.

Edited March 4, 2013 by localzuk

[X-13]

Have you got a picture of one? We have something which I don't know the name of in a box.

 

http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/assets/0802/0000/0130/ict_equipment37_mid.jpg

 

 

We used to have one... but we chucked it. We use BeeBots now, BeeBots are cool.

[bladedanny]

We have two surviving roamers. Use them from time to time.

 

We also have BeeBots and it's big brother the ProBot.

[skaterspoon]

Would you be willing to sell them or are they still used a fair bit?

Thanks.

[bladedanny]

If you want something similar I'd really recommend this

http://www.tts-group.co.uk/shops/tts/Products/PD1723580/Pro-Bot/

Does the same as a roamer and a lot more. Can be programmed on computer then uploaded to the ProBot to execute.

Edited March 4, 2013 by bladedanny

[skaterspoon]

Yep, that's the one. If possible could you ask the powers that be if we could purchase it from you?

Thanks.

[witch]

I have two of the ones pictured by X-13

No idea if they work or not though. I couldnt really test them - presumably the batteries have gone?

They are not used at all and I would have thought we would be happy to sell them.

(one has the complete set of "face stickers" too!)

Edited March 4, 2013 by witch

[localzuk]

My boss has said you can have it. What sort of price are you thinking? I'll need to test it first though!

[skaterspoon]

Hmmm, I'm not too good with haggling. How does £30 sound? Obviously I'd need to check it with my bursar first too. To test you'd need to get hold of some 'lantern 6V' batteries. Not too pricy, we got ours from Handson: 6V Lantern - Active Learning - Art and Design

they're £2.99 each and each Roamer takes 2:

[skaterspoon]

Thanks Witch,

 

Would love to buy them from you but have just been told by the bursar that no purchases are being made at all at the moment. I don't suppose you'd like to donate them to a worthy cause?:

 

Thanks again

Edited March 4, 2013 by skaterspoon

[localzuk]

Hmmm, I'm not too good with haggling. How does £30 sound? Obviously I'd need to check it with my bursar first too. To test you'd need to get hold of some 'lantern 6V' batteries. Not too pricy, we got ours from Handson: 6V Lantern - Active Learning - Art and Design

they're £2.99 each and each Roamer takes 2:

 

I have a technician who also works in a WEEE waste recycling place, so he has access to all manner of wondrous devices. No doubt he has one lying around!

[localzuk]

Well, just tested it and it remembers its old program... And the box has the instructions from 1989 in it.

 

So its an antique. A fully working antique!.

[Abaddon]

Back from the days of old, and programmable...

 

Bigtrak: Amazon.co.uk: Toys & Games

 

Come on - you know you want one...

[Little-Miss]

I've got two.....don't they take mahoosive batteries?

[localzuk]

I've got two.....don't they take mahoosive batteries?

 

Yup! It appears its 1 per wheel too!

[skaterspoon]

Great news. Would love to buy it from you but have just been told by the bursar that no purchases are being made at all at the moment. I probably should have checked this before making an offer! I don't suppose you'd like to donate it to a worthy cause?

 

thanks again.

[skaterspoon]

Yep, the batteries are pretty big. Are they used much or have they been sat in the cupboard for several years like ours had? I don't suppose you'd like to donate them to a worthy cause?

 

thanks

[localzuk]

Great news. Would love to buy it from you but have just been told by the bursar that no purchases are being made at all at the moment. I probably should have checked this before making an offer! I don't suppose you'd like to donate it to a worthy cause?

 

thanks again.

 

Don't think my boss'd go for that! She's not a "giving stuff away" kinda person.

[witch]

I can ask the boss but you would still have to pay for postage unless you want to wait until I am next visiting my daughter at Brighton Uni, and that probably wouldn't be till June...

[catshilllearning]

A number of my schools have roamers that they might be willing to sell. If you want me to ask then drop me a PM. Most of my schools are using Scratch to deliver control which I can recommend.

Also MakeyMakey is really fun. Take a look at the video about half way down the page...

Staff development and classroom activities | Catshill Learning Partnerships

I am planning on creating a live story book using a class full of primary teachers!

[MatthewL]

I used one of them 15 year ago at primary school!!!!!

[john]

I used one of them 15 year ago at primary school!!!!!

 

Just seeing his happy little face made me smile i LOVED the roamer at Primary School Bring him back We didn't have a modern one with the posh face kit we made our own from stickers Aww early 90s technology was great

 

(goes on eBay to look for one to buy for me personally at home....)