[FTC]: Starting an FTC team which platform?

[Bluejackets]

We are going to teach robotics as a high school class next year in grades 9-12 in our school and I am wondering what platform would be best to use. VEX, Tetrix etc... Before we spend a ton of money on one platform I just thought I would see what opinions are out there.

In addition, We also want to start up an FTC team next year and currently we are involved with FRC at our school. In the future we hope to expand into the middle schools and elementary with FLL

I am the lead instructor and my background is teaching VEX within a classroom setting but I am wondering what would you recommend for a new school starting up an FTC team. Maybe a combo of different platforms. Any advice.

I appreciate your time.

[Sasha]

You can mix and match all components except the electronics - battery, motor/servo controllers, motors. For that, you need to choose either Tetrix or Matrix - no mixing allowed.
I would suggest Tetrix as the main platform (battery/controllers, axles, gears,...) with AndyMark Neverest motors. For structural pieces (beams, channels...) you can use tetrix, t-slot aluminum profile, or servocity Actobotics set - take your choice. We are using 20mm t-slot aluminum, plus a lot of just aluminum profile from HomeDepot whcih we cut and drill as needed.

[Bluejackets]

I am new to all of these but I have used to the VEX platform. What are the advantages of Tetrix or Matrix over VEX. Thanks for your help

[MattRain]

The Vex Platform is a lot cheaper. Which is part of the reason my teams stay away from joining vex....

We have fallen in love with FIRST over the 7 years that our team has been competing. We have looking into doing vex, but we just don't find the community there, as well as the robots pretty much looking the same every year. There seems to be a lot or restriction on build types and the games themselves.

So FTC. Granted your going to be a first year team, so Tetrix will probably be your best option. Matrix is more of the off-brand that is cheaper for over-sea teams. (The motors are weaker than tetrix, as well as plastic gearing, etc.)

But we don't use either the Tetrix or Matrix platforms. We have found it to be much cheaper for us to custom build all of our robots from factory based items. (1x1 tubing/2x1 tubing/angle/etc.) The only thing we use of tetrix is the required items, Control Boxes, Nxt, etc. We have switched to the new Andymark motors as well. Much cheaper when you factor in the encoders that most of our autonomous programming needs.

[PHFTC]

If you don't want to manufacture everything, and were starting FTC without parts, the variety in the Actobotics line of parts sure seems appealing. You'd need the base electronics (kit) from Tetrix, but the rules now let you use most of the Actobotics hardware. Both offer discounts for FTC.

[cadandcookies]

I like FTC. If you're already doing FRC, the competitions and community feel a lot closer-- in MN at least, a good deal of FRC teams also have FTC teams, volunteer at or host FTC competitions, etc. In our area at least, VEX isn't nearly as popular, so FTC is the easiest choice.

As for parts, with FTC, Tetrix is a perfectly serviceable kit for a rookie and many veteran teams. I would strongly suggest using the AM NeveRest motors instead of Tetrix DC motors-- they're basically impossible to burn out, have a built in encoder, and are generally superior in just about any context IMO.

Moving forward however, I'd definitely suggest taking advantage of the expanded COTS rules from the last few years. You can use basically any type of aluminum extrusion, all the way from .5"x1" rectangular tubing to 6" circular tube. Especially if you want to train FTC kids for FRC, using these options is a very good idea.

Good luck, and have fun in whatever competition you choose.