Oi

[Jones571]

:confused: you have a 200$ limit on custom electronics. would this include any switches and other joysticks you buy to use or are they talking about extra boards and processors?

[Ian W.]

Don't quote me, but I'm 99.9% sure that the $200 limit is for any items placed on the robot.

That means for the OI, you can buy whatever you want, so long as it doesn't break any of the OI rules (such as plugging a laptop into the gameports).

The RC on the other hand can only have $200 of custom electronics plugged into it, so that all teams have a fair chance, I believe. The OI can only do so much, so there's no limit on cost of parts.

Hope this helped.

[Adam Shapiro]

Ian is right. You can use whatever electronic devices you can create as control modules so long as you follow the control rules (no computer control, etc). The only thing to keep in mind is that the OI is relatively fragile so you should be careful to make sure your circuits are correct before testing them so as not to create create shorts. I know that our electronics team (me) will be planning to use external electronics with the controls!

[Random Dude]

:confused: you have a 200$ limit on custom electronics. would this include any switches and other joysticks you buy to use or are they talking about extra boards and processors?


Well:

<R75> The total cost of all non-Kit items may not exceed $3,500.00 USD. No individual item may exceed
$400.00. Non-functional decorations are exempt from this rule. The total cost of components purchased
in bulk may exceed $ 400 USD as long as the cost an individual component does not exceed $400. Items
such as fasteners, adhesives, lubricants, etc. are also exempt from the cost calculation, unless any one
component exceeds $1.00.

So I would wonder if that applies to minor electical coponents

[Ian W.]

You're quoting a Robot rule (<RXX>), so that means it applies pretty much only to the robot.

The OI isn't exactly considered part of the robot ;-).

Also, that rule is for non-custom electronics on the robot. Custom electronics are limited at $200 total, $100 max for a single part/sensor.

I'd go and find the ruling on that, but I'm supposed to be in school in about half an hour :p. If no one else can find the exact rules on this by mid-morning, I'll find them.

[Mark Pettit]

The electronics rule you're looking for is R71.
Section 5, Page 9 if you printed a manual.
Good Luck!

[Mike Betts]

That means for the OI, you can buy whatever you want, so long as it doesn't break any of the OI rules (such as plugging a laptop into the gameports).

The RC on the other hand can only have $200 of custom electronics plugged into it, so that all teams have a fair chance, I believe. The OI can only do so much, so there's no limit on cost of parts.

I agree with your interpretation. The OI has no price limit.

I also agree with $200 on the robot. However, the original intent of the $200 rule was for a custom printed circuit board.

I hope that FIRST realizes that $200 gets chewed up pretty fast when you start including anything conducting electricity (switches, connectors, encoders, pots, et cetera) $200 does not go far at all.

Even a simple linear taper 10-turn 100K pot can cost over $25 each...

I hope that FIRST changes/clarifies this rule. Soon...

[Raul]

This question regarding non-custom electronics is being asked in section 5.3 and 5.3.2 of the Q&A system. Let's just wait to see the answer.

[Jones571]

Thanks for every ones help

[Jones571]

Does any one know were to buy a lefthanded version of the same joystick given in the kit?

[Adam Shapiro]

Does any one know were to buy a lefthanded version of the same joystick given in the kit?
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23893: This question has been on the minds of many people since last week. So far the best solution to the right-handed stick problem is to purchase new sticks or use the previous years' sticks.