Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I don't have a Vex kit in front of me, but here's my best answers:

1) FVC limited teams to eight servos, motors, or any combination thereof. The level of play was great--you'll have to decide what balance you'd want. I'd suggest one or two more motors and one more servo.

2) Eight--how convenient!

3) I haven't experimented with sensors much, so I'll pass on this one.

4) A bunch, although I don't recall the exact number.

5) Plenty long--you won't be able to drive all day, but you should be alright if you have two charging.

6) That depends on how much you build, and how precise you have to do it--if you keep your designs simple and don't cut many parts, it'll last longer than designs that require metal to be run through a blender to get to the right size. A lack of emotional attachment also helps--then you can scavenge parts from your old designs. ;)

Hope this helps!

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Vince, what a coincidence

This is what my sister brought over from the states for me







Starter kit
Programming kit
Battery pack
Tank tread kit
Chain and sprocket kit
Omni wheel kit
motor
servo
(planning on buying metal and hardware kit, gear kit and sensors)

For starters, you have to buy the programming kit and battery pack so you can use your robot (buying 14 rechargeable batteries will come out more expensive then the battery pack).
Then, I would recommend buying the metal and hardware kit, chain and sprocket kit, gear kit, motor and servo.
If you have money left, buy all the cool add-ons like sensors, tank tread kit and omni wheels.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Is the sale still on???, and now, when is it till

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

read the previous posts :rolleyes:

Yes the sale is still on until June 3rd....that is the official date...June 3rd

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Thanks for the response so far....how about a few more volunteers?

I would like to buy before the Radio Shack sale is over.

RRU

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Look under the hood of your controller, and you'll see a few more cylinders that you previously thought. ;)

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Omni Wheels are nice. Chain and Sprocket kit and/or gear kit is good if you planning on making an attachment of some sort. Metal and Hardware kit if you want to make your robot bigger.

I also have the line following kit and Ultrasonic sensor but haven't tried them yet so will not comment on them.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Would you mind expanding on this comment?

Some of us are looking for hard data to base buying decisions on.

Thanks

RRU

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

There is a lot more to the Vex controller than what you can see on the outside. If you feel like hacking some of the IFI code (or if you just know someone who knows what they are doing), then you could unlock the Rx/Tx ports on the controller for use. A great example of something you can do with these ports is hooking up the CMUcam to the Vex controller via the Rx/Tx ports. I don't want to spoil any more surprises, but there are a few more undocumented "features" inside the Vex controller to conquer. :p

That is the best thing about the Vex kits. You can never really "master" the Vex kits, or reach the end of innovation with them. There is always something new you can try. You can always push the enevelope on what you can try to do with the Vex kits, as there are almost always undocumented features that you can try to hack and control. :cool:

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Would anyone else like to volunteer what they brought at the Radio Shack sale for Vex and why?

We are still waiting for an answer to quantify what to buy and how many.

Being it is on sale doesn't tell us what to buy to anticipate future needs.

Thanks for whatever advice you can offer.

RRU

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Try consulting this thread for some ideas.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=45660

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Don't forget about eBay. I had to get my programming kit this way. It seems out of five radio shacks within 50 miles did not have the programming kit in stock.

I got a good deal on it, more than the sale price, but not anymore than the regular price even after paying $7.00 for shipping.


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Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I agree. Some stores are closing around me. RS blew it carrying VEX. Their markup is huge and no one wants to pay it. Those are definitely closeout prices. I think VEX is a goner at RS. The only hope for VEX products is online.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

So...any late minute Vex buys for anyone? the sale is getting to the end.

Anything you wish you had but couldn't find?

Any idea how many of each item one should stock up on at this price?

RRU

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

A local Radio Shack employee told me they were re-aligning their stores. Some would be carrying less hobby related items, like resistors, transistors, soldering irons, etc and concentrate more on the consumer electronics items like Ipods and cell phones. Others would continue to carry the hobby items. My feeling is that mall stores would be the ones dropping the hobby items. Argh! Now I have to locate a specific store when I'm looking for some widget!

I also heard at Nationals that Radio Shack is dropping the Vex line, and that Innovation First is picking it up as the supplier for it. Radio Shack sales on the Vex stuff is probably an attempt to clear out existing inventory. I used to work for them many years ago, and I know from then that no stock was ever shipped back anywhere, it just went on sale until it was sold.

I'm thinking of picking up a Vex starter kit and programming kit, just to learn c+ and fool around with it at home.

Ted

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

We picked one up last weekend, along with any accessories we could find.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

IFI Did.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

IFI is Innovation First. Hence Innovation First, Inc. Unless, 1591, that was a question or shock of unknowing, Vex is now supplied by Innovations First, Inc and RadioShack dropped out. Its primarily due to Radio Shack not making that much money as they three way partnership; IFI, US FIRST, and Radio Shack; caused the profit to split the money. Radio Shack decided to leave the Vex to IFI and FIRST to which IFI became the dominant partner and now main supplier. I saw this coming as IFI had the EDU kits and Vex is just the next generation of EDU. There is a topic or two on this issue i think already on CD.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I heard exactly the same thing from two local RS managers. Thankfully, the closer of the two was one of the 'hobby' stores...

I ended up buying one or two of everything but the metal and ultrasonics - you never know what you might like to fool with.

My current summer project is to build and program a small robot (about 1/2 FRC size) to harass the local wildlife. I live on a suburban lot, and have deer, woodchucks, a skunk family and a plethora of chipmunks that I'd like to make life less comfortable for. (The squirrels, I've given up on. They Win).

The idea is to sense movement, determine if it's a critter, then move towards it making noise, all staying within specific boundaries (the lawn). When battery gets low, it finds and connects to a charging port, then goes out again waiting and watching...

The 'sense movement' part is the hardest, I'm working on a combination of motion sensor and IR camera. Unsure if I'll get it to work, but that's no reason to not try.

Don

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Definitely an interesting use of a vex robot.

You could always just use the old motion sensor connected to a pan - tilt AK-47. That should solve the problem for you. :D

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

So back to my questions....as the time and stock available shrinks, what should a person make sure they have?

RRU

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

For us, I made sure we had a starter kit, battery pack, wheel kit, gear set, 2 extra motors and an extra servo. I personally have at least one each of every other accessory. The extra stuff is just gravy to me, but nonetheless nice to have. The items I listed above is what I feel is the minimum you should have.