Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

From a thread on the VEX forum:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...threadid=45435

Big discounts on VEX components.

Woo hoo!

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Since that first thread up above was moved from this forum to the VEX forum, can we please ask the mods to not move this again. Just because it has to do with Vex doesn't mean that other people on CD don't want to see it and since the Vex forum is supposed to be about FVC or so it is labeled, many people don't check it regularly.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I didn't even know it had been moved in the first place. I'm all about FRC, but VEX is just too cool as a play set to pass up. We might put on a local VEX tournament in the fall as an add-on to the FRC season. I think FRC folks would like to know about this deal.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

This VEX sale is great! Radio Shack has all but a few items at 50% off.

Over the holidays I bought my son a VEX kit, and he needed some stuff for added functionality, so we went and I stumbled into this sale. Wound up walking out with a kit and accessories for myself, and another kit and some accessories for the robotics club I run at my son's school. Hopefully this stuff will periodically go on sale.....

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I think that Radio Shack isn't doing well and plans to close some stores. Is Radio Shack planning to drop VEX Robotics product line? Both Radio Shack and Vexlabs still have some items out of stock. Does the company that makes VEX Robotics run into problems?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

This is rampant speculation, but it may just be that RadioShack wants to drop their stock on Vex parts back a little bit during the spring and summer, when I'd imagine the demand is lower. Then, in the fall when you have the holiday season and the 2006 FVC, the stocks in stores would increase.

Made sense to me, at least.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Possibly a new version of the kit is coming out fairly soon too?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Normally, RadioShack only does a big discount on items that are being discontinued. This is an unusual product line, though, and it's hard to tell what their plans are without talking to the product manager. There are a few reasonable scenarios.

1. Summer is the slow season in electronics. They might be dumping inventory as a seasonal reduction.

2. The product line is being discontinued due to slow sales. Two local stores report that sales have never been that great and that buyers are turned off by a "$300 Erector Set." Without a lot of marketing, this has been and will continue to be a niche product and may not need national distribution in 7,000 stores.

3. The current products are being replaced by new models. The shelf life for a consumer elctronics product used to be 12-18 months. I don't think it's more than six months these days. We might see a new VEX kit at a lower price point with a different set of electronics.

4. RadioShack may still be testing price levels. If they find a price point at $150 but not $300, they might retune the product, or just reduce the price permanently.

5. RS may have decided that VEX is not a mass-market product, but is still worth handling in a limited way. You might only find it on their Website, or in the largest stores, but not everywhere. If RS is planning to make money on VEX, I wouldn't care much for this possibility. If they can't sell 20,000 kits a year (as a guess), the product probably doesn't have a future with RadioShack. If they view it in part as a promotional item, they might still carry it.

My personal best guess is that VEX will get sold off to a smaller reseller that can stick with it despite its small (for RadioShack) sales volume.

All in all, if you want VEX stuff, I'd buy it now. Most of the possible reasons for the sale are not good for us robot people.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I'd tend to agree. I think RS could market this online and as an educational tool via other avenues and keep up some sales volume. But do they see this or are they looking at the current bottom line.

I'll admit that if I had kids, $300 is a lot to spend for something like that.

Of course if VEX becomes a permanent part of FIRST and it explodes similarly to FLL, then they may have a base for continued production.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Our school got a few VEX kits, so we went to RS shopping for parts...they did seem about twice as expensive as they should be! so the 50% off sale puts the price about where it should have been in the first place (if they had actually wanted the product to sell)

We scoped out 3 local stores yesterday at lunch time, 2 did not carry the VEX line, the other store which is newer, in the mall, does have them but was not marked down and the counter people had not heard about a sale.

I'll check back frequently to see what happens.

Also a friend of mine has a 10 yr old grandson who is trying to get into this stuff...my friend would buy the VEX kit at $150, but not at $300.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I agree. I bought a Vex Ultrasonic Range Finder from Radio Shack and the manager was shocked I wanted one. He had moved all of the Vex stuff to the storage room. He said no one showed interest and he never sold any Vex products.

Vex needs to find a store where the customers are willing to spend more. For instance Brookstone or The Sharper Image.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

It's more than 300$ list buy in. Add the programming kit - 99$ , some more metal, servo's, motors, sensors and it's easily > 600 list. Thats a hard consumer pricing point. However, cut that in half and that looks really good. especial for First teams who are used to the cost of FRC competitions. I would like to see VEX become more ingrained in First. There are many team that for many reasons can not continue with the large robots. Vex is a method to keep them involved. Also there are many schools that just can't over come the cost and mentor hurdle but could do VEX. Radio shack held on to the Boebot for along time and lost money. I believe they thought they could overcome the problem with the VEX line. I don't think educational robotics really fits with a mass marketer. I commend Radio Shack with thier effort. The other factor is Lego is going to be making a big push late summer. If you have looked at what LEGO is up to, it's impressive. Radio Shack may have been scared away from the market by LEGO.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Radio Shack is not doing well and i expect them to do whatever they can to increase profits. I also expect vex not to die off perhaps another company plans on buying out the vex brand ;)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/techno...technology-hed

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

It's my observation that RS has mostly turned into just another cell phone dealer in a very crowded market....which does not bode well.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I just got the starter kit, programming module, and 2 sets of omni wheels.

My initial impression: the IFI engineers made it really hard for FIRST people to use vex. They swapped all the connectors on the vex controller from male to female and vice versa, so that nothing from FRC KOP lines up. Now I have to go buy 14 AA batteries :(

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

yeah you can fix that by buying male to male connectors.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

The VEX offerings here in Philly seemed picked over, with only a few additons still in stock and only one starter kit after I visited two stores.

Unfortuantly, I'm poor so I couldn't buy one. *sigh*

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Male to male connectors? Where can you buy them? I have one of the 2001 IFI systems I wanted to use with the VEX stuff instead of that one in the starter kit.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

It looks like the sale is only in the US stores. I called two radioshacks here and they both say its selling at $360 CDN. So which teams are coming to the Toronto or Waterloo regionals :P

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Radio Shack was the first store to sell personal computers in late 1970s. In late 1980s, they discontinued their line of personal computers and started selling IBM computers for a few years then Compaq computers. I know that during Christmas shopping season, there are piles of stuff blocking paths for some disabled people. Did Radio Shack get into trouble for blocking paths for some disabled people?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Yep. Parental unit headed over to our local Radio Shack and purchased the last two. One for my family, and one for the team.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

The battery that Radio Shack sells for the vex competition is pretty much a standard design that you can get anywhere. You wonder how do I know this?? Well, I've bought about five sets of batteries from toys r us that are probably the same batteries even down to the connector.

It's probably just a random sale. I just remembered that I almost bought a BOE-Bot after realizing how heavily discounted it was. The Basic Stamp kit next to it was not on sale though so who knows.. Supposedly, it was going to be one of their top five money makers of the 2005 holiday season. What a scary concept. Hey if you guys really want to find out call the 1-866-vex-robotics. Im not joking vex really does have a hotline.No. They are actually the cheapest products out there if not slightly more expensive.. Just because they seem expensive does not mean that they are not comparatively cheap. What? Is this the one of Massachusetts avenue? They told me they ran out of room.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

AAGHAGHA. I WANT ONE SOOOOO BADLY. Anyone have an old one theyd be willing to sell?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I don't know why the sale is going on, BUT...

It is good for me. Before, my parents wouldn't allow me to buy even the starter kit :(... Now they let me buy it, and I have the programming kit and the optical shaft encoders and I'm going back to get omni wheels and maybe some other stuff.

I almost didn't buy all of it in after I went in the store because the guy at the desk said that the starter kit wasn't marked down... then a lady came and told him he was wrong and asked why he hadn't put the sign up for it... and then he decided he had lost it...

I'm going to get the power pack too - to bad that isn't half off... I think it will be worth it in the long run though.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

man radio shack isnt going to know whats going on by the end of this week

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I was wondering... While there is a sale, what do people suggest to buy :confused: ? Just trying to decide - I don't have enough money to buy everything :(...

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

The starter set (obviously), then I'd suggest at least one more motor. Bonus points for two more motors, or perhaps a servo instead of a second one if your style of robot building leans that way. I'd also recommend a wheel set, just to let you get a full set of four bigger wheels that won't sit funky. And after seeing FVC 171 and FVC 4 in action at FVC Orangeburg, most forms of material handling just beg for the tank tread kit.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Also as stated above what else shall i venture into? Do i need that programming kit?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I bought out most of everything at one radio shack and most of the sensors at another ;)

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Don't forget the programing kit. With out it the VEX is a square bot RC. Also the Easy-C in the box is marginal. It's 50$ for the upgrade EASY-C. Skip the sonar sensor and go for a 60" range Sharp IR sensor- 12$.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

im sort of new to this Vex thing, so i want to buy a kit for myself and the team, my question is. do you really need the programming kit, or can you just use some of the stuff from the FRC kit. (i can find male to male connectors), and otherwise, is the programming kit also on sale.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

The programming kit contains a compiler and IDE for the VEX robotics controller. I don't know if the standard FRC code will work. I do know, which is why I posted, that the programming kit is on sale for $50.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

You can program the vex controller in MPLab if you wish. Just set up your project for a pic18f8250 and import the vex library, linker files, UserAPI header file, and anything else you want from the EasyC install directory.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

You have to buy the programing kit. The module that is included with the kit is more than a cable. There is also a USB to serial cable included. MPLAB can be used if that is preferred to EASY-C.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Seems that the sale is on till June at 50% off everything pretty much according to the sales guy I spoke to just now. The reason I was told was they are clearing out the old kits to make room for the new ones (I wonder what is different between the old and new kit?) But none the less an awesome deal.

Ellery

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I went and bought a kit in Portland last night. Knowing exactly what I needed, was a bit of a pain. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good list of kits that would give a good base set of parts?

What I got:
Base kit
power kit (extra batteries)
programming kit
Metal frame pieces
Gears
2 extra motors
2 extra servos

I wanted to get the optical shaft encoders, but they were out.
Any other suggestions for "must have" components?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

The chain and sprocket kit definatly. And then if you are thinking about picking stuff up and moving it around i would say the tank treads kit.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Im trying to get my cousin and his school involved in robotics, and i think this is the best idea to do it with, if only i could find some video of VEX bots playing a FIRST game (this years or last) i think it would be very helpful, can someone help me

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I don't think we caught any video at the New Englad Regional Vex Event last week in Hartford, but there is some video from the Delaware event posted here. If you do a search in the Vex forums you may find others.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Well i went out and bought some stuff:

tank tread kit
shaft encoders
2 motors
2 sets of omni wheels
wheel kit
ultrasonic sensor


Time to build something really cool!

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I did to with my friend.
Starter kit
Omni wheels
tread
sprocket and chain

Anyone know where I can find the programming kit for less than 50 dollars?
Anyone know how to get the old build challenges on the VEX site?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

The sale is now also available online and runs through the end of JUNE. (EDIT: Oops, June not August! I read 8/31 instead of 6/31! My eyes must me starting to go!)

With all the geeks :) here on Chief Delphi doesn't ANYONE work at Radio Shack that can give use the inside scoop on why they are blowing these out? Are they coming out with something new or are they just trying to beat the new Lego Mindstorms NXT to the market or something?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

How much did everyone spend, and what did they get specifically?

Like.. for 100 bucks, what did you get.

or.. 200 bucks, 300, 400, etc..

Just wondering.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

For 200 I got

Starter Kit
One set of Omni Wheels
One set of treads
One set of sprocket/gears

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

You Could order online from Radioshack

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Elgin Clock wrote:Well if anyone doubts that this sale is worth it. I bought:

(1) Starter Kit
(1) Hardware Kit
(2) Motors
(2) Tank Tread Kits
(1) Chain & Sprocket Kit
(1) Programming Module

Cost before taxes $300 the same as the starter kit at regular price!! :yikes:
(tapped into some of my Atlanta money for this)
I've got two more weeks to stock up on sensors and other goodies!

FYI to all teams. During the UTC regional we were in a pinch to correct some code. All we had was a new Dell notebook without a serial port. Well I fired up MPLabs and IFI loader and plugged in the Vex USB to Serial adapter from the programming module, set IFI loader to the correct port and it worked flawlessly. EasyC for Vex was already loaded on this notebook, so I believe the correct driver was loaded by EasyC. Simple as that. :cool:

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

for around $100 I bought

(2) Motors
(2) Pairs of omni wheels
(1) Servo
(1) Tank Tread Kit
(1) Hardware Kit
(1) Gear Kit

I imagine I'll probably end up getting more stuff (programming kit, more motors, hardware, and sensors) before the sale is over.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

note to all: the vex ultrasonic sensors work quite well. we are actually using 3 of them on our robot this year!

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I just bought the base kit and some omni wheels for $170 (give or take $5).
I'm going to order the programming module and the battery pack online.

By the way, I talked to the people at 3 radio shack stores. The first one I visited had sold out and said that they weren't selling them any more.
The second one said that they shipped their stock back to somewhere and weren't selling it any more.

The third store had 3 kits left, I bought one. The guy there also said they were discontinuing the sale of vex.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

If the rumors of Vex are indeed true, I can see why.

Their packaging is about as white as staring at a wall.

Also the "cartoonish" pictures probably don't help either, I think they need to show whats actually inside.

Secondly you go to radio shack's website under the Vex starter kit page, click on accessories and only a few show up.

They also do not seem to know when this promotion is going to end the website now says 6/3/06.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Visited a few stores in the area and found one store selling the rechargeable battery kit for half price as well. Several stores are not participating in the sale.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Heres the official word on the Vex Situation that i posted in another thread.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Anyone else notice that VEX is no longer on sale on the Radio Shack web site? I wonder what this means in the stores?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I saw this earlier today, if the sale is over, good thing I ordered stuff from their website yesterday!

I still need to pick up the battery kit which was out of stock online so I might run to a Radio Shack tonight.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Read the threads. Theyve stopped offering it. All out of stockitems won't be replaced. VEX can still be bought at www.vexlabs.com

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

It is available, just type "VEX robotics" in the search box. The prices listed are not on sale and a lot of parts are out of stock, though.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Does anyone know if the stores themselves are continuing the sales? I was planning on buying one today or tomorrow and was annoyed to see the sale tags gone from the website... :(

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

What threads? I have read all the VEX threads on CD in the last few days that I have seen and not one post indicates that the sale is now over that I have found. Could you please point me to it? Thanks.

BTW: I ran by the local RS today at lunch and bought what few motors, servos, gears, etc. they had. It was all still on sale in the store.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Wow, the price changed just last night, I checked at 11pm and it was 150, now at 11am it is back to 300.

The sale thing last night said it would be until like the 12th of July or something.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

:D Called my local radioshack, they said the stores are offering the sale through the 1st... I'm estatic.. They only have a few left though... Guy doesn't know about any restocking, so it looks like this is it for RS and VEX partnership.

*Runs off to find a way to come up with $200 (kit+programming kit) by tonight* :P

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Yep, but the web site had everything on sale last night when I went to bed but this morning it was back to full price. I'm starting to think even Radio Shack doesn't know what's going on. First everything was on sale in the stores but not online. Then it was online also thru August 31st. Then June 31st. Then June 3rd. Now gone. Some stores seem to have the sale some don't. Some stores think it is through April 2nd, my local store said June. Some store personnel think it is going to only be sold in select stores and online yet the info from Radio Shack (Corporate) seems to indicate they are discontinuing it altogether. I don't know what to believe any more. All I know is I got a bunch of stuff while it is on sale including 4 starter sets, 1 programming kit, and a whole bunch of extra sensors, motors, servos, wheel kits, gears, sprockets, and the one track kit I could find.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Wow, that's extremely disappointing. I posted in one of the Vex threads yesterday; the website then said the sale would last until 06/03/06.

Guess FRC #857 won't being getting a Vex kit afterall.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Hmmm... I have already breached the $200 mark:

Starter Kit
Power Pack
Omniwheel kit (though I'll probably never use it)

What I Still need to breach the $300 mark:

Programming kit
More gears
More wheels
More motos and servos

I think that will suffice for now. If I need more material to build with, I could always find a way to integrate K'NEX with the Vex kit. And if I need metal or wood: dad's garage has some pretty nifty scrap.

Oh the possibilities. :rolleyes:

-Joe

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Post deleted.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I swear, if RadioShack did this just to create a short frenzy over Vex....

well, short sale and still carrying it is better than long sale and dropping it. Now I don't know what's going on. Are they keeping it, are they dropping it?

Maybe VexLabs called up RadioShack with a "Hey, you're undermining our sales!" LOL

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Just out of curiosity, if Radioshack DOES drop the product line, will whoever produces the product line keep manufacturing more that other retailers (ex. vexlabs.com, subsection of IFI) will continue to sell? Or is it if radioshack does indeed drop the line, will that end production of VEX?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

My bad. I didn't read your post carefully enough. Sorry about that.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I traveled 30 miles to get my VEX Kit yesterday. The radioshack I went to had everything I wanted to get :) It was way out in nowhere in a mall. $350 spent in 2 hours. Expensive trip but will bring a lot of fun and joy this summer and years to come :) Call ahead before you go to any store.

It also seems like their store available on their website is pretty accurate because I called all stores that were closer to me and they were actually sold out.

We need to start flooding ChiefDelphi with all VEX creation pictures.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I would like to greatly apologize. When I read your post, I interpreted as being that RS had stopped restocking VEX. This has been stated several times previously, which is why I was annoyed. The VEX kits are still on sale in stores, but yes that may not last long. Again, I am very sorry.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Apology graciously accepted. I was just a bit confused when I saw the negative rep. Thanks for clearing it up! No harm, no foul. :)

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

All,

I just got back from my local Radio Shack. I will only state the deal I got, and not try to guess what everyone else is experiencing. Also, I did not talk with the salesperson, as he wasn't even sure what VEX stuff they had. I was afraid I would confuse him if I asked any "real" questions... So, here's what I found.

EVERYTHING VEX is 1/2 price. The basic kit, the additional materials kits, sensor kits, programming kit, even the power pack kit is 50% off. (I didn't think the power pack would be on sale!)

So, I walked out with just about everything I could get my hands on. However, I still need to find a Chain and Sprocket Kit.

1 Starter Kit
1 Metal and Hardware Kit
1 Power Pack
1 Programming Kit
1 Encoder Kit
2 Motors
1 Gear Kit

Total = $300 before tax (no fair you NH folks!)
Not too shabby. YMMV

BEN

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I'm sort of embarassed. This is what I bought for myself^H^H my sons:

2 Starter kits
Programming kit
2 sets omniwheels
1 chain and sprocket set
4 sets of optical encoders
6 extra motors
2 sets limit switches
1 ultrasonic sensor
5 4" Poof balls (not from RadioShack)
12 2-1/2" foam balls (not from RadioShack)
2 gear sets
1 metal set
1 set of tracks
Power pack set
Extra set of crystals

Do I need to buy the line following kit? I'd like another sprocket-and-chain set, but the local stores are sold out.

Even with sale prices, I don't like to think about what I spent. My MasterCard is weeping.

Hi. My name is Rick and I am a Roboholic.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

So far I got in order for highest $ to lowest $:

1 starter kit
1 programming kit
1 metal kit
1 battery kit
1 line follower kit
1 sprocket & chain kit
1 wheel kit*
1 tank tread kit
3 motor kits*
1 servo kit
2 omni kits*
1 light sensor kit
1 encoder kit
2 gear kits*

*These items are on the way from radioshack.com, good thing I ordered before they stopped selling them half price!

After tax $448.2

Items I could not get out of stock:

1 more sprocket & chain kit, 1 more tank tread kit, and the ultrasonic range finder kit another $45.

Accesories I don't have/don't need:

crystals upgrade kits A & B, safety glasses, limit switch kit, transmitter & receiver kit, and bumper switch kit.

I think I am set to build something cool and work my butt off to pay for it.

Yes I got the battery kit for half price as well, this was not on sale when I visited the store on thursday 3/17/06, good thing I waited.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I've wanted to pick up a Vex kit for a while but it was just too cost prohibitive. I saw the sale on RadioShack.com and then was devestated when I looked the next day and saw that all the parts were back to full price and nearly all the parts were out of stock.

So I went to my local vex carrying radio shack and spoke with their manager. Vex and RS aren't breaking their exclusive to RS deal. Vex (probably) isn't releasing a complete upheaval of their product line. At most, they might introduce new products, but that's it.

So why are the products on sale now seemingly out of the blue? The daytime manager said that the sale was aimed at providing those who want to get into the Vex system to do so at a price they can and will afford to pay.

I then went back to the RS a few hours later to pick up another gear set once I saw how few there were in the starter kit, and I spoke to another knowledgeable associate. He said that in fact the Vex components are on sale every now and then and that they were on sale last month and during the winter holiday season. He also said that they were trying to get the products out to a wider audience, and that a lot of people were actually picking up Vex starter kits and accessories as they're good for demonstrations (I imagine in introductory physics courses or engineering courses).

So... even if you missed out on the online sale, the stores which normally carry Vex products should still have them on sale (ALL Vex were reduced 50%). If you don't have it in your budget to pick up a kit or accessories for yourself now, keep checking the online circular for your local RS store. I didn't try this yet, but that's what the guy said.

Anyways, this is what I bought:

Stater kit
Tread set
2 Sprocket sets
Hardware set
2 motors (I wanted 3 but took all they had)
1 servo
Wheel set
Power pack
Gear set

And I went to Sam's club and picked up some extra AA batteries just in case.

Why didn't I pick up the programming kit? B/C they didn't have the ultrasonic sensor I wanted, and since I have a Basic Stamp waiting to take control of the servos.

I wanted a second starter kit but all they had was one. When you think about it, these are really good prototyping kits and can be used in many more applications such as case modding.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I went to Radioshack once and bought the starter kit, the programming kit, and opticals sensors. Then I went a second time and bought a chain and sprocket kit, an extra motor, a battery pack, and two sets of omniwheels. I was going to go a third time, to a different store with everything in it, but I didn't have time, so I sent my dad with a list to buy an ultrasonic sensor, tank tread, a wheel kit, and a gear kit. When I got home I discovered he had also bought me a hardware pack, and my parents decided (without telling me until now!) that they will pay for it all!!! :) My life is awesome right now, especially because I'm about to go to Boston Regional tomorrow :D.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I stopped by Radio Shack on my way back from work today.

$310 later, I have a starter kit and bag full of other stuff. I'm not really sure what I got -- I took practically everything that was left on the shelves.

I may not keep it all; or any of it. I honestly don't expect that I'll use it as, similarly to Lego, I find it too limiting.

If I decide not to keep it, I'll perhaps make a list of what I have here. Better to sell it to someone who'll make good use of it than return it to the store, I guess.

Edit:
I bought... (this is the quantity of packages, not items within packages)

1 Starter Kit
1 Wheel Kit
1 Hardware Kit
2 Omni Directional Wheels
2 Limit Switches
1 Motor
1 Servo
1 Gear Set

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

If I had _any_ spare funds right now, I'd be all over this.

Time to get someone to front me $500 by april 1st!

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Well, for $450... ( :rolleyes: Had initally told myself to stop at $350 but I didnt stop till I cleared the shelf...)

Starter Kit
Gear Kit
Limit Switch Kit
Bumper Switch kit
Power Pack
Programming Kit
Servo Kit
Optical Shaft Encoder Kit
Motor Kit (2)
Omni Wheel Kit (2)
Tank Tread Kit
Wheel Kit
Hardware and Metal Kit (2)

Also, I had a chat with store manager, said he hasn't heard anything about them getting discontinued, though he hasn't received restock on out-of-stock products. He also mentioned that items that are/are going to be discontinued are priced with a $xx.97 price point... None of which VEX is. He also said he hasn't heard anything from radio shack corporate about them being discontinued. He said he beleives they're just trying to move stock. Either way this was an amazing deal. :D

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Last night, I checked Radio Shack's website to see which stores have Light Sensor Kit, Optical Shaft Encoder Kit, and Ultrasonic Range Finder Kit, and found out that a store in Staten Island Mall has them. I told my mother to call them before going there. She got all three sensor kits at half-price and two movies on DVDs at another store today.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I told a parent of one of the students on 1604 about Vex and the sale. The student received a Vex kit that night. I plan to go splurge a bit later on.

I posted some official word about RS getting out of the Vex business here

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

After checking three different local stores it seems the chain & sprocket kits are getting very hard to find. If you haven't checked lately, now the battery kits are 50% off too! :ahh:

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

We got the enviable job of outfitting a start-up high school program for next year. All this cost less than $580, including tax. Two starter kits, the programming platform, two hardware kits, two battery packs, two line-following modules, and four omni-wheels.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

You mentioned Erector set, I pulled out my old erector set from 40 yrs ago and found some great girders and parts for use with my vex starter kit. Saved me some money in parts. I might suggest some people do the same. Erector sets are on Ebay all time.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

When exactly does this sale end? I've heard that it ends on June 3, while other times I've heard April 2, even though that infromationwas gotten off of a price tag.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

I though that it was april2nd but when i went there on aprile secon (buying out the store on last day of sale" he told me it was extended till june 2nd.

SO JUNE 2ND

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

[shameless, yet relevent, plug]

For everyone buying Vex parts now, I thought you might like to know that this summer at the Indiana Robotics Invitational, we will be holding the 2nd Annual Vex Challenge. We created a brand new Vex game and invited teams to compete last year and had teams from California to Connecticut. This year's IRI is July 21 and 22 at Lawrence North High School (same location). The game and rules are set for the use of only one Vex kit to make your robot, so all you need is a Vex starter kit and you are on an equal playing field with everyone else competing (no giant budget issues). The neat thing too is that the competition is open to anyone of any age, so if your a college student or adult who wants to compete, just grab your Vex kit and rock out!

If you are interested in the Vex competition, feel free to e-mail us at 447.FIRST@gmail.com (we are trying to get a feel for how many teams are interested in competing).

Cheap Vex Kits! Awesome Vex Game! You Can't Loose!

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Just so everyone knows, it looks like the radioshack sale now applies online - I know the stores in the Purdue area stopped recently (I nabbed mine on the last day, thankfully I asked because they had already changed the tags back to the original prices!) However, it doesn't look like much of it is in stock. I've been waiting to get one of the powerpacks but it looks like they're all sold out. Running on 14 batteries isn't much fun :]

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Hmm.... Here ya go: Power Pack for VEX

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Yeah I've been there - it's out of stock there too :(

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Its in stock now :D

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

It seems that way, but you click on the powerpack itself and it says it is not in stock - http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-power-pack.shtml

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Okay, i see. Well then go here: VEX Power Pack from robomatter store

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Ryan,
They are in stock. (I just walked back and double checked.)
Use the "add to cart" button directly on this page:
http://www.vexlabs.com/vex-robotics-...rd-parts.shtml

-JV

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Thanks much - for some reason the 'add cart' button doesn't work in Firefox for me?

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

It seems like Radioshack knew I wanted the powerpack at a lower price because they just got them back in-stock on their website. After shipping it comes to about $32.00, a good deal in case anyone wants to buy one or pick up a spare.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

yup, didn't work for me either when I was ordering some sprockets earlier this season. Not sure why.

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

They say in the VexLabs forums that it only works in IE, and that they are trying to make it work though

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Ok, Radio Shack is having a great sale on Vex....so what should a person buy?

I know the easy answer is buy everything on the shelves but let's get real...let's set some priorities.

I would like to buy everything I need now but I am just starting out so who knows what I really need...what would you buy if you were starting from scratch and were going to commit some serious money to this product line for prototyping?

What is the order of priority, quantity of each item and why?

How about extras because of the great pricing...which ones?

How important are some of the items like the omniwheels, the extra metal kit, extra wheels and gears?

Thanks

RUS

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

Some additional questions...

How many motors and servos should one buy? I see that the starter kit has three motors and one servo.

How many motors and servos can one Vex microcontroller handle?

Of the sensors available, which ones are the most useful?

How many sensors can one Vex microcontroller handle?

How long does a battery pack last in a Vex robot? I understand that the time can vary but what is an average time?

How often do you need more metal structural pieces? Is the metal addon kit worth buying?

Thanks for any suggestions you can offer.

RRU

Re: Big VEX sale at RadioShack
 

this is what my sister brought over from the states for me. $400 later


I got:
Vex starter kit
Metal kit
Programming kit
Tank thread kit
Omni wheels
Battery Pack
Motor
Servo
Light sensor
Limit switch
Bumper switch
Gear kit