Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

I'm hoping you're being sarcastic Travis. My choices are a 48" ball or a 40" ball that weighs less than 2#? Maybe I should just stick a 10# sack of potatoes in a sleeping bag - probably behaves closer to the real thing.

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

Weight schmeight!

I haven't assembled the things so I don't know what the *real* bladder looks like, and I didn't see a weight rating listed for any of the items I linked (I wasn't looking for one). I noticed the similarity in diameter and cover and went from there.

At least I'm trying to find these items instead of hopelessly lamenting via haiku. :p

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

I see right through your jealousy, grasshopper.

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

a tip: cows colored
from different perspectives
create bladder loss

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

I have not found anything on finding more IR boards. The part number listed in the documentation is for the Chip on the board, not the board itself.
Help!

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

The First Q&A is up!!!

so is anybody going to ask about ordering more trackballs, or should I?

or if someone already has, then please post a reply, b/c we have a blue ball, but we need A RED ONE!!!!

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

I posted the question for both components (Trackballs and IR boards)

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

I'd like to actually know (if any) how many of the Trackballs the GDC broke during initial game development. They seem very hard to break just with the limited handling I've had with them at Kickoff in Manchester, and our own. You have got to really be beating on them (or trying to break them) to do so I'm thinking.

BTW, a tear in the inner layer can be easily sealed with a little bit of Gaffer's tape as a little birdie told me (which may work better than duct tape) and be more reliable than a rubber/vinyl patch kit depending on how big the rip/tear/break is.

I'm still holding off on posting where I found equivalent balls to the ones supplied to us to see if I'm right, and to not confuse the FIRST community when (or if) the official supplier is eventually released to the public. The ones I found seem to be made of the same materials, but weight may be an issue since that's not listed in the spec sheet of the balls I found.
Time will tell though.

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

Contacted Diversified Systems, talked with Ben Wrightsman.

I spoke to Kate Pilotte @ FIRST and was told that FIRST and Diversified Systems are working a plan to make the IR boards available.

The announcement would be made via email blast.

All this happened yesterday.

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

Ooh.. Ooh.. I want in on the English 101 lessons going on here.

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

Hopefully you've seen update #2 about ordering the balls.

I just spoke with Joel at Sportogo; He said they just came to agreement with FIRST a couple hours ago on how to handle orders. They will have a category on the left side of their home page that says FIRST trackballs or something to that effect by this weekend so you can order online or over the phone.

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

That's nice that they're trying to make it easy on us, but how long will it take for them to sell out? My guess is only a day or two after rearranging their site.

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

We had a nice gash cut into ours after it bounced off the over-head ladder and then landed on a corner of our 2005 robots shoulder. I didn't want to wait for FIRST so I purchased two 40" bladders for a similar looking item on the Oriental Trader website. They'll be in on Monday and I will post back here as to how similar they are to size and weight. $19.50 plus shipping

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

My guess is that you'll (1) order one quickly enough (if you need one) or (2) you don't.

In which case, (1) you'll get one :D or (2) you won't. :ahh:

Re: Ordering Trackballs & IR boards
 

Slight difference between the FIRST 40" bladder, at $30 and 2500g of PVC, and their standard 40" bladder, at $20.50 and 2200g of PVC.