Why'd they even ask?
 

http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=11831

Can't paint the Jaguars. Seems relatively reasonable. But, just how much paint or markings is a modification? Can you write your team number on your battery, or is that a modification? Can you label KOP electronics with the year of the kit?

Let's not get back to a situation like the bumper rulings of a couple seasons back. You could paint your team number onto the bumper fabric, but you couldn't applique it on. Embroidery was uncertain.

Re: Why'd they even ask?
 

Camouflaged Jaguars would be uber cool... they're already that terribly-colored brown. That's why we're putting them upside down underneath our electronics board :x You hear this Luminary Micro??? We want black Jaguars!

On a more serious note though, labeling doesn't modify the component itself -- it simply attaches something to it. I would presume that if anyone was so inclined to try to make some proclamation against labeling with this reasoning that they would be forgetting that such a clause would prevent the use of screws to attach any electronics since screwing them in makes some sort of scratch on the electronics which is just about the same thing. I think that's why the word 'reasonable' has to be implied, and the inspectors won't have an issue with labeling so long as you use good practices with it (e.g. don't use the label to go across pins, don't put the label over the fan vent, etc).

If I put myself in the GDC's shoes, I think the rule itself is meant to prevent a team from blaming the FMS for non-responsive control components that have been damaged during modification. Since the only proper way to paint the plastic is to take the Jaguar apart, I can see where that ruling is coming from.

Re: Why'd they even ask?
 

LOL! Thanks for the feedback!

Re: Why'd they even ask?
 

This thread gave me my daily laugh. Personally, I'd give up any amount of aesthetics to reduce the size of them (yes, i'm going to bang that drum again). But that's kind of besides the point.

Honestly, I love the new Jags this year. They are a huge improvement over the victors (sorry IFI). The pricing has been awesome as well. I'm very happy with the new speed controllers... and I'll second the black comment as well.

Re: Why'd they even ask?
 

The question begs to be asked - how do the Jaguars taste?

Re: Why'd they even ask?
 

Haha. A little bland. But they go great with a little A1.