[Tom Line]

I believe some teams have had success using a cortex controller from Vex to control their robot. It won't have the durability of a cRio system. Most of those already have the Vex systems though, they're hardly cheap. I can't say much more than that since we've never tried it.

We can't manage to keep more than 2 bots running. We have 4 cRios: two older 8 slots and go on older bots, and then the two 4 slots that we use for comp and practice. We routinely have to take components like vics, jags, spikes, compressors, wheels, and other items off older robots to save money. Keeping just two running is fairly extravagant (for us) from a monetary standpoint. That's one of the primary reasons we usually only have 1 or two robots functioning.

We're fairly lucky that some of the older robots have wheels - the only reason they do is because we've changed sizes and types a couple times.

The old style IFI controllers are also still out there used if you feel like programming C and enjoy integer math.