[EricH]

Originally Posted by apalrd

I don't think it's a requirement to put the part in the KOP if it's commonly available. If FIRST were to allow certain types of motors (e.g. all 5xx-sized brushed motors), there would be many places to get them from (e.g. many cordless tools use 550/540 sized motors, you can get them at home depot if you want). The only exception is the control system - Since the FRC control system must be used as is, the base control system should be included (ideally every year).

Which is why I asked about the Kinect. You can go into any store that sells video games and buy one if you think it'll be useful. So why bother putting it into the KOP, like FIRST did last year? You could just give every team a voucher good at the local Best Buy or similar store that says "Good for one free Kinect".

And, just to beg the question: If base control system components should be included every year, why isn't the cRIO in every kit the last couple of years?

The way I look at this sort of thing is: If there's a change to the control system, especially a major one, it needs to be in the KOP. If there's a change to the motors, start with one or two in the KOP--it helps to have something in your hands that you can monkey around with. If there's a change to the hardware, make it available in the KOP/FIRST Choice--but teams will change that anyway.

tl;dr: If an electrical or controls change needs to be made, as it would with a new battery chemistry or brushless motors, put it in the KOP for one year. After that, it goes in rookie KOPs only; everyone else gets to use vouchers or local sources.