[pfreivald]

In terms of inspiring sponsors to give us piles of money we may or may not deserve, mecanum wheels have well more than paid for themselves -- especially when you can explain both the benefits and the drawbacks.

99.9999%-ish of the population has never seen an omnidirectional drive, and are impressed with the very notion. They're even more impressed when the students on the team can articulately explain why they're not always the best choice for a situation.

Thus, cool-factor should not be poo-pooed, even if the demonized and well-hated mecanum drive is, in your mind, a poor choice for any given game.