[cadandcookies]

I am not an unbiased opinion here. I started in FLL and mentored 8 FLL teams after that.

There are some pretty clear advantages for VEX IQ though-- I really like the physical elements, and RobotC doesn't bother me as much as it used to (OK, maybe for elementary schoolers).

I also like FLL because it has a good beginner software option (NXT-G is, in my opinion, pretty great), a huge amount of parts available (literally anything Lego), and a very mature competition system (though this varies to some extent by state-- I'm from Minnesota, one of the FLL pilot states, and we have 600-700 teams and are still growing).

I would weigh your options-- I'm not familiar with the VEXIQ competition structure or FLL competition structure in California (or for that matter much outside my state), but that would probably be the critical factor for me-- if VEXIQ is more likely to get the kids a better experience, that's how I'd go. For now though, FLL is the more mature and stable option in what I'd guess is the majority of areas (after all, it has a 15 year head start...)

In my area, I wouldn't dream of starting a VEXIQ team with such an excellent and established FLL community and competition structure (High Tech Kids, a local nonprofit, has been running our FLL for years, and do a truly excellent job making sure the tournaments are an excellent experience for everyone involved, and doing a good job of hooking up teams with help if they need it).