[ToddF]

My biggest concern regarding the integrated leads is that installing connectors on the ends of the wires constitutes a modification away from COTS state. This means that use of a particular motor controller on a competition bot will (under current rules) only be legal during the year in which the connectors were attached. Currently, we utilize previously purchased Talons as spares. In a pinch, we have even raided previous year's robots for motor controllers (not at an event). With these new ones, unless the rules change, they have a built in expiration date. If you've already attached connectors, you can't use them on a competition bot after the next kickoff day. And cutting off the connectors and putting on new ones isn't legal because just cutting off the connectors doesn't return the wires to their original length. I think now is a good time to revisit the rules regarding reuse of parts. It was bad enough that we couldn't reuse CIMS, but CIMS are fairly cheap, and don't require swapping out very often. Not being able to reuse motor controllers is going to hurt our pocketbook.