After re-reading my posts I think I am not stating clearly enough to both REV and Mindsensors that you need to post appropriate, preferably independent, test data. That is what builds confidence. I believe the major reason there was widespread adoption of the last two new motor controllers was the public and independent testing done by Alpha and Beta teams. You need to replicate this level of testing if you want to get widespread adoption.
Our team did not buy Talon SRs the year they came out because of the lack of available test data.
Here is a great example of an appropriate test. Well documented with appropriate methods. It includes photos and part numbers so anyone can repeat it and it is revision controlled. This is the kind of report I would expect to see at work.
Only slightly behind as an example is the
Vex Pro Motors page (would have liked to see photos and part numbers of test assemblies, but very, very good).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Needel
While there is always RISK in trying something new, I don't think it is correct to make a recommendation like this without data to back it up.
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For crying out loud - post the data on your website!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Needel
Speaking directly about the SPARK, we have done everything we can (including testing them on robots at numerous offseason events, on abusive test bed robots (6 cim - 2 speed drive train weighing 200+ lbs), abuse testing them at higher voltages and higher current, dumping piles of aluminum chips on them, static testing, etc) into it to make sure that it is a hardened controller ready for FRC prime time. The SPARK that is in production right now is actually our 3rd revision of the design, based on the feed back of the above testing. Every time we made a design change we continued trying to break the controller until we felt that it would be WAY out of reach of teams breaking them.
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This should also be on your website. Help convince us you have a great new product. As I have noted in this thread and others, your design does look good, just send data to back it up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg Needel
As someone who has been involved with FIRST for 14 seasons, on numerous teams with many blue banners, making sure the SPARK was bullet proof was at the top of our priority list when developing it. We would not have launched the product if I didn't feel 100% comfortable putting them on my own team's robot. 2848 will defiantly be using SPARKs this year (and we are a team that can easily afford talon SRX's everywhere).
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Here's the deal - you had some great looking products last year, but were unable to deliver them due to a variety of issues (our team was bummed to have had to go elsewhere). Great intentions do not necessarily always come through and you should be a little more aware of well-founded concerns that are raised about such key components as motor controllers. Again, providing test data will assuage many of these fears.
techhelpbb has raised an excellent point about offering new and innovative products. I think the new offerings are great and that vendors should continue to offer new products, but the risks should be noted and understood. I think that there is a great community here on CD that would have offered constructive feedback months ago if engaged. The issues being discussed here could have been put to bed long ago at no cost to manufacturers. We all donate hundreds of hours a year to make this program great and hundreds more on CD to help those in need draw on our experience. I hope that in the future that vendors will reach out more to get help.
-matto-