[DougHogg]

Originally posted by Duke 13370

quote (originally posted by DougHogg):
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The drive train is the most critical part of making a robot competitive. If new teams have good drive train components (enhanced versions of this year's gear boxes and motor mounts) with a choice of gearing, they will be competitive. Then if we build multiple levels into the game, they will be able to contribute to their alliance.
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Don't defend the drivetrain FIRST supplied us with, we're a 4th year team with decent facilities and financing, and we didn't move well till the second day of the second regional. If FIRST wan'ts to even it out a bit, give us gearsets for 4 motor drives made out of metal; the one this year was weak (both in power and in construction).

I agree that these should be improved upon. That's why I said "enhanced versions of this year's gear boxes" and "with a choice of gearing". We can keep enhancing them until they work.

(We used the drill motor mounts for our telescoping arm and it did fine.)

Last year, the kit didn't include any motor mounts or gearing sets. I applaud FIRST for moving in that direction this year. I think that is the best way to balance the game for new teams, as opposed to using the scoring system to do so.