Arghh.. After dealing with the COTS rule for the most however many years in FIRST and for the most part not having any problem with it, I am extremely disappointed in the non-COTS that FIRST have given us for supplies this year.
First it was a lack of finding the game balls, albeit one main supplier, a few rate hikers, or a chance encounter at a local store..
Now it is the fact that the bumper material material can only be bought on a few places on-line, and has a lead time of 4 weeks, oh.. and did I mention that the FIRST forums say that by the rules the bumpers have to be shipped with the robot?
So, pretty much what we have here is that if you didn't decide to have bumpers part of your robot from week 1 or 2, you are not getting them on your robot legally unless you use a less reliable fabric (also per the forums) vinyl, on your bumpers.
I rarely get this frustrated with FIRST, but this non-COTS for items mandatory (if you decide to use them) has got to stop!!!!
I hope this is discussed in a rules update soon, or someone from FIRST explains what a true same strength ("or similar material") is.
Andy-Mark, if you guys are listening, please, please.. if bumpers are an option next year, order the material ahead of time and I will order it right from you.