[Gdeaver]

It's more than 300$ list buy in. Add the programming kit - 99$ , some more metal, servo's, motors, sensors and it's easily > 600 list. Thats a hard consumer pricing point. However, cut that in half and that looks really good. especial for First teams who are used to the cost of FRC competitions. I would like to see VEX become more ingrained in First. There are many team that for many reasons can not continue with the large robots. Vex is a method to keep them involved. Also there are many schools that just can't over come the cost and mentor hurdle but could do VEX. Radio shack held on to the Boebot for along time and lost money. I believe they thought they could overcome the problem with the VEX line. I don't think educational robotics really fits with a mass marketer. I commend Radio Shack with thier effort. The other factor is Lego is going to be making a big push late summer. If you have looked at what LEGO is up to, it's impressive. Radio Shack may have been scared away from the market by LEGO.