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Originally Posted by evolution
2005. I hope FIRST sees the overwhelming preference and considers switching back next year.
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We used the 2005 one (after I bugged the student in charge of electrical to consider the options). It's much lighter, cleaner looking, easier to use .. I could go on forever.
Regarding FIRST bringing it back .. this was something I thought about and this is the conclusion I've reached (which might be wrong, but I'm willing to make a gamble on it). FIRST has always been looking for ways to cut costs in the kit. The breaker panel was gone this year, and so were the LEDs. Both are items that came from IFI. IFI is already responsible for the control system and the electronics (meaning spikes, victors, radios) .. and it leaves me under the impression that FIRST couldn't financially justify using the breaker panel (there were also stories from last year of the casing breaking open .. which is a big concern). By using the Maxi Blocks, the AB Terminal block, and the other things that IFI don't supply, it opens FIRST up to other sponsors that can provide the items at a lower cost, if any.
Now, I don't work for FIRST or IFI, so take that as an educated guess for whatever its worth. I would love to see the breaker panel come back again .. but if FIRST doesn't want to put it in the kit, at least allow it as an OTS part.
And I'm with The Lucas on this one, a "dumb" breaker panel would be awesome. The flashing light did nothing but drive us crazy after we kept tripping the fuse on our FP motor in 05.