I'm not arguing with anybody here... but doesn't $16,000 seem a little exorbitant of a price estimate for the kit?
Control System..........................$1,146.71
Victor 884.................................$114.95 x 6
Spike Relay................................$34.95 x 6
Old Breaker Panel .......................$84.95
CMUcam+Pan/tilt ........................$293.90
Kitbot Chassis ............................$189.95
CIM motors/Minibike......................$28.00 x 6
FIRST KOP wheels.........................$18.00 x 6
BB transmissions...........................$89.50 x 2
Remaining Parts**............................$2,500
First Regional................................$4,000
When I added those up, I only $9,569 Which is just over half of the quoted price even though the quoted price
does not include the first regional. While this is an absolute STEAL for 6,000 dollars, It is nowhere near what I was led to believe in this thread.
The reason I didn't add the Autodesk software, is because this year it is only a 1 year trial, and for the retail price it is a permanent installation.
What the IFI guys do is amazing, and they should be thanked for it. Their prices are due to a little economic system we use called Capitalism and cannot be helped.
**I am not entirely sure about the costs for the pneumatics system/stock materials that come in the kit, but I believe adding $2,500 is a pretty good estimate, If you have a better estimate, however... please share.
*** Maybe belongs elsewhere***
One thing that everyone in FIRST should realize however, is that FIRST and all affiliated companies are our retailers. We pay them for their services, and like any other paying customers should expect a wonderful product, which is given most of the time. When FIRST fails to supply an adequate product, however... we should not make excuses for them. Even though they are a wonderful Orginization that is inspiring thousands of people, they are still our supplier, and we still paid $6,000 for the kit.
Heres a quick comparison: If I ride the buss and it gets me where I'm going for a year without fail... but ONE DAY, it breaks down when I'm on it, and I'm late to work I will still be VERY unhappy. Because I payed for a service that wasn't delivered.