[Teched3]

Banebots (56 mm) will be back, better than ever for next year. We decided to use them on a drive system AFTER the problems surfaced regarding the carrier plates, and monitored them for excessive backlash during the season. We actually ran the original carrier plates through practice prior to shipping, two regionals, and into the Divisional Qtr Finals at Nationals, with no problems. We had spare, modified transmissions ready for replacement if needed, and just recently installed them for the several off-season events we attend (Beantown and WPI) so we could examine them disassembled. They are easily installed for Rookie teams, compact but a little heavy, but nonetheless, very beefy compared to what we were provided in the past. FIRST, as I have said in these forums, is about SOLVING problems, not just complaining about them. Banebots responded admirably in the limited time frames when the carrier plate problem surfaced. Many suggestions from teams concerning mods have not fallen on deaf ears at Banebots, and they plan on BETA testing some design changes on the transmissions before next season. In addition, I, along with many other experienced participants, offered design fixes in plenty of time for Nationals. Just look back at the posts in the General and Technical Forums on CD for information gladly shared with the FIRST community. In the meantime, many of us choose to use what is given us, and then be creative to make it better. If you want an erector set robot kit, then stick to VEX. Remember, it is rasre indeed, that a new design works first time out of the box. Just look around the pits and see how many robots are continually being modified as weak points become apparent during competition.