[JesseK]

Our robot lasted over 35 matches + practice & tweak times with 2 small CIMs and the BB 56mm transmissions. I wasn't involved much with the drivetrain this year, but I do believe we made the plate modifications, and we also mounted the BB encoders directly on the shafts as well. Overall, the chassis + drivetrain came in at 32lbs -- not bad for a 2nd year team with limited manufacturing capability IMO. The only thing that broke on the drivetrain were 3 set screws that directly matched a gear to a wheel, which were easily replaced in Atlanta.

If they're tweaked, modified, and overall better, then I hope they're back. However, if we have to purchase/modify after the fact then I think we're better off making/purchasing our own transmissions (which alot of teams do anyways). I personally wish FIRST would create two different KoP's -- one that is slimmed down without the things that veteran teams make/have anyways, and then another (more expensive) kit that contains more parts (such as these transmissions) that rookie/less capable teams can get started with.

Of course, the veteran teams seem to use their excess parts to get rookie teams in their area started anyways (or get the community involved in FIRST), so I suppose it works out.