last year (2007 ringer year) all teams received the GP-56012 gearbox model. They had some great features such as simple mounting, compact, encoder option, and provided a bearing block for the end of the shaft to support the load. The problems that occurred with this model were mainly with the carrier plate that would round itself or "bow-tie" as some would call it, and some screws holding the gearbox together would fall out.
So can we trust Banebots for this year (2008) and future years?
YES
......I and a few other believed in banebots so much we were going to purchase them ourselves and sneak them in as a donation since our overlords said no but after a few well placed attacks they folded. The gearboxes would prove themselves at Nasa VCU where the carrier plate after some hard battles showed no sign of "Bow-tie". The encoders providing excellent robot feed back for hybrid mode and such other things. The new assembly method would ensure that no screws were lost and for easy repair.
Now for their final test they will travel to Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia.