[yongkimleng]

Well I guess there are many reasons for the split..

Keeping an open mind, I personally won't mind a more powerful processor if the features justify the price. Anyone dreamed of using a full x86 processor for higher level logic, Java programmable, handling vision processing, and using common storage like USB drives and SD cards, with multiple user-programmable co-processors for low level PIDs? Intelligent motors with integrated encoders and monitoring functions? Maybe even a prototype Field Positioning System functioning like an in-door gps for competitions?

My take is that while FIRST pushes things to higher levels of complexity, offering wider choices of things to use, etc etc, the demand for low-cost robotics competitions is still there. Especially in times like now when the economy isn't exactly doing very well.

IFI could further leverage on the current situation by seriously ironing out existing quirks with the Vex system, and/or lowering cost of the steel and plastic stuff (ok I don't know if its right to say that, but these parts manufactured in China is pretty low cost right). Credit goes to them for choosing WiFi, hope they pull it off nicely (P.S. where to get Vex proto boards?)

As for FIRST, my only guess why they are inclined on bluetooth is the ease of integration. I've played with serial-BT devices before and they are like, a drop-in replacement for a point-to-point serial link. Coz the interface on those bluetooth endpoints are just TTL serial. The drawback, though, is the limit on transfer rate. We'll still be stuck with like what, 115kbps streams (lol). Unless its native bluetooth, then yeah the cap is increased and we've more possibilities.

Metal gears and such definitely allows more possibilities. Thats if they are putting it together such that, we can make FRC-sized bots out of a kit. Otherwise with small vex sized bots (thats subjective, but to be specific I meant 18"x18"x18" bots), I think plastic is cheaper and (when properly engineered) as reliable as metal parts.
(P.S. There are actually gears of higher density than current vex gears right? anyone come across?)

Whatever their decisions are, I guess its up to the school / students to have their take on who they would support (like, BluRay vs HD). Who knows, maybe years later, FIRST still has FRC being popular and Vex allows lower barriers to entry for those starting out to learn more about robotics?