[Al Skierkiewicz]

Lynx,
You have to remember that the answers you receive here are tempered by our involvement in FIRST robotics competitions. The advice you receive is aimed at those competitions only. The comps are played on carpet which can be an unforgiving surface for tracked vehicles unless a particular game (and strategy) warrants their use. The picture above and the caption explains it pretty well, "It wreaked havoc on the breakers though you could year them popping clear across the shop". In addition, the type of treads used in this picture would not be allowed under 2008 robot rules as no metal can come in contact with the carpet. The only advantage in this picture is the curved ends of the tread cleats. In a turn, these tend to slide across the carpet while giving increased traction in the forward and reverse modes. I will say it again, treads in a turn or six wheels/no steering, create significant electrical loads that can comprimise the control system electrical power source. As such any good strategy would be to avoid, at all costs, mechanical designs that draw excessive currents. There have been (and likely will in the future be) games and strategies that use treads to a advantage. These games will likely involve climbing with little or no turning required.