[BurtGummer]

After attending the LA regional this weekend, I saw both systems do great. I saw 1717 with their shooter, although they usually kept it within a 5 foot range. Their advantage was being able to aim however they wanted, so if they got pinned there were more possibilities for them to score on the pinning robot than if they were a dumper. Their distance was also easily controlled by retractable hood on the turret. Their drive system was also very nice, but I did not get to see what exactly it was. From a distant observation, it looked like each front wheel was steered like a car. I'm not sure about the rear wheels. Overall a very well built robot, and we had the pleasure of working with them and winning a round 88 to 6.

Team 399 was a dumper, and also did extremely well. Once they were filled, they could haul across the field and dump their whole load with ease. We were one of their victims, and we saw it coming before they even got to us, because they had an advantage on speed. Also another very well built robot.

So both designs worked well, although 'shooters' kept close ranges.