Thread: Binoculars?
View Single Post
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 01-03-2010, 17:53
Jon Stratis's Avatar
Jon Stratis Jon Stratis is offline
Electrical/Programming Mentor
FRC #2177 (The Robettes)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 3,753
Jon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Binoculars?

I can see it now... the drive team walks up, all dressed as pirates. The coach has the big, pointy hat on, a fake parrot on his shoulder, and an eye patch (throw in a peg leg and a hook for a hand if you can). The match starts... and with 20 seconds left they start to line up to lift. The coach pulls a telescope out of his pocket, extends it, and starts giving instructions...

But in all seriousness... I would be aware of the following rules and definitions before thinking too hard about this:

Quote:
(Found in section 8.2)
OPERATOR CONSOLE – the DRIVER STATION devices, and any associated equipment, control interfaces, display systems, structure, decorations, etc. used by the DRIVERS to operate the ROBOT.
Quote:
<G51> DRIVERS Operating ROBOTS - During a MATCH, the OPERATOR CONSOLE shall be operated solely by the DRIVERS. Violation: Disablement and RED CARD.
The idea of a telescope on a tripod would, i think, not be available to the coach - it would most likely be considered part of the driver station and should only be used by one of the two drivers.

Bringing binoculars or something similar that would not be attached or ever even touch the OPERATOR CONSOLE, however, would probably not be affected by these rules... and if there is a rule against it, i haven't been able to find it. As i've never seen this done in a match before, i would recommend posting it to the Q&A for the GDC to decide. Although if you want to get *real* technical about it, glasses and contacts serve as vision enhancement devices that are brought onto the field all the time.

*Edit - D'oh, Thanks for pointing that out Eric... it's probably been 6 weeks since i've read that section of the manual, and didn't even think to look in it here.