Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris is me
I'd rather more teams have a reality check as to what they're capable of creating. I mean, is it really that hard to add bumpers later?
I just can't imagine the kind of team that would pass up the free weight of bumpers without evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a bumperless frame and deciding why they need one. Also consider that they're not too difficult to build "thursday night" either, and that the same teams that go "psh we don't need bumpers lol" probably build the super strongth kitbot anyway.
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Yeah, as one of those people that do build the kitbot I don't feel the need for bumpers. I don't dislike bumpers because they make robots look all like (this year they did but generally this isn't an issue) I don't dislike them because they cause robots to take less damage (this is a good thing). I dislike them because they encourage shoddy construction. They encourage teams taking shortcuts in their designs. They allow teams to get away with mediocrity and I just can't stand by that. Allow teams to use bumpers the same way you let them use pneumatics or motors. Do the benefits of bumpers outweigh the costs?
This year benefits: My frame won't get as trashed in what will be a hard hitting game.
Downside: Harder to acquire balls, Harder to go through tunnel, More weight to lift at endgame.
These are design tradeoffs that should be evaluated by the team.
PS: The kitbot IS overkill. It is way stronger than it needs to be if we use bumpers. The thing is, it is a great frame and if you can afford the extra weight I would highly suggest using it. The last 3 years I have used it I have had almost no problems with it.