FRC Blogged - Team Counts, Kit of Parts Drive System Option, Windows 8

[Andy Brockway]

We are going with the voucher. We do not design our own custom base and have used the KOP chassis since it was introduced. But we like the VEX chassis better. So we are buying a VEX chassis and will use the PDV to procure the things we usually buy from AM.

[Lil' Lavery]

We opted to stick with the KoP base, even if we end up modifying it significantly. We're going to have a relatively young group of students next year and wanted to stick with something quick and easy.

I am curious about what pulleys are going to be provided with the KoP drivebase this year. It's a "dead axle" drive frame, but I don't know of any gates pulleys that have a bolt pattern to match the AM wheels.

[Mark McLeod]

We declined the voucher since we train rookies.
We wanted to get what they got, because of the change to belt drive.
We plan to experiment with the belts, and play with variations and modifications for rookies, but probably won't be using them ourselves this season.

Next year we'd probably take the voucher if it's offered.

[Jeff Pahl]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

We declined the voucher since we train rookies.
We wanted to get what they got, because of the change to belt drive.
We plan to experiment with the belts, and play with variations and modifications for rookies, but probably won't be using them ourselves this season.

Next year we'd probably take the voucher if it's offered.

We also declined the voucher because of the rookie training issue, both rookie team members on our own team and rookie teams that we are working with.

Because of this, in spite of the fact that we did not use a single piece of the kit drivetrain last year, and have run belt drivetrains for the last two years, we felt that it was best to get the kit pieces.

Even though we probably will not use much of the kit again this year, we have a large influx of new students on the team this year, and we wanted the kit so that they could take part in the "quick-build" at kickoff. It will give them something that moves right away to help them visualize and prototype new ideas.

[Aren Siekmeier]

Originally Posted by Jeff Pahl

We also declined the voucher because of the rookie training issue, both rookie team members on our own team and rookie teams that we are working with.

Because of this, in spite of the fact that we did not use a single piece of the kit drivetrain last year, and have run belt drivetrains for the last two years, we felt that it was best to get the kit pieces.

Even though we probably will not use much of the kit again this year, we have a large influx of new students on the team this year, and we wanted the kit so that they could take part in the "quick-build" at kickoff. It will give them something that moves right away to help them visualize and prototype new ideas.

Ditto for us. We've been running custom chassis and drivetrains since 2010, but that doesn't mean we never use the KoP stuff. In fact, it's awesome for exactly the quick building you mention. And, we estimate its purchase value at $600+, which last I checked is bigger than $450.