Bumper covers, two bumpers sets or reversible bumpers?

[Mike Starke]

Originally Posted by Peter Matteson

The removable covers look horrible, fall off ...

I say go 2 complete rigid sets. In the long run you'll be happier.

Originally Posted by midway78224

So for that this year my team has decide to go with two sets of rigid bumpers w/ quick disconnect pins.

Few teams pull off the "shower cap" removable skirt, and a few others pull of the flippable cover. But most teams that go that route, end up having bumpers that don't look very good. A team with horrible looking bumpers gives other teams a first impression of your team that you don't want.

Spend the time to make some quick detach bumpers that you can have two sets of. It'll look better, and spreads the wear of your bumper into two sets, instead of one.

[Brandon Zalinsky]

and a few others pull of the flippable cover. But most teams that go that route, end up having bumpers that don't look very good.

I beg to differ. Most reversible ones (including ours) that I've seen look great and require far less work than making a whole other set of bumpers.

Here's ours:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimsrobot/7457875402/

[hunterteam3476]

Originally Posted by Flak-Bait

I beg to differ. Most reversible ones (including ours) that I've seen look great and require far less work than making a whole other set of bumpers.

Here's ours:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimsrobot/7457875402/

I agree

[Mike Starke]

Originally Posted by hunterteam3476

I agree

Originally Posted by Flak-Bait

I beg to differ. Most reversible ones (including ours) that I've seen look great and require far less work than making a whole other set of bumpers.

I guess that's where we're different. The seeping red you see under the blue material just does not look as professional, in my opinion, as two separate sets of bumpers.

[hunterteam3476]

Originally Posted by Mike Starke

I guess that's where we're different. The seeping red you see under the blue material just does not look as professional, in my opinion, as two separate sets of bumpers.

Tell me if this looks un-professional. this Is the reversible bumper cover

[Mike Starke]

Originally Posted by hunterteam3476

Tell me if this looks un-professional. this Is the reversible bumper cover

No, that one looks great! It really does. Well done!

I was just saying that most teams that do the "shower cap", or the reversible covers, don't do them right, which ends up making the robot look unprofessional (with no disrepect to any robots in this thread).

With never seeing a robot operate, people judge robots based on appearances, or how the "think it will work", or how successful they "think it will be". Bumpers are a great way to provide a first impression. If your bumpers don't look good, impressions are already made, without ever seeing your robot perform.

[hunterteam3476]

Originally Posted by Mike Starke

No, that one looks great! It really does. Well done!

I was just saying that most teams that do the "shower cap", or the reversible covers, don't do them right, which ends up making the robot look unprofessional (with no disrepect to any robots in this thread).

With never seeing a robot operate, people judge robots based on appearances, or how the "think it will work", or how successful they "think it will be". Bumpers are a great way to provide a first impression. If your bumpers don't look good, impressions are already made, without ever seeing your robot perform.

I see your point that is a sad truth, and thank we have took time to master how we make are bumpers look clean

[Leav]

My opinion when I posted this was that the only professional way to do bumpers was two sets.

Seeing some of the examples posted here, I see that it's possible to make excellent color-changing bumpers.

The major benefit is the time saved at the competition, however in order for them to function properly I understand that they must be carefully designed and perfected, in order for them to function just as well as two-bumper-sets and leave a good impression on other teams (which is always important).

Thanks everyone.

-Leav