I need a flashlight for our bot

[inkspell4]

Originally Posted by snowballz

I need something that can light up the tape and/or the area around it to give our drivers an idea of what they're aiming at

Without utilizing a camera you will not be able to use the reflective tape for what you need because the tape is retroreflective and not just reflective.

[snowballz]

Like I don't need it to reflect I just need the area to be highlighted

[Alan Anderson]

So you basically just want to shine a spotlight in the direction your robot will be shooting?

If that's what you're trying to do, I suggest that you go flashlight shopping and find one that will work for your purposes. Then figure out how to power it legally, using the robot battery. You can also search the forum for the phrase "photon cannon" and maybe get some useful information.

[snowballz]

Yeah basically, so is there any restriction on how many lumens? And I tried photon cannon but could find anything

[dcarr]

Originally Posted by snowballz

Yeah basically, so is there any restriction on how many lumens? And I tried photon cannon but could find anything

There are no rules on this. Just don't intentionally try to blind the other alliance drivers and you should be fine.

[Garrett.d.w]

I have one of these for working on my car.
http://www.maglite.com/maglite_pro_LED.asp

I tried using it as a potential photon cannon in the shop the other day and I think that it would work quite well. If you focus it, the spot of light is easily visible from 50 ft away in a variety of lighting conditions. (your results may vary )

Good luck

[EricH]

Originally Posted by dcarr

There are no rules on this. Just don't intentionally try to blind the other alliance drivers and you should be fine.

As to that, I would suggest doing a simple test: have your drive team stand under the goal, about where the driver station of your opponents would be. If they can't see when the light is on and pointing in their direction, assume that you'll be blinding your opponents, which could fall under R08, part A of the blue box, which would cause a nice chain reaction leading to a redesign. Note that it doesn't have to be designed to limit vision, just used to, or just cause an unsafe condition. Get the light so that it doesn't blind the drivers, then have them go to their own station's distance and see if they can see it. Repeat until you get it aligned.