FTC - Tetrix kit vs. Matrix kit?

[Jalerre]

As being one of few teams who has used both kits I must say I like Tetrix far more than Matrix. We used Matrix this past season and it was a terrible experience. The plastic gears slipped a lot, the screws stripped easily, and the parts are very filmsy. That's not even mentioning that we burned through all the servos provided in the kit. You apply even a little pressure to them while the robot is on and there done for. My favorite build kit personally is Vex but of the two Tetrix is the way to go.

[JTN]

I hope this explains why my team uses Matrix over Tetrix.
http://youtu.be/lDmdjNbFbQg

[Chief Hedgehog]

As an FRC Coach that is ready to start one (possibly two) FTC teams in the Middle School ranks - I am a bit concerned after reading these posts.

I thought that by going with one or the other kits (Tetrix vs. Matrix) either would be a great building block.

Now I am concerned about spending that type of money on either if they both have severe disadvantages.

Where do I go from here? I do not want to strap my future coach(es) with sub-par equipment.

[atucker4072]

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

As an FRC Coach that is ready to start one (possibly two) FTC teams in the Middle School ranks - I am a bit concerned after reading these posts.

I thought that by going with one or the other kits (Tetrix vs. Matrix) either would be a great building block.

Now I am concerned about spending that type of money on either if they both have severe disadvantages.

Where do I go from here? I do not want to strap my future coach(es) with sub-par equipment.

What specifically are you concerned about? Is it more so the electronics/motors or the structural hardware?

[Mr. B.]

Thanks for everyone's input! JTN will you be out at IRI in July? Would love to speak with you in person if possible. Let me know! Looking forward to seeing more posts on this topic! Much thanks!

[ehochstein]

I would suggest going with Tetrix. I have experience with both Matrix and Tetrix, by far Tetrix has been the easiest one to work with. I haven't run into any issues this year with what they provide for parts. With Matrix I have run into many frustrations. The electronics do not work well at all, I am still unable to get my Matrix control box to communicate with the NXT (in LabView).

Buy Tetrix kits, they work super well, they're easy to learn and they come with a ton of resources. Just remember to order your kits ASAP.

[JTN]

Yes, I will be. I'm sure we'll see each other because our pits should be close together. The Matrix motors are a bit weak and the set screws could be a bit sturdier, but proper dimpling on the shafts and locktite in the right places makes the Matrix kit reign supreme. The push pins make prototyping so easy and the parts fit together in a much more fluid manner than do Tetrix parts. I can post some pictures if requested, but I'm too lazy to resize them all until then.

[Colton Mehlhoff]

Originally Posted by JTN

I can post some pictures if requested, but I'm too lazy to resize them all until then.

I would love to see some pictures if it isn't too much of a hassle John.

I'm new to the Matrix kit. If you could modify it in a way, what would you modify?

[JTN]

Originally Posted by Colton Mehlhoff

I would love to see some pictures if it isn't too much of a hassle John.

I'm new to the Matrix kit. If you could modify it in a way, what would you modify?

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...17-02-28_5.jpg
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c...-50-18_416.jpg
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...6.jpg~original

Only 2 Matrix pieces had to be cut on the entire robot to assemble it. I'd make the set screws more resilient - they have a nasty tendency to come loose.

-JTN

[CENTURION]

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

As an FRC Coach that is ready to start one (possibly two) FTC teams in the Middle School ranks - I am a bit concerned after reading these posts.

I thought that by going with one or the other kits (Tetrix vs. Matrix) either would be a great building block.

Now I am concerned about spending that type of money on either if they both have severe disadvantages.

Where do I go from here? I do not want to strap my future coach(es) with sub-par equipment.

Working around the inadequacies of the system is a challenge, one that I think it's good for the students to deal with. Either way, you're going to have to use one of them at least for your electronics.

The Tetrix system isn't terrible, it just has a few shortcomings here and there, which provide a good opportunity for the students to learn about which systems work, and which don't. As I showed with the drivetrain earlier, it's possible to find a happy balance between Tetrix and custom parts. There are actually some kind of cool things built into the system, like how the motor output shafts are eccentric, it provides a built-in chain-tensioning system.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

As an FRC Coach that is ready to start one (possibly two) FTC teams in the Middle School ranks - I am a bit concerned after reading these posts.

I thought that by going with one or the other kits (Tetrix vs. Matrix) either would be a great building block.

Now I am concerned about spending that type of money on either if they both have severe disadvantages.

Where do I go from here? I do not want to strap my future coach(es) with sub-par equipment.

Don't forget the 3rd option: VRC using the Vex equipment. If VRC's strong Middle School presence, VRC's year-round calendar/season, the timing and location of VRC tournaments in your area, the tech support infrastructure available, VEX equipment's pricing/reliability, VEX integration into Project Lead The Way classroom curricula, and the VRC program's worldwide reach match your needs; then by all means have it on your list of possible programs and equipment for your students.

Because each VRC season begins the day after the prior VRC world championship (mid-April), middle school students (who often *need* it) typically can enjoy a nice long build season before the North American tournament season is in full-swing, and they can study southern hemisphere teams' progress to get field-tested construction and strategy ideas.

The BEST program and equipment might be another option.

FTC/VRC/BEST/etc. all give students fun and inspiring experiences and challenges. Be a wise consumer and review them all to see which one matches your students' needs.

GBlake