We're looking for a scouting system

[BitTwiddler]

Originally Posted by trumpthero786

Here is what my team, Storm 2729 uses, as explained by our Lead Mentor! I hope this helps! It works really well for us and is very organized. It does require Android devices, which might be a turn off. But good luck on your scouting ventures!

Very cool! It actually meets our main requirements and seems simple to use.
I notice that the scouting data points are hard-coded into the user app. Am I correct in thinking that your programmers will configure it for the 2016 game shortly after kick-off? Is the source code open or closed?
What data analysis tool(s) do you guys use for your team pick lists?
The use of QR codes for data transfer is brilliant . No pesky cables to trip over, no on again/off again Bluetooth reliability issues. Just need to ensure that the devices are kept charged up for use.
Any plans for importing match schedules into the user app prior to the qualification matches in order to help the scouts select the teams to watch?

[trumpthero786]

Originally Posted by BitTwiddler

Very cool! It actually meets our main requirements and seems simple to use.
I notice that the scouting data points are hard-coded into the user app. Am I correct in thinking that your programmers will configure it for the 2016 game shortly after kick-off? Is the source code open or closed?
What data analysis tool(s) do you guys use for your team pick lists?
The use of QR codes for data transfer is brilliant . No pesky cables to trip over, no on again/off again Bluetooth reliability issues. Just need to ensure that the devices are kept charged up for use.
Any plans for importing match schedules into the user app prior to the qualification matches in order to help the scouts select the teams to watch?

I do believe that we have the intentions of configuring it to the 2016 game as soon after kick off as we can. Unfortunately the code for the app is not open YET. I'm not sure why, as we release all of our robot code. I can check on that with the programming team once we start meeting up again. As far as data analysis, it's not very complicated. It would be just like if you had all the data on paper, but instead it's nice and neat, organized and available. I'm not on the scouting team so I'm no expert in what they do. However I know that the hassle of tons of papers has been relieved from our team, and has simplified the picking of teams that we would want to work with us.

Your final question is very intriguing. It is a great idea that I can pass on to those in charge of the app and scouting in general. I can see them working that in using TBA's open source. We will definitely consider it.

If you PM or (even better) send an email to our Lead Mentor, I'm sure that he can find a way to get you guys the source code for the app. This is his profile page. There is a link for sending him an email.

I hope this helped! I can gladly answer other questions if you have any!

[Citrus Dad]

One consideration that we discovered after implementing our tablet system: being able to push summarized data to smart phones helped our drive team in planning for match strategies. Keeping your data only for the draft and not having an effective way to get data to your drive team quickly are mistakes to avoid.

[Billfred]

4901 hasn't used any devices for scouting (yet...), but one thing I can recommend personally: Anker battery packs to keep them topped up. I bought an Astro E4 before my trip to IRI this year, and made it from arrival Friday to on the train home Sunday morning without having to plug it into a wall--and my iPhone was never in danger of going dead despite using it a lot for work and despite the notoriously bad reception in Lawrence North that makes the phone use more juice to connect. They have also nailed down talking to the phone for the fastest charge it will take, which lets you top up quickly. I paid $30 for mine, but obviously a team wanting to charge a fleet of them might go for something bigger still. (The new PowerCore 20100 trumps my 13000 mAh for 20000 for $10 more, for example, or the three-port Astro E7 has 26800 for $70.)

I'm also a fan of their PowerPort line if you have access to wall power or wanted to charge everything up overnight in the pits or hotel. They've got four-, five-, six-, and ten-port versions that should give everyone the juice they require.

I'm nothing but a very satisfied customer--their stuff is well-built and a great bang for the buck.