2004 Electrical Component Rule Rationale

[phrontist]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

It is so a team cannot go out and buy a "Flux Capacitor" and have a huge advantage.

EDIT: I actaully like the 2004 rule because it has the "or equivalent to those available from" part that was not inlcuded in the 2003 rule.

Right, I understand they don't want teams gaining an advantage by purchasing magical parts, but that's what the cost limit is for! If the cost limit is enough to ensure equality as far as mechanical components go, why isn't it enough for electrical components?!

Therefore the "unfair advantage" arguement doesn't make sense, as it's internally inconsistent with other FIRST rules.

UPDATE:
If these companies have generously supported FIRST, and this is FIRST's way of returning the favor, I see no problem with it. I just wish I knew why specifically we've been restricted to certain arbitrary component suppliers.

[sanddrag]

Originally Posted by phrontist

I just wish I knew why specifically we've been restricted to certain arbitrary component suppliers.

We haven't been restricted to those suppliers, just the components they sell. And as for the "magic components," the cost limit might not take care of that. Sometimes these "magic components" are not expensive, just hard to find or available only in limited quanities.

[Specialagentjim]

Originally Posted by phrontist

Right, I understand they don't want teams gaining an advantage by purchasing magical parts, but that's what the cost limit is for! If the cost limit is enough to ensure equality as far as mechanical components go, why isn't it enough for electrical components?!

Therefore the "unfair advantage" arguement doesn't make sense, as it's internally inconsistent with other FIRST rules.

UPDATE:
If these companies have generously supported FIRST, and this is FIRST's way of returning the favor, I see no problem with it. I just wish I knew why specifically we've been restricted to certain arbitrary component suppliers.

Just about anything tangible to be used on a robot can be found from these vendors. FIRST does not want you buying the "Magical Robot Control System with super duper sensors built in an all-in-one black box" electrical system from a vendor that no one else would have access to. If you want to build a decent control system, you have to do it piece by piece and maybe (the horror) have the students learn something.

...or so my thoughts go