Is a shifting transmission really necessary?

[mechanicalbrain]

I agree with Sanddrags statements, and feel them on a personally in the competition. while the KOP is great for teams that don't have the ability or resources to create a custom drive train, it gives the game a standard. However I think it also makes the game more uniform. Our mentors heavily pushed for using the KOP, and our drive train designer was really disappointed at not being able to create our own. I personally feel this more in electronics as we have no choice but to use most of the parts FIRST provides. this leaves me with less of a choice with deciding what pieces of electronics would be cool, and leaves me focusing more on how I can mount the required peaces efficiently and how to wire them. overall electronics is just like putting Lego's together. it really provides no room to grow other than sensors. (i know this because I'm hitting the glass roof with what i can do with our system)