2006 KOP Wish List

[Andrew Blair]

As the 2006 season draws near, I'm wondering what people are hoping for in the kit. This can extend into anything, programming, frames, motors, gearboxes, sensors, material, etc. Post away, because I'm sure I don't have everything in the poll.

(I figured this is a good time for this as any, nothing we say will have an effect on it. The KOP is shipped or will be shortly! Just a little while before sleep deprivation sets in...)

[Cory]

Definitely a larger variety of pneumatics.

I think we're fine as far as motors go.

The kitbot is fine, the kit transmissions are good as well.

Pneumatics is really the only place we haven't seen any significant upgrades in years (unless you count the practically useless rotary piston we were allowed).

[Billfred]

The kitbot is gold. Let it be--well, unless you feel like dropping in some AM Shifters instead. I wouldn't mind a couple more of the smaller motors, like the Keyang seat motor of 2004 vintage, to make things interesting, but we can do well either way. I'm neutral on pneumatics, as my team has yet to really use them. (Gripe #1: Limited firing ability. Perhaps some larger accumulators would help?)

I'll be very interested to see what happens in the sensor department. The CMUcam this year felt a bit like drinking from a fire hose, so I'm hoping either for something a little simpler to work with. (Of course, that can be accomplished with the game objectives as well.)

The one thing I'd flip over: Good pots.

[petek]

Sure would be great if the FIRST Santa put some nice ball-bearing encoders in our stockings. Especially since there is never very deep stock on these things.

[lukevanoort]

Replace everything with FPs and CIMs

[Bill_Hancoc]

I vote new geraboxes. Some teams cant fford to have a gearbox made or arnt capable of making their own but the ones last year were so HEAVY with 2 cims i think they tipped (or broke) the scales at 22lbs EACH!

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Bill_Hancoc

I vote new geraboxes. Some teams cant fford to have a gearbox made or arnt capable of making their own but the ones last year were so HEAVY with 2 cims i think they tipped (or broke) the scales at 22lbs EACH!

It should have been fairly easy for teams to either drill out/find someone to drill out the gears in the gearbox.

That'd be a very simple way to cut quite a bit of weight.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Cory

It should have been fairly easy for teams to either drill out/find someone to drill out the gears in the gearbox.

That'd be a very simple way to cut quite a bit of weight.

Yep.. I remember ours maybe weighing 22lbs combined.

Drilling out the gears = good, as long as you do it right.

[sciguy125]

I think the kits should include a 2007 game hint.

[Andrew Blair]

Haha, nope, once kickoff comes, I won't care about 2007! Now the closing letter...

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by sciguy125

I think the kits should include a 2007 game hint.

I'll use my psychic powers...

Originally Posted by dlavery, in the kit

The 2007 game will include robots of some sort.

--dave

[Ian Curtis]

More RAM in the RC would be a nice gift from the extra-ordinarily nice people at IFI. Also, maybe some PWM cables that like to plug in, instead of being mean and going in beside the receptors.

Also, how about more of those sticky notes that say "Things to do yesterday..."!

[Alan Anderson]

Black CH FlightSticks.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Black CH FlightSticks.

How on earth could I forget this.

This would be the greatest (re)addition to the kit ever

[Jay Trzaskos]

The KOP last yearwas awesome...

But heres the rundown:
Kitbot = awesome
Kit transmissions = awesome
# of motors = awesome
Type of motors = awesome
... anyone else seeing where im heading with this?

The only department I really have no part in, so therefore would know nothing aboutneeding more/different, is sensors. So bring on the '06 KOP and whatever new innovations and headaches (cough cough CMU cough cam cough cough) it may include.

JT
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