pneumatics for 2006 competition?

[Joobacca]

Ok, so my team is in a constant debate whether or not to use pneumatics this year in FIRST's competition. Basically, the two sides are: 1) It's worth using pneumatics to benefit the robot either in a ball loading mechanism, some sort of break, or a way to extend portions of the robot 2) It's not worth the extra 15 pounds that will indefinitely be added to the robot if pneumatics is used.

What are your guys' takes on whether or not to use pneumatics, and for what purposes?

Also, I was wondering if there is a way to not use a compressor on our robot, but have an alternative way to fix our pneumatics if by chance the system were to fail.

Thanks and good luck!