Vex Wishlist?

[Donut]

Now that Innovation First is taking over the Vex line, and we know there are new products in the works, what are we hoping to get next?

I definitely want a gyro and an accelerometer for new sensors, and wouldn't mind a selector switch designed for it so you could choose different modes, especially for fully autonomous Vex robots.

I know these sensors can already be hooked up, but I think it'd be nice to see Vex versions of them.

[Billfred]

This is nit-picky, but I'd love to see the next version of the Vex starter set include a set of four big wheels. Knobby or all-purpose (or any other design) matters not to me, but having four identical ones would be awesome.

I'd also love to see an adapter cable to allow folks to interface other things to the controller. (Victors, anyone?)

The builder in me would love to see some heavier-duty allen wrenches, ones that'll last for a good long time. (How many Vex builders here went out to buy their own from another store? I rest my case.)

Finally, I'd like to see some way to get the Inventor's Guide in electronic form. Even if it's a couple of bucks for a CD, getting them as a PDF would just be awesome.

[KINGOFCLUBS454]

A new controller would be nice. The current one does it's job well, but there is no room for customization. I wouldn't mind being able make an FRC robot simulator for those long build season nights when the robot is still in 1000 pieces and I've got nothing but kitbot to program.

[Kyle Love]

I would like to see little pieces actually made to hold down the pwm cables, I know you could just use zip ties, but if you could just hold them down with something cool, it adds a "cool factor to it". I think lexan would be nice to be included in the kit, or sold in small quanities.

[irishninja]

Heat sensors.

[Steve0100]

I'd like to see worm Gears and spur gears, smaller rotation sensors, and IR promity sensors.
Hey, Vex lives! Good news

[Gdeaver]

I'd like to see the Sharp 5' IR sensor packaged up and available for the VEX challenge next year. Have an adapter so it can be mounted on a VEX servo. Last fall we where able to do some neat auto nav with them. For arms a pot or some type of position sensor. The encoders need to be redesigned so they can fit in a smaller space. A linear actuator? Higher torque motors? Mini camera mount? Laser time of flight sensor? Suspension Kit?

[Donut]

I just realised this now; more extension cables in the starter set (the keyed ones).

I don't think anyone would object to mecanum wheels making an appearance. If only the Navy didn't own the patent...

The IR ranging sensors definitely sound good, ultrasonics can be a bit overkill for a Vex size robot.

Lastly, an archimedes screw with the 1/8" shaft on the end so it could be driven by the gears/sprockets.

[Jeff K.]

Originally Posted by Donut

I don't think anyone would object to mecanum wheels making an appearance.

I second that.

[artdutra04]

A lot of the stuff on this list can be achieved right now with the Vex hardware and/or a few additional parts if you really want it. I have personally used and programmed IR Sharp sensors from acroname.com with the Vex kits to great success. I also, by chance, found a whole ton of 24 pitch plastic gears, including some 24 pitch plastic worm gears that mesh perfectly with the Vex gears. (I think they were from Pitsco or one of the other educator supply companies originally. They were similar to this.)

[Donut]

Originally Posted by artdutra04

A lot of the stuff on this list can be achieved right now with the Vex hardware and/or a few additional parts if you really want it. I have personally used and programmed IR Sharp sensors from acroname.com with the Vex kits to great success. I also, by chance, found a whole ton of 24 pitch plastic gears, including some 24 pitch plastic worm gears that mesh perfectly with the Vex gears. (I think they were from Pitsco or one of the other educator supply companies originally. They were similar to this.)

Yes, but if they come built for Vex, that pretty much ensures the sensors will have EasyC support (I don't use EasyC for it, but alot of people do).

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by Donut

Yes, but if they come built for Vex, that pretty much ensures the sensors will have EasyC support (I don't use EasyC for it, but alot of people do).

When I used the IR sensors, I had programmed them using EasyC 1.0. Nothing special was needed. If you are trying to use any custom analog sensor, just use one of the LightSensor blocks. If you are using any custom digital sensor, just use one of the Bumper or LimitSwitch blocks.

The code does not know that the sensor is different. All it knows is that it has the right type of signal coming in (analog or digital), and as long as you have it wired to the right pinouts, you're ready to roll. It's that simple.

[gdo]

a "y" connector would be nice to allow more batteries to be used.
also I would like to see some improved motors (in torque and speed)

[joshsmithers]

i would like more gears and some chain to come in the kit. i got so ticked when i got the kit and forgot to buy chain, too. a wider variety of gear sizes would be nice due to spacing problems. i hated how easily that smaller allen wrench stripped. some low strength tread locker specifically for vex 'd be cool.

[CmptrGk]

what i think would be the most valuable thing would be a block, that when plugged into the vex controller that would allow for a normal pwm connection. this would solve some interfacing problems.

/unreleated

has anyone else taken apart their vex controller to see that there are more ports under the casing, and the ifi code has 12pwms in it. i havent actually tried to see if they work, but it they do maybe a new top cover could be released that had access to all of the pwm ports.

unrelated\