Innovation First- What gives?

[Rich Kressly]

Originally Posted by Blair Frank

After looking at some replacements/ bonuses for stuff that came in this year's KOP. Eventually, that led me to Innovation First. And then, I started screaming.

Think and investigate before reacting in such a manner.

Originally Posted by Blair Frank

They charge $7.49 for a replacement antenna for the OI!

Do you have a clue about how much of what you get from IFI for free to start with? Take care of what's there and you never need a replacement. You do know that IFI sponsors these forums, sends people to every FIRST event (the ONLY FIRST supplier to do so), and provides loaner equipment to teams in need at events.

Originally Posted by Blair Frank

How is it fair for IFI to charge exorbitant prices when it has a monopoly on all of the business for KOP replacements?

Please call IFI and ask. They'll gladly tell you exactly how much robotics business they do and what their overall profit ISN'T (after you factor in their engineering hours and what they do for free EVERY YEAR). Could you imagine anyone who is profit hungry developing a business around a maximum of 1300 customers? And when they began there were far fewer teams than this. Rack Solutions is their very profitable business that allows them to be so kind to us in the FIRST community. As for the monopoly, I guess you weren't around FIRST before IFI when stuff barely moved because of signal loss, incompatibilities, etc. The seamless electronic integration we now have is a beautiful thing.

Originally Posted by Blair Frank

The "Chicklet" costs 129.99. How can an up-and-coming rookie team pay for something like that.

You forgot your question mark. This is not mandatory to use and it's not even an IFI product. crosstheroadelectronics.com (founded by team 217 engineers) developed this and even set the price. IFI is helping out by providing the store front and distribution. Im sure the Copioli brothers of 217 (one of them is a WFA winner too, in case you didn't know that either) can enlighten you on the price as well.

Originally Posted by Blair Frank

Or worse, the easy to lose power supply costs 19.99. How is it fair to make someone spend their (not unlimited) money on an "official" power supply?

Easy to lose? I've been involved with two separate FRC teams since 2001, and never once was one lost. After a few years we wore one out once. Oh, yeah, you don't even need the thing to provide power at competition. Again, take care of what you have if you can't afford the 20 bucks.

Originally Posted by Blair Frank

IFI already has all the business, so why do they need to charge so much? It seems as though they aren't showing much gracious professionalism by charging 7.49 for a part that seems like it should cost less. I would like to know the community reaction, and also, what you think should be done.
-Blair

Spouting off without all of the facts is a bad idea. It's also bad to invoke the gods of "Gracious Professionalism" to judge others.